I want to teach myself to play acoustic guitar.What do I need ? And what kind of guitar would be recommended?

I’ve looked at some beginner guitars, but they seemed pretty small ( as Im an adult).
And I wanted to know if there’s any particular method of learning that seems to work and is not too difficult. Books? or cd? IDK

Thanks!

I started on classical guitar (nylon string acoustic) and think that’s the best way. Nylon strings are easy on the fingers and the strings are further apart making it easier to fret without touching (deadening) adjacent strings. As far as method goes, I can only say you’ll need to either find your own way or take lessons. I started by playing along with songs I knew and liked so that I would have a reference and a more pleasant experience. I also recorded myself and found that to be invaluable (a little discouraging first time you hear yourself but puts you straight right away!). Here’s a couple of links for free online lessons –
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lessons/
http://www.8notes.com/guitar/
Here’s a guitar I ran across the other day and think it might be right for you if you’re not wanting to go classical. This one is a remarkable deal – $625 list for $399. It has a pickup so you can plug it in if you want (amp or computer) and has a cutaway making it easier to fret higher notes.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Luna-Muse-Series-Folk-Cutaway-Nylon-String-AcousticElectric-Guitar?sku=530003
Feel free to e-mail me if there’s anything else I might be able to hep you with. Good luck!

4 Comments

  • Lone Wolf says:

    I started on classical guitar (nylon string acoustic) and think that’s the best way. Nylon strings are easy on the fingers and the strings are further apart making it easier to fret without touching (deadening) adjacent strings. As far as method goes, I can only say you’ll need to either find your own way or take lessons. I started by playing along with songs I knew and liked so that I would have a reference and a more pleasant experience. I also recorded myself and found that to be invaluable (a little discouraging first time you hear yourself but puts you straight right away!). Here’s a couple of links for free online lessons –
    http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lessons/
    http://www.8notes.com/guitar/
    Here’s a guitar I ran across the other day and think it might be right for you if you’re not wanting to go classical. This one is a remarkable deal – $625 list for $399. It has a pickup so you can plug it in if you want (amp or computer) and has a cutaway making it easier to fret higher notes.
    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Luna-Muse-Series-Folk-Cutaway-Nylon-String-AcousticElectric-Guitar?sku=530003
    Feel free to e-mail me if there’s anything else I might be able to hep you with. Good luck!
    References :

  • V4zCeNt says:

    Well, if you’re seeing guitars that are small than they are usually meant for children… Oh and women too… Pretty much anyone with small hands.

    I never used books or CD much in learning guitar. I use the internet the most. Well, I’m not really learning in the way that you need to, most of my learning is either in theory. I also use tabs, as I am too lazy to learn songs by ear all the time.

    Here is someone else’s list of good acoustic beginner’s guitars:

    http://guitar.about.com/od/acousticguitar/tp/top5acoustics.htm

    The common idea about getting your first guitar is to spend as much as you can, although you have to make sure you want to learn first. You can get some REALLY cheap acoustic guitars to learn on, or you can invest in something nicer.

    When learning, I’d recommend starting with chords. When you’re a beginner I don’t feel that you get much out of playing single notes anyways, especially since you might get bored of playing fast. If you learn two or three chords then you can already start playing along with a large number of (ridiculously easy) songs.

    Look over the beginner lessons and chord charts on the site with the beginner’s guitar list to get a start on learning to play. Hope this helped, and good luck.

    Edit: I looked at Lone Wolf’s answer (LW posted while I was typing). I agree with the other sites, I’m a regular at ultimate guitar, and you can ask questions to more guitarists there than here. I don’t feel that it’s necessary to learn on a nylon string though. I recommend getting one that fits you best. I learned on a steel string acoustic, and you’d be fine learning on an electric too.
    References :

  • edu9 says:

    well basicly all other answers are correct
    just wanted to give u a quick tip:
    learn all the songs u cant completely (and learn many), otherwise u might get dissapointed and loose motivation if u just play intros or parts of songs, or if u play a small number of songs

    good luck :)
    References :

  • Lester G says:

    I would recommend learning on a steel string guitar. It’s much more versatile than a nylon string guitar and the narrower fretboard does not require you to stretch your fingers as much. But don’t believe me – look on Youtube or anywhere else you want at acoustic performers and you’ll see that 99% of them are using a steel string guitar.

    There are lots of good steel string guitars for beginners. I happen not to like the dreadnought shape as it’s too large and uncomfortable and its tonal balance is heavily skewed toward the bass. Take a look at the Takamine G440C; it’s a good shape and it’s reasonably priced. Even better, go to your local music store and see what they recommend.

    The best way to learn is with a teacher. He/she will start you off right, make sure you’re not picking up bad habits, answer the most basic questions, show you how to change strings, show you how to tune your guitar, encourage you, and so much more. There’s not a book or a web site in the world that can do all of that.

    I’d recommend buying a good electronic tuner. For acoustic guitar the absolute best one is the IntelliTouch PT-1; it’s not cheap but then the best rarely is. Good luck.
    References :
    45 years professional acoustic guitarist.

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Takamine-G440C-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=516422
    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Intellitouch-PT1-Tuner?sku=211051

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