Guitars - any advice?

[Time Waster]

Decades ago I had a hankering to learn the guitar. A friend taught me a few things and went with me to choose a guitar - got a Yamaha with a good sound on his rec.

I never got it so left it for years. This weekend a relative handed over two guitars (one a smaller, kids one). I am thinking it might be good to try to learn again. So I am asking for any advice. Ihad issues getting the fingering for chorsd changed quickly while still concentrating on what the other hand needs to do. Coordination is not my strength. Mind you I used to practise until my fingers hurt too much. I did end up with almost callouses on the ends. Never got anywere. Imagine a tune bing played at 10 time slower than it should have been!!

The other thing is the freebie guitar is a Sanchis brand with three steel strings and three nylon ones. Is this right? I did hear something about spanish style, classical, folk and rock/pop style guitars once IIRC. Is this a classical or spanish style of stringing a guitar? Or is it just a bodge job and needs the right strings put on?

 

[Kingfisher101]

If you want to learn, then go for lessons or join a group of beginners etc. That will bring you on much more than teaching yourself from scratch. Good luck.

 

[winjim]

When I started playing the guitar again I used the free online lessons at Justin Guitar as a refresher. I found them pretty good.

It's perfectly normal to have the three bass strings steel wound and the top three strings nylon but no harm in taking it to the shop to get it restrung.

 

[Big John]

Anything will do to start with providing it's a proper guitar with six strings. Don't go buying anything better until you know you'll stick at it. I learned the chords first from a book but now you have the internet you can pick them up easily almost anywhere for nothing. That should keep you going for a while. Then maybe look for evening classes at the local college if you have one. I did about a years worth I think but I'm not exactly sure because it must have been at least 40 years ago. My guitar is right next to me as I type and never far away. I won't say I'm any good but I play along to a few numbers on YouTube and have always enjoyed playing.....it's great for de-stressing. The secret, if there is one, is to persevere. You get better. It just takes time unless you're a natural. I've got a Vantage acoustic with a lovely sound to it. I bought my lad a Fender acoustic years ago and we occasionally have an ear aching jamming session. Bloody awful according to my missus.

 

[DRM]

Me too, Justin Guitar is a brilliant resource, I too found it initially hard, and thought I would never be able to get anywhere near getting a tune out of it, if you can get a tune out of an inexpensive acoustic, then that’s brilliant, an electric would be easier to play, may be worthwhile having a look at a Fazley Stratocaster shaped object, or Telecaster shaped object, they get good reviews and won’t break the bank, either way sign up to Justin Guitar, you can download a tuner app for your phone, I would imagine it’s going to need new strings, but a decent guitar shop will be able to do it for you for a small cost, probably show you how it’s done.

 

[Drago]

Pooptube is your friend. Loads of free training material there.

 

[Aescott]

I use a couple of apps - Fender Play on my iPad is pretty good. I’ve also got Rocksmith for my XBox - it’s a bit like Guitar Hero, except you use your own real guitar.

I‘m sure I’d do well if I practised properly

 

[raleighnut]

Decades ago I had a hankering to learn the guitar. A friend taught me a few things and went with me to choose a guitar - got a Yamaha with a good sound on his rec.

I never got it so left it for years. This weekend a relative handed over two guitars (one a smaller, kids one). I am thinking it might be good to try to learn again. So I am asking for any advice. Ihad issues getting the fingering for chorsd changed quickly while still concentrating on what the other hand needs to do. Coordination is not my strength. Mind you I used to practise until my fingers hurt too much. I did end up with almost callouses on the ends. Never got anywere. Imagine a tune bing played at 10 time slower than it should have been!!

The other thing is the freebie guitar is a Sanchis brand with three steel strings and three nylon ones. Is this right? I did hear something about spanish style, classical, folk and rock/pop style guitars once IIRC. Is this a classical or spanish style of stringing a guitar? Or is it just a bodge job and needs the right strings put on?

Are the 3 'steel' strings wrapped/wound on a nylon core in which case it is a classical guitar

 

[Time Waster]

Are the 3 'steel' strings wrapped/wound on a nylon core in which case it is a classical guitar

I think it has a ridged appearance so I guess wrapped. I thought it was a classical guitar. IIRC Spanish guitar is similar.

 

[raleighnut]

I think it has a ridged appearance so I guess wrapped. I thought it was a classical guitar. IIRC Spanish guitar is similar.

The 3 bass strings are always wound it depends on whether they're wound on a Nylon core (Classical) or a Steel core (Spanish)

 

[MontyVeda]

... I did end up with almost callouses on the ends. Never got anywere. Imagine a tune bing played at 10 time slower than it should have been!!

...

The callouses are inevitable if you play regularly. Your fingers will hurt less with them than without.

Nowt wrong with playing things slowly either. That's how everyone learns.

 

[rogerzilla]

Acoustic? Tanglewood are probably the biggest seller in the UK market. Quality control can be a bit hit or miss but they are usually nice. Or Yamaha.

Classical = nylon strings, cannot take steel.strings. Strings are tied on. Very easy on your fingers, but not loud and not really intended for strumming chords.

Acoustic/steel string = all metal strings, neck has a truss rod to resist the higher tension. Strings have ball ends and are changed more easily. Hard on fingers at first, but much louder and made for strumming.

 

[MontyVeda]

I use standard gauge electric guitar strings on my acoustic: less tension, easier on the fingers and (IMO) sounds better.

 

[raleighnut]

I use standard gauge electric guitar strings on my acoustic: less tension, easier on the fingers and (IMO) sounds better.

9's would probably work on a Classical, around 14-15 lbs pull on each string

 

[DRM]

9's would probably work on a Classical, around 14-15 lbs pull on each string

Some D’Addario 9-40 balanced tension could well be a good choice