I'm learning to play guitar, and have a question..........?

Question

Question-
What's the best type of guitar, like brand or design, or make of guitar to buy for a beginner? ? ? ?

I want to play Acoustic and Electric

I'm taking private lessons.
I like rock music, and want to learn to play electric.
I have a Starcaster by Fender Acoustic guitar. I heard its a good learning guitar and that's why I bought it, but I want the best.

So if you have any suggestions, or anything I need to know as a beginner please let me know.

Answer 1

In my opinion the Yamaha acoustic electric cutaway is great for beginners, it sound great with or without the electric. You can try these at the Guitar Center. Try them all, they all sound a little different and feel a little different, and may feel different in your hands, some have an easy action and some don't. ( that's the way the strings come up off the fret board, some are higher than others, the higher the harder. You'll be amazed at the sound of this guitar, I know I was, I play classical guitar, and decided to by an acoustic also, I played quite a few of them and was impressed by the sound of this great little Yamaha, There's a girl playing one on youtube, she has a black guitar and is sitting on the floor playing Green Days, Boulevard of dreams. Go on youtube and type in that song and scroll through until you see her, like I said her guitar is black and she's about fourteen - sixteen, and she's singing solo. Well this guitar looks like that and sounds just as good as that one does, and for a beginner that ain't bad, good luck to you. P.S. This guitar was $250.00 and about $60.00 cheaper when it's on sale, I know a student of mine bought one.

Answer 2

I dont see why eletric and acoustic are two different learnign styles... but I didnt learn from a teacher.. because most people who take actual lessons quit, unless taking them from a family member. Well, as a beginner, my day told me to learn the main chords (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, plus the minors) and to get finger speed, he told me to play frets 0-4 on every string, going down and then backwards going back up again as fast and as accurately as I could. Remeber, put accuracy before speed. Your guitar teacher should help you as you progress. As for the type of guitar, I just got my dad's old guitars.. an electric Jackson Preformer (not made anymore) and an acoustic electric by Applause Summit Series. As for the amp.. Im not sure what I have... Good Luck!

Answer 3

I learned to play on a strat. They're good begining guitars because the frets are smaller then a lot of other models. If you really need another guitar try Gibson SG. I don't know how your teacher is constructing your lessons but here's the thing, make him teach you on songs. Not scales not chord progressions that mean nothing. Actual songs. Then practice at home with the music. That teaches you timing and helps you hear when you are making misteaks. I'm not for nylon strings. Yeah they hurt less but they also sound like crap. Try really small strings to start untill you get your calouses. Ernie Ball Extra Slinky. and keep playing!

Answer 4

The guitar that you have is fine. If you want to go out and buy a $4000 Taylor go ahead. You'll love it, but do you really need it?

As for the Nylon v.s. Acoustic Steel string v.s. Electric....Its a moot point. Just play the guitar that fits the style that you like. If you want to play classical guitar, then a Stratocaster won't work for you. Likewise, if you want to play hard rock then a nylon string guitar isn't going to make you happy.

http://www.chaddukes.org/

Answer 5

whoa. ok so that one guy about the nylons. only get a classical (nylon) guitar if you are going to be a hardcore guitar player (thats what doctorates in guitar play).

youre fine with an accoustic and an electric. my word of advice; stay with fender. many teachers teach rock guitar, along with jazz and blues which are all played on electric. so buy a tele or a strat. you cant go wrong there.

Answer 6

For ANY beginner, child or adult, Nylon stringed acoustics are vastly superior to steel stringed acoustics.

Here is why:

Nylon strings are larger, but because they are made of a softer material, they do not HURT tender fingers. It is impossible to improve without practice. People don't practice in pain.

Nylon stringed guitars are generally called "classical" guitars and usually have wider spacing between the strings. In other words, because the strings are farther apart the untrained fingers have a larger margin-of-error.” It is therefore easier to hit your mark and play a note successfully.

Nylon strings are easier to push down, (press against the fingerboard) so it is easier to get attractive musical sounds from them.

Although they are easier to press, (in the sense that they require less pressure) nylon strings require better technique. That is, you must press directly into the fingerboard at a 90-degree angle. That, plus the wider string spacing develops better technique.

Steel string guitars require excess force. That force leads to cramps, strain, pain and frustration. Steel strings virtually guarantee failure unless the kid is extremely talented and highly motivated.

There is a vast body of good classical music in standard notation for the classical guitar. This helps your kid appreciate fine music as opposed to mediocre pop music. The other huge advantage of learning classical music on a classical guitar is that you will learn to read music. Once you have that skill, you can learn any music you like.

You are far more likely to get a qualified guitar teacher if you have and play classical music on a classical guitar.

I have played and taught guitar for over three decades. In every case, those who start on nylon classical style guitars do much better, much faster, with less strife and stress.

Please keep in mind that I am only talking about the differences between two types of acoustic guitars.

A common misconception about beginning guitar is that everyone should start on an acoustic. That is definitely NOT true!

Electric guitars offer a number of advantages over acoustic guitars.

They are easier to play.

They are actually less expensive. I do not know how the myth got started, but it is not true that electric guitars are expensive. If you look at them, you can see why. Acoustic guitars require a lot of skilled labor to build. Machines build most of an electric guitar.

We can get decent electric guitars (and an amp) with a good brand name for as little as $168 bucks.

There is no excuse for buying cheap guitars at Wal Mart or any other mega mart. Guitars are a specialized item. You must buy them at a music store. There is no excuse for buying anything less than a respected brand name. (Fender, Yamaha, Epiphone, Ibanez)

They are actually less expensive and far superior to most off-brands. If you spend just a little extra (about $300) you can get a Fender guitar and amp that will be every bit as playable as most professional guitars. The budding student thinks it is cooler. That inspires practice. Remember, NOTHING will help if the student does not practice.

There is also the huge advantage of low volume.

Most uniformed neophytes automatically associate electric guitars with loud raucous music. Although that is true in most cases, it is not at all true for practicing beginners. An electric guitar that is not plugged in makes very little sound. It is loud enough to practice with, but it is so quiet that nobody in the next room would hear it. That saves embarrassment for the shy budding guitarist, and helps preserve domestic tranquility!

In addition, if the kid wants to rock, he can without disturbing the household. Just get some headphones! Most modern practice amps have a headphone jack that allows the student to hear himself as if he were rocking’ at the stadium. However, the headphone jack automatically turns off the speaker, so no one else in the house has to endure his fledgling efforts. The same amps usually also have a CD (phono) input. Therefore, he can practice along with his favorite music, and your loved ones won’t hear a peep!

The bolt-on-neck guitar is the most durable musical instrument ever conceived.


If you must choose an acoustic, fine. The classic-style nylon stringed guitar is clearly the best choice. If you are a teenager, nothing beats the cool factor and inspires practice like an electric. You get more for your money, spend less, can practice privately without embarrassment or disturbing your household.

Answer 7

any guitar that is comfortable for you, your still practicing. ..
good luck^^,