hi, im new here and i want to learn paying guitar. is it easy? i tried before but a bit hard cos my fingers are short.

My favorite currently is a Stratocaster. It's more of a simplistic tool of beauty. I can't really describe it any other way. What are you looking for in a guitar though?

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Hi Aalliyah,you didn't say how old you are which could make a difference in what guitar you start off with.If you are from 7-10 years of age a 3/4 size guitar may be suitable for you .If you are older than that and are a teen or small framed adult,a smaller sized guitar like the Mustang may be the right size for you.Until we have more information there's not much more that we can tell you.Anyway welcome to the forum and enjoy learning the guitar if you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Im 16 and love 3/4 size guitars, I dont have to strech my arm out as far and my fingers feel better on the fret board.

I would say that at 16 you should start using full sized guitars. Maybe start checking out 24- 3/4" scale sized guitars (they're not the same as a 3/4 sized). It's the size of the fretboard from the nut to the bridge. Fender and Squier do make some 24" scale guitars (Jaguars). Epiphone Les Pauls and Specials are 24-3/4. Strats and Telecasters are 25-1/2.

By starting to use full sized guitars, you'll be forced to use your pinky more, which in the long run is a good thing. teach your fingers to stretch a little. It does kinda hurt at first, but you'll be better off in the future.

If you're close to a guitar store, take a strap and try out a few guitars. The Squier Jaguar, Epiphone Special II, and Squier Strat or Telecaster, to feel the differences.

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well i suggest first getting an acoustic and learning to play with that. It may hurt your fingers, but you'll build calices really fast and when you pick up an electric it'll be cake

+1 to this, might be controversial, but i think learning on an acoustic is the best way. Will make your hands strong, and teaches chords and melody before lead work. The worlds got too many widdly guitarists in it as it is! I still try to play my electrics as little as possible unless im at rehearsal or gigs.

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`I prefer not to listen to music that I can't rip off or improve on` - Ian Dury

+2 with an acoustic guitar, you are eliminating a lot of complications that get in the way for a beginner. Also, short fingers don't matter at all. It's the sounds that you make with those fingers that is important.

Start with something that (EXCITES YOU). A small Strat $100. very cool little guitar and easy for a small beginner. If your a big kid, then a full sized guitar of some very cool design. A Squire Strat or Tele maybe. Just make sure you love it, and wont be embarrassed to show it off to your friends. Then find a Good Teacher and get off to a good start. Don't mess around with You-Tube and the radio. It will take forever and you will pick a lot of bad habits without even knowing it. They will just complicate things all the moor. So this is what you'll need. A nice guitar of your choosing. A nice little amp and a good teacher. you can get the guitar and amp new for less than $300 or about 1/2 that second hand. A decent playable acoustic will cost about the same. Have Fun and learn to play guitar.
----Danny,

Two recommendations:

http://guitarprinciples.com/

http://www.jamplay.com

Two incredible learning sites, lots of short fingered users on those sites, nobody else could help them!!!

Also, some of the better guitarists I know have short, skinny fingers. Either they make up for the short-coming with lots of practice, or short skinny fingered guitarists are the sweet spot for the guitar!

Also, use a shorter or short scale guitar, w/ 8 gauge strings. You'll feel like a giant with fingers of steel!

Just an observation. Most of the real good guitarists I have seen seem to have very long fingers. Anybody else notice that?


Also, I would disagree with learning on an acoustic. I tried and quit six times on an acoustic with strings a half inch above the frets. Tough chording. Electrics are much easier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njG_dQC-cnk

...how do you like ur eggs???

I'd have to agree with earlier posters, start off with an acoustic but make sure it's well set up, this will make it easier to play.

Clapton almost gave up before he started due to his first guitar being a bucket of crap!

Jerry

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Fender Classic 60's Strat
Fender Classic Player Thinline Tele Deluxe
Fender CIJ '71 Reissue Tele
Epiphone Wildkat
Guild GAD25
Taylor 214
Ovation CC44
Takamine EG523
Blackstar Amps
Fishman Loudbox Mini
Boss FX