4Real Forums: Can we talk "guitar playing"?

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Topic: Can we talk "guitar playing"?

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MarilynW
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Posted: Sept 15 2009 at 3:43pm \| IP Logged

We are considering purchasing our boys a guitar for Christmas - they are musically inclined and can teach themselves. I do know how to play - though am a bit rusty with tuning. Costco does great acoustic guitar packages - but they have steel strings - I learned on a nylon string guitar. For anyone whose kids play guitar please - have they been able to learn on steel? Are there any particular teach yourself guitar programs or methods that you have used.

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guitarnan
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Posted: Sept 15 2009 at 6:44pm \| IP Logged

The basic issue, as you know, is developing calluses on the left fingertips. The calluses will develop either way, but it will hurt a bit more (!) with the steel strings. I always tell new guitar players to practice a little bit every day (not four hours a day...) at the beginning to develop the calluses and keep from bleeding all over the guitar.

I think the question you need to ask yourself regarding the strings is a completely different one. What style will your boys play? Nylon strings are really only useful for classical guitar. Classical is beautiful - I studied it for a year - but has very specific applications.

If, instead, they hope to play folk tunes or popular music or pretty much anything that isn't classical, they should start on a steel string because that is the appropriate instrument for that style. Also, they will be able to stand up and play (perhaps in a group); nylon stringed guitars shouldn't be drilled for strap pegs. (My early nylon string was, and my classical guitar teacher was not happy!)

I'm getting ready to let my dd try out my full size steel string, so I am also interested in beginner books/DVDs. Everything I have is liturgical music or 1970's pop, ugh. (Although I can still play a mean "Time in a Bottle" if I try!

)

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

Paula in MN
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Posted: Sept 16 2009 at 7:49am \| IP Logged

I'm teaching my dd10 on a steel string, and she is not having any problems.

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Willa
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Posted: Sept 16 2009 at 10:28am \| IP Logged

My daughter learned on a steel-string. As Nancy said it is more appropriate for folk and pop music. The chords don't sound quite as good on nylon.

I play classical guitar a bit myself and so do my son and daughter -- if you were going that route you would want nylon-stringed.

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Bookswithtea
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Posted: Sept 16 2009 at 12:15pm \| IP Logged

My ds taught himself when he was 11. He was very motivated and put lots of time into it, but never really had formal lessons. He now co leads youth worship at our church at 16.

I don't know if its good, but he initially used the dvd Hal Leonard Guitar Method. I will say that once we got a small battery operated tuner he made much more rapid progress than without one.

Calluses are definitely where its at. Ds is quite proud of his.

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MarilynW
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Posted: Sept 16 2009 at 6:41pm \| IP Logged

Thank you so much everyone for your responses and advice. The boys want to do folk/pop/Christian music - so I guess steel will be good.

I will have to check out the Hal Leonard method. I know all the basic chords. My kids do have an electronic tuner for violin and clarinet - I wonder if this would work for guitar?

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guitarnan
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Posted: Sept 16 2009 at 6:49pm \| IP Logged

Guitar is a treble (G) clef instrument, if that helps you.

I checked the guitars at Costco - the one I played felt okay, although the action (distance from strings to fretboard) felt a little high for a beginning player. That's kind of a personal taste thing, though. As long as your boys don't have tiny hands they should be okay.

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

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