Musical Instruments

[mandi_15_2003]

Hi, my name is mandi and I want to learn to play the guitar. I don't have a guitar and I'm looking forward to buying one. The only problem is Idk which would be the best kind to buy. There are so many and half the terms I don't even know what they mean. So I'm going to begin telling anybody who is listening about me just a little bit so maybe u would be able to help me by suggesting the best type of guitar. Well, I'm 4 ft 10 in. So I'm rly short. I have short fingers and short arms. I'm 21 yrs old and I once played the clarenet so I have played an instrument before but that was in the 9th grade and I def dnt remember how to play. so I have to relearn the music book but luckily I have a best friend who can help me w/that. But Idk what type of guitar would be best for me b/cuz I'm short. I want to learn to play the electric guitar but b/cuz I'm a beginner would it be better to go w/an accoustic?? Or does that even matter? Would u suggest that for a beginner I learn to play a bass or a standard?? I just rly dnt know so plz write me and give me some feedback....

Thanks

Mandi!!!

[Neihn Valued Contributor]

Ok I am going to give a you what most likely will be a information overload. But if you have any questions at the end feel free to ask.

First off look at the music you like to listen to and then research on google as to what instrument those artists use. Like when I started learning 2 of my favorite guitarist was Slash (From Guns N' Roses) and Steve Vai. So I looked at what Slash used and since i was beginning I didnt want to spend the 1,500 dollars on a guitar exactly like his. So i spent 400 dollars on a similar guitar with great build quality and while it had a very nice tone it was missing the traditional sound that Slash's guitar had so i upgraded the pickups and the strings to match slashs and now it sounds virtually identical to the 1,500 model. So the point here is there if you are a beginner go with what you can afford that is a good build. Ones I have always considered for beginners is the Epiphone, Squire by Fender, Fender, and Ibanez.

Wether or not to go with a Bass or Rythm/Lead guitar is totaly up to you there is a difference between the 2.  But this is mearly a choice you have to make. On wether to start on a acoustic or electric I think is debatable I started on a electric and had no issues trying to learn or moving from electric to acoustic later on.

I have sent you a PM with a link you may find useful in helping you determine what you want. After reading those guides if you have any questions please feel free to post back.

I always suggest goign some place where you can try out a bunch of different guitars and hold the guitar like you were playing just put your fingers on the strings at random places up and down the neck and see how comfortable it is for you. now some amy argue hand placement but how many deem the correct way just as many deem other ways as being correct. It is all imho personal preference. If you find one that is comfortable for you write down the information on it or write the model number down and do some research on it to determine its specs if they are not readily available. If you read those links i sent you it will tell you what to look for.

Once again i hope this helps and if you have more questiosn post back.

[Cole-BBY]

Hi Mandi!

I'm so excited you're going to buy your first guitar. Neihn got a lot of the basic info across but I just have a couple of things to relate to you as a beginner.

1.) There are smaller guitars called 3/4 guitars because they're "three-quarters" the size of a normal guitar. They're not specifically made for smaller people, they're actually made smaller for a higher, brighter sounds and but they feel comfortable for me and I'm on the smaller side too. But don't be fooled, their size is irrelevant to quality. Some of the most beautiful guitars I've ever heard we're 3/4 guitars. 3/4 guitars are made by all the major manufacturers.

2.) Price - I would recommend buying a less expensive guitar for your first. You need to play more to learn what to look for when buying an expensive guitar later. Since you're 21 I'll use this analogy, a person who decides to learn more about wine doesn't buy an expensive bottle of wine, have their first glass, and fully understand why that particular wine is so expensive. They don't appreciate it the way someone who has been tasting wine for 15 years does. And trust me, just like wine, if you like guitar your first guitar won't be your last. I own three guitars and I'm not particularly great.

3.) Electric vs. Acoustic - Generally, it's more expensive to get into electric because you need to buy an amp and cables. However you can expand upon an electric with effects pedals and things like that. Buying an effects pedal for my electric was really satisfying because for $80 it was like I had a whole new instrument. But deciding between the two is really based on what type of music you like. If you like Dave Matthews or Jason Mraz I'd go acoustic, but if you like Van Halen or Muse I'd go electric. Once again, don't stress about it, any guitar player that bought a eletric first, later buys an acoustic, and vice versa.

4.) Just play! - When I started guitar I was worried about notes, learning songs, and sounding perfect. I recommend just making noise, whatever sounds good to you on your guitar. I've just recently realized that playing an instrument should be like doodling on a piece of paper. Everyone doodles on their paper at work, in school, and regardless of your artistic abilty everyone doodles. But not everyone grabs a guitar and is comfortable "doodling". Playing and learning guitar should be like doodling on a piece of paper. Grab the guitar and make a couple cool sounds and be happy you did and that will lead into other things for sure!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need more advice.

~Cole

P.S. Have your friend teach you a couple chords. Or type "Guitar Chords" in google. It's a great way to start feeling like you are actually playing songs.

[aidenwin]

hi mandy,

quick answer...dont buy instruments at best buy! go to a music store, you can get a cheap basic stratacaster (fender) which is a better quality. sorry but best buy isnt a music store.

{Link removed to comply with Community Guidelines}

[Cole-BBY]

2 years ago aidenwin I would have agreed with you but today Best Buy does sell musical instruments.

It's our company's newest category and we're very excited about it's growth. Currently we have 86 stores (96 by the end of the year) across the country that have a dedicated musical instruments section similar to Magnolia Home Theater if you're familiar with Magnolia.

In regards to this post Mandi, I assure you, we sell the Fender Stratocaster and Fender's other models as well as many other major guitar brands. Including: Gibson, Martin, Yamaha, Takamine, Ovation, Taylor, and others. All can be found on BestBuy.com as well as in our stores that feature a musical instruments department. Here you can find which store near you has a musical instruments department. Even if you  don't live near one of those stores, you can special order anything to your local store regardless.

Our staff is knowledgeable and definately able to assist any customer in purchasing their first guitar.

But hey, seeing is believing! I posted some photos below to show you what I'm talking about.