Beginning Players (Part One)

The new year (2002) will be here when you read this. And this year I’m in the middle of middle age. I’m just full of advice and observations gained in the first half century of my life. Most of that time was spent studying the guitar. In this series of articles I’d like to offer some sage advice to someone just starting out on the guitar or someone even considering starting to play.

Few things in life are as satisfying as playing a musical instrument really well. And few people really understand what it takes to play really well. The guitar is an instrument that fools some into thinking they can learn to play without much effort. But to play really well, And with others, in time and on cue, takes real dedication. It is a life long pursuit. Hey think about it, music is the universal language. Even before the time W.A. Mozart sat down to write his first composition, the language has been the same. And yet there are so many different ways to express the same words, thoughts and emotions with music.

Buy the best instrument you can afford. A well made easy to play guitar doesn’t have to be expensive. I often wonder how many people have been turned away from the guitar because of cheap poorly made guitars. I have picked up some really cheap guitars and been astounded by the poor action or bad intonation. On some it was almost impossible to play a chord without it sounding like a train wreck because the nut was cut bad, or the bridge was poorly fitted. If you are a total beginner or a professional musician, the last thing you need is a guitar that fights your efforts. Like most other things in life, you get what you pay for. If you were learning to ride a motorcycle, sky-dive, scuba dive, or bungee jump I doubt you would seek out bargain equipment. But many beginners buy a cheap guitar because they think if they don’t stick with it, they won’t be out much money. Wrong!! You will be out plenty if you don’t give yourself every chance to succeed as a musician. And a quality name brand used guitar is almost always worth something. And a cheap no-name used guitar is almost always worth nothing!

If your budget is really tight consider spending your money on a good name brand pre-owned guitar. There are many fine used guitars that save for some cosmetics are every bit as good as the same one new, and many sound even better than when they were new. We live in the golden age of luthier. There are more really good, even world class guitars out there new and used than ever before! A good guitar has never been easier to find or afford. And if you are really new to this why not consider a classical guitar. Why? There is no law that you can only play classical music on a classical guitar! And the strings are nice and soft, the neck is nice and wide and the body is slightly smaller and much lighter than either the Martin dreadnought, or that vintage Stratocaster you think you want. Just right for a new player that doesn’t know his/her way around the instrument yet. If you are small or buying for someone small, say a child or petite woman, the classical will be easier to hold. And you can get a decent well made easy playing classical guitar new, for about what you’d pay for a pair of cross country airline tickets these days. How about a decent name brand used classical? now there is a bargain! Not sure where to look? Ask somebody that plays for help. (That’s another benefit of GSLV membership right?) Have your guitar set up for you by somebody who understands what set up means. Seek out professional instruction and ask for help early, and continue seeking help often. Remember, this is a lifetime pursuit. Do you think you will ever stop learning how to play? Only when you stop playing! Like many other things in life there is no substitute for guidance and support from someone who has been there. Save yourself from learning bad, hard to break habits. Learn to read music and keep time early on. Start playing music with others as soon as you can. And practice, practice, practice! Some day that awkward lump of wood and steel will feel like part of you. Ask anybody who’s been playing for a while. Nothing feels better than holding and playing a guitar! (More next month)