What sort of items do I need to start playing guitar?

Question

For a while now, I've been really dead-set on learning to play guitar, and now getting lessons is actually a possibiliy for me. I want to start with an acoustic, as I've heard those are the best to start with. My biggest concern is that it's probably going to really mess up my fingers for a while, because they are very soft, no callousing whatsoever. So I need to know a few things:

1. What kind of items do I need to start with? (references to websites would be nice.)

2. What could I do to remedy finger pain. (My older sister says my fingers will bleed.. Ahh!) :(

3. What sort of guitars do you reccomend? (These are two I was thinking of: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rogue-RA100D-Dreadnought-Guitar?sku=511192

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-AJ-1-Acoustic-Guitar-518681-i1150109.gc

4. What's a good place to take lessons, and at a reasonable price? I live near Goodyear, AZ.

Go ahead and answer one, mulitple, or all of my questions. Any help is appriciated!!

Answer 1

A guitar, tuner, 2 hands.

Answer 2

Other than the explanation provided by TR--which is on target--I suggest keeping your fingertips dry as possible during the callus-building time. Use talcum powder to help the drying process.

When washing dishes or showering consider putting on a latex glove.

My fingertips did not bleed, although indentations were fairly deep. Once the fingertips turn white then the calluses should start to form.

As TR said, your attitude is great. Get started with a quality instructor so that you will not develop any bad habits that have to be corrected down the road.

Learning on an acoustic guitar is among your smartest moves.

Answer 3

1.  A Guitar Tuner , a Metronome, some guitar picks, a set of extra guitar strings, a pair of Wire Cutters for changing guitar strings, a gig bag or Guitar Case to help carry your guitar around with you. Moreover, the Metronome is to help you learn your BPMS ( beats per minute) in songs and in Time Singatures...ALL Songs have a BPM number in them to set the tempo or speed of the song.    

2. Being a guitarist...you are going TO GET "Calluses" no matter what. It comes with being a guitarist. ALL guitarists have calluses on their fingertips. So, YOU ARE GOING to get blisters on your fingertips no matter what when playing guitar...then will they turn into calluses depending on how often you practice. It's NOT life -threatening so you don't have to worry about it too much. The calluses stay with you for as long as you keep on playing your guitar....However..IF you stop playing the guitar for a while...then the calluses WILL go away. Honestly, you'll have to worry more about trying not to cut your fingers when changing strings than other anything else in guitar playing.

3.  For good acoustic guitars that arent too pricy...

I'd say try :  Yamaha, Takamine,  & Ibanez too as well in addition to Epiphone...

4.  I don't know the stores in Goodyear, AZ....

So my guess would at your local music store in your town if there is one around your neighborhood.

Here are some other shopping sites to check out too

www.music123.com

www.samash.com

www.guiutarcenter.com

www.samedaymusic.com

Hope this helps and good luck

Answer 4

Hey, good questions.

1.  To start, you need a guitar.  See below.  An electronic tuner is a good idea, I use a Korg.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com

2.  For beginners, I recommend the following.

At the start, try to practice 4-6 times daily for no more than 10 minutes at a time.  That will yield faster progress, and it will eliminate the potential for blisters or tendinitis or other repetitive motion injury.  (Note: DEFINITELY get lessons from a good teacher; basic technique is essential to reduce the potential for those repetivie motion injuries!)

3.  There are so many brands and models because no guitar is right for every player.

Here's what to do.  Go to a good music store--Sam Ash or Guitar Center or the best full-service (symphonic, band, pop) music store in your city.  Try out different steel-string acoustics for feel--does your right arm hang comfortably over the box, fingers naturally brushing the strings where you should pluck them?  Does your left hand caress the neck, fingers reaching all strings comfortably?  Once you've found several acoustics in your price range that feel good, have someone (sales clerk, knowledgeable friend) play each of them--same tunes on each--while you turn your back.  The one the sounds best then is the one you want--do not accept 'new in box from stockroom' because manufacture on acoustics is not 100% consistent and there can be a lot of difference in sound from one to the next.  (With electrics, that's not an issue--shop for price instead!)

4.  Best place to find a teacher: go to a university music department (U of Phoenix?) and either put an ad on the bulletin board or ask the department secretary if there are guitar majors who offer lessons.  The guitar major knows all the fine points of playing and will set your fundamentals excellently, and often will work cheaper.  If you can't find one of them, then look for lessons at the better music stores in your area.

Sounds to me like you have the right attitudes--best of luck!