Beginner Acoustic Guitarist just saying hello!

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Permalink Reply by FloridaGull on September 5, 2012 at 5:38am

Hello Jordan! Nice to meet you...good people here!
Do you know what kind of guitar you are getting? I strongly suggest taking some lessons - a good teacher can introduce you to different styles of playing the guitar, and you will probably find a style that you like better. Learn a bit of strumming with a pick, using a pick to play individual notes/strings, and fingerstyle, and you will have a very good base of skills for future learning. Good Luck - and Enjoy!

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Permalink Reply by Jordan S Bell on September 5, 2012 at 10:01am

Yes, I'm getting a yamaha fg700s. I heard alot of people that played guitars for many years say its the best guitar for the buck. Some say it sounds as great as 600$ guitars. I have my brothers girlfriend's brother who plays guitar says he teach me. Then my cousin who played guitar since he was my 10 and hes 19 now.

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Permalink Reply by Newbie Dean on September 5, 2012 at 11:46am

I'm a 63 year-old grandpa and got my 11 year-old grand daughter started almost 2 years ago.  I've met her instructor a number of times and am impressed with his approach.  He is introducing her to various styles of playing.  He's letting her choose what direction she would like to go along the way.  She will have a well rounded background but will be able to do what suits her.  I agree with FG, if you can find an instructor that will give you a good well rounded introduction, go for it with him/her.  Just KEEP IT FUN, Dean

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Permalink Reply by Jordan S Bell on September 5, 2012 at 12:03pm

That is super cool. I will at first start with people I know that teach me first steps. Then I will maybe one day pay for lessons.

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Permalink Reply by JB Maddox on September 9, 2012 at 7:43am

Hello Jordan. All I teach are beginners. Before anything get a guitar you can play. Yamaha's are decent but do not always come well set up. You want it set up with Custom Light strings. They are 52-11 gauge and easier on the fingers. Going lighter will make the guitar too tinny sounding. I recommend Martin SP 92/8. They will retain the bass end and still be easier. Have the guitar set up to play by a local luthier first. Getting down your chord changes is more critical than the picking or strumming hand. Start very slow and work on those changes until they sound smooth and you hit the Sweet spot every time.
I start beginners on songs from artists they like--picking the ones with the simplest chords and progressions first. They work up to more complex and once chording is on time and tone we start on picking and strumming techniques. This keeps you from becoming a great strumming finger picker that only can play two chords forever--which, sadly is where too many wannabe players wind up with bad instruction. Yes, that rotten instructor who insists on clean sounding F and Bm chords before moving on is the one you want. It is a muscle memory skill--three things are critical--practice, practice, practice--you will get it.

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