Buying your first electric guitar can seem like a pretty daunting experience. Having no doubt admired many an axe-wielder, the obvious idea would be to buy the same guitar as one of your heroes. The problem with that is the equally obvious issue of money. Unless you're willing to spend several thousand pounds on a plank of wood you can barely play, a few helpful hints can ensure that you buy the right guitar to suit your needs, skill level and budget.
The right type of guitar will depend on the style of music you are most likely to play. For example, if heavy metal is your thing, a semi-hollow body guitar, like the Gibson ES-355, made popular in recent times by such luminaries as Noel Gallagher, will probably not be what you're looking for. For the right style, see what kind of guitars your main influences are playing and see if there are cheaper versions available.
When it comes to the price you're willing to pay, there must be some leeway. A cheap guitar might be within your budget, but if the wood, pick-ups and frets are substandard, it will lessen your incentive to keep playing. That's not to say your first guitar should cost a fortune, but even spending £100 more could significantly improve the quality of guitars available. The same can be said for the shape of the guitar, although the most aesthetically-appealing guitars might not always be the best-sounding. The key is to always try the guitar before buying, even if you can't really play anything, be it in a guitar shop or from a private seller. The sound and feel of playing the guitar should feel right before you part with any of your money.
Every electric guitar needs an amplifier, so unless you're buying a guitar and amplifier together as part of a deal, you should try several ones to find the right one for you. As a general rule of thumb, always try playing through the amplifier with your guitar or one similar to your own. The amplifier might sound fantastic with a top-of-the range PRS Custom guitar, but that might not be the case with your Squier Strat.
Even though several guitarists, from Jimmy Page to Matt Bellamy of Muse, have been mainly self-taught, it is still worthwhile taking a few lessons to learn the rudimentary workings of a guitar. A look through online classifieds will allow you to see quickly and easily if there are guitar teachers in your local area. In addition, there are several online resources to further your training, where you can learn guitar chords and find transcriptions of your favourite songs. Certain software packages, such as Tab Editor can play transcriptions of songs as MIDI files, with notation to teach you how to play the song in real-time. This is great for when you're starting out, but be beware of relying too much on these packages, as figuring out songs for yourself is needed to develop your musical ear.
At the end of the day, the most important thing about progressing as a guitarist is, unsurprisingly, to keep practicing. It can seem frustrating to not be able to play your favourite songs straight away, but with tenacity and the right equipment you can reach far further than may seem apparent at first. Rock on.
About the Author
Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Music, Arts and You
Hello my friends, we need to talk about things that touch the human soul. Music is what I know about and that's what we will mainly talk about, yet there are the arts, painting sculpting, poetry, and more. Music is what I know so that is what I want to focus on.
Back in time not long ago Music was what we were all about. Writing, playing, living, was all about our human existence. We listened with our minds, hearts, and souls to help us understand what the meaning of life was, and to open our minds to what we did not understand all to become better people. We did become better. More understanding, more knowledgeable, more open to what we did not understand, and more true to ourselves and others, with a gracious nature. In 2007 we have definitely lost what we have learned before. For some reason it has not been passed down. The youth today are beginning to search it out. They do see a lifetime of music that taught all to come together and understand, even though they were unsure as to what they were learning. They knew it touched the soul. You will either get what I am saying or not. I hope you do.
I ask the youth of today to pick up a guitar, a bass guitar, drums, a piano, a clarinet, a tuba, a saxophone, any musical instrument and learn to play it. Let it touch you, maybe you'll change instruments, or add more! Please I ask you to keep the MUSIC ALIVE! It has been around since the beginning of time and it is being put aside for cheap entertainment. Learning, practicing, developing something from nothing is the great challenge of the human existence. Let's not lose it!
Please pick up an instrument and do the best you can. Music does equal brain power and I have worked with VH-1 and Save the Music, and it is true. You can be in a symphony a rock band, any type band, or in your basement, you do not have to do it for any reason but enjoyment. If you don't enjoy it you are not going to make it anyway. That is the 1st phase, enjoyment. If you want to go for your dreams be great, I did, but phase one is enjoyment of playing...! If you don't have that play sports or motocross, or whatever makes you happy. I just don't want us to lose the music. Anything someone is passionate about, I am for, whatever it is. I am a musician though, so I see that artistry!
Do what your heart tells you...!
Rock 'N Roll,
Teddy Mueller 2007
About the Author
Teddy Mueller started his career as the drummer for classic rock band Axe, touring with Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss, Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, ZZ Top, Iron Maiden, Joan Jett, Alice Cooper, and many, many more, Teddy has been around the world playing his drums and played for crowds of over 50,000 people! Since then, Teddy is a voting Grammy member as well as working in the retail business environment as manag
Back in time not long ago Music was what we were all about. Writing, playing, living, was all about our human existence. We listened with our minds, hearts, and souls to help us understand what the meaning of life was, and to open our minds to what we did not understand all to become better people. We did become better. More understanding, more knowledgeable, more open to what we did not understand, and more true to ourselves and others, with a gracious nature. In 2007 we have definitely lost what we have learned before. For some reason it has not been passed down. The youth today are beginning to search it out. They do see a lifetime of music that taught all to come together and understand, even though they were unsure as to what they were learning. They knew it touched the soul. You will either get what I am saying or not. I hope you do.
I ask the youth of today to pick up a guitar, a bass guitar, drums, a piano, a clarinet, a tuba, a saxophone, any musical instrument and learn to play it. Let it touch you, maybe you'll change instruments, or add more! Please I ask you to keep the MUSIC ALIVE! It has been around since the beginning of time and it is being put aside for cheap entertainment. Learning, practicing, developing something from nothing is the great challenge of the human existence. Let's not lose it!
Please pick up an instrument and do the best you can. Music does equal brain power and I have worked with VH-1 and Save the Music, and it is true. You can be in a symphony a rock band, any type band, or in your basement, you do not have to do it for any reason but enjoyment. If you don't enjoy it you are not going to make it anyway. That is the 1st phase, enjoyment. If you want to go for your dreams be great, I did, but phase one is enjoyment of playing...! If you don't have that play sports or motocross, or whatever makes you happy. I just don't want us to lose the music. Anything someone is passionate about, I am for, whatever it is. I am a musician though, so I see that artistry!
Do what your heart tells you...!
Rock 'N Roll,
Teddy Mueller 2007
About the Author
Teddy Mueller started his career as the drummer for classic rock band Axe, touring with Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss, Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, ZZ Top, Iron Maiden, Joan Jett, Alice Cooper, and many, many more, Teddy has been around the world playing his drums and played for crowds of over 50,000 people! Since then, Teddy is a voting Grammy member as well as working in the retail business environment as manag
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