Wants to learn guitar but which is easier to learn or play on?

best acoustic guitar reverb pedal image

x-Chloe-Sm

Ok so..I want to learn the guitar but im not sure which to buy.
Electric Guitar?
Acoustic Guitar?
Any other guitars?
Well which is the easiest to learn and play on?
I know learning to play the guitar isn't easy but for a beginner.
Thanks for the help :)
Thanks for the help :)

Answer
I would say get a cheap electric guitar with one of those Line 6 Spider amps or those Peavy Vypyr amps, they have so many effects in them that u wont have to buy any pedals.

Thing is that if you buy an accoustic guitar, it sometimes doesn't sound as good as those musicians that you might see playing on youtube or somthing. This can somewhat discourage you from playing the guitar even further before the guitar can be a frustrating instrument at first. You need to be patient and develop calluses and muscle memory for accoustic guitar.
However, with an electric guitar it is usually easier to play. The strings require less force to push down therefore your fingers would build up less calluses. You can add effects such as reverb and distortion which makes it even more fun to play.

I know that some musicians discourage the practice of rushing ahead with an instrument, but if you can develop a passion for learning guitar by messing about with effects, then that will help you learn the basics faster than you would learn things with an accoustic guitar because interest is a huge factor in the rate at which someone learns.

So, go buy a Fender Squire or somthing for around $50-100 and the Line6/Peavey Vypyr amp and learn the basic power chord shapes that can be uses virtually in any situtation as they are really vague chords. As long as you play in the right key you are good to go. Try playing along to some of your favourite pop or rock songs, playing power chords over the song. It will sound interesting if you play it correctly.

Another thing that I would suggest is to learn the basic shape for the pentatonic scale. The pentatonic scale is perhaps one of the most widely used scales in rock music as well as blues and jazz as well. It's amazing how many songs have been bassed on the pentatonic scale. The Ramones for example generally had chord progressions that were based on the pentatonic. E.g. Blitzkrieg Bop.

Even guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton used pentatonics

Once you learn the pentatonic scale, you can slowly try to play a guitar solo based off the pentatonic scale or maybe even try to improvise your own as you go along.

What kind of amp should I use with my violin?

Kab

I have an acoustic violin with a pickup and a electric violin. I need something to use at receptions etc.
I would like some built in effects. My pocket book will hold me back some. I am open to anything up to $250 but would prefer to go for less.

Answer
You'll definitely want to go with an acoustic instrument amplifier, as electric guitar amps are too bright and treble-biased to sound good with violins. Most acoustic amps have built-in reverb (at least) and maybe chorus as well. If you're looking for just those basic effects to color your tone, any amp found at this link that fits your budget will work wonderfully:
http://www.electricviolinshop.com/gear-accessories/amps.html

If you want more than just basic acoustic effects like Reverb (for instance, distortion, wah, modulation effects, etc.) you'll need to add a separate effects processor. Within your budget of $250 you could still afford a Kustom Sienna 16 amp with a Digitech RP90 effects processor, or if you can extend yourself slightly, get the Kustom Sienna 30 amp for more power and low end tone.

Kustom amps:
http://www.electricviolinshop.com/gear-accessories/amps/kustom.html

Digitech RP90:
http://www.electricviolinshop.com/gear-accessories/electronics/effects/digitech/digitech-rp90-multi-effects-pedal.html

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FREE Online Acoustic Guitar Lesson For Beginners?

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theekaseyy

Anyone know of any good online sites for free Acoustic Guitar lessons? I am a beginner... sooo.... Any sites for beginners would be good. Thanks!

Answer
Try cyberfret.com. Practice some of their beginner guitar lessons, chords, etc., every day for an hour or two, until you feel comfortable and confident enough with your chords and finger placements. Listen to tones and learn to recognize chords by their sound, then practice with songs you hear and like. The key is practice, practice, practice. By learning proper ways and tones of chords, and then moving towards simple songs you like, you will be able to recognize your own style more and get a feel of (1) the proper way to play chords and (2) your own methods of playing. Once you get a handle on this, seek out others to jam with, because that will keep you motivated to play more, and will allow you to learn from others as well.

Is it possible to find good acoustic guitar lessons on the internet?

Alan

I want to get acoustic guitar lessons but with my current crazy time-shifting job it is impossible for me to be available during decent hours. I have heard there are video lessons on the Internet but I would like to get feedback from someone who tried it.

Answer
There are video courses available that you can pause and replay when and as often as you want. It is a definite advantage over a teacher who will be available for only an hour or so at the time and that you will have to pay by the hour.
Find out what is available and reviews of the best online guitar lessons on the http://CountryGuitarLesson.net website.

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Piano and Guitar Duet? Will make youtube cover a credit you if you give me an idea?

best acoustic guitar duets image

Ryan

What would be a good, fairly popular, song for an acoustic guitar and piano to cover? I will make a youtube video and credit you if your suggestion is picked :) thanks

Answer
Little Things One Direction Very popular and can be played be both!
:)

Which Broadway songs can be played on an acoustic guitar?

Eponine

Does anyone know any songs from Broadway/West End musicals that can be played on an acoustic guitar, and if so, which songs? The level of difficulty isn't very important, and neither is the musical the song is from. (However, I'd hugely appreciate any songs from "Miss Saigon" "The Phantom of the Opera" "Les Miserables" "Oliver!" "Rent" and/or "Wicked".) Also, it can be a solo or duet... I just need the titles of any songs that can be played on an acoustic guitar.
Thanks!

Answer
I can give you some great TAB sites for playing any amount of them that you want.

www.songsterr.com
www.911tabs.com

If you are more inclined to playing sheet music with notes, you will either have to go out and buy some at a guitar center, sam ash, George's music, or any local music shop. You can also find sheet music for free, by looking for the online PDF of the specific song.

Also, any song ever made can be played on a guitar, it's a chromatic instrument after all. So you can play ANY broadway song you want, if you can learn by ear, or find the music for it!

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Best recommended acoustic guitar for beginners?

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Ashley

What is the most suitable, good, cheap acoustic guitar for beginners who have no experience?

Answer
Take someone with you who is already into playing guitar to help make your choice when shopping for your guitar. Good to try out all the units to compare and find the ones that will fit your present needs when it comes to feel, sound, performance and price range.

Brands are many, even 'low-end' models are good to begin with: Alvarez; Art & Lutherie; Dean; Epiphone; Ibanez; Jasmine(Takamine); Johnson; Lag; Michael Kelly; Seagull; Washburn and Yamaha.

Great adventure to begin with. Welcome to the world of axes.

How much does the average acoustic guitar cost?

Morte et D

So I want to learn to play acoustic guitar, and then one day learn to play an electric guitar. How much would the average acoustic guitar cost? Can you please also add some links for good acoustic guitars for beginners? :)

Answer
Do not buy any guitars sold at big box stores. The price may be attractive, but these are just toys that look like guitars. Don't be fooled by the guitars target sells that have the Gibson name on them. The maestro series is total junk and I don't know how Gibson ever licensed their name to this worthless junk.

Musician's Friend and Guitar Center sell the Epiphone DR-100 for between $99 and $129. This is the only guitar in that low of a price range that I would recommend. They are perfect for beginners and will make a great couch guitar when you advance and want something better.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-DR-100-Acoustic-Guitar-101558153-i1150079.gc

To get a better guitar you're looking at $299 and up, but don't need to have huge price tags.
Taylor is probably the best acoustic you can buy without having it custom made, but not everyone has $3000 to blow on a guitar. My favorite 6 string acoustic ever can be had for $399. While it is designed to be a jazz/swing guitar, I find it rocks for all genres.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gitane-Cigano-Series-GJ10-Gypsy-Jazz-Guitar?sku=580375

Takemine and Ibanez have some decent student guitars at lower prices. you might want to look at those as well. Just search those names on musician's friend for more info.

xx

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What type of acoustic Epiphone guitar should i get?

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Alana M

I'm getting a new acoustic guitar and i heard epiphones were good but i don't know what type to get. I looked it up on google and the Epiphone Dove Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar came up and i was wondering if it was any good or is there any other better type i could get. I have around â¬200-300 to spend.

Answer
That's a nice acoustic guitar for the price. I'd avoid the cheaper Epiphones like the DR-100 though. You could certainly pay more and get a better guitar, but for the price you're looking to spend I'd go with the Epiphone Dove or Hummingbird (a little more expensive). I'd definitely go with a dreadnought over the jumbo Epiphones, which would probably be too big for you. In that price range your other options would be Ibanez, Fender (I hate their cheap acoustics though), Yamaha, and some lower end Takamines. The Epiphone is definitely worth trying out to see if you like it, and it's a nice looking guitar as well.

is a used ps2 a good deal for a used epiphone acoustic guitar?

jiiij

im bout to trade my ps2 for a epiphone acoustic guitar? this a good deal?

Answer
Depends what model of Epiphone acoustic guitar it is. Some (DR100) cost about $100 brand new. I wouldn't trade a PS2 for one of them necessarily unless you really didn't use the PS2 anymore and really wanted a cheap guitar. If it's an Epiphone Dove or Hummingbird or one of their more expensive models it would be a great deal.

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What acoustic guitar strings to use?

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I have a Yamaha acoustic guitar. I am a beginner and finding the strings i have very hard to use. I want to get different strings that are easier on my fingers and less difficult to press down. I don't have a specific genre of playing since i am just learning.
I know that nylon strings would be easier but I am not sure if they are compatible with my guitar.
Can someone help me out?

Answer
For a beginning guitarist I would recommend anything from D'Addario. get the lightest action that they have for your acoustic guitar. I would also look in to whether your action is too high. Your action is the distance between the the stings and the neck of the guitar. The lower the action the harder it is to press the strings down and get a good clean tone. I think your action is the culprit here my friend but, if not D'Addario is the way to go.

Why my acoustic guitar strings vibrate less with my pick holding technique?

Mahendra

there are 2 ways i hold my pic.
1st way i used is like between thumb and index finger(not side part but underneath of index finger).
With this holding technique my guitar strings sound sharp but i am not comfortable with this. :(

2nd way is between thumb and side of index finger.(not exactly over nail of index finger but little away and just over the bone tip) here strings doesnt sound sharp but i am very comfortable playing this. here strings vibrates less thats what i feel.

i am beginner and 1 year exp.

Answer
First of all, you need to hold your pick with the right amount of pressure. Best way to do this is to hold the pick and have someone remove it from you. It should be easy. That is the way to hold it since the pick needs to move up and down and in a circular motion when picking especially.

The harder you hold the pick, the harsher the sound. How you attack the string and how it will sound will depend on the way you are holding your pick.

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What is a good beginner acoustic guitar to buy?

acoustic guitar lessons for beginners dvd image

snicks

Should I buy the guitar kit with DvD's included and strap and such. oR BUY A BETTER GUITAR AND ALL THE OTHER items seperately? This will be a birthday present for my 14 yr old son who has started last year on an electric but lost interest, says he would rather try an acoustic. I would say 500. would be the higher end of what I would spend. Your experienced input much appreciated.

Answer
When buying a guitar, like anything else, you get what you pay for. But lets be honest, most people who start off playing guitar give up within a few months, and the guitar player just ends up a few hundred dollars poorer. When buying a guitar, buy something cheap, but easy to play.

The best acoustic guitar for a beginner is an inexpensive Yamaha FG700s. This is a cheap guitar that is very easy to play, and it looks and sounds great. This is hands down the best choice for a newbie guitarist. Another option would be an Takamine G-340 guitar. You can find both for around $200. But do not buy that Esteban guitar it is very badly made even by cheap guitar standards.

So hold off on buying a $500 guitar until you are sure that playing the guitar is something he is going to stick with. You already lost money on the electric guitar don't make the same mistake twice.

With regards to buying a kit or the accessories individually. I wouldn't buy the kit the accessories included are throw aways and you are better off buy a little better guitar for almost the same price. You can buy the accessories later when needed, which you will end up doing later anyway becuase the ones that come in the kit are garbage. And then have your son use You Tube and Google to search for free lessons before spending money on DVD lessons. There are a ton of free lesson out there. That is what I did when I first started learning and then when I needed more instruction and wanted to move ahead in my playing did I start buying DVD's and paying for Online Lessons.

Just my 2 cents.....

Where should I start learning guitar?

kaisaki134

I am going to buy an acoustic guitar (a starter package with a training dvd). I'm a complete beginner so I don't know where to start learning. I want to build the basics. Maybe some chords.

I am more comfortable following instructions in written materials.

Answer
I would suggest learning how to read tablature (tabs) http://guitar.about.com/od/tabchordslyrics/ss/read_guitar_tab.htm and the finger shapes of the more common major/minor chords like C, D, A, E, G and Em. There are a number of online guitar courses available that cost money but only what you would pay to get 2 or 3 lessons from a real teacher. I own Jamorama (about $40) and Learn and Master Guitar (about $150 I think). L&M guitar is a DVD based course with a booklet. Jamorama is a downloadable course with text lessons and videos/jam tracks included. They are both excellent courses and use videos to teach. They also have money back guarantees if you dislike their teaching style.
If you can't afford Jamorama, then I suggest checking on Youtube for Justin Sandercoe. He provides some great lessons for free and is a pretty good teacher. http://www.youtube.com/user/justinsandercoe?blend=2&ob=4

For your first song with strumming and chords, I suggest learning Pearl Jam - Last Kiss. The chord progression follows G - Em - C - D with simple down down up up down strumming. And for songs where you are picking (plucking strings individually), I would suggest simple songs like Old McDonald, Twinkle Twinkle and Happy Birthday. Ok... so that is a bit lame, but it will help you learn some of the basics.

As for buying a guitar, I would suggest something around $140-180 that is already on sale as a beginner instrument. Check at local music shops for any deals they might have and ask them to make some recommendations. Decide on what you can afford before you go the store so you don't end up buying that awesome guitar that is 3 times what you wanted to pay. You can pick up an electronic tuner or use an online one (I believe Jamorama comes with a version, however I like using an electronic one) Here is a resource about guitar buying http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?doc_id=99529 Be sure that the guitar fits you well.

Good luck with learning to play. And remember, it is starting that is the hardest. Your fingers will get sore until you develop some tougher skin on the fingers, but hang in there and keep practicing.

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What is a good beginner's acoustic guitar for an adult?

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Natasha P

I am a 27 year old female, interested in playing an acoustic guitar. I would like to spend under $200. Am I being too cheap?

Answer
Hi. I am a player myself, and here's some CORRECT advice.... don't buy a really cheap guitar...you'll regret it. Cheap guitars like the Walmart/department store cheapos... First Act, etc. generally are hard to play because they are not well made or properly set up, and will cause you to get frustrated and quit. Then you'll have a pricey dust catcher sitting in the corner.

Shy away from pawn shops too unless you know guitars (and what to look for in a guitar) REALLY well. Most items that get hocked at a pawn shop are well used and may have problems. And when you buy it, there's generally no returns so if it's a piece of junk, you're stuck with it. (same thing with amps). For a first guitar you want something that's dependable.

Go to your local guitar store and tell them that you are a beginner and that you have X dollars that you can spend. These guys are all players themselves and love to see new players come in. They can show you several options in your price range, both new and used, and unlike department stores, you can try them out before you buy. They also have starter groupings with a guitar, case, and accessories to get you started. Additionally, I recommend buying an electronic guitar tuner...you will be able to accurately tune every time, plus you will "educate" your ear to know the way a properly tuned guitar is supposed to sound.

The people at the store will tell you this themselves, but I'll say it here also...no two guitars are exactly alike, nor do they all play alike. What you want is a guitar that has good "action" (ease of fingering the strings up and down the neck) and of course good tone and sound. Don't buy the guitar based on which one looks coolest...buy it based on its playability.

Good Luck and have fun! Hope this helped.

For guitar: Is it easier for a beginner to learn to play with an open tuning?

randomobje

I'm just starting to learn to play acoustic guitar - but I have really short fingers for an adult, and find it hard to play some of the basic chords. Would it be easier to learn how to play using an open D or open G tuning?

Answer
In one sense it is easier to learn to play in open tunings. But it probably isn't the best approach to take. Even accomplished players who now mainly now play in open tunings started in standard tuning. Check out Lawerence Juber and Pierre Bensusan for an idea of what I'm talking about.

Another player to check out is Muriel Anderson. She's a petite woman with small hands who's a smokin' player.

Beginning players frequently have trouble playing chords because they're not using the correct hand positions. If at all possible take at least a few lessons to get on the right track with technique. It's easier to learn good habits than it is to unlearn bad ones. The photos in the link below will give you an idea about correct hand position.

Hang in there, playing guitar is a lot of fun!

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What is the cost of an acoustic guitar in or near kolkata?

best acoustic guitars value for money image

tyson_div2

I want value for money guitars.I am a beginner.ALSO PLZ MENTION THE COMPANY OF GUITARS AVAILABLE.ALSO A CHEAP ONE BUT THE BEST ONE.MY BUDGET IS 1000 to rs 1800/-Rs.

Answer
Lol........I bought my first Acoustic Guitar for 6,500..........in Sikkim

You won't get a nice guitar at 1800......of that I am sure.

How much would it cost to fix my acoustic guitar neck?

Gwion

Hi, i have inherited an acoustic guitar from my dad but it's a bit shit because the strings are pretty far above the frets and the frets are kinda rusty :p should i see if i can find someone to fix it (if so how much would it cost?) or should i just upgrade to a better guitar?

I have a Harmony acoustic and have been doing guitar since Christmas if that helps :p

Answer
There are a number of things that can cause high action (string height above the frets), and the cost of repair would depend on which it is. Most guitar repairmen will not charge you just to look at it and give you an idea of what's needed and the cost.

How much money you should put into it would depend on its value, which would depend on make, model, age, and condition.

Corroded or dirty frets can be cleaned with 0000 gauge steel wool. Mask off the fretboard with masking tape if it has any stain or finish that might be damaged, or if you are using the steel wool against the grain of the wood. Magnetic pickups should also be protected if present. If the fretboard is unfinished wood you can go over it with the steel wool, working with the grain. A couple drops of lemon oil can be rubbed in to help protect it from cracking and make it look nice when you're done. There are also commercial fretboard cleaners/oils.

P.S. I'm assuming that this isn't the same guitar as the Harmony you mentioned (that's the one you've had since Christmas, and you just got another, right?), but it's not quite clear. If it is an old Harmony, it may have a nonadjustable neck which would make it quite expensive to fix any neck bow.

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How to go about learning to play acoustic guitar all help appreciated!!!?

acoustic guitar chords for beginners free image

AyeLeo87

I'm seriously interested in learning to play acoustic guitar, don't know where to begin or what the first steps are... All help appreciated and please please be as detailed as possible!

Rock on btw :)

Answer
Well, first you should be familiar with the theory of guitar. That's what I first learned about when I started playing. Any beginner's guitar book should explain that in depth pretty well. You'll then progressively move into learning the basic chords (A, B, C, D, E, F, & G) then getting into minors and majors, but those take more practice and understanding. Also they have a system of W-(whole step) and H-(Half step) for learning the notes on the guitar. But, I recommend starting out with easy songs, [e.g. The Beatles - "Yesterday,"] and just working from there. One of the first rock songs I played was "Eight Days A Week" by The Beatles. The Beatles are a good starting point, and at least one of their songs is in a lot of guitar learning books. Most importantly have fun and if you have an opportunity to learn from a guitar instructor, I strongly encourage it rather than teaching yourself. When I started I learned from an instructor and it was one of the best decisions i made. It's easier when you can have someone guide and show you proper techniques. Try and practice at least 30 min a day, that will help significantly with your playing.

Good Luck! Hope I helped!
If you have any more questions, please feel free to send me an email. I can try and explain things more with any more questions you may have.

Experienced Flamenco players, what's the best way for complete noob to learn Flamenco Guitar?

Noah

I have very little (almost a complete noob) experience on a ukulele (only learned a few notes to strum), but I have little interest in the uke. I want to learn guitar, and more specifically flamenco guitar (though I have an interest in country music as a whole, too), but I have no idea where to start. I can't read music, and I have a very basic understanding of tabs.

What's the best way for a complete beginner like me to learn? I realize going to Spain or hiring an instructor (in person or online) are the best routes, but neither are something I can do right now. I may seek one out in a few years, but in the mean time I need to start off with something else. So what is my next best FREE option? I have enough to buy an inexpensive acoustic guitar and a few instructional dvd's, but that's it. I'm a very patient person who's willing to put in the basics for months before even attempting a song, so what do you experienced players think would have been the best route if you had to restart from the very beginning without having an instructor (at least for 3 to 5 years), but needed to self-teach?

Should I learn classical, or look through a much more limited selection of flamenco instructional dvd's? I've looked through a few, but they seem geared toward those with a little experience with classical guitar already.

Or do I just learn classical first, and then 'unlearn' a few things when I move into self-taught flamenco a year or two later?


I'm so confused because it seems like there's just a limited amount of flamenco self-teaching aids, and they seemed geared toward those that know a bit about guitar already. There's slightly more classical self-teaching aids, but I've heard I'm going to have to UNLEARN (seems less efficient) a few things when I finally do move to flamenco. And then there's just basic acoustic guitar (country, pop, etc) with so many free instructional videos online...

So what should I do considering I'm a complete beginner with a little bit of funds and only enough time to spend 2 to 3x a week learning the absolute basics right now?

My ultimate goal? In 10 years to be playing flamenco well enough on my own that I can enjoy picking through various songs from memory and having fun...

Answer
Spend as a minimum, $300 on a steel-stringed acoustic having good volume and tone. Next, start with Country to get the feel of chord changing and specific runs from one chord to the next.

Flamenco style playing will come as your expertise builds with fingerstyle playing. Start with learning some basic Flamenco-style songs such as "Malaguena," "Espana Cani," "The Breeze and I," "Kiss of Fire," "Marie," and similar Spanish-feeling tunes. I have more on my mind, but cannot recall their titles.

Russell E had provided some excellent tips in that fanning chords is one good way to get that Flamenco touch. You can experiment with the chords of E and Am by downstroking with your four fingers on the nails and then reverse the approach by starting with the little finger and end with the forefinger on the upward swing. I believe nails are crucial to get that volume and control you would need.

What's more, developing your own unique style of playing is ever important. You can mimic other great Flamenco players up to a point, but remember--it's your playing that counts. The same goes for the Country genre.

For many years I copied the deliveries of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis only to eventually learn that there can only be one Atkins and one Travis in the guitar world. I developed my own style of delivery that has nuances of Atkins, Travis, Montoya, and others--to include Lightnin' Hopkins and Jimmy Reed--both credible Blues' players and singers.

Don't forget the lure and captivity that Delta Blues can offer. The tunes and lyrics are simple and so are the chord progressions, but they can create moods where they are in the infancy stage.

Buy a quality chord book and a beginner's guitar manual such as published by Hal Leonard and Mel Bay. Don't forget to focus strongly on the music theory sections in the book as that is one attribute you must build upon.

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I want to learn to play the Guitar. Which is the best guitar for beginners?

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A.S.K

I like the sound of the acoustic guitar.

Answer
Of course its all about how much you can spend. Yamaha dose have nice solid top guitars for 200-300. I think the Washburns give more for the money. When starting out ease of playability is very important. Shop with someone knowledgeable about acoustic guitars.
If your price range is 500-800 range Martin makes some very nice low end guitars such as models DX-1 and DM. Also for that price Blueridge offers the BR160 and BR140 that are all solid woods and will last a lifetime if taken care of. Guild also has nice solid guitars in the 600 range.
Don't go out and buy a 100 dollar cheapo if you are serious. But don't rule out getting a nice used guitar for a great price. Guitar Center and Sam Ash carry used gear as well.
Good luck.

What kind of guitar should i get?

rudeawaken

I am going off to college next year and i cannot take my electric guitar because it would be to loud inside the dorms. So i am looking for some suggestions on what kind of acoustic guitar i should get. I PLAY THE GUITAR LEFT HANDED!!! LEFT HANDED!!! I am looking into a taylor guitar and i am looking tospen around 600 dollars. Thanks for helping

Answer
If you really want to bring your electric, then why don't you get yourself a mini amp like the vox d5 or roland microcube? Aside from being portable with so much features, you can also plug in headphones so you won't disturb anyone while you play. I kinda have the same dilemma as you but i have a tighter budget so yeah. But if you really want a good acoustic guitar for that range, i think the Alvarez Professional series is in that price range. But don't forget to try any guitar out since you never really know which one you'd end up liking unless you try everything!

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What electric acoustic guitar should I buy?

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OctoNightK

I'm looking to buy an electric acoustic guitar. I'm an intermediate player so I want something that isn't cheaply made but it doesn't have to be pro material either. I'm looking to spend no more than $700. Any suggestions or at least a band I should look at?

Answer
No one can ever tell you which guitar you should buy because everyone has their own likings. Go try a whole bunch out until you find one you like. The thing i look for the most is neck comfort. If its not narrow or thin or thick enough to your liking don't get it because it'll make you hate playing it.

What is a good intermediate acoustic guitar song that uses basic chords and is not too fast?

Q. I need to know a good song i can play on acoustic guitar using basic chords, that is not really fast. Do not answer with a pathetic punk or pop song please, i like good music like classic rock.

Answer
Some of these you'll have to learn by tabs but think about it, how far will you get if you only play songs you KNOW you can play?

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Led Zeppelin - Over The Hills And Far Away (acoustic guitar in this isn't too hard)
Oasis - Wonderwall
Cream - Sunshine Of Your Love (not acoustic but is a great song to learn for electric so when you get one, try this out :])
Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Like A Rolling Stone, All Along The Watchtower
The Who - Pinball Wizard (Guitar 1 is acoustic)
The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun, Yesterday, Blackbird

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Is Taylor a good brand of acoustic guitars for beginners?

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I can sort of play the keyboard, I do not really play any other instruments. I cannot read music notes but I know the basics. I want to become a singer/songwriter and I want to learn to play the acoustic guitar. As a beginner I found two Taylor acoustic guitars online at Best Buy that are cheap enough for me to save my money and buy one of them. I would like to know if it is a reliable brand for beginners.

Answer
Taylor makes great guitars so in general, you can't go wrong with that. However, buying guitars online can be something of a hit and miss affair when you're just starting out.

You really should be able to try the guitars first before you decide to purchase the instrument or not.

I suspect you've been looking at the Baby Taylor guitars. Although these are good guitars, they are not full size. They are somewhat limited in volume and tone. You should really go for a regular full size steel string acoustic. And again, you definitely want to try this out for yourself...

You will definitely do best if you buy from a dedicated guitar/music dealer. Oh, and stay well away from First Act instruments. These are nothing but kids toys.

Edited for spelling errors...

What type of acoustic guitar should I get?

Secaucus

I have been playing electric guitar for about 3 years now and I would say I'm at an intermediate level of playing. Recently, I've just been wanting to get an acoustic guitar. And I have been listening to a lot of folk and country and I think I want to pick it up and learn. I have a budget up to $350 max, lots of people recommend the Baby Taylor? How is the Baby Taylor? Does it have good quality and good sound? I'm not sure what I should get, but I'm open to any suggestions within my budget.

Answer
The Baby Taylor has a really nice sound, but it's a tiny guitar designed for traveling and portability. If you plan on playing at home, rather than at shows, it will probably serve you very well. I use one frequently for writing, since it fits nicely on the couch and saves me the trouble of getting out my full-size guitar. But if there's a chance you'll be playing publicly, there are better choices. Here's a video showing how small the Baby Taylor actually is, as well as how great it sounds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v57fXKp5lY0

Ibanez has a model called Sage that's incredible and would be a bargain at three times the price. I picked one up and played it at Guitar Center and was amazed at how beautifully it played and sounded. It has a solid spruce top, so the sound is rich and resonant. And it has a thinner neck and lower action than most acoustics, which will make it more comfortable for you to transition from electric to acoustic, since electrics have much thinner necks. When I glanced at the price tag and saw that it was only $180, I thought it must be a mistake, since the Sage played and sounded as nice as guitars costing much more. I've always been a fan of Ibanez electrics, but had no idea how great their acoustics are until a few years ago. Turns out the acoustics are also built like rocks and sound beautiful.

I'll post a link to the Sage so you can read the reviews and see that I'm not exaggerating. But I'd recommend going to a guitar store and test driving a bunch of different brands, since there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all guitar. The neck widths vary greatly between brands (Ibanez being the thinnest, Gibson/Epiphone being the fattest), so if you handle a lot of different guitars, chances are you'll find that one brand just feels more comfortable and natural in your hands than others. A lot of players struggle when transitioning from electric to acoustic, since acoustic necks are so much fatter. Trust your instincts, since they'll serve you better than anyone else's opinion. Most guitarists are somewhat brand loyal, but that's only because we've found the guitars that best fit our requirements. My brother swears only Gibsons and Martins are worth owning, but I'm female and have small hands, so both brands are physically impossible for me to play. But Fender and Ibanez electrics and Ibanez acoustics feel like they were custom made for me. Ultimately, the way a guitar feels in your hands is more important than the name on the headstock.

Here's the link to the Sage at Musician's Friend:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SGT120NT-SAGE-SERIES-Acoustic-Guitar-?sku=512326

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Is it economical to make a guitar amp by a processor and speakers or buy a cheap amp. I have a semi acoustic.?

cheap semi acoustic guitars image

noname

i brought a new semi acoustic guitar(acoustic guitar with a electric port). Now I can buy a cheap guitar amp or i can buy a cheap guitar processor and use my old computer speakers. Which configuration will give a better sound and be more economical.

Answer
I'm not sure what a semi-acoustic is? Do you mean a semi-hollow body guitar? If so, then it's classified as an electric.

You asked which would give a better sound and be more economical. Unfortunately, this is an either/or situation. Better sound, economical, pick one!

For an electric guitar, the amp is an much a part of the sound as the guitar itself. I doubt that computer speakers (at least most of them) would give you a very satisfying experience. For low level playing, you're going to at least want an 8" speaker, preferaably a 10". For performance, at least two 10"s or a 12".

Save yourself the aggravation and get yourself a proper amp.

Greetings form Austin, TX

Ken

How to add something in Acoustic Guitars to record..?

Gorgeous M

Hi Guys i have several guitars and i love to play all the musical instruments. I always try to create something special like i have made pre-amplifiers by my hands. And now i am trying something different. I think acoustic guitar and semi-acoustic guitar both haven't great difference. I am excited to know that is there is something i can add to my acoustic guitar to record it directly without putting it in front of a mic. Or is there any special thing to record an acoustic guitar...????
Please let me know. Actually when i started music studies this was my first acoustic guitar. So its 5 years old and i want to develop interest in it again.

Answer
You can add an acoustic guitar pickup, or you can sell your guitar and buy an acoustic-electric guitar that has one already built-in. Buying a new guitar is usually best because will probably be cheaper and have better features, like a graphic equalizer. There are quite a few new models under $250, and some at $150.

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How to learn to play electric guitar better?

acoustic guitar lessons for beginners kids image

DW from FL

My 27 year old son just bought his first electric guitar, he's had acoustic guitars before. He lives out in a rural area and doesn't know anyone to teach him or practice with. How can he connect with other people with the same interest? Or is there instructional videos or CD's?

Answer
Hello there,

Connect? Well, given his situation, he is not likely to physically connect with other players. So, he should consider on-line types of connections. One thing I can suggest is that he joins some of the on-line forums. There are many guitar specific forums and discussion boards. In all of those I belong to, less experienced players seeking advice are always welcome. Reading their questions and seeing their thoughts about things, helps old geezers like me keep in touch with younger players.
Here are some of my favorite forums
Surf Guitar 101.
http://surfguitar101.com/
Fender Guitar forum Strat-Talk
http://www.strat-talk.com/
Ultimate Guitar forum
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/indâ¦
Telecaster.com forum
http://www.tdpri.com/
Line 6 Community
http://line6.com/support/index.jspa

As you can probably guess from those forums, I am an old time surf guitar player and play mostly Fender guitars and amps. There are forums for about every conceivable niche of music. Just do a Google search for a forum in the type of music or guitar that interests him the most. Most of the forums do not require you to be a member to read the messages there, just to post messages. So, he can browse around the forum to see if it is on interest to him. You get to know guys there that you will never be able to physically meet. Sometimes, you wish you could meet up with them. A lot a great guys there.

Instructional materials? Frankly there is no substitute for lessons from a teaching pro. But not everyone has access to one. As a kid, I did not. There was no one around where I grew up who taught rock guitar (rural Indiana in the 1950s). I learned by any way I could. Listened to songs. If I could find a book about the guitar I got it. I played with anyone I could. Older kids who play (who also had never had lessons) would give me tips and show me how to do various techniques. I figure those guys unwittingly taught me every bad habit and improper technique they knew. Took me years to get straightened out. Today there are a lot of decent resources on-line.

Here is a link to the 1st in a series of 12 video lessons. These are targeted at absolute beginners and cover the basics of the electric guitar pretty well. Good place to start. Gets him a foundation in the basics. He can ignore the part in the video where that guy says he will send out the lessons. They are all on Youtube now. He used to email them to you individually.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxhxIV0I5â¦

Download this chord chart to your computer. It is a handy way to look up how to play any chord.
http://www.tabguitarlessons.com/downloadâ¦

He needs to learn to read tabs. Tabs is a shorthand method of writing guitar music and is commonly used these days. Fortunately it is quick and easy to learn. Here is an article explaining tabs.
http://www.howtotuneaguitar.org/lessons/â¦

When he wants to learn some particular song, do a Google search for the song title and the word tabs. That will give you the sites that have the tabs for that song. Then go to Youtube and do a search there using the title of the song and the word lesson or the words how to play. There are a lot of good instructional videos there. (and a lot of worthless ones because they do not really teach anything).

Also for new techniques he wants to learn, search at Youtube. For example say he wants to learn to sweep pick for playing metal. You will find a video like this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Aj2wx9PYâ¦

Also there are some good videos from know guitar players there. Joe Satriani has a lot of great videos and he is a great teacher.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDyI5b3Fâ¦
Paul Gilbert, Michael Angelo Batio and Yngwie Malsteen have videos there also (as examples).

One other piece of advice is get a decent amp and speaker. I do not like the small practice amps (10 to 20 watts of power and a 6 or 8 inch speaker). The speaker in those make you sound thin and tinny. They do not have enough power to handle gain and distortion so they run out of head room. Any 1x12 combo amp is a good beginner amp. If you buy a used one, a used 1x12 combo sells for about the price of a new small practice amp. The 12 inch speaker will give a richer fuller tone. An amp with built in effects is a good idea for beginners because it saves the cost of buying effects pedals. A good beginner amp is the Fender Mustang II 40 watt 1x12 combo digital modeling amp. It is very versatile.

Later,

What and where can I purchase a guitar beginner 6 year old?

ruby

I have always been musically inclined and my son is ready to learn an instrument and he chose the guitar! I am a violinist, so I loved the choice (no matter what it was). I don't know much about guitars and wanted to know if anyone had any insight for my 6 year old. And, does anyone know a good quality beginner guitar produced for young players like my son?

Answer
You can get the little acoustic guitar made by First Act for about $20 at Target, Toys R Us and other places. I bought one for my son when he was three. It's actually a pretty decent instrument - especially for the price.

If you want to jump into a higher quality instrument right away you might want to check out a baby Taylor made by Taylor guitars. I'm not sure on the price but I'm guessing they are around $300?

Whatever you decide on, make sure the guitar isn't too big for him. The average "dreadnought" style acoustic guitar does not work well for young children.

From my experience as both a father and guitar teacher I think that you should take it slowly with him and make things more like a game than work. If you get private lessons make sure the teacher has experience with kids this age. Go for 15 minute lessons - 30 minute lessons are too long!

I host the free Beginning Guitar Podcast at http://www.MyOnlineGuitar.com/wordpress It's not geared towards children but it is something that you could listen to together and you could help pass the information along to him. Since you already play violin you will have no trouble at all doing that.

Best of luck to you both,
Brian
http://www.MyOnlineGuitar.com

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What are some good beginner guitar lesson videos on youtube?

best acoustic guitar lessons on youtube image

Autumn

I have an acoustic guitar and I want to find a beginner lesson(s) online free. My plan is to find a teacher after learning very basic things.

Answer
This one looks pretty good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5aDC1Zkx3A

I think its a good idea to take lessons from a real person to make sure you get a solid foundation.
Some basic things you'll want to learn are:
Names of the strings
"Open" Chords
Notes of the frets (at least the first 5 frets)

Learn these things and you'll be well on your way. Have Fun!

How can I learn to play acoustic guitar in a professional way?

I'm learning how to play acoustic guitar on youtube now. But my mom said if I wanna learn how to play guitar, I have to find some tutorial that teaches me step by step in series. What do u think? Where to find serial lessons?

Answer
There are lots of great websites and youtube videos for learning guitar. But u have to stay away from those videos, for they can not teach u from the beginning to the end. While some have value, a lot of those really don't have much substance. If a guitar book with video lessons is supposed to be helpful for u, such as jamorama. It teachers learners according to their levels, offering pictures and videos and explaining very clearly. U can have a look at of it. Good luck!

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Can you install a preamp on a acoustic guitar?

best acoustic guitar preamp image

hironistel

I am talking about an acoustic guitar without an preamp. So no holes. Do you have to cut it? LOL
Sounds risky, or are there services who do that?

Answer
Are you actually looking for an acoustic pickup and preamp, or just the preamp.

Guitar center (and others) have both. There are a number of pickups that can be installed without cutting anything, and external preamps with belt clips.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic-Guitar-Pickups---Preamps-Guitar-Pickups.gc

How much does it cost to get a preamp installed in an acoustic guitar?

I AM SINGI

Im trying to decide it its cheaper to get a preamp installed in my acoustic guitar or to buy a new guitar with one already built in.

would the price be the same for installing a preamp on an acoustic bass too?

THANKS!

Answer
If you like your guitar, I suggest an external (belt clip) preamp for about $100.

Most guitar amplifiers have a channel that accommodates a passive pickup.

The external preamp could be used when plugging into an amplifier or PA system requiring the preamp.

Iâve included a link to an inexpensive guitar preamp, but there are several available at this price.

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