It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:43 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 32 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3
Author Message
Post subject: Re: Your thoughts on guitar starter packs
Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:32 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:56 pm
Posts: 4033
Location: 16 Miles North Of The Red River
I started out on a cheap-but-good acoustic guitar that had a proper setup and low enough action to play all over the neck...I still own that guitar, too...I wanted to play so badly, though, that I would have suffered through dang near anything just to have a guitar.

Acoustic is generally "better" in the sense that they cant hide behind effects, distortion, etc. If a kid really wants to learn to play, he'll/she'll deal with what he/she is given...however...
If the child has extremely weak or small hands, an electric will be easier to learn on (technique-wise)...there's the added bonus that an electric is generally easier to upgrade (tuners, pickups, switches, etc.) as they progress in ability.

To me, the most important thing is NOT acoustic vs. electric, though...it's (1) playability and (2) tuning stability of the instrument. If you can't make a chord or play a single string past the first position (due to action being too high, etc.) or if you can't play all the way through a single song without the guitar going out of tune, it's frustrating beyond belief and will not serve the student/beginner well.

Just a side note, whenever I have been roped into teaching a kid how to play, I won't allow them to become an "Intro King"...(you know the type--a guy or gal who knows how to play the opening riff to a hundred songs but can't play a single song all the way through). I'll teach them the riff after they learn all the chords to the verses, the chorus and the bridge (if there is one)...I'm not a great teacher, but each of those kids (one of whom has lapped me in ability) has agreed that learning the riffs later made them a more "rounded" player, and they approach songs as a whole rather than just as a "hook."

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!

Image

Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Your thoughts on guitar starter packs
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 12:39 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:03 am
Posts: 9449
Location: NL Canada
The fact is that most kids want a guitar but then again most kids don't have the motivation and desire to learn to stick with it.Starting with an acoustic will weed out the poseurs who are more interested in the "coolness factor" a guitar can project and couldn't be bothered putting in the time or work that's involved to learn to play well.An acoustic definitely won't be hard on the hands of a beginner if it is set up right and with a lighter gauge of string.As I stated a few posts back the child who starts on an acoustic had a great advantage over these who start on electrics because he/she will develop better fine motor skills, digital dexterity,strength and coordination so that when they eventually step up to electric,it will be a comparative breeze to them and their skill level will develop much faster.

_________________
'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.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 32 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users 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: