GuitarBuyingGuide.Com

This is for those of our readers who would like to learn how to play Classical Guitar. The author has some recommendations on how you may want to proceed. I don’t know that I agree with all of them but he does have over 30 years experience so he should know what he’s talking about.

Check it out…

Classical Guitar Beginners - Avoiding The All Too Common Frustrations
Classical Guitar Beginners - Avoiding The All Too Common FrustrationsBy Sakari Heikkila

Beginning study on the Classical Guitar is a magical time and in many ways it would be fun to be back in that moment again. It’s exciting to look at the Classical Guitar and marvel that it holds something wonderful to discover about yourself.

You might not know exactly what that is but all you do know is that your Creative Spirit is dying to get out.

Congratulations on recognizing that inspirational feeling.

After over thirty years of involvement with the Guitar on many different levels, I must warn you that your journey may contain moments of certainty and uncertainty, clarity and confusion as to what to do and where to go next, moments of achievement, inspiration and good old perseverance.

Don’t be fooled into believing anything else. It can be an emotional roller coaster ride if you don’t proceed cautiously.

But your ever constant Lighthouse on the Open Seas will be how well you initially learn the mandatory skill levels required to play all the beautiful music available for the Classical Guitar.

And Learn Them Well, Pure and Simple, so your Creative Spirit will stay alive and grow.

LISTEN!

The SINGLE BIGGEST MISTAKE Classical Guitar Teachers make is starting students out with playing music.

WHY?

Because it is altogether too much information to handle at once! The bad habits you’ll form with this method will be unbelievably painful to unlearn later when and if you’re ever brought to your senses. More often than not, I’ve seen players just give up and quit.

Then why do they teach this way? It’s so obvious. To keep you interested because playing music is much more fun than learning the skills to play music.

The NEXT BIGGEST MISTAKE Classical Guitar Teachers make is “telling” the student how to hold the guitar. There are endless ways to hold the guitar and the student’s initial process of self discovery is perhaps the single most important process the student will ever experience.

WHY?

Because hand position and ultimately, tone production, is predicated on the the anatomical features of each student’s hands, arms, torso length, etc., etc., etc..

So ALWAYS I recommend no guidance in the beginning regarding all this and I simply wait for the student to settle into what works for him or her. Then, once a feeling of security is reached for the student, minor improvements to the posturing and the various aspects of the physical elements of playing can be made. I have seen more students all contorted and twisted up in their body, hand and arm positions because that’s how they were “told” to posture, I can’t tell you.

And then they begin the long road of “unlearning”. Painful, very painful!

All Classical Guitarist beginners hit a “wall” or “plateau” about two to three years into their pursuit that they just can’t progress beyond. Their playing literally stops on many levels and a large majority simply put the Guitar in its case and come back to it at some later date. The reason is simple.

THE REASON?

They began their study on the guitar with incorrect directives and subsequently developed habits of play that fell outside of how they should play, NATURALLY, and because of that fact, frustration took over.

Do yourself a huge favor and simply avoid that heartache and learn YOUR physical playing skills first before you even look at a piece of music. You will take years off your learning curve and never experience the frustrations of inability.

When you look back ten years from now, how you first begin will be what you most remember and will inspire you through any difficult moments .

So, learn the proper skills first and then spend the rest of your life really enjoying the music . Invest just once in learning Classical Guitar Technique properly and save time and money in the long term……

OR…

keep surfing, buy a bunch of great “sounding” pieces and interesting “looking” exercises and “hope” that you’ll “magically” transform into the next “Segovia”.

To Your Music and To Your Success ! http://MasteringTheFiveDisciplines.com/ The Sakari Method for Classical Guitar Copyright © 2006 - 2008 All Rights Reserved Web: http://www.MasteringTheFiveDisciplines.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sakari_Heikkila

Tags: ClassicGuitar, Guitar For Beginners, Learn To Play Guitar, Learn To Play Classical Guitar

Here is a good article on what factors to consider when your looking to buy a a cheap acoustic guitar. The author gives a few specific guitars that would fit a tight budget.

What Factors To Consider When Buying Cheap Acoustic Guitars
By Allison Thompson Platinum Quality Author

The main reason why many musical instruments are so expensive to purchase is the material which is used to make them. Certainly as you will soon discover those guitars that use materials such as wood as far more expensive than those that aren’t. But along with guitars being made from wood they are also made from graphite and plastic as well. But the problem with these kinds of cheap acoustic guitars is that they do not have the same sound quality as the wooden ones.

Those people who choose to buy a guitar which is not made from wood often find themselves becoming frustrated because it does not produce the right kind of sound. It is these people who will often give up learning to play the guitar. So rather than spending money on a cheap one instead invest a little more in an acoustic guitar that has been made from wood. Although you will not be saving yourself money you will enjoy playing it much more.

When looking to buy a cheap acoustic guitar if you can purchase one that has a solid wooden top rather than one with a plywood top. As you will soon discover those with solid wooden tops produce a much fuller and richer sound than those that do not. Also when looking at investing money in an acoustic guitar choose one that comes with a solid wood back and sides.

As you will soon discover there are lots of different ones to choose from but one that you should seriously consider thinking about buying, is the Seagull S6. Which although expensive is really value for money. The top is made from cedar whilst the back and sides have been made using mahogany and it is these woods that help it produce such a wonderful sound. Because of the quality of the build many professional musicians will still have this guitar and will like to play it, even though they could well have much more expensive ones in their collection.

On average you can expect to spend between $400 and $500 on the Seagull S6. But if you are someone who is really serious about being able to play the guitar well then investing your money in one of these should be high on your list. However, there are some places online where you may find that you can get this guitar for a little less.

Along with the Seagull S6 there are other types of acoustic guitars which produce a good sound but are slightly cheaper. One of these is the Yamaha F310 which costs less because of the materials used to make it. Instead of the top being made from cedar it is made from spruce, but just like the Seagull S6 the sides and back of the Yamaha F310 are constructed from mahogany. On average you can expect to spend about $150 to $200 on this guitar and is the one that those first starting to learn how to play the guitar will choose to buy.

Along with the Yamaha F310 there is also the Epiphone DR-100 which costs slightly less and prices range from $120 to $150 for this particular model. But although it costs less than the Yamaha F310 it is actually made from the same kinds of wood, spruce for the top of the guitar and mahogany for both the back and sides. Of the three guitars we have mentioned this is the ideal one to purchase if you are still unsure as to whether this is the right musical instrument for you or not. But if you do purchase to learn to play the guitar then at some point in the future you will find that you need to upgrade to a better one.

Although there are lots of different guitars available which can be purchased for less than $100 these are not the type that you should be buying when learning to play the guitar. The reason being is that you will find that the sound they produce is terrible because of the materials they have been made from. Which as many others have found results in them finding it difficult to play and so decide to give up learning how to play them altogether.

If you are serious when it comes to getting cheap acoustic guitars in order to learn how to play them then you can not go far wrong with getting one of those mentioned above. However, if you still find that you do not have sufficient funds to purchase a new one why not visit your local music or guitar store and see what second hand ones they have. Doing this you will be able to try a number of different ones out and see which one you like the feel of and which feels comfortable when you try to play it.

Above we have looked at various different kinds of cheap acoustic guitars that you should consider investing money in when learning to play one. If you would like to learn more about acoustic guitars and how to play them then please visit Acoustic Guitar Information. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Thompson

Tags: CheapGuitar, Buy Cheap Guitar, Guitar Buying Guide, Acoustic Guitar

A great article about what to look for in a guitar and where to find them. This guitar buying guide is definitely worth a read.

Guitar Buying Guide
By D Crenshaw

So you want to pick up the guitar? If you have an instrument already, good. But if not, you’re going to have to get one. There are a lot of choices out there. This article will help you with what you need to know.

If there’s a cherry red axe you’ve been lusting after lately or if you’re picking one out as a gift, it’s time to learn about what you’re buying. I know people who’ve spent thousands of dollars on instruments and it didn’t help play one lick better. Guitars can make nice trophy items, but you’ve got some decisions to make before you can become a real guitar-playing badass.

Now it’s time to start searching for your special guitar. First check out a trading post or the local classifieds. Don’t go to Ebay! A guitar is something you must play before you buy. Especially when you’re looking for that first guitar, there can be a wide variation in the quality out there. How will you know if a guitar is really for you unless you play it first?

Another good place to find guitars is at your local guitar shop. There are rows of them just hanging from the walls begging to be played. Most places don’t mind if you try one out, though it’s always nice to ask first. Some of these instruments are very expensive and delicate items. A tiny nick in the finish or scratch in the chrome can ruin a guitar in some people’s eyes! As for what kind of shop you want to go to, most small shops specializing in guitars have very knowledgeable and skilled staff. While instruments and equipment are often more expensive at these places, there really isn’t a better place to find advice or get lessons.

In any case, you should be able to find a good starter guitar for somewhere around $100 to $200. If you decide on an electric guitar, then you’ll want to purchase a practice amp too. 15 watt practice amps usually retail around $50 and sometimes you can save money on package deals.

How Do I Know If It’s a Good Guitar?

The most important thing when buying your guitar is to listen. When you strum the strings do you hear weird noises? Well, other than your playing… Seriously though, if the action on the guitar is too low, it can cause the strings to vibrate against the metal frets. Other times, cheap tuning pegs cause problems. Let’s take a look at these next. Do they turn smoothly or are they kind of jerky? You don’t want pegs that turn too easily or ones that require serious muscle. Good tuning pegs will have a bit of resistance at first and then turn smoothly and steadily once moving. Now be careful and don’t tune it too much! Those tiny E and B strings like to break.

Next up, take a look down the neck of the guitar. Make sure the neck is straight, otherwise funny things will happen when you play further up the neck. Do you see the enameled dots on the fret board? We need to find the fret that has two of those dots. That fret is what we call an octave. When you press down at that fret, the string will play the same note as when it’s played open or unfretted. You can test your ear here and also listen for the quality of the guitar. Play the string open, then play it at the octave mark. Do they sound like the same note or do you hear discordance between the two? If they sound like the same note that means the intonation on your guitar is in good shape. You can take a guitar to a repair shop, but if it doesn’t start out with good intonation then there’s not a lot that can be done.

Play It Already!

Once we’re done the snooping out the hardware, we’re down to the moment of truth. Let’s hear how it sounds! Plug it in or if it’s an acoustic just start playing.

With guitars it can be tricky knowing what you want in the beginning. Generally, you’re listening for a nice thick low end that you can really feel. On the high range we want a clear and present sound that can pierce through walls. All guitars vary widely in their sounds, pickups, and EQ’s. Some guitars will sound awesome through a certain distortion pedal while others are meant to be played with a certain style amp. A lot of your choice depends on whether you want to play rhythm or lead. A good way to figure it all out is by listening to your favorite musician and finding out what equipment they use. I can’t offer much advice here other than make sure it sounds cool!

Be aware that no guitar will ever sound right if it’s out of tune. Unfortunately for us, a lot of guitars aren’t already tuned. This is when it definitely helps to have absolute pitch or, at least, a guitar tuner. If you have no idea what you’re doing, then you can always ask an employee to help you out. If they think you’re interested, they won’t mind tuning it up for you.

While you’re doing all this is the time to buy a couple picks for a buck or two. Everyone seems to have their own preference with picks. Generally, you want one that is pliable yet sturdy. That way you can strum chords and pick out notes with the same pick.

Now once you’ve got a pick in hand and that beautiful guitar is in tune, let’s play some chords. If you don’t know any, then just try picking the strings. It can be hard to tell without strumming, but what we’re looking for is a well-balanced, rich tone. The high notes and the low notes should have an even balance and it should create a nice sonorous sensation to your ears. If the high notes sound “plinky” or the low notes sound dull that’s a bad sign. Old strings can badly degrade the sound, so watch out for those. Otherwise, with acoustic guitars the sound you hear is a pretty straightforward indicator whether it’s a worthy specimen.

What About The Electric Guitar?

It can be a little harder to test electric guitars. EQ settings and pickups play a larger role with electric instruments. If the tone knob on the guitar is turned down or if the amp’s treble/bass settings are wrong, then you’ll get a false indication of what the guitar can do. Also beware, most sales people will hook you into one of their best amps. I would recommend playing on the kind of amp you’re looking to buy. This way you’ll get a good idea of it will sound like at home.

As far as basic guitar EQ’s, turn the tone knob on the guitar most of the way up and adjust the amp settings; for treble around 7 o’clock and for the bass control around 3 or 4 is good. Obviously there will be a lot of variation on these settings depending on the style of music you play. For now though, the basic settings suffice.

Conclusions Are For Winners

Once you’ve decided on the guitar that sounds best to you, it’s time to check out the accessories. The essential items you’ll need include a pitch tuner, a case, an extra set of strings, a comfortable strap, and most importantly, a whole bunch of picks. I can’t count the number of picks I’ve lost in my lifetime. No matter what you do, you will lose them!

Now if you decided on an electric guitar then you’ll need another group of accessories. Start out with a little practice amp and a couple of 1/4″ cables. Unless you’re going to be playing in a massive room, short cables are better. They take up less room and are much easier to store and untangle. Ten foot cables are usually optimal. Eventually, you might consider picking up some effects pedals. The basic ones include distortion, delay, reverb, chorus, phaser and tremolo. Personally, I like overdrive pedals because they give a nice fuzzy edge to your sound for rock’n roll. Another route to go is the ubiquitous multifunction effects box. The quality of each effect tends to be substandard on these, but it can be cool to try out different effects and see which ones you might want to purchase individually later on.

My last word advice is something most wanna-be rockers don’t like to hear. I recommend starting out with an acoustic guitar. They force you to have better technique and that makes you better in the long run. Also, I find acoustic guitars are better for learning chords and writing songs. The great thing about them is they can go practically anywhere you can. And there aren’t many better ways to attract people than by playing a guitar.

So yes, be cool and get yourself a guitar. Inevitably, you will suck at first, but you don’t have to be that way for long. If you find someone who can explain and show you, you’ll be playing soon enough. Above all, don’t be discouraged! If you try hard enough, you will get better.

This article is authored by Daniel Crenshaw. He is a musician and writer from Richmond, Virginia. He runs the website

Freedommedium.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D_Crenshaw

Guitar Buying Guide

Tags: GuitarBuying Guide