Electric Guitar

[wizard]

Im thinking about getting an Electric Guitar, I can't play but im eager to learn! Is there anybody else out there who is just learning? Is it easy/hard to get going? Also could anyone recommend a good shop (online) to buy one from? Preferably a package for beginners?

[Alej]

i just started learning the acoustic guitar, then im going to go onto electric. I have been told its good to start with acoustic. I find playing it a great way to relax and its not too hard to learn something good. Its been 2 weeks and i can play 'morning has broken' by cat stephens. Try the price comparing searches such as www.shopgenie.com

[DrWu]

There are dozens of online shops out there (just type electric guitar beginner package into yahoo search). They are all much the same but with xmas coming (oh yes!) there should be some pretty good deals. Try to avoid the Encore Strat copies and pay that little bit more of one of the bottom end Yamahas e.g. the Pacifica 012 which is a far nicer guitar (and it will hold it's value if you get bored) The best way to learn is to play play play and get through the pain barrier (it will hurt!) as quickly as possible. Don't forget on satellite TV here in the UK there is the musicians channel which has a guitar for beginners show. Ideally though find some friends locally who you can practice with, that's by far the best (least boring) way. Good luck!

[j2buttonsw]

sft42 will give a better answer as he teaches but the problem with electic guitars to learn on are: 1) They have steel strings and are quite hard the fingers. 2) The fretboard is quite narrow so making chords for the first time can be cramped 3) You get into nasty habits: playing 3 string chords, omitting strings and letting the amp/effects play for you. A nylon strung acoustic guitar (a classic guitar) can be dirt cheap and easier to learn to play on. Once you get the old fingers going and are determined to keep it up then either go folky (a la Cat Stevens)and buy a steel strung Martin D28 acoustic (well, more bluegrass than folk but you get the idea) or rock out and buy an electric USA Fender Stratocaster Deluxe.