Total newbe

cherokee · February 8th, 2010, 08:59 AM

I am a TOTAL newbe, I can't play anything and just re-picked up a guitar I bought two years ago to give it a try again. I think that there are many people that look at a guitar and think it is pretty expensive thing to try. At 45yrs old and new to ANY kind of music I was not sure I would stick with it so the first guitar was just an experment. But I just wanted to share my experence on what I did, and perhaps it will help others out.

I have a lesson question at the end of this.

There is sure a difference between a cheapie and a good guitar, just like anything you do get what you pay for. I went to a little shop this weekend to talk to them about my guitar. I could only play/practice for about 30 min and my fingers would be so sore I could not stand it any longer. So I just said screw it and bought a Gretsch 5120. After sitting at the shop for 5min and doing the few cords that I know it was so different, so much less effort to push down on the strings it was not even funny. And the strings feel different also, less sharp not tone but in feel to the finger then the first guitar I have.

I only paid $150 for the first guitar 2yrs ago and it came with a little amp for that, I figured if I play it I would upgrade if not only 150 out of pocket. After trying to play it for the last two weeks I know why I quit two years ago...it was not un confortable...it was PAINFULL.

Now I can practice till my fingers just get stupid, they stop going where I want them to go, I can put it down go do something else then go back to it. So far I am loving it.

Now for the lesson question:

I am very new at this I can do the major cords with a little effort, I have to look at the book to refresh my memory then I am ok. I practice scales and my fingers are starting to move in the way I want them to move. I met a guy at the guitar store that I like, we seem to get along as people. Do you think I should wait till I get a little better foundation before starting on lessons or do you think I should start now.

Thanks.

Sarah93003 · February 8th, 2010, 09:21 AM

Osiyo Tsalagi.

The 5120 is a great entry level guitar and you should get many years of enjoyment from it. Welcome to the forum!

mikante · February 8th, 2010, 09:28 AM

no pain no gain!
Welcome to the forum.

MGllm · February 8th, 2010, 09:37 AM

Lessons are a good thing. It may keep you from bad habits but it does take work.

Welcome and enjoy that new guitar.

Bear · February 8th, 2010, 09:45 AM

Welcome Cherokee. My advice to you is to start your lessons as soon as possible before you learn and then have to unlearn bad habits and incorrect left and right hand technique. I am a totally self-taught guitarist with so many bad habits and techniques that really hamper me as a guitarist. Good luck to you in your adventure in music.

cherokee · February 8th, 2010, 01:46 PM

The place where I bought the guitar has 1 on 1 lessons, and one of the people there is who I want to start up with, only problem is that my son has school stuff on tues and thurs...the only days that guy is there.....so it will have to wait till school is out.

I hope I don't pick up too many bad habbits before then. But so far I am having a ball, and enjoying the stuff I find on youtube and the guitar dvd I picked up. Fun stuff.

RichBolduc · February 8th, 2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikante

no pain no gain!
Welcome to the forum.

Serious... when I first started, the tips of my fingers were sore for a couple of weeks until they got use to it... Now it's the tendon's in my hands that need to get use to long stretches on the fret board...

As for lessons, I'd take them asap so you don't get yourself in to bad habits, and I'm sure the instructor will guide you to things that will make life easier. I know mine does. He'll notice I'm having issues doing something one way, so he'll suggest a different way of trying it.

Welcome

rockabilly-rebel · February 8th, 2010, 02:04 PM

Welcome to GT! - and congrats on the 5120 - great guitar!

Drewgrass · February 8th, 2010, 06:53 PM

Welcome to the forum cherokee!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherokee

So I just said screw it and bought a Gretsch

That sounds familiar!

Early days can be difficult but like most things it gets easier with time and practice. Lessons or teaching yourself is really a personal choice. Try both and see which suits you best. It's essential to find the right teacher. With or without a teacher, hopefully, we never stop learning. Good Luck!

Pappy · February 8th, 2010, 07:03 PM

I taught myself and learned that bad habits are HARD to break but there are a few that are harder than others, so to tide you over until your son gets out of school I offer these:

If you're using a pick, grip with JUST your thumb and index finger. I used to hold it with thumb, index and middle finger for stability and had to re-learn how to hold a pick when I wanted to learn hybrid picking. Tough.

Use as little strength as possible when fretting the strings. If you put too much oomph into the string you'll make the note sharp and wear out your hand/fingers much faster. It doesn't take much to fret a note. Like typing. I have an awful habit of beating the snot out a keyboard but it doesn't take that much pressure to push the keys in and in the end it actually makes you go faster (both in typing and playing).

Last one: Keep your thumb on the back of the neck whenever possible. I hook my thumb over the neck when I need to use it on bass lines or maybe when playing open chords, but for the most part it stays on the back of the neck. This helps me do further reaches and helps with accuracy of fretting too.

Those are my three big things to watch out for.

Hope they help.

S. Rock · February 8th, 2010, 10:23 PM

welcome to gretsch-talk. we're glad to have you here with us. yes, by all means start taking lessons or even getting together with a friend and playing along. learn your minor and 7th chords, too.

Papa Dave · February 9th, 2010, 12:01 AM

Welcome Cherokee. You picked a good guitar to start with as well as a good forum to get into. I see there has been a lot of good advice passed your way. Start your lessons as soon as you can, watch out for those nasty bad habits, practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. And above all have fun. The more fun you have with the guitar the more you'll want to learn and vice versa.

Good luck.

araT · February 9th, 2010, 03:28 AM

Welcome aboard cherokee!

Sarah93003 · February 9th, 2010, 08:39 AM

Great tips, Pappy!

cherokee · February 9th, 2010, 10:41 AM

Thanks for all the tips, I was able to practice for about an hour and a half last night and there was no pain and no disconfort.

My other hobby is messing with old cars, so to say my hands are abused is an understatement. The first guitar I had was so much more then un confortable...it was painfull with a capital P. I really think the difference is the equipment....like a cheap tool vs a good tool...there is a difference.

Also in that one night I think I got more down then in the couple weeks of trying to kill myself on the first guitar. I could think about what my fingers where doing and not think that the next movement would cause pain.

Going to see if the wife can do some kid duty so I can get up there and get started.

Thanks again for all the help.

cherokee · February 10th, 2010, 10:58 AM

I wanted to post a pic of my new guitar, and also ask....what does everyone think of the guitarjamz website? I seem to be able to learn from the guy...anyway here is my new baby

Sarah93003 · February 10th, 2010, 09:10 PM

Very, very nice. That is a classic!

Duo Gent · February 10th, 2010, 09:38 PM

Ooooooo, that's NICE! To echo everyone else, take lessons the sooner the better.

Glad you're here, too.

Sarah93003 · February 10th, 2010, 10:03 PM

Y'know, YouTube is a great resource to learn guitar chords, techniques, specific songs, etc. Give it a try.

JC higgy · February 11th, 2010, 02:13 PM

Welcome to GT cherokee!

S Macp · February 11th, 2010, 03:29 PM

Hi Cherokee, and welcome to the forum; you'll like it here!