[OT] Books for learning the guitar?

[Enforcer]

Hi all, I'm thinking about getting an acoustic guitar and basically learning it myself. I already know how to read music since I played the french horn for years. From some online research, I'm thinking about Chris Lopez's series of books. Does anyone recommend something else instead?

Oh, and can someone recommend the kind of acoustic I should look into? I want something that sounds nice, of course, with a little forgiveness for a beginner. It'd be good if my guitar grew up with me, so to speak--was good for intermediate/advanced players as well as beginners. I doubt such a guitar exists, but I'm sure EN World's guitar players would know better than I would.

Edit: Oh, and I want the guitar to cost $300 or less, and it should be a steel-string for rock/alternative songs.

Thanks for any help!

 

[reutbing0]

Hi all, I'm thinking about getting an acoustic guitar and basically learning it myself. I already know how to read music since I played the french horn for years. From some online research, I'm thinking about Chris Lopez's series of books. Does anyone recommend something else instead?

Oh, and can someone recommend the kind of acoustic I should look into? I want something that sounds nice, of course, with a little forgiveness for a beginner. It'd be good if my guitar grew up with me, so to speak--was good for intermediate/advanced players as well as beginners. I doubt such a guitar exists, but I'm sure EN World's guitar players would know better than I would.

Edit: Oh, and I want the guitar to cost $300 or less.

Thanks for any help!

Well, what kind of music do you want to play ? A spanish guitar (with nylon strings) is easier on the fingers than a steelstring guitar and good for beginners. A steel string will be better for you if you want to play American Roots music, Blues and acoustic rock..also the way to go for most singer/songwriter type stuff.

I've heard good things about the Lopez books but be aware that while these books will give you a good theory/technique foundation it won't teach you toplay actual songs. You can find sheet music for free on the internet, so that will help you. www.olga.net is a good website. A great (free!) online lesson-series can be found at: http://guitar.about.com/library/blguitarlessonarchive.htm. I really recommend it.

I heard the Washburn D10s: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...95900104/g=guitar/search/detail/base_id/53163

As well as the Fender DG 16s http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...95900104/g=guitar/search/detail/base_id/37302

are quite good steel string options for beginner. I'm not sure if |I'd recommend buying a guitar online though..I never tried it.

As for a guitar recommendation, the best advice I can give you is find someone who knows a good deal about guitars and take him/her to a store that sells used guitars. You will often find great instruments for the price you're willing to pay.

Hope that helps, and do give us some info on the styles you like so we can give you some better information.

 

[morrolan]

I would recommend a steel string, unless you want to play classical. The major hurdle in learning guitar, provided you know a bit of music theory, is getting used to it physically. A steel string will give you some good calluses and put you in good stead if you ever move to electric.

Second, I would look into an electric if it fits what you want to play. Slayer just wont sound right on an acoustic! And your choices are a bit better in the $300 dollar range. You can find a good electric that will 'grow' with you, whilst an acoustic of the same caliber will run a bit more (c. $500). That said, just going to a store and playing some cheapies will often lead you to a good find. I never rely on name brand for a guitar purchase; even the big names put out some duds, especially in the beginner price range.

As far as learning materials, you have a head start if you know how to read music/ know basic music theory. Luckily that holds true for all instruments! I reccomend learning some scales and chords. The Guitar Grimoire series have all the scales you will ever need and more. A good Chord dictionary would also be essential. From there, learn the songs you want to play. There is tons of tab on the web, and although much is incomplete/error filled, it's often enough to get you started figuring out a song.

I would pick a band/artist you want to learn and but one of their tab books. I am pretty much a self taught player, and learned the most from those types of books.

hope that helps some...
morrolan

 

[Holy Bovine]

I too, just recently (yesterday infact) have taken up the guitar. I currently have a spanish guitar to learn on and a friend of mine is teaching me the basics. I still want to get some other learning material and those links look great reutbing0. Strangely enough i really think I'm left handed when it comes to playing as when I hold it right handed i can seem to get my fingers to do what I want :?

 

[Storminator]

Try this site

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~desmith/guitar/acoustic/index.html

PS