What do I need to learn electric guitar?

Question

I want to learn electric guitar.but that's totally a new thing for me.

so I want to buy a guitar which is suitable for beginners. and not really expensive :)

that means which one is good and saving ?

and...my friends told me I need to be sure I have:

a guitar

a pick

a amp

a cable

a belt

(if that's not right,please tell me the right way:)

but I still mess up.

like...what are "pick","cable" and "amp"? I mean,what they work for?and how to connect them.?

of course how to choose them is very important,especially a good amp(my friends said that)

then how? or maybe you can tell me WHICH ONE is the best choice :)) ???

so....they are my problems !!

THANK YOU VERYYYYYYY MUCH!!! :P

Answer 1

im 12 and i play the guitar

ok u need an amp , a chord 4 ur amp pics (2 strum with)

um find guitar center on ur computer to look for cool guitars and amps pics and stuff

mapquest it and c if its near ur house

Answer 2

A pick is a little piece of plastic triangular thingie that you use to "pick" the strings.  A amp is an amplifier that you use to amplify the sound.  You plug your guitar into the amp using the cable.  The belt is a strap that goes around your shoulder and back again so that you can comfortably play standing up.  I would recommend an epiphone for you.  They have lower end models that are affordable and I have had good luck with them when I started playing.  There are great resources online for learning to read music, as well as "guitar tabs" which are a more standard and easier way of figuring out songs.  YouTube.com also has great tutorials.  

Answer 3

Hmm... well.

Guitar - I would get a sort of expensive one, just because the beginner ones break sometimes because they're not that great.

Pick - A pick is used to hit the strings with. Some people play with their hands also. You hold the pick in your strumming hand, and strum the notes with it.

Amp- This is a box that plugs into a plug in the wall for electricity. This is what the sound from the guitar will come out of when it is hooked up.

Cable- You connect one end to the guitar, and one end to the amp. It will allow the guitar to produce sound.

Belt- I think your friend means a strap? You need to be able to hold up the guitar when standing or sitting while playing. You hook it to the guitar and put it on your shoulders to hold it.

Now... you NEED to get a beginning guitar book. A Level One. Start at page one. Read everything. It will tell you the names of the parts on your guitar, how to hold it, etc... It will teach you how to read music, and the notes, chords... etc...

If you don't want to purchase all this stuff, try an acoustic guitar first. It would be the same as an electric, as in it has the same fingerings for notes and such, just not the same sound.

Here is a youtube video explaining somethings about the electric guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh7WTH2Ml...

Wow!!! It explains what your questions are!

Answer 4

you need to find a guitar store and look around with a salesman and start asking questions, visit the store repeatedly, then sit down and start strumming around on some quitars, several different guitars, you will be on your way then.

Answer 5

amp is the speaker -- it is what the cable connects the guitar to.

you don't have to play with a pick, but most people do. Just go to a music store and they're usually on the counter... You hold the pick with your fingers and use it to pluck individual strings or strum chords (multiple strings).

If you are going to be playing while you're sitting down... then you don't need a strap (belt). You only need it when you are standing so it will hold the guitar in place for you to play. I would start off learning while sitting down. You can't see very well what you're fingers are doing when you play standing up -- so it's only for when you know a song pretty well. So it can wait.

"A good amp" and "A good guitar" all depends on how much money you have. You can get cheaper sets for $200-$300 (guitar & amp & cable) usually. Try musiciansfriend.com. But if you want something that is better, go to local music stores -- tell them that you are buying a guitar & amp to learn and you've never played before/or very little. If it's a good store, then the people will be really nice and play something for you, or let you play -- it's your decision. But I'd definitely try out the guitar myself to see how it feels... if you can get your fingers around the fretboard easily, if you can do a barre chord alright, and check the tuning between the open strings and the 12th fret... they should sound the same, but the 12th fret an octave higher. A lot of guitars s***w up here... It's just that the guitar's fretboard isn't made from a good wood.

People will help you find what you need... and for a good price. Just visit a store that specializes in music instruments and equipment.

Good luck...

Answer 6

I think your best bet is to go to a local Guitar Center, or similar store so you can see for yourself and talk to somebody face to face, but if you want some background info online, here you go:

The pick, or "plectrum" as many call it, is a small plastic deal usually held between the thumb and forefinger that allows you to play a variety of styles of music on guitar.  It isn't essential, and many guitarists never use it, but it is a useful tool to learn with (they cost about a quarter each).

The amp is something that is necessary if you wanna sound like your favorite guitarists on the radio.  It's a box with big speakers and a bunch of k***s on the top that allows you to plug in your guitar and, via electricity (hence the name electric guitar), amplify (increase) your volume.  Without it, you will be doomed to rocking quietly and unimpressively.  The prices of these vary from 50 dollars and crappy to thousands and thousands of dollars and amazing.  But as a beginner, depending on how much money you have to throw around, you could start around $150-$200 and not outgrow it for a while.  (for brands, look at Fender, Crate, Yamaha...im sure you can find something good)

The cable is that which sends the electrical signals from your guitar to the expensive box that you just bought. without the cable, you wont hear anything.  It's important.  Depending on how much jumping around on stage you'll be doing, it's important to look at length, but i doubt it'll be an issue while youre still learning.  Monster is a great, durable brand, and one of these will run you about 20-30 bucks.

1. connect amp to the wall using the nearest wall outlet

2. connect cable to round jack on the front of amp

3. connect other end of cable to the little round hole found somewhere on the front/side of your electric guitar

The "belt" or "strap" is important for playing while standing, allowing you to stand and not use your hands or arms for holding the guitar, which means you can focus only on your hands/posture etc.  these cost like 15 bucks or whatever.

hope this helps

musiciansfriend.com has great deals all the time, but again, go to a music store so you can see all of the things described.  

good luck!