Question for you guitar freaks in here

[sonicman99]

Due to some recent health problems I'll be spending a lot of time here at home and need something to keep me busy. Since I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar I figured that this was as perfect a time as any. Any suggestions as to what type of guitar I should start with? and how did most of you learn...lessons?...self-taught?

[Peter Peeker]

self taught, but I'd advise lessons...
just get a halfway decent guitar, a Squire Stratocaster would do(made by Fender).
in fact Squire has some nice package deals, with guitar, amp, gig bag for guitar, video instruction, patchcord, strap & picks. very affordable, and comfortable to play.

hope that helps!

[sonicman99]

Thanks for the info Peeker

Yeah, once my back heals up some more I'll be able to take some lessons somewhere. In the meantime, I'll see how much I can pick up on my own. I do have an uncle whose played for over thirty years and used to be in a band. He had told me before that he'd teach me, but he recently had a stroke and is not doin' so well.

[Peter Peeker]

that's too bad.
hope yer back gets better soon too.
there's all kinds of books and vidoes out there.
hell, you can probably download stuff...
take a Peek for that Squire package. there pretty nice guitars, and a good value.

[Guitardeth2]

Self taught and shcool taught, i took lessons awhile, then started teaching myself, i would start with a acoustic guitar, then get a electric afterwards.

[Joranthalus]

Self taught on guitar, but i did take piano lessons prior to that, so that made it a lot easier... But i just bought a chord book and a cheap electric. There is a benifit to learning on accoustic though...

[sonicman99]

Are there any online venders that you trust, or is this something that I should really try and get to a music shop to buy. Driving's a bitch right now.

[0193081]

I played piano too, and then taught myself a bit of guitar using an old chord book of my dads. I never really got past playing a few chords though, I really should teach myself some more.

And yeah, I would say learning on an acoustic is a lot better. Especially if you learn on a bad one. Then when you get a good one, it will be so much easier. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Andyman]

The Guitar Method by emedia is a good CD-Rom for beginners. It'll get you playing in 15 minutes.

[DARTH POOH]

I recommend starting with something affordable like a Squier Strat, to see if you like it. Try a bunch of them at a large store with a good selection like 'Guitar Center'. The reason I say try a bunch, is that Squiers are extremely different from one to the next. I have been playing for about 28 years and actually have a Squier that I love. I found it by shear accident while looking for a new Fender American Strat. I'm
in the shop with $1,500 to spend, and picked up this Squier on a lark because it was a cool shade of purple. Damn thing played better than some of the $1200 Strats I was messing with. So I left having spent $100 LOL.
I recommend at least some lessons for technique. It helps you from forming bad playing habits. I
have a good ear due to being raised in a musical houshold, so I only hung with the lessons about 6 months. Then I just learned from books. I did go back to lessons as I heard of a lady named Jennifer Batton in LA who was supposed to be amazing..she was. A year later she got a gig playing in Michael Jackson's touring band. They did a whole image makeover on her LOL. She went from mousy brown hair with glasses to a white blonde mowhawk type thing. But she had some killer two handed technique. I learned a lot from her. But anyhow, just grab something you like and a good teacher..then decide how long you want to stay with the lessons. 1 last tip. If you like heavy distorted guitar, that's great, but PRACTICE CLEAN..no effects. They cover mistakes.
I've heard many a player who could play hard rock, but when they played something quiet, they were terrible. Good luck and enjoy!
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