ive always wanted to learn to play an instrument so finally (at 31) decided to play the guitar but ive no musical background whatsoever.

 

where do i start?

 

obviously, i need a guitar, cheap as poss (with reason), and i need a basic amp i suppose.

 

a mate of a mates offered this for ?80 (like new), i have it here in front of me http://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog...ric_Guitar.html

 

or buy sommit new like http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/1042...m_campaign=base

 

and

 

http://www.imuso.co.uk/Amplifiers/Amplifie...e=googleproduct

 

wide music taste so no definitive sound really required. but ive got geek type skinny fingers, so i need something that "easier" to play. does that really rule out cheap guitars like above?

 

i may get bored, i may just not have the ability, but i need something creative to do rather than spend my spare time on the fukcin internet.

 

sensible info very much appreciated.

Edited December 18, 200916 yr by HomerJay

ive always wanted to learn to play an instrument so finally (at 31) decided to play the guitar but ive no musical background whatsoever.

 

where do i start?

 

obviously, i need a guitar, cheap as poss (with reason), and i need a basic amp i suppose.

 

a mate of a mates offered this for ?80 (like new), i have it here in front of me http://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog...ric_Guitar.html

 

or buy sommit new like http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/1042...m_campaign=base

 

and

 

http://www.imuso.co.uk/Amplifiers/Amplifie...e=googleproduct

 

wide music taste so no definitive sound really required. but ive got geek type skinny fingers, so i need something that "easier" to play. does that really rule out cheap guitars like above?

 

i may get bored, i may just not have the ability, but i need something creative to do rather than spend my spare time on the fukcin internet.

 

sensible info very much appreciated.

Well done & well done for not waiting until you are 49 to start.

 

I started the saxophone in August and am enjoying it tremendously

ive always wanted to learn to play an instrument so finally (at 31) decided to play the guitar but ive no musical background whatsoever.

 

where do i start?

 

obviously, i need a guitar, cheap as poss (with reason), and i need a basic amp i suppose.

 

a mate of a mates offered this for ?80 (like new), i have it here in front of me http://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog...ric_Guitar.html

 

or buy sommit new like http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/1042...m_campaign=base

 

and

 

http://www.imuso.co.uk/Amplifiers/Amplifie...e=googleproduct

 

wide music taste so no definitive sound really required. but ive got geek type skinny fingers, so i need something that "easier" to play. does that really rule out cheap guitars like above?

 

i may get bored, i may just not have the ability, but i need something creative to do rather than spend my spare time on the fukcin internet.

 

sensible info very much appreciated.

 

I would go for the Ibanez ,I've got a basshttp://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog/Ibanez_SR500_Electric_Bass_Guitar.html , my Bother-in-law plays and he as one (not that one), he prefers it to his Gibson, just be prepard to get frustated, I do

Edited December 18, 200916 yr by tyldesley_white

Get onto Ebay, stay away from the cheap and nasty guitar packages, get one for about 100-130 quid as opposed to 60 quid, a great starter guitar are the Signature series by Gibson, decent sound and looks,

For guitar tabs ( the chords) these are all freely available on the web, and as soon as you get the hang of it it gets easier, I self taught my self when i was a teen, but aint played for a good 5 years now, could do with getting back into it myself!!

If you like Oasis, there songs are the easist to learn and play, as most of the chords are repetitive

ive been doing a bit of reading on http://www.justinguitar.com and http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/

 

but we all know the best info is on wways.

I borrowed my Dad's guitar last year and sat down and mastered Chord A. Then I got bored, and went out.

 

I'm thinking of having guitar lessons in the New Year. Want to learn an instrument before I turn 40. Really, really want to play the drums, but in a terraced street, I don't think it will go down well with the neighbours.

I play - what do you want to know?

 

You get what you pay for with guitars.

 

Crappy ones sound awful and are really difficult to play whic just put youoff even more.

 

If you buy one second hand - then I'd look at the "action" - distance from strings to fretboard. If it's miles apart it'll murder your fingers and sound shite.

i found its much better to buy a good one if your going to stick it out...

but your mate offered you that ibanez for ?80 id take him up on that

 

my first was a shit one that did nothing and i gave up because it was aload of crap.

i got a Joe Strummer fender squier telecaster after...as i was told by the man in the shop it was easier to play that a stratocaster

and i liked the look of it also.. wasn't to pricey either..you can pick up a squire in town for around ?125 and they will sort it out in the shop for you if your nice to them

 

Edited December 18, 200916 yr by Werder barmen

Well done & well done for not waiting until you are 49 to start.

 

I started the saxophone in August and am enjoying it tremendously

 

Is it difficult? I'd love to be able to play a sax, lifetime dream.

Really, really want to play the drums, but in a terraced street, I don't think it will go down well with the neighbours.

You can borrow our spare room J.

 

That'll shut the neighbours up!

Is it difficult? I'd love to be able to play a sax, lifetime dream.

It is hard, but from not reading music at all to picking up new tunes quite easily (with some squwawks and squeaks!) it is going quite well.

 

Only one tip; get a teacher.

 

 

It was a dream of mine, now being fulfilled.

Is your name KennyBD

Is your name KennyBD

I hate Kenny G & that sound he makes!

Is it difficult? I'd love to be able to play a sax, lifetime dream.

Yes, it is hard.

If you want to be bob holnesss in a few weeks then forget it.

You need all your fingers to play the bastard, plus an acceptable embouchoure.

You also need to read music, even if your ambition is to be a free jazz kind of guy.

However, if you have the natural talent you will piss it.

Even if you dont but have an great work ethic you will be able to do decent stuff.

BUT

It will frustrate you like you never believe.

 

Get a teacher.

I can point you in the right direction if you like.

Edited December 18, 200916 yr by blackleywhite

I play - what do you want to know?

 

You get what you pay for with guitars.

 

Crappy ones sound awful and are really difficult to play whic just put youoff even more.

 

If you buy one second hand - then I'd look at the "action" - distance from strings to fretboard. If it's miles apart it'll murder your fingers and sound shite.

 

Mick's right

 

I learnt to play on a ?50 Spanish acoustic which was shite. However, witht the strings being so wfar apart and a fair distance from the fretboard it meant that when I got my ?600 acoustic I sounded like Django Reihnardt.

 

Invest in a really good acoustic.

I borrowed my Dad's guitar last year and sat down and mastered Chord A. Then I got bored, and went out.

 

I'm thinking of having guitar lessons in the New Year. Want to learn an instrument before I turn 40. Really, really want to play the drums, but in a terraced street, I don't think it will go down well with the neighbours.

 

shack up with me and you can play my instrument all night long

 

ok, the downsides include me being there

 

and don't wake me up

 

i likes me sleep

Just so HW knows how all threads eventually become discussions on a sexual theme, he need look no further than this as a shiming example of how easy it is.

If you've never played at all before, I'd recommend starting with a Spanish acoustic. The reason being that the strings are further apart and they're great for learning the basics like scales and chord shapes. They tend to have a nice, pure sound and you can pick one up relatively cheaply. If you go straight for an electric, chances are you'll buy something cheaper to start off with which will be hard to play and keep going out of tune. This will piss you off no end and might stop you practicing. If you take the Spanish route, you'll be able to see if you've got the dexterity and patience to learn and when you eventually take the next step and buy an electric, you'll find it plays much more

easily and your technique is better. Tony at Booths music is a nice bloke and really helpful. You can't miss him as he's only got one hand but still manages to play bass! Good luck whichever route you decide to go down. It'll hurt your fingers like hell when you start and unless you're a natural you'll find it pretty tough. If you persevere, you'll find things click all of a sudden and that you can get fairly musical in a couple of months!

You?d be better off with an acoustic for your first guitar. I usually recommend a Yamaha F310 which costs about ?120 new and it?ll hold its value well. So if you decide it?s not for you, you?ll be able to sell it on and get half your money back. If you want to upgrade after a bit then you can trade it in and get something off your next guitar

 

Try the shop here in Whitefield, it?s got a lot of choice and the prices are decent.

 

Getting a teacher can be tricky. You need to find one who is

 

1) Is good. At teaching I mean. Some of them want to show off too much.

2) Will teach you the sort of music you want to play

 

Good luck with that. In any case it will cost you ?15+ a lesson which can soon rack up.

 

Alternatively you can go down the self taught route. There are a lot of good DVD/CD packages these days. Have a look at Musicroom.com to see some examples.

 

Btw, you?re better with skinny fingers. It?s the folk with fat fingers who struggle. Your fingers will hurt like fuck at first, but that will pass in a few weeks as the skin hardens up.

cheers all.

 

im a little suprised at the acoustic suggestions, as most other people and everything ive read suggests an electic would be the better way to go.

 

i am gonna take my mate up on his ?80 ibanez and it makes financial sense in case i dont manage the "dream"

 

im gonna follow some of the basic lessons on above sites and see where that gets me.

 

then maybe i'll invest in teacher,

 

thanks again

Edited December 19, 200916 yr by HomerJay

You can borrow our spare room J.

 

That'll shut the neighbours up!

 

I believe you're having some trouble. I'll bring my drum kit too!

just thought i'd give you a quick update (not that you care)

 

ive bought my mates guitar, aquired a loan amp whilst is decide how serious an amp i need.

 

been following the beginners guide on www.justinguitar.com all week, about 30 mins a night except last night.

 

ive now "mastered" chords D, A and E. and can change between these chord at about 30 per minute.

 

apparenlty i need to get to 60 per minute before even thinking about playing songs.

 

and

 

my fingers dont hurt like fuck any more! hardcore!

Borrowed my brother-in-laws a couple of months back, he was a bit of an axeman before he married my sister. Every now and again I give it a pluck and I can play one tune but I don't know what it is, I think I may have invented some new chords.