It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 2:44 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 28 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Go to page Previous  1, 2
Author Message
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:12 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:15 pm
Posts: 3979
Location: Vermont, USA
It doesn't sound crazy to me - I'm a 63 year old re-beginner.

I got my first guitar back in 1973. I learned and played for about a year or so and then life got in the way - too many things to do for work and my family - so the acoustic sat in my home for over 30 years - mostly unplayed - it did get used by friends sometimes, and it even got to gig out when a friend has his acoustic stolen - my guitar saved his bacon.

Now, I'm retired, and a year and half ago, I got my first electric to re-learn skills that I've forgotten. It's a little hard, but I'm having a blast. :shock:

So go for it - I would suggest starting with something that you can afford - remember going electric adds more costs - an amp, instrument cords, etc. Even though you can play electrics without plugging them in - I do it all the time - electrics really want to be amplified. :P

So, don't let anyone say your crazy - making music is not crazy.

Gil 8)

_________________
Where ever you go, there you are

1998 Ovation 1861 Standard Balladeer Natural
Taka - 2005 Squier '51 Black
Yume - 2006 Squier Strat Cherryburst
Houbi - 2008 Fender VG Strat Blizzard Pearl - won here
Fender Super Champ XD; Vox DA-5


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:16 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 600
Location: Central New Jersey
I understand what you're saying, but why? If he never has any intentions of playing acoustic then what's the point?

_________________
http://www.bluesrepublic.org/

2008 Fender American Stratocaster
2008 Fender Deluxe Telecaster
Fender Power Jazz Bass Special 1987 (MIJ)
Egnater Renegade Head
Egnater Tourmaster 2x12 cab


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:17 pm
Posts: 73
Well, for most people, learning on an acoustic is the proper way. Guitar teachers will tell you this. I cannot tell you the number of "Guitar Wankers" that I know. Definition of "Guitar Wanker" : Basically this is a person who learns on an electric guitar from a person who picks out leads and riffs on electric guitars and basically plays "monkey see, monkey do" style, that is, they don't know an F# from a Gb. This is the problem with learning on an electric, people think they can learn riffs and try and emulate Jimmy Page or whoever without knowing any kind of theory at all. You may be able to do a classic Clapton riff, but if someone tells you to play an A#minor7 and you don't know what that is, you can't play guitar. It's that simple. Admittedly, this usually applies to the young wannabe (teens) guitar players mostly. As the leader of a working band, I have seen my share of "Guitar Wankers." They would not have become so if they had of started learning the proper way. If you want to really be a musician, you learn the proper way. However, it doesn't sound like big44mag would be the type to turn into the classic "Guitar Wanker!" Go for it pal.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:18 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 600
Location: Central New Jersey
Hmmm ... if SRV was alive today, and you asked him to play an A#minor7, what would happen?

_________________
http://www.bluesrepublic.org/

2008 Fender American Stratocaster
2008 Fender Deluxe Telecaster
Fender Power Jazz Bass Special 1987 (MIJ)
Egnater Renegade Head
Egnater Tourmaster 2x12 cab


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:19 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:17 pm
Posts: 73
I'm sure SRV knew what that chord is. Let's be real here.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:14 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:33 pm
Posts: 1084
Location: NoHo in SoCal
I was given the learn on acoustic concept back when I first started and my first guitar was a $10 nylon string that had been a rental at the music store. The theory was that I wouldn't be out too much money if I didn't take to it, didn't practice or found other things to do.

The nylon strings also answered the issue that (particularly in the mid 60s), cheap steel string acoustics could be nearly unplayable (string heigth, intonation, etc.).

The second reason has already been mentioned: don't mix in getting a particular sound of an electric with learning to play. The fewer distractions the better in the early days. Chords are chords, etc. and they're the same on a $10 nylon string as on a $2,500 electric.

I think that advise can be relaxed with an adult who already knows what they want to do though. However, the points about learning music rather than just some riffs remain valid regardless of age.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:17 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:10 pm
Posts: 2132
Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas (San Antonio, y'all)
chucksolo69 wrote:
Well, for most people, learning on an acoustic is the proper way. Guitar teachers will tell you this. I cannot tell you the number of "Guitar Wankers" that I know. Definition of "Guitar Wanker" : Basically this is a person who learns on an electric guitar from a person who picks out leads and riffs on electric guitars and basically plays "monkey see, monkey do" style, that is, they don't know an F# from a Gb.


I'm probably a hybrid wanker. I like to play little licks and riffs I learn from YouTube and other sources, but I also have a teacher who is putting me through the paces on theory. It's a balance that keeps me challenged and engaged.

_________________
I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm. :wink:


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:34 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:17 pm
Posts: 73
Absolutely nothing wrong with that racehorse. Being able to be dextrous on the fingerboard and learing theory is the best of both worlds. Keep at it, you may be the next Jimmy Page!!!! My last point is, if the band is learning a song, and I turn to one of the players and say "play an A9th and add the 13th," that player needs to know exactly what I am talking about. I as a band member don't want to have to teach another "musician" where his fingers are placed to make the chord, see what I mean? As a band leader, I say, "Guitar Wankers need not apply."


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:12 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:45 pm
Posts: 320
Location: England
[quote="chucksolo69"]At the expense of getting flamed here, I disagree with the choice of learning guitar on an electric. I think a good quality acoustic guitar should be a beginner's first instrument. The beginner should get used to the feel of chording an acoustic before trying an electric.

Sorry but totally disagree.
Play what your comfortable with.
Play what you enjoy.
Play whatever gives you the pleasure.
Especially the pleasure to keep on playing and playing and playing.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:18 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:28 pm
Posts: 24
chucksolo69 wrote:
they don't know an F# from a Gb.


Reckon I'm a gwanker because I always thought F# and Gb were the same. Sure it will show up differently on sheet music but in practice, I put my fingers in the same place. I'm ok with gwanker though.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:23 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:17 pm
Posts: 73
Your right, it's all about fun and enjoyment, .........but don't call yourself a musician if you don't know what music really is and WHY you are playing what it is you are playing (I don't mean you personally). That is my point. Your type of comment usually comes from a person, and I am NOT saying you are one, who is a classic "Guitar Wanker." Do you consider yourself a musician? If you do and are a true musician, you know what I am getting at. F# and Gb, a little attempt at levity there; a true 'Guitar Wanker" would not know that they were one and the same.


Last edited by chucksolo69 on Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:25 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:26 am
Posts: 319
I too am what one of you guys called a re-learner. After a 30 year absence, and at the age of 48 I bought a Mexican Strat and some lessons and the ca ca hit the rotary oscillator. Full fledged GSA. the difference between now and years ago is that I have a lot more money to spend on guitars.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:40 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:26 pm
Posts: 803
Location: Ireland
absolutly nothing wrong!

_________________
Fender DG8
Fender MIM Sunburst Telecaster.
Fender American Vintage'52 Reissue Telecaster
Fender Frontman 212R
Fender Mini Twin
Fender Super Champ XD
Fender Champion 600


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 28 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Go to page Previous  1, 2

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: stratmangler and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: