Comments on: Buying Your Kid’s First Guitar (A Parent’s Guide) http://fretterverse.com/2010/01/06/buying-your-kids-first-guitar-a-parents-guide/ For the Love of All Things Guitar Wed, 02 May 2012 14:25:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Alex http://fretterverse.com/2010/01/06/buying-your-kids-first-guitar-a-parents-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-3108 Alex Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:54:21 +0000 http://fretterverse.com/?p=7#comment-3108 When Eddie VH and then Randy Roads hit, I was just starting out and they energized me to practice more. When Paul Gilbert came along I got discouraged and set it aside. Then John P. came along and I virtually gave it up. I got back into it when I discovered open mic nights locally. I switched to semi-acoustic sets (I got a Parker) and it was a lot of fun - more fun than when trying to be a "serious" rock band. I have one acoustic and about 20 electrics, but the one acoustic I do have is custom made with a thin neck and fast action so I could actually play it for at least a whole set. And that tone - WOW! So I agree, electric first, but definitely try acoustic - but it has to be a very good one. Acoustics are a lot less forgiving than electrics. But, absolutely, the whole point is getting good enough to enjoy playing and being satisfied with your accomplishments. I still love John P., and have told him so, but I still love jamming with my brother the best. When Eddie VH and then Randy Roads hit, I was just starting out and they energized me to practice more. When Paul Gilbert came along I got discouraged and set it aside. Then John P. came along and I virtually gave it up. I got back into it when I discovered open mic nights locally. I switched to semi-acoustic sets (I got a Parker) and it was a lot of fun – more fun than when trying to be a “serious” rock band. I have one acoustic and about 20 electrics, but the one acoustic I do have is custom made with a thin neck and fast action so I could actually play it for at least a whole set. And that tone – WOW! So I agree, electric first, but definitely try acoustic – but it has to be a very good one. Acoustics are a lot less forgiving than electrics. But, absolutely, the whole point is getting good enough to enjoy playing and being satisfied with your accomplishments. I still love John P., and have told him so, but I still love jamming with my brother the best.

]]> By: Josh http://fretterverse.com/2010/01/06/buying-your-kids-first-guitar-a-parents-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-2930 Josh Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:44:41 +0000 http://fretterverse.com/?p=7#comment-2930 I concede your point about the impression of having already learned the instrument and then getting to the electric guitar, but I don't agree with your point of it being hard to adapt to lighter strings. If anything it would be harder to start with electric and having to adapt to heavier strings. Either way, the bottom line is that as long as people are learning to play guitar, I'm happy. I concede your point about the impression of having already learned the instrument and then getting to the electric guitar, but I don’t agree with your point of it being hard to adapt to lighter strings. If anything it would be harder to start with electric and having to adapt to heavier strings.

Either way, the bottom line is that as long as people are learning to play guitar, I’m happy.

]]> By: Somebody http://fretterverse.com/2010/01/06/buying-your-kids-first-guitar-a-parents-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-2915 Somebody Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:29:42 +0000 http://fretterverse.com/?p=7#comment-2915 I don't really think starting on an acoustic is better. (Be warned I might be biased, as I started on an electric and know only one person who started on acoustic) Of course, it may actually be emotionally worse for the child if he wishes for an electric, but besides that, guitar teachers typically teach chords, chord progressions and similar stuff, and if he wishes to be a shredder all of this is only going to push him down. If he finally gets his electric guitar, I suppose it's going to be pretty hard to adapt to the lighter strings, lower action and such, and it's even worse if high-gain distortion is where his tone is at, like mine, because (in case he was trained on chording) his right hand is probably not going to be precise enough, if at all, and the rest is obvious. As far as I'm concerned, psicologically, the impression of having already learned the instrument yet not being able to perform whatever he wishes to is algo going to push him further down, and blah blah. In my opinion, whether or not to learn on an acoustic first relies a lot on what playing style the child aims to be proficient at. I don’t really think starting on an acoustic is better.
(Be warned I might be biased, as I started on an electric and know only one person who started on acoustic)
Of course, it may actually be emotionally worse for the child if he wishes for an electric, but besides that, guitar teachers typically teach chords, chord progressions and similar stuff, and if he wishes to be a shredder all of this is only going to push him down. If he finally gets his electric guitar, I suppose it’s going to be pretty hard to adapt to the lighter strings, lower action and such, and it’s even worse if high-gain distortion is where his tone is at, like mine, because (in case he was trained on chording) his right hand is probably not going to be precise enough, if at all, and the rest is obvious. As far as I’m concerned, psicologically, the impression of having already learned the instrument yet not being able to perform whatever he wishes to is algo going to push him further down, and blah blah.
In my opinion, whether or not to learn on an acoustic first relies a lot on what playing style the child aims to be proficient at.

]]> By: Josh http://fretterverse.com/2010/01/06/buying-your-kids-first-guitar-a-parents-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-2276 Josh Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:41:41 +0000 http://fretterverse.com/?p=7#comment-2276 Generally speaking I would say yes, Gabrielle, because the string tension on an electric guitar is typically lighter, and the strings are usually closer to the fingerboard than on an acoustic. However, if you learn to play guitar from an acoustic first I think in the long run you will be better off because your finger strength and the coordination between both of your hands will be better. Generally speaking I would say yes, Gabrielle, because the string tension on an electric guitar is typically lighter, and the strings are usually closer to the fingerboard than on an acoustic. However, if you learn to play guitar from an acoustic first I think in the long run you will be better off because your finger strength and the coordination between both of your hands will be better.

]]> By: Gabrielle http://fretterverse.com/2010/01/06/buying-your-kids-first-guitar-a-parents-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-2275 Gabrielle Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:26:17 +0000 http://fretterverse.com/?p=7#comment-2275 Is the electric guitar easier to play compared to the acoustic? Is the electric guitar easier to play compared to the acoustic?

]]> By: James C. http://fretterverse.com/2010/01/06/buying-your-kids-first-guitar-a-parents-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-2149 James C. Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:47:09 +0000 http://fretterverse.com/?p=7#comment-2149 Getting a child kick started on a new instrument is always tasking. This article provides goods tips & help to the parents considering a new guitar purchase! Getting a child kick started on a new instrument is always tasking. This article provides goods tips & help to the parents considering a new guitar purchase!
James C. recently posted: Slayer Guitarist Hospitalized

]]> By: Johnnie Black http://fretterverse.com/2010/01/06/buying-your-kids-first-guitar-a-parents-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-1509 Johnnie Black Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:08:05 +0000 http://fretterverse.com/?p=7#comment-1509 I always think it's good for new electric guitar players to buy the guitar without the amp. Especially if it's a kid or young teen, and their parents are paying for it. It gives mum or dad room to say something like "if you practice at least half an hour every monday through to thursday i'll buy you an amplifier" - way too many kids start playing guitar but don't put any work in, and I think the fact that they get the gear for free from their parents often makes it worse. I always think it’s good for new electric guitar players to buy the guitar without the amp. Especially if it’s a kid or young teen, and their parents are paying for it. It gives mum or dad room to say something like “if you practice at least half an hour every monday through to thursday i’ll buy you an amplifier” – way too many kids start playing guitar but don’t put any work in, and I think the fact that they get the gear for free from their parents often makes it worse.
Johnnie Black recently posted: Lucille – BB King’s black electric guitar

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