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Teachin'Mine2
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 1:50pm | IP Logged
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My 13 yo dd loves country music and has been writing songs. She's mentioned that she would love to have a guitar to learn how to play. She plays keyboard by ear, and can read music only minimally. She'd learn fast enough if she wanted to, but she prefers to play by ear. I'm hoping that the guitar playing will give her incentive to learn how to read music, but I may be dreaming. 
I've been reading online what I can about different guitars for beginners and am thoroughly confused. At this point, I'm leaning towards a classical guitar as it will have nylon strings instead of steel, and she can learn to play both with individual notes, and chords as well. But I know the sound is mellower and maybe not the best for country music? Is it okay to use a pick on these guitars, or would that eventually ruin the finish on the front?
The acoustic guitars have the benefit of having narrower necks - something I would have loved when I played years ago - but my dd hands are larger than mine, so hopefully either neck shouldn't be a problem. The classical guitars tend to be smaller than the typical beginner acoustic guitars which tend to be dreadnought (large). I am so confused at this point.
I'm looking at the Yamaha C40 which has a laminated spruce front and the CG111S which has a solid spruce front. This is also available in the CG111C which has a solid cedar front. Which would be better - I'm thinking, from what I've read, that the spruce will give a brighter sound? Is it worth the extra money to have the solid spruce front? It also mentions that it has a smaller neck than the C40 - would this make it worthwhile? Or should I just go with the cheaper one? Then there's also this one from Sam's Club:
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=1914 99&navAction=
which is an acoustic/electric for $83. It sells for a lot more elsewhere, but I've read the reviews on the Yamahas and most seem to say that the sound is much better than on other beginner guitars.
Basic price on the Yamaha C40 is $140 and $230 for the CG111S (or C). Am I even looking at the right guitars or should I be looking at the acoustics with steel strings??? Help!!!!! ;Thank you. 
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mom of one 13yo dd
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 1:54pm | IP Logged
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you pick classical guitar with your nails.. you can learn to pick individual notes on either type of guitar.
If she loves country music she may not care for the sound of the nylon strings.. it will be softer and won't have the same twang generally associated with country music.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Teachin'Mine2
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
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Thank you Jodiet, that's what I was afraid of - I'm not sure how she'll like the steel strings though. How long does it take for the fingers to callous?
I had taken lessons years ago on a classical guitar, but I used both fingers and a pick for picking. I like the mellower sound of the classical, but as you say, she may not.
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mom of one 13yo dd
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guitarnan
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 2:39pm | IP Logged
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I'm with Jodie. Don't get a classical guitar. It takes longer to develop calluses, but that is fine.
I always advise new guitarists to play a little every day, not hours and hours one day a week. Building up calluses takes several weeks with either style of guitar.
Can she borrow a guitar to see if she likes playing, before you invest in one?
Sometimes you can find decent used guitars at music stores or even at pawnshops. Make sure the neck is not warped (look up and down it lengthwise at eye level).
If she is playing by ear now, expect that she will continue to do so on guitar once she knows a few chords. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - she'll be able to figure out how to play her favorite songs - but guitar is one of those instruments that you can play for years without ever learning to read the notes on the staff, key signatures or anything else. (This is pretty standard for learning guitar, by the way...most of us didn't start with classical guitar lessons...although I enjoyed learning the classical style after I'd been playing for a few years.)
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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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Teachin'Mine2
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| Posted: May 27 2010 at 6:31pm | IP Logged
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I'm so glad I asked here - thank you!!! You've saved me from buying a guitar which won't sound the way she wants. I don't know anyone who plays, but I have a feeling that she will take to the guitar. Usually when she asks for something, it's something she'll really use.
I thought about finding a used one, but I'm not knowledgeable enough about what to look for, but I appreciate the hint about the neck. 
I'm sure you're right that this won't help her with wanting to read music - I was dreaming.
Thank you for the advice on how she should play every day for a short time to build up calluses. I just remember how much it hurt with nylon strings. Then again, in learning about guitars these past few days, I've realized that mine probably were probably sitting up too high and required a lot of force to hold them down (action was too high).
The hard part is going to be not picking it back up myself. Maybe she'll share.
Thank you again to both of you for your help!
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mom of one 13yo dd
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Guitar buying advice please
