# What's the best way to learn a little bit of guitar? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 27, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315 "2008-02-27T00:21:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/1 "2008-02-27T00:21:40Z")
As I’ve said in another thread, I’ve been struck with ambition. I’m a librarian working at a large main library - I want to move out to the branches and I want to move _up_. I’ve decided I want to be a branch manager by 30, if I can. (I have four days less than two years - this might be an overly optimistic goal.) So the way I see it, I’m lacking three things - age and experience, management experience, and a reputation as a generalist. At Main I work in a very specific department. Most importantly, I have no experience in children’s programming at all - I have never done a storytime, etc, although I have worked for a few months in a branch. Well, I can’t make myself older, and it’s hard to get management experience on your own (although I’ve been considering looking for volunteer opportunities outside work on that side.) What I can do is learn a lot about children’s programming - I’ve been doing a lot of reading, I’m set up to sit in on some storytimes, etc. So I was thinking, hey, what if I could sing and play the guitar? (Am I not _desperate_?) I’ve got more than a decade of piano lessons plus a college piano minor under my belt, but I haven’t touched the piano since the day I graduated. (Long story.) So I have a significant amount of musical experience, but not with a stringed instrument. Also, I have not yet been able to go up to “Hard” on Guitar Hero, make of that what you will. If I were to do this, I’d want to learn enough so I’d feel comfortable playing and singing, you know, “If You’re Happy And You Know It.” (I just realized that most of the repertoire of children’s songs and pretty much all of the good ones that I carry around in my head are religious. That is not helpful.) I’d want to be able to pick up new songs, feel comfortable playing with a group of kids, you know, that sort of thing. So my questions are: 1. Do I reek too much of desperation? I _really want_ to get these jobs. 2. Should I take lessons, or would that be a waste of money for what I want to do? 3. Where does one find reputable teachers? I don’t know anybody who could give me a reccommendation. 4. While we’re at it, what’s a good beginner guitar? What could I expect to pay? Himself thinks I should take up the accordion so we could be a _two man accordion band_. Dude, the cops get called to our neighborhood enough as it is. 🙂 Alternately, he wishes I’d learn the banjo. I really _would_ love to be able to play that fast picking bluegrass. Would playing the guitar (easier, I assume, more accessible, more versatile) tell me if I could play the banjo? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/2 "2008-02-27T02:03:58Z")
… nobody? ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/3 "2008-02-27T02:07:12Z")
Nice ambitions. 🙂 I taught myself how to play, and I play at the level you’ve described - just enough to play chords for simpler songs. I don’t think it’s that hard at all, especially if you already have some training in other instruments. I just looked up stuff online. [http://www.8notes.com](http://www.8notes.com) has been especially helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Pithy\_Moniker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8dc957/32.png) [@Pithy\_Moniker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pithy_Moniker)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/4 "2008-02-27T02:59:54Z")
I just started playing guitar about 5 or 6 weeks ago. From the beginning I’d planned to take lessons but spent the first week trying to learn what I could on my own. I had the desire but no direction. Lessons fixed the direction part that and I’m really getting lots more out of my practice time now. Also, as I quickly found out, the first few weeks\months with the guitar are a bitch. I’m still in the thick of the rough stuff, but I think I saw a tiny light in the distance at the end of the tunnel tonight. I played a recognizable rendition of the opening licks of Bon Jovi’s “Dead or Alive”. (My wife’s a fan and my instructor said it would be good practice.) You might try taking a few months worth of lessons to get you over the initial hump. Since you’re already musically talented, you’ll no doubt have an easier time than I’m having. For prices, I picked up an Ibanez starter kit with guitar, practice amp, tuner and cables for $250. As an added bonus, the store where I bought it offers 1 free lesson with a guitar purchase. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/5 "2008-02-27T03:13:34Z")
I recommend a decent classical/folk guitar (nylon strings) with an electric pick-up. Since you know music theory, learn all major and minor chords, as well as 1-3-5, 1-4-5 progressions (throw in the flat 7th for kicks) and learn to play major and minor scales from 3-4 starting positions. Lessons wil help, especially with fingering techniques and to not start off with bad habits, but you will need to practice practice practice in order to be able to switch chords, strum, and sing unless you simply have natural rhytm and tone. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/6 "2008-02-27T04:06:09Z")
[QUOTE=Pithy Moniker] For prices, I picked up an Ibanez starter kit with guitar, practice amp, tuner and cables for $250. As an added bonus, the store where I bought it offers 1 free lesson with a guitar purchase. [/QUOTE] If you want to go acoustic, Yamaha, Epiphone, Ibanez and Fender all offer starter packages for under $200. Here’s the [Sam Ash](http://www.samash.com/catalog/categorysub.asp?categorysubid=1007&departmentid=1&SortMethod=1) page, but the shops around here had them for less. Also, a lot of piano fake books have guitar chord diagrams above the staff. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/7 "2008-02-27T14:01:14Z")
If you have the experience of having to learn an instrument, you know what you’re in for - which should make dealing with the initial difficulties a bit easier. There’s no reason, if you practice and have a basic musical aptitude, that you can be strumming through basic kid’s songs in a couple of months. - and who care’s if anyone thinks you are desperate? You have an objective, you have a way you are looking at pursuing it and it kinda sounds like something you might enjoy learning anyway - what’s not to like? ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/8 "2008-02-27T14:30:57Z")
I was supposed to be out the door 10 minutes ago, so I’ll be as quick as I can be. Yes, you can learn a strumming level of proficiency in guitar in a surprisingly short time - one of the hardest things starting out is getting your fingers accustomed to the strings. For the repertoire you are after, the 16 basic chord shapes (Majors - E, A, D, G, C. Minors b (ist inversion), e, a, d Dominant 7ths F#, B, E, A, D, G, C) plus a couple of substitutions, (d minor for F, for example - F is tricky from an ergonomic standpoint) will get you through lots of really useful kids repertoire. So - 1. The line between desperate and strongly motivated is chiefly defined by attitude. This sounds motivated, based on a sensible examination of strengths and things to be developed, to me 2. If possible, I always recommend a human teacher in the same room with you. If you cover my flights, I’d be happy to come to South Carolina on a regular basis… 3. I will check some resources if you like, but universities, conservatories and music stores generally have lists of teachers in the area. Finding a teacher for contra-bassoon can be a challenge - finding a guitar teacher is not. 4. Lots of good recommendations already - I’d throw in Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Norman. I don’t know about US prices these days, I know most of my students have found good guitars in the $200 - $300 range, and some of them have recently gone up to better instruments in the $600 to $800 range. Do consider a nylon stringed (Classical) instrument - it is much easier on a beginner’s fingers. I must run, more later if you like… ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/9 "2008-02-27T14:39:53Z")
I thought all acoustic guitars had steel strings? What’s the difference between a classical nylon stringed guitar and a steel stringed ? guitar? (I get the difference between electric and acoustic, but I thought that was the basic divide until you get into, like, slide guitar and steel and stuff.) ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/10 "2008-02-27T14:49:25Z")
My votes–find a teacher and take lessons. The teacher will be able to give you feedback on what you are doing wrong (or right) and possibly provide guidance with materials appropriate for children, guidence on singing and playing together etc. You should tell the teacher why you want to learn “a little bit of guitar”–although you can leave out the “because I want to be a branch manager” bit of your ambitions. (I know you aren’t religious, but I’d encourage you to consider contacting local churches and seeing if there is one which has a choir or program as a part of Sunday School with small children and someone playing guitar. This might give you an opportunity to see someone in action doing what you want to do outside the library setting. You don’t have to take any songs away with you, but observing other could be helpful). ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/11 "2008-02-27T15:55:33Z")
That’s a good idea, **Eureka**. Obviously I saw a lot of that kind of program as a child (“The Lord said to Noah, there’s gonna be a floody floody!”) but it’s, you know, been a while. One thing I do know is that I have a HELL of a time playing the piano and singing, and an even harder time playing while other people sing. They throw me off every time. So with guitar I’d want to start out with that as the goal, to practice that way and learn techniques to deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/12 "2008-02-27T18:15:14Z")
Okay, I went down to the music store on my lunch break and they were really, really helpful. I got one of those beginner sets for $160 - an Ibanez guitar, tuner, strings, pick, strap, (soft) case, and an instructional DVD. That seemed like a pretty good deal, and the helpful young man said he felt it was a good guitar for the money. I can’t say enough about the nice young people there - no hard sell, lots of good information, very attentive. I’ve also signed up for a month of lessons. We’ll see how this goes, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/13 "2008-02-27T18:25:44Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] Okay, I went down to the music store on my lunch break and they were really, really helpful. I got one of those beginner sets for $160 - an Ibanez guitar, tuner, strings, pick, strap, (soft) case, and an instructional DVD. That seemed like a pretty good deal, and the helpful young man said he felt it was a good guitar for the money. I can’t say enough about the nice young people there - no hard sell, lots of good information, very attentive. I’ve also signed up for a month of lessons. We’ll see how this goes, I guess. [/QUOTE] Excellent - keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/14 "2008-02-27T18:29:28Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] I thought all acoustic guitars had steel strings? What’s the difference between a classical nylon stringed guitar and a steel stringed ? guitar? (I get the difference between electric and acoustic, but I thought that was the basic divide until you get into, like, slide guitar and steel and stuff.) [/QUOTE] A nylon stringed (or “Spanish”) guitar is virtually the same as a steel stringed acoustic in playing mechanics, except 1) nylon strings are easier to depress and easier on your fingers, 2) my recollection is that a Spanish guitar has a wider neck than a steel stringed acoustic, which can make it more difficult to finger, but doesn’t negate the playing ease of the nylon strings. Finally, the guitar tone of a nylon stringed guitar is notably less bright and less loud than a steel stringed acoustic. Go to any reasonably sized music store and try both to see what you like. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-learn-a-little-bit-of-guitar/439315/15 "2008-02-27T18:50:29Z")
I just realized how OLD that post makes me sound. “Nice young people”, indeed, dearie!