Guitar Lessons?

SwAMi75 · 02-18-2007, 05:12 AM

So we were shopping today, and my 4 year old son had some Christmas money on him. He came across a First Act mini-dreadnaught steel string acoustic, and had to have it. For $30, this thing was a deal. It even came with a nice hard case. It sounds OK, and is quite playable, and stays in tune well. I was proud of him.

In preparation for teaching him a little, I went to a local acoustic music shop to get some fresh strings for my acoustic. I literally haven't picked up a guitar in over a year, and have not seriously practiced in eons. What little I do know is mostly self taught, and some stuff I picked up by hanging around better players.

Anyway, I see that they offer lessons at this place. 30 min/week for $17.50 per session. It is run by an older couple, who apparently are bluegrass players. I'm thinking about doing it, starting next month when things should be settled down a little.

I really don't know where i'm going with this, because I have no idea what to expect from lessons. I don't know if they focus strictly on bluegrass, or what. I figure learning the fundamentals will help me more than anything, and just getting back to practicing seriously, like I used to do.

So, if any of you have taken lessons, I'd like to hear of your experiences!

homebrewer_99 · 02-18-2007, 06:15 AM

No lessons here except from other players. I don't practice like I used to, but I try to play something everyday. Doesn't always work out that way though.

Been playing since '71. I have a '76 Fender Telecaster Deluxe, a couple of Mexi Strats, a Chinese Strat, and a Kaman El/Ac...Fender Princeton Reverb Amp, a Line 6 Vetta Amp, a Hognose portable, and an El-Cheapo amp I take on the road w/headphones, a ton of pedals.

Been in several bands, did the bar circuit for a year or so in So Jersey a long time ago.

sAvAgE · 02-18-2007, 06:58 AM

took lessons for 18 years ( and no I am not slow

) My progression was from single string songs from tablature, to then dual string songs using the high e string to the (f**K has it been that long?) one above the G string

heads out of the gutters boyz. then learned guitar boogie, then dualing banjo's , then a few country tunes, then teen years rock and heavy metal, then specialized study on my guitar god. Steve Vai her is link for more information

http://www.vai.com
Yes the inventor of the 7 string guitar the Ibanez Universe I just wish this was a left hand guitar

Sucks to be a left hand player)

after my seperation of my first wife, I stopped playing. been meaning to get back to it but procastination wins every time, think I am just bored with playing with myself. once again heads out of the gutter.

SwAMi75 · 02-18-2007, 07:11 AM

I'm also a leftie, but i found an easy solution early on.....play right-handed.

**Ize** · 02-18-2007, 07:17 AM

LOL, I envy you and your 4 YO Swami. My soon to be three year old bullheaded weapon of mass destruction is a prime candidate for drummer material. (hell he constantly picks up sticks to pretend he's drumming) But I haven't conceded to buying drums for him until either;

A: He gets some, but just beats on them, so they stay at grandmas house.

Or

B: He gets some and actually learns how to play them, and then he can keep them here...

Like I said tho, he's not 3 yet and we're still working on not crapping our pants...

Ize

DeadYetiBrew · 02-18-2007, 07:23 AM

I got 7 years on myself. Self taught. It takes a couple years to actually get the Guitar Theory in your head, but in those years your fingers get trained. I'm a strictly rhythm guitarist with some simple solos. (not because i can't, because i won't

) and i hadn't bothered to learn chords by names. I eventually picked it up. Basically what you have to look at in lessons is:
1) is there anything you can't teach him?
2) do they teach general music theory and not just guitar theory?
3) do you think he will stick with it?
4) do you think he will get discouraged without lessons?

Savage - EADGBe

sAvAgE · 02-18-2007, 08:02 AM

No I originally tried as a right hander and could not do it. left hand was my calling. I think what really done it was. I went to church a while back, they were stuck for a bass player. since the first bottom notes are the same as a six string, I said why not I will help you all out. I will play root notes and keep the rhythm just give me the music selection and I will go from there. well I winged it, with no music plan and no music chart nor with what ****ING key they were playing in. and the pastor said to me "you should really play right hand, you must learn to over come your handicap" I told him to go "well you know" and I haven't played guitar seriously since, then after I seperated from my first wife I just put it off from there. well there is my drunken sad story.

on with life.

DeadYetiBrew · 02-18-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sAvAgE

No I originally tried as a right hander and could not do it. left hand was my calling. I think what really done it was. I went to church a while back, they were stuck for a bass player. since the first bottom notes are the same as a six string, I said why not I will help you all out. I will play root notes and keep the rhythm just give me the music selection and I will go from there. well I winged it, with no music plan and no music chart nor with what ****ING key they were playing in. and the pastor said to me "you should really play right hand, you must learn to over come your handicap" I told him to go "well you know" and I haven't played guitar seriously since, then after I seperated from my first wife I just put it off from there. well there is my drunken sad story.

on with life.

lol yeah because playing left handed is a handicap...?

They could have atleast given you some music so that you knew what was going on...

**Pumbaa** · 02-18-2007, 01:46 PM

pardon my ignorance BUT . . .

Couldnt you just turn it over and string it in reverse?

homebrewer_99 · 02-18-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwAMi75

I'm also a leftie, but i found an easy solution early on.....play right-handed.

I'm a lefty that plays right handed also...that's what everyone else had so I just picked it up.