I've messed about with guitar in a really non committed way for years. I'd really like to be able to play. Ultimately, it would be cool to be able to play guitar and harp together, but I'm just thinking about guitar at the moment. Looking for recommendation of books, online lessons, etc Also, wondering is it best to learn on acoustic, or doesn't matter? I have a ES335 copy, which is a good unit in many ways but I do find it awkwardly/annoyingly large sometimes and wonder if I'd be more inclined to pick it up if I had a smaller guitar. I think that's probably just me being slack but interested in others views. All advice appreciated, thanks ----------
Last Edited by on Dec 31, 2012 9:05 PM
Most of my guitar teaching/playing friends tell me that learning on an acoustic is better, because you build up finger strength. The 335 style can be a little cumbersome. Whilst strat style can be quite heavy. Maybe a small bodied electro acoustic would be a good choice? Most of my guitar teacher/player friends say the Yamaha ones are superb value for money. I suppose the only real way to tell is to try a few out in the shops and see which you prefer.
Regarding lessons I think this guy has a pretty good teaching style.
It also depends on what kind of music you want to play. There's a new trend in "parlour" guitars very small bodied acoustics, great for finger picking but not so good for thrashing with a plectrum. How about a nylon string? Quite a few makes do narrow necks so you don't have the challenge of a 2" classical neck. But if you're playing a lot of blues they don't do bent strings very well, but you can use the 335 for this. But they are small bodied and you can get some nice stuff for not much cash.
Steve Travato has several books aimed at electric blues guitar beginners. One is for rhythm and the other is lead. But my favourite author in this area is Dave Rubin. He has a wide variety of books aimed at the beginning blues guitar player.
I'd stick with the 335 for now. Being semi- hollow you can practice acoustically and hear yourself. Plug in when preferred. Size is svelte compared to an acoustic dreadnought. You will probably want an acoustic down the road but by then you'll likely know what's more likely to suit you from a body size and type perspective. Also, the 335 could be strung with 10's so much easier on the fingers for starting out. Personally I wouldn't consider a nylon stringed classical for anything other than classical music but there are exceptions. Willy Nelson and Jose Feliciano come to mind.
Second SmokeJS and the others: Stick to the ES. Electric gives you easier recording possibilities and that one is a good type of guitar. (Wish I´ve kept mine ...) If you need resistence: toughen up the strings.
Practicing electric unplugged teaches bad habits in my opinion. I mean scales sure but the amp is literally a part of the instrument.
Either can be learned first. I learned on both just trading off. If you want a tremendous acoustic for not alot of money look at eastman guitars. Their cost ranges from about the same as the lower end martins or Taylor's but for that money you get a guitar that is made by hand and sounds and plays like a much more expensive guitar.
335 is a great guitar size but I am huge as in tall and a refrigerator so that size guitar looks small even on me. If you find that size cumbersome acoustics are much worse.
I love a good telecaster for electrics. They are also as a rule demanding on technique. They force me to play better or they sound off. I can flub stuff on a gibson with PAFs or even a strat and still sound ok. There is something about not being able to "hide" with a telecaster.
Also slab guitars feel better size wise to play sitting for me and my gut. I don't lean forward and rest the guitar on a leg
Last Edited by on Jan 01, 2013 10:06 AM
Tommy Harkenrider: http://premierschoolofmusic.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=109
Mark Wein: http://markweinguitarlessons.com/forums/forum.php?s=aba3614f94ec34daa39567a04e5190d9
The Mickey Baker books.
If the US army issued a guitar it would probably be a basic stock traditional Telecaster. They are simple to operate, (use your tone and volume controls) play any style of music, can vary in weight from very light to way too heavy, and require you become a real guitarist to use them effectively. I have a ES345 and ES335 that have been my main guitars and played most of my life, but if I could only have one guitar it would with out question be a telecaster.
Last Edited by on Jan 01, 2013 11:52 AM
They say, there are cheap feeling good guitars, and good feeling cheap guitars. In the end it's only a tool, like a hammer, it's all in how you swing it.
I agree with JD a tele. ---------- bluzharper aka Darol
Hey thanks very much for your input everyone. it is much appreciated.. I have a couple of guitarist mates but they each have their own slant on things of course. I realise this is a harmonica forum but I noticed quite a few members are guitarists, and I already kind of know people here. Just seems good to get persective. Seems the guitar is probably no big deal. I'll have a look at the suggestions for 'learning resources' and pick a place to start. At the moment I think I'm interested in rhythm predominantly. Thanks again everyone. And if anyone else want to chime in, please do... ----------
I love acoustics ,My 1st few years playing was on a eletric,Then something inside me said sell it and the amp and get a acoustic,Which I did and stayed with a acoustic next 10 0r 12 years,
around the end of those years I started putting more work into playing and recording and relised I wanted a eletric again,
I got a Strat,which to me is the AK 47 of guitars,;-)
But im a firm beliver if you can have 1 guitar and only 1 it needs to be a Nice acoustic,that fretts well.
But thats just me.
a acoustic guitar is the original 1man band instrument ,It can do rythem ,lead,percusion and amplified any where you go.
But im also a firm believer play what you got,and there's nothing wrong with a good eletric and amp combo,exspecially if playing in a band. ---------- Hobostubs
Last Edited by on Jan 02, 2013 7:22 PM
The 335 style is very classic for blues, of course, but it is a very large body, and not for everyone.
I don't know what approach you want to take, but I've been taking lessons from Kenny Blue Ray. He has lessons on jamplay.com, but I do individual in-person lessons via Skype. I wanted to go slowly, and Kenny has a relaxed style, and is a feeling over speed type of player.
The Telecaster is a great recommendation, but it isn't the right sound or shape for everyone. Some Teles have bridge pickups that have too much twang or icepick treble qualities for some (others covet these exact sounds). Many people love the Tele's shape, others prefer the contoured Stratocaster.
I'd try as many shapes and types of guitar as you can find, and go with the one that feels like it is a part of you. My experience has been that I needed to really connect with a guitar to start really getting it, and then over time, I have found that I can play almost any guitar.
It took me quite a while to notice harmonica experience helping in guitar, but now I see it all the time, with rhythm changes, finding the phrasing, etc.
Last Edited by on Dec 31, 2012 9:05 PM