Guitar help/questions

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stangn99

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So when I was backpacking Jordan, I bought a guitar just for the hell of it. I have no idea how to play, no idea what the strings mean, etc. I basically know NOTHING about the guitar. I have a few questions i'm hoping someone here will be able to answer:

1. I bought the guitar for $60 in Jordan, but seems okay - will build quality affect my learning ability?

2. The strings it came with are FOLK guitar strings. I know this because the spare strings he gave me say its for folk guitar...What's the diff. between FOLK and Acoustic?

3. Where can I take it to get tuned? I tried the CLEARTUNE iphone app, but I can't get it right. I'm thinking maybe the strings are f*cked. I can get close, but not bang on.

4. Whats the best way to learn this instrument? I want to go from zero to playing without people yelling at me.

Thanks.
 
Welcome to the world of guitar! Prepare for a lifetime of fun and frustration.

1. What you've got there is probably a terrible guitar, but that doesn't mean it's not playable, and that doesn't mean you can't learn some things on it. If it can hold the strings in tune, then you can learn something on it. That being said, the better a guitar is, the easier it is to play and the easier it is to learn on. But don't go out and buy something awesome until you know some basics. Plenty of great players started out on crappy guitars. And sometimes that crappy guitar has a great sentimental history, like yours does.

2. There are many types of guitars, but for the beginner, there are 3 main categories. Classical, which has nylon strings. Acoustic, which has steel strings. And electric, which also has steel strings. "Folk" guitars are usually acoustic guitars with steel strings. Are your strings steel or nylon?

3. You shouldn't take it anywhere to get tuned. First step on any guitar is tuning. The iphone tuning apps are ok, but I've found them hard to use. Go buy yourself a tuner at a guitar store. It'll cost $30, but you'll never really need another one and you'll use it for many years. Most players will tune just about every time they play, so you need to do that first. Then you'll be able to tell if your guitar can hold the strings in tune and if it's worth playing on. Tuners are easy to use - they tell you which string you're tuning and when it's the right note.

4. The best way to learn this instrument, like the best way to learn anything, is from a good teacher. Lots of people will disagree and tell you that Jimi Hendrix or whoever was self-taught. That's great for Jimi Hendrix. I'm not Jimi Hendrix. I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you're not Jimi Hendrix. You can learn a lot messing around on your own, but you can also waste a lot of time. I wouldn't try to learn Karate or Jiu-jitsu on my own. Why would it be the best way to learn a musical instrument? Most guitar stores have lessons for around $25-$50 a pop. Take a handful of lessons to get you started, and then you'll have some basics and you can decide where you go with it from there.

--- D
 
stangn99 said:
So when I was backpacking Jordan, I bought a guitar just for the hell of it. I have no idea how to play, no idea what the strings mean, etc. I basically know NOTHING about the guitar. I have a few questions i'm hoping someone here will be able to answer:

1. I bought the guitar for $60 in Jordan, but seems okay - will build quality affect my learning ability?

Not really, as long as it will mostly stay in tune it should be fine.

2. The strings it came with are FOLK guitar strings. I know this because the spare strings he gave me say its for folk guitar...What's the diff. between FOLK and Acoustic?

Folk guitar strings are usually nylon strings instead of steel, the same as a classical guitar or many spanish/flamenco style guitars. They are easier on the fingers to start. The type of bridge and tuners will determine what type of strings you use.

3. Where can I take it to get tuned? I tried the CLEARTUNE iphone app, but I can't get it right. I'm thinking maybe the strings are f*cked. I can get close, but not bang on.

You can take it to a music or guitar shop to get it checked out and tuned. They can adjust it to make it easier to play as well as more stable for staying in tune.

4. Whats the best way to learn this instrument? I want to go from zero to playing without people yelling at me.

There are tons of great videos on Youtube, or you can look for private lessons.

Thanks.
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You're welcome :)
 
+ 1 on Duster's advice. Learn how to tune the guitar before anything else. Start of by taking some guitar lessons, so that you can learn how to tune and then learn the basic chords. Sure, there's a lot of books and computer programs out there, but you really can't beat one-on-one lessons, especially if you're starting from scratch.
 
Thanks duster,
I kind of had a feeling I'd need someone by my side to teach me. In finding the YouTube videos overwhelming and too advanced (yes, even the basic videos).

On my guitar, the first two strings are silver coloured strings, and the rest are goldish in colour and feel softer. I don't believe any of the strings are nylon.

What do you mean by hold to tune? And how can I tell if my guitar is holding it?

Thanks guys.
 
I highly suggest NOT learning on a low-grade guitar. The notes will never be accurate, and it will likely go out of tune quickly while practicing.
If you choose to stick with practicing, your sense of notes and corresponding sounds will be skewed.. Not saying you cannot learn, but i would urge you to do it right.

Long & Macquade has some great ones for cheap, or you can look for used ones on Kijiji. Spend a few bucks and get a proper one.

Just my opinion.
 
stangn99 said:
Thanks duster,
I kind of had a feeling I'd need someone by my side to teach me. In finding the YouTube videos overwhelming and too advanced (yes, even the basic videos).

On my guitar, the first two strings are silver coloured strings, and the rest are goldish in colour and feel softer. I don't believe any of the strings are nylon.

What do you mean by hold to tune? And how can I tell if my guitar is holding it?

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

I believe he means the note sounds the same after repeated usage (holds the same tone). On poorly made guitars, the strings loosen after strumming them a few times. Hence it can't "hold to tune".
 
Skyler said:
I believe he means the note sounds the same after repeated usage (holds the same tone). On poorly made guitars, the strings loosen after strumming them a few times. Hence it can't "hold to tune".
Click to expand...

Yup, that's what I mean by "hold the strings in tune". If you play for a while, but the strings go out of tune, you are not going to learn much on that guitar. If you play for a while, and it stays in tune, even a cheap guitar can be useful.
 
Duster929 said:
Yup, that's what I mean by "hold the strings in tune". If you play for a while, but the strings go out of tune, you are not going to learn much on that guitar. If you play for a while, and it stays in tune, even a cheap guitar can be useful.
Click to expand...

What kind of style do you play Duster?


OP, if you dont know how to read music sheets, try learning guitar tableture. Its quite easy. But more than anything, you need to practice, practice, practice till your fingers are blue. One you get past that, it will be all good from there and the creativity will come out.
 
Teachers are fine but not for everyone. Some people learn best on their own....example
<====this guy

Sounds like you have a regular acoustic with steel strings. Start with some basic open cords: C-Major, E-Major, E-minor, G-Major, etc. and just screw around strumming them and picking individual notes on the cord. If after a half hour of playing half the strings are completely out of tune throw that thing in the trash and get a decent guitar. NO need to spend >300 at first but <200 will probably be garbage.
 
You can tune your guitar by doing this:

The thickest string I will refer to as the first string.
Playing the fifth fret (you're supposed to press in between the frets mind you) on the first string will give you the same note as the second string, played open (not pressing on it).
This is the same for all strings, except for the fourth string, where the fourth fret will equal the fifth string played open.

The first time tuning a cheap guitar will take a long time. When you think you're done tuning, you will have to go back and do it all over many times. The first and last strings are the same note, "E". When you're done a round of tuning, pluck these two strings and if they are off, start back at square one. Play a chord and you'll hear which strings might be out of tune too.

Yes the quality of guitar makes a huge difference.

The only obstacle for you right now is, is your guitar physically going to impede your learning?

eg:
a) are the strings very high off the frets (requiring you to press harder and use more energy, get tired faster, etc.)
b) is the guitar set up to be in tune when playing all frets, and do any of the notes "buzz" (frets with poor height clearance)
c) ability to tune/hold tuning

However the good thing is you can bear with all of these things if you choose to. Once you play a decent/nice guitar though it will be a world of difference.

Also, I'm not sure how you're learning so I'm going to assume you're learning by tablature (numbers on lines, ASCII format, generally what online guitar sheet music is written in). Tabs are the easiest to learn by.
 
Enjoy it my friend....who knows where it will lead?
Perhaps a studio??

Bang'n on strings for a few years now...

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Skyler said:
LOVE the 1st Epiphone and the sunburst Strat - Who's autograph on it?. Great collection.
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Thanks, it is half the collection - the signatures are Super Stars of the WWE. (I bought the guitar last week at a pawn shop - the signatures are a bonus).

Trish Stratus, Edge and on the pick guard it looks like Dangerous Dave. Not really a wrestling fan but they are super stars.

BTW the Epiphone is one sweet sounding guitar as is the blue Ibanez, the starburst has a whammy bar...they each have their own stories...

886e955f.jpg
 
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SeaBreez said:
Thanks, it is half the collection - the signatures are Super Stars of the WWE. (I bought the guitar last week at a pawn shop - the signatures are a bonus).

Trish Stratus, Edge and on the pick guard it looks like Dangerous Dave. Not really a wrestling fan but they are super stars.

BTW the Epiphone is one sweet sounding guitar as is the blue Ibanez, the starburst has a whammy bar...they each have their own stories...
Click to expand...

Excellent. Ball Park range of what the Epiphone's are going for? I'm hoping to pick one up in the near future.
 
Been playing 12 years.
Have a decent Takamine G-series. By decent, I mean it's a roughly $900 guitar.
A Dobro hound dog just to change things up a bit. Right now it's in standard tuning, but eventually I'll learn to play this thing right!
And, I have a Washburn Rover travel guitar that went everywhere with me in Afghanistan. Tough little guitar with good sound for the size.

Self taught. Picked up a guitar nobody in the house used, grabbed some sheet music with Tabs on it and taught myself. Part by ear, part just by looking at the tabs.
However, I naturally pick up instruments. Everything I can play I taught myself. Trumpet and Sax only took me a couple of days to have it figured out to a decent level. Harmonica, that took me maybe 15 minutes before I could play a song with it along with my guitar for some good Blue Rodeo stuff.

If I had the time and the drive, I really could play good. But, since I will go months without having my guitar here and there, it's hard to learn new things. And once I do get home I just go back to the old favourites since all I want to do is jam.
 
Skyler said:
Excellent. Ball Park range of what the Epiphone's are going for? I'm hoping to pick one up in the near future.
Click to expand...


Long and Mcquade

$650.00 [SUP]CDN[/SUP]






The semi-hollow design of the Epiphone Sheraton II Electric Guitar uses a solid center block and hollow "wings" to give it the fat, mellow tone of a jazz guitar and the sustain of a solidbody. It has an arched maple top, back, and rim; laminated maple neck; gold-plated hardware; multiple bound body, neck, peghead, and f-holes; and vine inlay on peghead with mother-of-pearl and abalone fingerboard inlays. Includes two humbucker pickups and separate tone and volume controls. The LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece add more sustain and make string changing easier.

FEATURES:
Arched maple top, back, and sides
3-piece set maple neck
Dual humbuckers
the LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece add more sustain and make string changing easier
Gold-plated hardware
Multiple bound body, neck, peghead, and f-holes
Vine inlay on peghead
Mother-of-pearl and abalone fretboard inlays

///
 
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Just buy a cheap tuner learn how to use it, learn all the notes of each string and learn how to use/read tabs then maybe get some lessons learn some theory and she's all good broski.

strings will go in this order

E
A
D
G
B
E
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