You are apparently interested in playing the guitar. Or maybe you are educating yourself before you make a time and money commitment for a child. I believe that being able to play a musical instrument can be very satisfying and enriching, provided the choice of instrument is appropriate and provided that it is voluntary. I will focus this article on the choice of instrument.
The guitar certainly has been, and probably always will be, one of the most popular instruments. Why? I imagine it is because a classic guitar can be taken just about anywhere. You can always play a few strings and soon have a circle of people join you in singing. Even young people join in, especially when some of the classic rock songs are being played.
Ask yourself, or your child, the question what you/they ultimately want to achieve. Will guitar palying be for your own personal satisfaction, where you can play for yourself for hours, and don't really care what it sounds like to other? Or do you want to be able to play for others, join a a band? Will you be fully committed to practicing?
Your choice of guitar and how you plan to learn to play guitar will depend on your ultimate goal. Getting started with playing the guitar can be expensive, and it does not have to be. If you are unsure, check in the classified ads about buying a used guitar. You can always upgrade later. Call a guitar teacher or talk to the folks at the local music store in your area and ask them a few questions.
Electric guitars require a higher upfront investment, becasue they need an amplifier. It also might require some soundproofing for the room you plan to play in, unless you live in a very remote location. Neighbors generally do not appreciate a group of teenagers jamming at full volume at 10 pm or on a Sunday afternoon. And it is amazing what sound effects can be created with guitar and amplifier. It opens up a whole new avenue of creativity.
Learning how to play the guitar requires a good teacher or good learning program (book, video, audio) and commitment on your part to hours of practice. You can find a good teacher in your local area and you can find good programs on the internet. Many of these programs offer a combination of books and videos. Some include free newsletters or free sample lessons. Check the different avenues out so you can determine what works best for you. It might be a combination of learning with a teacher in person, supplemented by a downloadable program.
So before you run out, buy a guitar and sign up for lessons, ask yourself if you will dedicate several hours each week to practicing and playing the guitar. If you do, you will be able to enjoy many hours of enjoyment playing this wonderful instrument.
One of the reasons why so many people take up the guitar as a musical instrument is because of the fact that it is one of the few instruments that can be played entirely on its own, providing both the main tune and the background chords. Having said that, there is a wide range of extra accessories that can be used in conjunction with the guitar, either for holding it in place, or for actually playing it. One of these is commonly referred to as a capo, although its full name is the capotasto.
A capo is a bar that can be clipped to the fret board of a guitar, and pinches the strings against the fret at a point which directly lowers the pitch of the strings, and thus the guitar as a whole. In order to lower the pitch of a guitar by the equivalent of one semitone, the capo would be clipped against the strings just beneath the first lower most fret.
The main reason that guitarists use a capo to change the pitch in this way is so that they can play sheet music that is scored in different keys without having to change the way in which the chords are played, since chord formations are different depending upon the key being played. By simply increasing the pitch of the guitar, the instrument can be played in a range of keys whilst still allowing the guitarist to use the same familiar chord patterns.
As a result of this, it is often used by beginners, although many purists refer to the use of a capo as cheating, and actually refer to capos as cheaters. There is a second reason why a capo may be used however, and that is to increase the pitch in such a way that they match the pitch of those instruments that were used to perform music written a long time ago, such as the renaissance lute.
Another often used accessory is a slide, frequently used in country music, and blues, to create a Hawaiian effect to the sound, although the more accurate name for the sound is glissando. In country music the slide originated by players using the neck of a bottle, and some performers still use these today.
Modern slides tend to be made from a variety of materials, depending upon the effect that the performer wants to achieve. Common materials include glass, metals such as steel or brass, ceramic and plastic, and these vary significantly in weight, which in turn affects the tone of the music. Steel guitars have a slide built in to them as they are used to perform music in this style, and in some cases a Dobro guitar is used, which achieves the same effect.
Perhaps the most commonly used and known accessory for use in playing a guitar however is the plectrum, or pick. A plectrum is a very small, flat piece of material which is used to strum or pick the strings of a guitar in a more exact fashion than using the fingers. Some players grow their own picks, having the nail of one finger kept to a long length, but this is not always desirable or convenient for most players, and a pick that can be used whenever the need arises is a cheap and easy to acquire accessory.
Generally the players that perform with their nails are classical guitarists, and those who use picks or plectrums are performers of electric or acoustic guitars. Plectrums are most commonly found manufactured from plastic, which can be produced in a range of grades, from lightweight and flexible, to a thicker, firmer pick that produces a harder note. Other materials can also be found, including bone, metal - particularly steel, wood, and in some cases, even the shell of a tortoise.
Both Christiane Perrin & Victor Epand are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Christiane Perrin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Room Furniture, Home Improvement and Guide Guitar. Christiane Perrin is the mother of 2 teenagers who play guitar and drums. She herself plays the recorder.. Christiane Perrin's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.
Victor Epand has sinced written about articles on various topics from Shopping, Trucks and Interest. Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, keyboards, sheet music, guitar tab, and home theater audio. You can find the best marketplace at these sites for