here ye here ye: I need some help...

[Hello Kitty Kat]

Hmm.
I need someone to help start me off learning guitar. I have a very hard time reading web pages that leave you furious at the fact that it makes little to no sense (to me at least). Tabs? Chords? Notes? Tell me what I have to learn. I don't know a thing...I hate that feeling. I feel like if I put enough time into it I could benefit from playing guitar. I mean, I love guitars (mine is pretty useless, but I admire most)..I love music...I guess you should put the two together and add it up. I have to learn how to play, I want to learn...

So I need a proper guitar to start off with. A DECENT one. I also need an amp (obviously). I have some 'distortion-thing'..BIG MUFF, I think...

Anyway, what else do I need? I assume I should purchase some books on how to read the notes. How about lessons? How about any advice in general? I need the advice...

Please work with me here. No linking me to eBay to find crummy guitars for beginners that have strings that might snap in my face when I go and tune the guitar. Give me advice if you know my trouble and can help me.

Thank you.

[Fastfwd]

I will tell you two things.

1- How I learned guitar
2- What I would change if I could do it again

How I learned:
Went to the store, bought the cheapest guitar, tuner and amp I could find. 200$ guitar and less than 100$ amp at the time. Also bought a learn guitar book.
Practiced what was in the book a lot. Went on the internet to find other tabs.
Sold the original guitar and amp and bought a new guitar and amp.
Practiced some more.
Stopped playing guitar for a few years.
Started again, took lessons with a teacher and am now starting to play with other people.

What I would change:
I would still start with a crappy cheap guitar.
I would start with the book for a few weeks and then take lessons with a real teacher, even if just a couple sessions.
I would try to play with other people earlier.

[Sexymonkey]

It is a good idea to get a cheap guitar, it doesn't necessarily need to be crappy. I have found some EXCELLENT cheap guitars. Classicals, Squiers, Epi LP Studios. You are however searching for an electric guitar and an amp right?

What type of music do you play?
I would highly recommend...
Fat Strat (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/SquierStandardFatStratElectricGuitar?sku=510445)- this is an excellent VERY versatile guitar, has two different styles of pickups(magnets that define the tone), a single coil, and a humbucker. This will usually cover from blues to metal/hard rock.

For an Amp I would highly recommend either:
Vox-Portable Amp (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/VoxDA5GuitarAmp?sku=482624) Versatile practice amp with many effects.
Vox-Valvetronix (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/VoxValvetronixAD30VT30WGuitarCombo?sku=481959)-A louder practice amp, it's half tube so it is better than most solid state amps, and has A LOT of different amp models, wide tonal versatility.

[Hello Kitty Kat]

Thank you Fastfwd for you imput.

@ Sexymonkey: Yes, electric. I guess stressing that part was important also... I was actually considering that same exact guitar (that or the Epiphone Les Paul Special II).

Amp-wise: I know quite a few of them just by randomly looking around, but the second one looks nice. Yes.

What type of music do you play?
Tricky...
I write songs. I also have no prior experience with guitars, I just want to add that dynamic now. I have too little experience right now to say I play anything like rock/blues. I guess I can classify myself in the future when I decide on what I love the most. I don't know. (...)

Anyway, thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.

[Sexymonkey]

I would recommend the Squier over the LP II, maily because you're still developing your style, and it will last longer, is slightly higher quality, and you can get way more sounds out of it.

[Zappa]

as far as a guitar just go to the local guitar store and scope out the used ones. you can get an epiphone les paul or sg for $100

[albertbert]

I'd go through a few of the lessons on this site. Nothing is better than real lessons, but this can get you started, and show you some of the basics.

http://www.zentao.com/guitar/anatomy/ Guitar Anatomy
http://www.zentao.com/guitar/tab/ Shows you how to read tab, chords, and neck diagrams

http://www.zentao.com/guitar/guitar-lessons.html

Try going through a few of the lessons after getting your guitar.

Good luck.

[BASSMAN]

Yes!!!

I recommend the lessons on this site HIGHLY!!!!!!

I bought a Strat pack for around 300.00. It has everything you need ot get started and it is a good beginner guitar that is upgradable in the future.

[BASSMAN]

Learn the open chords first. Start with G C and D. WHen you can play those 3 chords you can start playing songs. It is important to start playing some songs right away.

[Vintage Picker]

Your public profile says you've been playing a year....what do you know at this point? That's probably the best place to start.

[Hello Kitty Kat]

Well, I know the one year has showed me no substance at all. I purchased my first guitar a year ago (a REALLY bad one). I know (well, now I do) about the anatomy of the guitar. I guess, I mean, 'I was playing mindlessly for a year.' I never truly learned the basics, so my knowledge is very limited and corrupt...

*embarrassed*

At least now I know the proper guitar to start off with/amp. The other things I obviously have to work on: tabs, chords, etc. I lose the patience for those things rather quickly...

[76Strat]

dont be embarassed lol get the hello kitty strat i almost bought one just cuz it was a cheap pink guitar then id change the pickgaurd

[BMG_SKULK]

Hmm.
I need someone to help start me off learning guitar. I have a very hard time reading web pages that leave you furious at the fact that it makes little to no sense (to me at least). Tabs? Chords? Notes? Tell me what I have to learn. I don't know a thing...I hate that feeling. I feel like if I put enough time into it I could benefit from playing guitar. I mean, I love guitars (mine is pretty useless, but I admire most)..I love music...I guess you should put the two together and add it up. I have to learn how to play, I want to learn...

So I need a proper guitar to start off with. A DECENT one. I also need an amp (obviously). I have some 'distortion-thing'..BIG MUFF, I think...

Anyway, what else do I need? I assume I should purchase some books on how to read the notes. How about lessons? How about any advice in general? I need the advice...

Please work with me here. No linking me to eBay to find crummy guitars for beginners that have strings that might snap in my face when I go and tune the guitar. Give me advice if you know my trouble and can help me.

Thank you.

I'll teach ya...$25 a lesson.,. :rotf:

Or..if you are a chick...for nothing...

[Crashtard]

Hmm.
I have some 'distortion-thing'..BIG MUFF, I think...



Sounds like something I'd be interested in too... :)

Anyway, I noticed that some of the beginner stuff on this site is good, but nothing can compare to a real teacher when it comes to beginning. Even if you only took 4 lessons, you would learn more about playing than you would on your own in the same amount of time.