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mrstickball on 11 May 2010
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CatFangs806 said:

This is a secret passion I've had for quite some time now, and seeing as I'm 17 already, I feel like it's important to get this going.

I've wanted to learn and play the guitar for well over a year now, and I just don't know where to start. I've considered taking guitar lessons, but I don't know how long it will take me to learn guitar, and I don't particularly like the idea of "paying by the hour."

I honestly don't know what musical instrument prices are these days, but I imagine they're not that expensive. Are there any sites, stores, or brands any of you could point me to, so I can start off with something? For my first guitar, I prefer used, just so I can practice and know if I like it before I invest money in something new.

I also want to form a band with this, but I'll put that off until I know I'm good enough at playing before I form one.

I know I sound completely clueless as to where I should start, but I need some advice. Is it recommended that I hire an instructor, or should I teach myself? Is it true that learning an acoustic before a electric guitar is better because it's more difficult, and that you'll be able to master any other guitar after that?

I've held this passion for a very long time, and I'm tired of waiting on it. I know I need to start, so any answers to these questions and any further advice about how to start learning guitar would be appreciated. Heck, even advice on how to start a band once I get good enough would be appreciated as well. Thanks.

 

My suggestions:

  1. If you don't want to pay by the hour to learn...Don't. I started at 16, and never took a lesson in my life. I play fine. I'm not the most technical guy in the world, but I learned to play almost any cover within 2 years of self-learning.
  2. Buy a DVD or two of guitar playing basics...Not tabs for songs, but like beginner guitar stuff with scales and chords.
  3. Get TuxGuitar or Guitar Pro 5. They are tabulature programs for your PC. You can download songs and play along with them...They helped me immensely on learning to play songs I liked.
  4. Guitars start around $50 for really basic crappy guitars. I'd suggest spending no more than $200 on your first guitar. Starting on acoustic is better, as its more difficult to learn for your fingers, but really helps them out. For acoustics, I like Washburn. For electrics, Squire and Ibanez are pretty standard for 'decent beginner guitars'. DO NOT INVEST ANY MORE until you decide that playing guitar is what you want to do...Then once you know the style you want to play, save up for something better.
  5. Don't form a band until you've been playing for no less than a year and have decent knowledge of playing in tempo. I use my Android phone, and plug it into my guitar amp for backing tracks to songs. Works great on helping me with tempo.


Back from the dead, I'm afraid.