I need help picking a guitar to learn on?

Question

I have very little musical experience besides teaching myself how to play my broken recorder, besides that I've always loved the string instruments, especially the guitar. The closest I have gotten to guitar is my brothers Guitar Hero games(which I'm very good at by the way). Anyway as much as I love electric guitars I want to start off acoustic I've heard it's just simpler that way. I have a budget (well my parents do) and its best to keep the budget under 250$ or around that price maybe. I don't care about callouses my hands are pretty messed up already from softball. I can't afford a teacher so it would also help if you can recomend some tips on teaching myself. Thanks.

Answer 1

i teach guitar.

Some good brands are

Jasmine

Seagull

Luna

All I believe have models for under 250.

Get Martin Silk and string guitar strings to learn on..get them from the guitar store you purchase your guitar from.  you may have to ask for them, then have the guitar store restring your guitar with the new strings.  You will need something to store the guitar on or in, so reserve some $$ for that as well.  

I taught myself to play.  Buy an 'easy guitar' book of songs you are familiar with.  Begin at the beginning, and learn the chords of the first song.  There should be no more than 3.  Play the song until the chord changes are smooth and your fingers get callused.  Then move to the next song.

Another good purchase is a guitar chord book with different fingerings so you can find the one that is most comfortable for you.  Then when you encounter a new chord in your music book, look it up in your chord book and learn the fingering.  

As for picking patterns, listen and play with alot of different kinds of music and see what works.  it doesnt matter what chords you play, just strum and get the rhythm down.  Use a pick, your thumb and all your fingers.  practice practice practice.  

Good luck!  

Answer 2

I don't know where "sirensso" get his info, but he's way off base.  Martin strings?  (shudder)

The guitar you begin with is really not that important.  Don't spend a lot of money until you are sure you are going to stick with it.  You can get a decent used instrument for under $100.  Try the newspaper ads or a pawn shop.  The only things I would look for are obvious defects: cracks, missing parts, twisted necks, etc.

Get another guitar player to help you with stringing it up and tuning.  A beginners book is always a good thing, but if you know other players, it's best to pick things up from them.  They will be more than happy to help.

One piece of advice about practicing.  Never let it become a chore.  Don't try to set particular times or schedules, you will never keep them.  Instead, keep your guitar handy at all times.  If you are watching television and a commercial comes on, pick up the guitar and strum a little til your show comes back on.  If you are walking past it, pick it up and play for a minute or two.  This will be invaluable for becoming comfortable with the instrument, and you will be shocked to see how fast you get good.

Good luck my friend.  Welcome to the world of music.