Beginner Guitar help............

[Cyclone2]

My son bought a guitar [acoustic] with his Xmas money and I'm thinking about picking one up for myself in January.
So......... any advice to help in the learning process?

1. -books, or sites or computer programs
2. -should I buy an electric or acoustic for myself [looking at bass too]
3. -any other advice

Want to play rock, pop, spiced up country type music in the future

Thanks and just for looking here is a little tidbit on the next gen digital output guitars

[Bovon]

If it were me, I would buy something relatively inexpensive at first. Many people (like myself) simply do not have the gift, and no matter how much you love guitar playing, you may never do more than a few chords.

If you get one, try to get a decent one at a decent price. The neck of a guitar is the most important one part of the instrument. If the neck is not a good fit and will hold the strings low to the frets, you will burn out trying to learn. Your fingers will have to grow calluses ..this will take time, and the first few weeks will be kinda painful.

[Optimus Prime]

I like the strings low to the neck, that's why i prefer playing on electrics rather than acoustics.

Back to the subject -

Good computer program is Guitar Pro www.guitar-pro.com you can download songs from www.mysongbook.com and use that program to play em, then you can learn them, it actually plays them for you so it's WAY easier

Also, look into getting a personal trainer, they can help you get the skills a computer program cannot teach.

Either acoustic or electric is fine, i prefer electrics as i find them easier to play with, the strings are thinner, the actual size of the guitar is smaller, but it is heavier, there is also the fiddling around with wires.

Stick with it, i am lucky to be a naturally talented musician, but even if you aren't, you can still become an excellent guitar player, practice makes perfect, just stick with it.

Good luck,
Adam.

[Brainchild]

Good luck on the new hobby.It sure has entertained me for 30+ years

www.fenderplayersclub.com is a good place to start,tons of lessons,scales,chords,tabs,ect.And it's all free.

http://www.unpronounceable.com/interchart/guitar/

http://www.cyberfret.com/index.php has some good stuff too,and the forums are good.

[Cyclone2]

If it were me, I would buy something relatively inexpensive at first.

I'm all over that

Practice,practice,practice is a must

Thanks for the tips so far guys

[Brainchild]

Are you looking at an acoustic or electric for your first guitar?

Oh look at www.musiciansfriend.com they have some really great deals right now.End of the year deals

[Cyclone2]

Are you looking at an acoustic or electric for your first guitar?

Well my son has a new Yamaha [small size] acoustic so I was thinking maybe get an electric so we have both and I will try out the electric myself, as well as letting him play it

[Bovon]

The last time my youngest son came for a visit, I gave him a Trini Lopez hollow body Gibson. For those not familiar with this special limited edition Gibson, it has a Fender neck

http://player.gibson.com/sept02/trini.html

Along with the guitar was the Fender amp. The value of both was about 2 G's..and...he doesn't play much either.

Out of all the different guitars I have had, I liked a Martin D? (6)? best. Western style, it had a wonderful sound for one person, mellow and easy to strum.

I also had a Yamaha (hand made)..wonderful mellow sound.. that was my last guitar.. I sold it to a friend for $25 to give to his daughter.. my fingers are so stiff today with arthritis ..there was no reason to try playing any more.

I have chord books here as well as Chet Atkins style lessons. I wish someone had these books..they will just be put in the trash one day.

[wju425]

These sites I browsed for tidbits:

www.guitarnoise.com www.guitarnotes.com www.guitarplayer.com

If you really want to have fun and learn the styles of transcribers (if not exactly copy) go to:

www.power-tab.com and download power tab. At the site you can get power tab files and links for it. Lots of music and all for free. With it you can see and hear the scores and tablatures play.

\o/ Billy

[Brainchild]

Electrics are way easier to play,but there are some things that just have to be played on an acoustic.

I have chord books here as well as Chet Atkins style lessons. I wish someone had these books..they will just be put in the trash one day.

Maybe someone would toss a couple of bucks your way for them.If nothing else just pay the shipping or whatnot.