I was wondering if playing Acoustic Guitar is very similar to Rock Band’s? I can only play Medium Difficulty on Rock Band. If I play hard, I get whomped for sure! Does this mean I would not make a good guitar player in real life?

No, in rock back you simply press buttons, and use the lever thing to strum. On acoustic guitar, You have a variety of strings to hit, many frets to finger, and they feel totally different. There is almost no similarity, except maybe timing.

cause im going to learn to play guitar and electric guitars are EXPENCIVE so im thinking about starting out on a cheap acoustic till i have enough cash for electric

So far, good answers; yes, most people start on acoustic. Yes, a cheap acoustic may very well be a piece of junk that won’t last and will be hard to play.

So let me take this a bit further for you–everything a beginner should think about–

1) Instrument: go to a very good music store–a Sam Ash, Guitar Center, or the big local shop that sells orchestral and band instruments. These stores don’t sell junk. Try out as many guitars as you can in your price range (or slightly above). Try them out for feel–even if you don’t play yet, you can put the neck in your left hand and see if the fingers feel good pressing on all strings, you can strum right the right hand and see how the arm likes being draped over that body.

Once you have several that feel good, have a sales clerk or a friend play the same tunes on each while you turn your back. This blind listening test is the best way to judge the sound.

Now, since you’re on a budget, the next step is to wait for one of your preferred models to go on discount–or to find one online at ebay (only get one that comes with warranty), http://www.musiciansfriend.com or maybe even http://www.shopgoodwill.com but if it’s goodwill, you’ll need maybe another $100 in reserve in case you need to take it to a repair shop (try one of those music stores listed above) for adjustments.

2) Find a teacher. As a beginner, you’ll make lots of mistakes, and you won’t catch all of them. If you don’t get the right fundamentals at first, you risk long-term not being able to play up to your potential, and maybe even getting nerve and joint repetitive motion injuries.

Cheapest teachers are found by putting a note on a bulleting board at the music department of a local college and landing a guitar major. Second choice would be to try one of the music stores listed above.

After about a dozen lessons, your fundamentals will be sound; then you can drop lessons and self-educate. Try getting books, cds, dvds, etc. from ebay–you’ll save money.

3) Plan to practice for not more than ten minutes at a time, several times a day, at first. This yields fastest progress. Second week, extend the time up to 12 minutes–and keep going up a couple of minutes a week, eventually dropping back to 4 then 3 then 2 practices, until you’ve built the stamina and knowledge to benefit from a one-hour practice (or longer) daily.

How much does it matter if your fingers are long or short?

if you have short fingers or small hands it can make it tough to get some certain chords or stretches. it can also really hinder the ability to play with your thumb. but if you really like playing, the length of your fingers matters none, because regardless you will keep playing and customize songs to where you can play them comfortably. i have short fingers but i manage. playing john mayer songs gets tough because he uses his thumb A LOT but i can still get a few of the thumbed chords (although not all, he’s a great guitarist. he also has a really long thumb.)

We have been told we sound like Jason Mraz and we dont want to just use our own names. Were looking for a really chill name, any suggestions?

The Calm Chords….you love it don’t deny it just flows..good luck

Hi, I’ve only got an acoustic guitar and no money to buy a classical. Can I play the acoustic like a classical? What problems may I have to keep in mind? One more question: Anytime I push down to play a string or chord(especially barre) when I lift my fingers back up to move to another string it always make a sound and this distorts what I’m playing sometimes. What can I do to stop this?

First of all, the fingering , the chording, the techniques are basically the same for electric, acoustic, classical with the difference that on a classical guitar, you do not use picks but rather, the thumb and 3 fingers of the right hand. As long as you are arching the first joints properly and the palm is parallel to the finger fingerboard, those are the basics and very important. The fingers act like little hammers when fretting the notes.

Secondly, always play directly behind the fret to get the purest sound and thirdly, make sure the thumb is bent at the firt joint to allow you to add and control pressure to get the notes to sound good. As far as playing it like a classical guitar, it might be a little hard on the right hand and I suggest putting clear finger polish to strengthen the nail. Most flamenco and classical guitarist use it and it is especialyl made for that and can be purchased anywhere.

As far as the odd sound you get is because, you need to use your fingers as mute and once you have played a chord, keep your fingers close to the strings which will prevent the string from sounding. You are lifiting your fingers too high. You need to lift them and mute the strings by lightly sliding over the strings when doing changes.
Note that I am referring to the left hand. You don’t mute with the palm of the right hand like electric guitars.

So basically, you need to sound teh chord and then, lift your fingers while still touching the strings and do your other chords. That’s it.

First learn your C scale, then F Major, G Major, D Major… You keep going till you get to the complicated ones. Then move on to minors, then harmonic minors, then melodic minors, then who knows what else!

Learn A B C D E F G Major chords, then learn their 7ths, then their Minors then keep going! Eventually you can improvise on the spot

Also try looking for Guitar pro its a program that if used properly can substitute a teacher! Have fun

I Found a Westfield B200 acoustic guitar but i don’t want to buy something and find out its crap. Thanks.

http://www.abclearnguitar.com/buying-a-guitar.html

i’m a begginer and i want to learn how to play the guitar. where do i get the best help with learning how to play the guitar for free? if you can help please tell me.

depending on your age you may be able to take a class at your school. There are some websites that can help like Ultimate guitar and cyber fret as well as you tube. You can get some basic instruction books at your local music store but they cost money. (not alot). But your best way to learn is with lessons from a good qualified local instructor. It is definitely worth the money to invest in a few months of lessons to get you going. You can learn more in one month of lessons than you can in a year by yourself. More than 90% of all people who try to teach themselves end up quitting after a short time due to frustration and lack of direction. A good teacher can help keep you motivated and make sure you are learning the proper techniques.

If I already know how to read bass clef notes is it easy to switch from acoustic to bass?

I started with bass but definitely it is. You just need to memorize the frets and the strings.

Like I said I want to begin playing acoustic guitar because I love the music. Jack Johnson, John Mayer, etc.

What kind of acoustic guitar should I buy or look for on craigslist or ebay? I don’t want like some cheap a** one though.

Thanks.

This was my first acoustic guitar I think. This guitar has a good tone when i used it. This pack has everything you need for a beginner.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item–i-YAM-GM-DLX-LIST#FeaturedReview

If you want a guitar with an even better tone, this two one will do you justice.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item–i-YAM-FG700S-LIST
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-F335-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=512940

You will still need a tuner and some picks.

http://www.amazon.com/ELECA-eNote-Chromatic-Clip-on-Tuner/dp/B00104HWA6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1254704627&sr=8-7

Picks

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item–i-DUN-4181-LIST