Guitar Tips, Music Tips and Product Reviews

During the mid to late '90s my music taste was all about "indie" rock n roll. My favourite band was Oasis to whom I listened almost every day and studied the lyrics in great detail. I was also a big fan of other indie bands like The Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics, Travis and Supergrass.

Then someone lent me two albums: The Bends and OK Computer by Radiohead. I was immediately impressed, especially with Fade Out on The Bends and Paranoid Android on OK Computer. I bought these two albums and listened to them for a couple of years, and it was only when I heard them playing live did I hear Creep.

When I bought Pablo Honey and started (as I always did with new CDs) reading the lyrics I noticed that Creep was actually the first song Radiohead had written. I was surprised mainly because I thought it was so good that only a truly experienced band could have written it.

Creep impressed me so much that I did what I do only with bands and songs that I think are really great - I did some research on it. From what I can find out the lead songer Thom Yorke wrote the song about a fellow student who came and watched one of Radiohead's shows while the band were still at Exeter uni. In fact, Radiohead's guitarist has quoted as saying that Thom started following this poor girl around campus, and it's this that prompted him to write the song.

Creep, and possibly Radiohead, only became successful because it became very popular in the Unite States. A radio station in San Francisco heard it and started playing it, and it then spread to other stations and MTV. After the success in the states Radiohead re-released the song and it reached No 7 over here in the UK.

The trouble with Creep was that Radiohead ended up disliking it during the mid to late ninties. They played it less and less in their live shows and according to wikipedia they didn't play it once between 1998 and 2001. It has, thankfully, started to be played again!

This guitar column is aimed to help you learn the basic posture when playing guitar. Posture is one of the most neglected problems with beginners and if properly addressed can make a huge difference in their playing.

Playing with a good posture can help the pupil avoid stress and play more easily but also helps prevent injuries such as "Tennis Elbow", "Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Carpel Tunnel Syndrome" or in worst cases "Tendinitis". I have met a few guitar players over the years that had to stop playing for these same reasons.

The movements required to play are unnatural, and when you are starting to learn acoustic guitar you will put your body under a great deal of stress. Pressing strings, picking or strumming at the same time with the beat require a certain amount of dexterity and commitment and it's not natural. If you hear otherwise it's probably from those "special" players that where born with calluses on their fingers and are generally so good already that don't need to practice.

Unfortunately I had to work hard to became a professional and I wasn't part of that "elite", that's why I can relate to these of us that are starting out and are finding it difficult to learn acoustic. Don't worry guys you are not the only one that had a tough time at the beginning and be assured that it can be done - learning guitar is an on going process.

There are a few ways to hold a guitar and the bottom line is that it must feel natural without any form of struggle whatsoever. It's like holding a lover, you don't want to be rough. It's a good idea would be to do some warming up and stretching exercises before you start your practice session as well.

Many modern acoustic guitar players rest the guitar on the right leg while the classical technique of resting the guitar on the inner part of your left leg is still used. You might wanna try them out and see which one works best for you. Remember to keep the wrist of the fretting hand as straight as possible to prevent the risk of a trapped nerve.

Often you will see footage of rock players with guitars strapped so low that in order for the fingers to make contact with the frets the wrist is at a right angle, no need to say this is extremely bad for the nerves in the forearm as well as the general circulation of blood.

If you wish to stand up with your guitar then its best that the guitar is in the exact same position on your body standing as it is when sitting down. Not only will this ensure that you play comfortably but it also allows you to play anything you can play sitting down (when you are practicing). Happens that you will learn a really complex lick then go to play it onstage only to find you can't, chances are this is because your guitar is in a different spot on your body and therefore your hands don't actually know how to play in this position.

Lastly make sure your strumming hand is relaxed when playing and that makes mechanical movements.

Learning guitar is often referred to as yoga for the fingers, as they learn to stretch and even grow a little differently. The key to learning guitar is practice and if done the right way, it sure can be a whole lot of fun! Learning guitar soon becomes a wonderful experience once you can play numerous songs. Learning guitar is fun, develops confidence, coordination, an understanding of music, and develops a life long skill.

The first type of guitar is the Spanish or Classical acoustic. It is of great importance to choose the right one for you especially if you are just a beginner. At the beginning, music instructors recommended a nylon string classical guitar for you due to the fact that they are easier for your fingers as you try to adjust with it. This is a good choice and might be the best guitar for a beginner like you. You must be aware also that this guitar is appropriate for classical and Spanish type of music.

The next one is the Steel String Acoustic guitar. It has fundamentally the same design as the one mentioned earlier which is the classical guitar. The only difference is that the strings are made from steel for a clearer sound and a louder too but it will make your fingers a little pain at the beginning because the strings are a little bit harder than the nylon strings. But as soon as you get used to it, the soreness will eventually disappear but will leave your fingers a slight hardened part to the area where it gets contact with the string.

Learning guitar is easy; all it takes is practice and passion to learn. And that only happens with the right mind-set, there's no mystery behind it! Learning guitar is more than just knowing how to play your guitar, but about how to play any guitar; acoustic and electric. Learning how to play guitar is more than just strumming chords. Try rhythm and lead, and learn how to play chords, riffs and solos. You'll discover how different guitars have different 'feels' and how your playing can benefit from it.

The last type is an Electric Guitar. If you like rock music, this is the one that is best for you. They have also steel strings and could be painful on your fingers at the beginning. They have gap between strings and fret board knows as, "the action". You will notice that the strings are closer to the fret board that is the reason why it is easier to press the strings down.

Be sure that you know the tips on how to take care of your electric guitar. You must be able to keep it safe and free from any damage. Electric guitar is more flexible just as long as you continue working on your skills. If you like to play solos, electric guitar is the best with the help of the different amps available in the market.

You could be able to learn really quickly if you really focus and really determined to learn. Be patient in learning them. If you already know the basics of electric guitar, the following complicated steps become much simpler for you to understand.

Picking up an instrument for the first time can be a daunting experience, however it is also very rewarding. If you have never played an instrument before it is never too late to start. One instrument that you should think of learning is the guitar. The acoustic guitar is easy to learn and you will be the hero at parties with impromptu sing-a-longs. When considering what type of acoustic guitar to buy it is worth looking at a used one. A used acoustic guitar will be a lot cheaper than a new one but will also sound better as it has worn in and will have a mature sound. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Pay attention to the body for damage and scratches.

The most important thing to do is check that the guitar has no major problems, you want a guitar that is well used, not well worn.

3. Ask the seller questions

How long has the person owned the guitar? What is the history of the guitar? Have there been any major damages or repairs? An honest seller should inform you about any problems that may go undetected upon physical examination.

3. Try it

If you are able to you should try playing the guitar. It is the best way to find a guitar which is perfect for you. If the strings are missing or broken, buy some and set it up properly.

4. Make Comparisons

A guitar is a big investment, shop around before choosing the one you want. The best way to look is at guitar shops or on line sites such as eBay. Forums are another good place to learn about different guitar traits. A friend may also be able to give you advice.

When you finally decide to buy yourself a acoustic guitar the best investment can be a well used and cared for model. Sites such as eBay sell models from Takamine, Gibson, Martin and Taylor at low prices. When you have decided on the guitar you want make sure the seller has good feedback and is honorable.

Youngsters usually are especially interested in trying to play the guitar at a certain age. The good thing is they might carry on playing well into their adult years, so long as you provide them with ample support plus the correct equipment to further improve their particular abilities. Selecting a guitar can be a fairly simple, yet tricky process. Don't immediately select the best looking 1 in the store. You ought to consider the tune, design and style and most of all, the sound.

The Beginner's Package

A great deal of shops in fact offer you beginner packages which can be quite inexpensive, provide good sound and will be durable. The actual package ordinarily includes a free case, guitar strap, tuner and a guitar chord book. In addition there are excellent brand names from which to choose. The cost will vary with respect to the level and capabilities of the actual guitar. Beginners can focus on simple designs. You might notice that the strings are harder than usual, hence these should be broken in. In about 2 weeks, the strings should be easier to handle.

Permit your child to pick the actual style of his or her choice. Even popular brand names have beginner-type guitars that appear in all shapes, sizes as well as colours. The size must be right for the child as well. A few designs are usually slightly small compared to the average to be able to cater to very young kids. You can also find models that already have a built-in amp or mic out.

Different Types Of Guitars

There are so many types of guitars and so allow your child to tell you what kind of music he or she is specifically interested in. Play a few guitar tunes in your radio and let your son or daughter determine the type that suits her or his personality and also interest. Traditional acoustic guitars are usually hollow-bodied instruments. Most are unamplified by style, however you can easily add electronics to be able to send the signal to a amplifier. You are able to play an acoustic guitar without the need to amplify the actual signal. A electric guitar will sound twangy and thin unless you amplify the signal.

The Acoustic Guitars

In the event that your kid has an interest in traditional acoustic guitars, make sure you categorize these as well for easy selection. Classical guitars are also known as nylon stringed guitars. They're excellent for Flamenco, ballad as well as classical playing. The guitars generally have a very warm and full sound for chord plucking, nail strumming and also arpeggios. The necks of classical guitars are usually wider, therefore these could be very challenging for young children.

Acoustic steel stringed guitars can have 6 strings as well as 12 strings. This particular type has a range of sound from folk and brassy to full. The quality of the guitar, kind of wood used as well as shape will certainly determine the actual position of the guitar along the spectrum. Numerous acoustic steel stringed guitars also feature electronics on board to enhance the actual signal for gigging and recording.

Further Guitar Options

Traditional acoustic bass guitars are regarded as warm, mellow and also full. They have wide bodies and they are ordinarily played to accompany jazz, ballads and also fusion music. A working bassist may have an acoustic bass guitar as a supplementary guitar for a number of songs.

Electric guitars have semi hollow or solid bodies. These provide a warm as well as complete tone when compared to solid body models. Electric guitars usually need an amplifier to create sound better. A number of the widely used styles of playing electric guitars include licking, hooking as well as ripping.

Electric bass guitars provide a certain beat as well as rhythm to genres such as tech-no, rap, hip hop, rock along with funk. The bass guitar may be slapped, picked as well as plucked and provide really low notes that tend to vibrate. Children might be particularly interested to this instrument.

More Facts To Consider

Be certain to determine your finances and decide the amount of money you are able to shell out for any guitar. Beginners could quite possibly work well with borrowed or even old types, hence you are able to also have a look at garage sales or even the web for used guitars. They are considerably cheaper and you might possibly be lucky to discover a great type at a very affordable price.

As well take into account the age of your child. In case your child is too young to play, you possibly can invest in him or her a less expensive kind to practice upon. As soon as your child gets better, it is possible to upgrade by simply investing in a better model. You'll be able to continue upgrading the guitar about Three or four times total, so you don't waste money getting high priced guitars that may never end up being used more than twice.