learning to play guitar

I wish I had a guitar instructor. I watch people playing, I listen to people playing and I try and teach my stuff..that's about. I'm not sure what I'd say to an instructor. 'Teach me to play like George Harrison!' or 'Make me a sandwich!'

get an acoustic first,a good starter book would be RUSS SHIPTON'S.it will teach them the basic chords,no need for an instructor straight away just see if they pick up the chords ok and take it from there.make sure they learn A,D AND E chords first.that will give them the basic blues chords.also,the acoustic will harden the tips of the fingers quicker.

I see where you're all coming from, but I have to reiterate: A guitar instructor is not necessary, but it is always worth it. It is far more difficult to unlearn something than to learn it right the first time. My instructor helped me with so many things that I could never have gotten from the internet, and since many of my friends didn't play the guitar (or didn't play it well), he was my only source of infallible tutelage that I could trust.

Some things like how to hold the pick (most beginners are stuck on this for a long time), left and right hand placement, or how to fine tune those damned barre chords - it would have taken me ages longer to learn on the internet, or with a library of books.

If he's that young, I doubt he could just go to the local high school and ask the local guitar players for advice...I'd definitely recommend the teacher. Young children also do not teach themselves well...they need to be taught.

get him guitar hero II for PS2

"It is far more difficult to unlearn something than to learn it right the first time."

Aha, see yes - I would count that as the most valuable thing a teacher can give you. Stopping you from getting used to doing it wrong!

That is a good point. I'm probably playing the guitar wrong *uses leg of chair to play guitar*

That is a good point to make though.

Air guitar is much cheaper. Get him one.

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color="#FF1493">The Fairy King wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color=666600>Music Man wrote: [/QUOTENAME]An electric is not necessarily cheaper than an acoustic anyway. One can easily get a starter electric guitar pack at a reasonable price. In fact, one of the best ways to make someone disinterested in the guitar is by giving them a shitty acoustic. No lie. [/quote]

In fact, The Fairy King is pretty much wrong in every aspect (no offense). Don't start him by using internet tutorials. Get him a guitar instructor. Get him a guitar instructor. Get him a guitar instructor. Let me stress this one more time...get him a guitar instructor. Sure, if he's dedicated enough, he could teach himself. Yeah, and if I were dedicated enough, I could have learned everything I learned in high school by myself - but guess what? I wouldn't have.

The guitar is mostly an "on your own" instrument. If you play it, you're not going to get a heck of a lot of motivation from your school or your coach or your teachers - most times even your parents, since they likely don't know how to play...all you have is your instructor. And those who don't have that - they have nobody.[/QUOTE]

Private lessons are the best, but not everyone can afford it dear "Music Man". Nothing wrong with that site, see it as something extra. It's free you know. ;)

I don't think giving a 6 y.o. an electric guitar is a good idea. Just my opinion. [/QUOTE]

Playing anything other than rhythm is more difficult on an acoustic. Plus, as I stressed, the range of your hands needs to be a LOT bigger, as acoustics have a far wider neck. You don't want to injure the kid's hands.

I'd say 'yeah' to most of that.

I'm one of the ones who grew up on an acoustic - I spent my first couple of years (up until I was about 9) learning all the Beatles solos (by ear with a shitty tape player... I miss those days), so as your hands grow I guess you get used to whatever guitar it is you're doing most of your playing on.

My Dad could've copped out and gotten me an undersized acoustic (as barre chords were nigh on impossible when I was that age) but I'm glad he got me a normal sized one, because I can still play the thing without feeling like I have tarantula hands or something.

You know what'd be ideal? Getting the boy an acoustic AND an electric. I really enjoyed having both when I was little.

I wish I'd started earlier! It's not unheard of for people to start when they're 4 even.

And lets not get onto that Japanese kid that can play xylophone like no one else... CREEPY.

4? How could they even lift the thing? Ha.

Extremely muscular arms.

I curse myself and my parents for not musicisicing me before hand. I've been playing for about 18 months now and I'm only just beginning to feel confident in my playing but I think it's a good idea to learn on an acoustic guitar.

Most of my songs seem to end up 'acoustic'. Bastards.

Maybe I'm aging prematurely, but I'm getting more comfortable with just acoustic stuff. Not to say I don't enjoy jumping around with a very loud amp, but it's weird.... this sort of beige person is emerging inside my head.

So long as you continue to feed 5000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread in your advanced age, I will be fine with that.

I rather the sound of my acoustic guitar even though watching people set their electric guitars on fire is still quite entertaining.