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jdoggivjc said:
Starting off, I wouldn't buy anything overly expensive. I learned how to play on a guitar I found unprotected in my parents' closet. It had a hole in the soundbox and was missing a third of the bridge (on the B and high E strings). It also helps you greatly appreciate the better guitar when you're ready for it.

I taught myself to play while I was at ISU, so I know what you're thinking. Start off by learning A, Am, C, D, E, Em, and G, and you will be able to play about 75% of songs out there. Next learn the bar chords that are based off the "A" and "E" shapes. That will cover the B and F chords, as well as all of the sharps and flats of the other chords.
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Ok, so that stuff all sounded foreign to me. Is there a guitar for dumbies? =)
 
bostinelosd said:
I would love to learn how to play. Anyone have any suggestions about a 1st guitar? Dont want to spend alot just in case I lose interest =)
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I would check out a pawn shop and buy a used one to start out with. Look for a decent guitar that the strings are as close as possible to the neck. This makes it easier to play when hand/finger strenth is at it's minimum. Start out with the lightest strings possible also and then move up so it's easier to press down.

Finger tips will hurt for awhile (most people don't get past this point) but callisus will build up and your fingers won't hurt anymore.

It takes a lot of coordination and your won't be able to go as fast as you want to when starting out but once you get used to it you get faster and faster until it is second nature.

Find an easy song that you know with easy chords and go from there.

Stick with it! Good luck!
 
bostinelosd said:
Ok, so that stuff all sounded foreign to me. Is there a guitar for dumbies? =)
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There are countless websites that show the various chord shapes. Go to a music store and play a few cheap acoustics. Buy one that sounds good and feels good. Fire up your brower, search for "guitar chords" on Google, then make the shapes and strum.
 
jdoggivjc said:
Is it a common perception of all guitar players that we each think that we suck at it? I think I'm a horrible guitar player, but people tell me otherwise...
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I don't think, I know. If I would be more serious, then sure I could be alright at it, but I just can't devote the time like I should.

bostinelosd said:
I would love to learn how to play. Anyone have any suggestions about a 1st guitar? Dont want to spend alot just in case I lose interest =)
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I kind of look at it differently, maybe because I have been through it, and cys could give his opinion too. I would tend to spend the money. Not a lot, but more than usual. This will hopefully make you more devoted because it becomes an investment. And besides, if you get serious enough, you'll want another in a few months anyway. Mind as well get it right the first time.

As far as the guitar with good value and not a whole lot of money, Epiphone and Fender and good looks regarding acoustics. Really it comes down to what feels good when holding it, and what sounds good when playing.

I can give you better advice on where to get it. Pro Music Center in Clive is where I go, and the only place I go (I know I sound like Jon Miller, but its true!) Trent the owner and the other staff are real helpful and nothing but knowledgeable.
 
I'm just learning to play guitar but I have a question, how do I go about deploying my Star Power? I try tilting my guitar but it doesn't seem to work, any ideas?
 
Thank you for your help. Ill check this stuff out. I really need a new hobby and I think this would be a great one.

I would like write the songs that make the young girls cry and the whole world sing. =)
 
cys_av8r said:
Ok, time for a shameless plug.

Tomorrow night (Jan 24) my band (Fat Andy) is playing at House of Bricks The House of Bricks - Live Music in Des Moines. The Des Moines Music Coalition is starting a new deal called "Concert Corps" where they promote a gig once monthly at a different venue.

We are playing from like 8-11, so not too late for a school night.

Come out if you can.

MySpace.com - Fat Andy - DES MOINES, Iowa - Americana / Country / Southern Rock - www.myspace.com/fatandyband
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:no::no::no::wink:
 
cmoneyr said:
I'm just learning to play guitar but I have a question, how do I go about deploying my Star Power? I try tilting my guitar but it doesn't seem to work, any ideas?
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You have to treat the guitar like and extension of your manhood. Didnt Van Halen say that?
 
bostinelosd said:
Thank you for your help. Ill check this stuff out. I really need a new hobby and I think this would be a great one.

I would like write the songs that make the young girls cry and the whole world sing. =)
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Oh yeah, and don't forget to buy an electronic tuner. Probably $20 for a cheap one, but priceless.
 
guitarchitect7 said:
I don't think, I know. If I would be more serious, then sure I could be alright at it, but I just can't devote the time like I should.



I kind of look at it differently, maybe because I have been through it, and cys could give his opinion too. I would tend to spend the money. Not a lot, but more than usual. This will hopefully make you more devoted because it becomes an investment. And besides, if you get serious enough, you'll want another in a few months anyway. Mind as well get it right the first time.

As far as the guitar with good value and not a whole lot of money, Epiphone and Fender and good looks regarding acoustics. Really it comes down to what feels good when holding it, and what sounds good when playing.

I can give you better advice on where to get it. Pro Music Center in Clive is where I go, and the only place I go (I know I sound like Jon Miller, but its true!) Trent the owner and the other staff are real helpful and nothing but knowledgeable.
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I'll add Takamine, Alvarez, Ibanez, and Breedlove (?) to that list.
 
bostinelosd said:
Ok, so that stuff all sounded foreign to me. Is there a guitar for dumbies? =)
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There's a ton of stuff online. I started with this article:

Absolute Beginner Part 1: Chords - Guitar Noise

You can find tabs for pretty much any song out there, too. Tab pretty much shows you where your fingers should be and/or what chords to play. Learn a few chords and then search for a song or two that you want to play. I started with Wish You Were Here.
 
cys_av8r said:
Oh yeah, and don't forget to buy an electronic tuner. Probably $20 for a cheap one, but priceless.
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By far. I don't know how many times felt lost without one. I did start devolping the ear a bit, but that faded off as I quit playing so much.
jdoggivjc said:
I'll add Takamine, Alvarez, Ibanez, and Breedlove (?) to that list.
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Thank you, Alvarez was the other I was thinking of. Those are pretty nice. There was an Ibanez I was looking at at one time, but then opted for an all mahogany Martin.
 
jdoggivjc said:
See, I've only been told that's a problem if you cut the strings instead of unwinding them (because that releases the tension suddenly instead of gradually). But taking them all off at one shot isn't a problem.
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There is a debate on this in the guitar world. My theory is there is a rod that goes up inside the neck of the guitar that is adjustable which keeps the neck straight. It compensates for the tension of the strings on the neck otheriwse the neck would bend toward the strings over time. If the tension is released so there is no tension on the neck it can mess up the allignment of the neck.

The safest way is to replace them one at a time until all are replaced.
 
guitarchitect7 said:
By far. I don't know how many times felt lost without one. I did start devolping the ear a bit, but that faded off as I quit playing so much.

Thank you, Alvarez was the other I was thinking of. Those are pretty nice. There was an Ibanez I was looking at at one time, but then opted for an all mahogany Martin.
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The first guitar I actually purchased was an electric/acoustic Alvarez. I ended up replacing it because no matter how much I practiced I could not play bar chords on it. I ended up getting a kola wood Takamine. It plays like a dream and makes me sound twice as good as I really am... :yes:
 
Of course, Smoke on the Water's gotta be the easiest song ever to learn on Guitar.

I figure the day I learn how to play Hotel California is the day that I've arrived...
 
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