How easy is it to learn how to play the guitar?

[MMock]

My two daughters are getting a used bass and electric guitar for Christmas.

They took a summer camp session for two weeks last summer and had some exposure to the bass, but not much, because the camp had a big variety of different arts. Both of them loved it. My husband happened to find a used bass on Craig's List for a great price, with an amp. It turned out the seller lives on the next street over from me. The bass had been for his younger son who didn't get into it, after he bought him a new setup. He said he was also selling his older son's electric guitar, because that son had upgraded. So I went back the next day for that. (All along, my husband said the bass was an accompanying instrument, and not much fun to play solo, so I think he was happy to pick up an electric guitar, too).

So I am wondering if these instruments will also end up on Craig's List or if there's a good chance my daughters will like it and be good at it. Does it just take a certain amount of dedication and enthusiasm? Maybe they are musically inclined, but if so, that's not from me. They are both extremely talented in the visual arts, also not from me, that's from my husband, but he never cultivated it and became a mechanical engineer and draws with CAD.

Do any of you know how to play the guitar and can you tell me of your experiences? My girls are young which I think is to their advantage. And they go to an arts school so even though I know I'll be paying for a lot of lessons, they will get support and opportunities at school.

[techgnome]

Just like programming... some people have it, some don't.... either way, it does take a lot of dedication and practice and patience...

I got an acoustic for Christmas a couple years ago... it hasn't gone up on craigslist ... my problem is that I feel self-conscience playing it... so I'd prefer no one was home when I'm practicing... the toughest part I find is 1) developing the calluses on the fingertips that make holding the strings better...only practicing will make that happen... and getting my fingers to contort into positions that I can only assume were created during the Inquisition... arthritis doesn't help either.

This is my second time around with the guitar... the first time was when I was in High School some 20+ years ago... I remember being much more adept to it back then than I am now... might be because I took an actual class where we all played badly, so I didn't feel awkward playing in front of them... or if it's because I was more flexible and less stiff than I am now...

-tg

[MMock]

Pretty much what I was thinking - about the finger movement and definitely the calluses! At their age they don't have age-onset arthritis so that's all good. I don't know if they'll be self-conscious. Since they are both learning, they can laugh at themselves together, and if at each other I will intervene. Thanks.

Oh, also, what I am worried about is a fight over who gets the bass and who gets the electric (which I'm assuming is preferred). But since they both admire musicians who play the bass, maybe I have no worries.

[kareninstructor]

The average person will struggle learning to play. Teenagers want to learn songs before music theory. You need to learn music theory first if this is going to be a lifelong thing. A good music teacher will teach theory and simple songs so the student does not loss interest.

One of the worst things anyone can do in regards to getting someone to start learning to play any instrument (especially string instruments) is to get cheap instruments to start out with. Of course the downside to purchasing decent items is they decide not to continue.

I have been playing since my teenage years and learned the hard way when starting out. I purchased a guitar and amp for under $200 which lasted one week. Next I purchased an $800 guitar and (not sure about this) a $300 amp. The amp is long gone but the guitar is not only still used by me it has increased in value.

I got my son a $300 guitar when he asked to learn, amp was just under $300. He stopped after a year, guitar is now mine. If I was not a guitar player I would had been out $$$’s. On the other hand I know my son appreciated the better guitar as he tried cheaper ones.

Bottom line is dang if you do, crap if you don’t

A crappy bass or guitar will have a high action (strings sit high off the fretboard) while a moderately priced one the strings are closer to the fretboard and a high end you can almost breath on the strings for them to play.

Fender (as do other guitar companies) makes a series of basses where I would suggest starting at the middle tier.

[kareninstructor]

Pretty much what I was thinking - about the finger movement and definitely the calluses! At their age they don't have age-onset arthritis so that's all good. I don't know if they'll be self-conscious. Since they are both learning, they can laugh at themselves together, and if at each other I will intervene. Thanks.

Oh, also, what I am worried about is a fight over who gets the bass and who gets the electric (which I'm assuming is preferred). But since they both admire musicians who play the bass, maybe I have no worries.

If they begin on electronic bass or guitar with decent action (see my first reply) there will be no calluses.

[kareninstructor]

Lastly search sweetwater on Google, Sweetwater has great prices, ships for free and items are returnable. If you care too call them, ask for John Ptak at extension 1392, tell then Kevin Gallagher gave you his name.

[Shaggy Hiker]

All your base...

[dilettante]

Herbert! Herbert! Herbert!

[chris.cavage]

I love playing guitar.

One of my biggest regrets in life was stopping my guitar lessons when I was around the age of 9. I had a great teacher who showed me amazing things. He left and was replaced by some music theory nut who felt I needed to study theory in depth at age 9 before he taught be strumming basics. I quit because he was intimidating. I wish I found another teacher (or that my parents took me elsewhere).

Another problem was that my parent's bought me a standard size guitar, not 1/2 size. The size of the instrument was too much for my little hands and yet was another reason why I put it down.

Having a half size guitar accompanying a friendly teacher would have been the ticket. Also lighter gauge strings (to help with the finger pain)! I still prefer lighter gauge string. Electric guitars are good for that reason also.

I picked up that acoustic when I was 21 in college. I couldn't put it down since. I've been playing religiously since then, and now at the age of 29, I still take guitar lessons. I just started going within the past 3 months to learn guitar theory. Something that NOW I am ready for! My instructor is AMAZING and is terrific with children. I see him teaching kids, and I always tell him about my crappy teacher when I was young. How that teacher influenced me to NOT play. I hope he knows how nice it is that he can connect with young students to keep their interest for the long run.

Anyway, that's my story.

[SJWhiteley]

I knew there were a few musicians here...

I used to have a bass when I was younger, and once I'd learned a few basics definitely found that a better quality bass felt much better and easier. I don't know why I chose the bass (possibly because of Level 42?). But while it is often seen as an accompaniment/rhythm instrument, and not really a 'solo' instrument, if you like the sound and feel, it can be very entertaining to oneself to play solo. It is generally not seen as a 'public solo' instrument, which is probably true, but it doesn't diminish the enjoyment one gets from playing it. There is a vast array of sounds and styles on the bass, but I think they tend to be more subtle.

[kareninstructor]

Thinking of soloing with a bass Tal Wilkenfeld comes to mind. She did a great solo with Jeff Beck in the past year on one of the music channels. Full performance Ronnie Scott's.

[MMock]

Lastly search sweetwater on Google, Sweetwater has great prices, ships for free and items are returnable. If you care too call them, ask for John Ptak at extension 1392, tell then Kevin Gallagher gave you his name.

OK, but the purchase is a done deal, I was trying to get a feel for what was coming next. And I know you said better may be easier, but we will at least start with what we've got and I will keep this in mind, for the future.

[MMock]

I love playing guitar...Anyway, that's my story.

A helpful story! Thanks.

[MMock]

I knew there were a few musicians here...

I used to have a bass when I was younger, and once I'd learned a few basics definitely found that a better quality bass felt much better and easier. I don't know why I chose the bass (possibly because of Level 42?). But while it is often seen as an accompaniment/rhythm instrument, and not really a 'solo' instrument, if you like the sound and feel, it can be very entertaining to oneself to play solo. It is generally not seen as a 'public solo' instrument, which is probably true, but it doesn't diminish the enjoyment one gets from playing it. There is a vast array of sounds and styles on the bass, but I think they tend to be more subtle.

Level 42, really? (Not said in a bad way, I just wouldn't think of them as having a great bass player, do they? The song "we're only human after all" comes to mind. That is them?)

Thanks for the tips about playing it solo or not. It was a co-worker of my husband who plays and says it's an accompanying instrument, but my daughter learned "You Can't Always Get What You Want'' at camp and loved accompanying!

[Shaggy Hiker]

I've been playing religiously since then,

Ah, gospel music. Some of that really rocks.

[FunkyDexter]

A good music teacher will teach theory and simple songs so the student does not loss interest

I strongly agree with this. Just learning songs tends to keep someone amused for about a year then they hit a glass ceiling. Just learning theory is boring as all hell and most people will give up before they really get to use it. A nice blend of the two that gives some chords, some basic scales and a few simple contemporary songs early is what seems to work for most people.

One of the worst things anyone can do in regards to getting someone to start learning to play any instrument (especially string instruments) is to get cheap instruments to start out with.

This is HUGELY important which is, of course, exactly what you don't want to hear since you've already done the deal. It would be worth posting the details of what you've bought here, though, so we can give you the good or the bad news. If what you've bought is rubbish it's better to know now so you can cut your losses because all you'll succeed in doing is turning them off the guitar forever. Most of the stuff out there's at least decent so the chances are you'll be fine but there's a bottom end of utter garbage that floats around the industry that you really want to avoid like the plague. The worst I ever came across was "Axe". If you do end up having to trade in for something else then I reckon Yamaha are good for unfussy, well made kit without too many silly bells and whistles.

Oh, also, what I am worried about is a fight over who gets the bass and who gets the electric (which I'm assuming is preferred).

Actually, I think the Bass has much more cool these days mainly because far less people play it. Us Lead and Rythmn guys are a dime a dozen but Bass players are rarer than hen's teeth. For a guitarist to stand out he's got to be something REALLY special but a bassist can get some slap stuff together and impress all his freinds quick sharp. Just don't let them learn the drums... drummers are all complete loonies!

Level 42, really?

Yes, Really! I've got to be honest, they were never my sort of music (I'm a rocker at heart) but his slap playing was smooth as silk.

might be because I took an actual class where we all played badly, so I didn't feel awkward playing in front of them

I like groups. I've taught small classes and one on ones and the classes work much better as long as everyone's at a similar start point. One on one is alot more intense and that can be a real turn off when people are just getting going. And I know what you mean about the self-concious thing. I've been playing 30 years and I still get self-concious doing proper practice if I think people can hear so I end up jamming the stuff I'm good at. Proper practice involves pushing out of your confort zone and that means sounding a bit rubbish so it's important to find somewhere properly tucked away for practicing.

All your base...

Someone had to do it didn't they?

[honeybee]

I am pretty good at playing almost any instrument. All it takes is tap your fingers onto it.

Seriously I learnt to play flute back in school, but left it to pursue other interests (Read: to earn money). Now whenever I pick up a flute, I find it difficult to put my fingertips onto the holes. Needless to say whatever little I could play back then has more or less vanished.

I kinda taught myself how to play a coarse instrument which was a combination of a keyboard and guitar. It had mechanical keys one could press with the left hand, similar to a typewriter, and a string like a guitar which one could 'strum' with the right hand. I could play some songs, albeit after hours of practice and then too haltingly. Lately I took to a keyboard my bro had sent (for my li'l nephew, but I snitched it ), and again I deliberated if I should take a few lessons to get at least acceptable skills.

Practice is the most important part if you want to enjoy it. If you want to be better at it, go for lessons.

.

[MMock]

Thanks, last two posters, esp. Funky who responded to so many of the other posts.

I have to look at the electric when I go home, but here's the neck of the Bass. I don't know if the logo is the brand and if anyone would recognize it:



Seller claimed, "Paid over $ 160 just for the guitar six months ago" so I know it's not going to be super great. But I paid $75 for this guitar and a little amp he sold with it.

[FunkyDexter]

Hmm, I don't recognise the logo but I've got a bass playing buddy who's knowledge of such things is pretty encyclopoedic so I'll forward him the picture when I get home and see if he knows it.

so I know it's not going to be super great.

It doesn't have to be super great, it just has to not be rubbish. Kev hit on one of the most important points: a low action (high action is nice for some stuff but low is easier and more comfortable to learn on) but you should also look for tuning pegs that actually hold the tune and don't slip and a neck that isn't warped and stays in tune all the way up and down it. If those three things are all ticks then at the very least you've got something that won't be a total turn off while your kids learn and you should be able to check them reasonably simply yourself. I can't remember if anyone else has said it already but light guage strings are generally easier on the fingers too.

It's also mentioning that a cheaper guitar and amp may not give the best quality of sound but that's the sort of thing you can spend money on later once your sure that they're really enjoying it. As long as teh thing stays in tune and is compfortable to play you're good to go. In fact, rubbish sound is kind of a badge of authenticity in some circles, blues in particular. Just list to Chuck or John Lee live to hear what I mean. And how the heck Sea Sick Steve manages to get the noises he does out of a couple of nails, a board and a tin can beggars belief.

[kareninstructor]

Food for thought in regards to amps. Generally speaking if someone picks up electric guitar in the beginning they are learning to play and learning how to get proper sounds from the amp. Those who play know that it is easy to get a decent clean sound from a amp but when they progress and want to mimic the sound of a particular artist on a song it can take time if the amp is capable or they can't because the amp is not able to mimic the sound. Couple that with amps that have a ton of knobs to tweak and it can be frustrating. With that in mind you can spend a small amount to be okay, settle for the sounds you get, be unhappy or spend lots of money for an amp that can give you what you want but hard to zero in on sounds.

I own seven amps, six of which provide capabilities unique to each other or can be combined together for a special sound and even be placed out of phase for more possibilities. A guess for what I have spent on these amps is roughly $7000, to $8000. Now let's look at an affordable solution which can really hit middle ground is an modeling amp. A modeling amp has preset sounds/tones to mimic popular guitarist sounds along with providing the ability to create your own sounds. One such amp is VOX VT20+ (there are others in the series) which is priced at roughly $250 new, $200 used. I have the VOX VT40+ which is a bit more amps than the VT20+ and would recommend this amp.

The pictures below are four of my amps shown mainly to see how many knobs there are two work with to get a sound. The VOX is shown but not the controls. The VOX has lots of controls but with only a few clicks of several buttons you have a great sound. The manual tells you which buttons to press for a specific sound while the other amps you need to twist and turn knobs, trial and error with them. But the other amps have sounds that the VOX or other amps can not match.