lesson summary
Lesson 1 of 11 in our Series: Introduction to Guitar
In this lesson, the first in the Kids and Guitar series, Steve Eulberg introduces the guitar and its many wonders.
Chapter 1: (07:22) Introduction to Guitar
Introduction Music
Steve Eulberg introduces you to the Kids and Guitar series with a song that most of you probably recognize. This song is called "Mary Had a Little Lamb." This is one of the first songs that you will learn on the guitar. This song has the same melody as "Twinkle, Twinkle," "The Alphabet Song," and "Baa! Baa! Black Sheep." This means that these songs are played with the same notes. However, they are sung with different words.
In this lesson, Steve will provide some very important advice concerning the process of choosing an appropriate guitar to begin learning with.
Choosing a Guitar
There are many important factors to consider when choosing an appropriate guitar. Follow Steve's time-tested advice to ensure that you choose the best guitar for your child.
A. Guitar Size
How Old (Big) Are You?
Guitars are available in full size, 3/4 size, and 1/2 size. Full size guitars are designed for most adults and teenagers. A full size guitar is generally the appropriate choice for someone that is 5’0" or taller.
3/4 size guitars are ideal for most children in the 4'0" to 5'0" height range. These guitars are generally less expensive. They are designed for student / entry level quality. They are not built to last like most full size guitars. 3/4 size guitars are generally built with less expensive wood and machinery.
1/2 size guitars are designed for very young children. These guitars are usually the ideal choice for most children under the age of 9. 1/2 size guitars are typically comparable in quality to 3/4 size guitars. They are not built to last. Typically these guitars last about two years before an irreparable or very costly problem arises.
B. Electric vs. Acoustic Guitars
The question that inevitably comes up when choosing a student’s first guitar is whether he or she should start on an acoustic or electric guitar. If there is currently a guitar available in the household, that is the guitar the student should start on. Playing an acoustic guitar involves the same skills and techniques as playing an electric guitar.
Cost is an important factor that plays into this decision. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the electric guitar, an entry level electric guitar and amplifier can be purchased for roughly the same price of an acoustic guitar that is comparable in quality. Consequently, it is usually best for a student to start on the instrument that he or she feels more inspired to play. For example, if a child has his/her heart set on playing electric guitar, it is usually for him/her to start with an electric. This will inspire the student to spend more time practicing and learning about the instrument.
C. Buying Cheap and Trading up Later
This approach definitely has its merits, but it definitely has several drawbacks as well. The bottom line is that some guitars are built so poorly that they are literally impossible to play. You must be absolutely sure that a guitar is in perfect working condition before buying it. This statement is true of guitars in every price range. If a guitar is not in working condition, practicing can be an extremely discouraging process. For example, if a guitar will not stay in tune, how do you expect to maintain a student's interest? On the other hand, students tend to practice much more when playing a nice guitar that is in perfect working condition. Here are some important things to look for when choosing a new guitar.
-Make sure a guitar is set-up properly before buying it. This includes proper adjustment of the truss rod, installation of fresh strings, etc.
-Make sure the strings aren't too high off the frets.
-Make sure the neck is perfectly straight. A guitar with a bowed neck is pretty much worthless. Check for any slight curvature in the neck. Most of the time, this problem cannot be corrected.
-Like Steve cautions, do not buy a guitar shaped object!!!! Ask a reliable friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc. that plays guitar or a JamPlay instructor if you have any questions concerning the quality of a guitar.
-If at all possible, have such a person play the guitar and look for any potential problems.
D. Additional Information
For more information about choosing the appropriate guitar for a beginning student, please check out lesson 13 from Steveæs general phase one series as well as Jim Deeming's second phase 1 lesson. The following information is taken from the "Lesson Information" section of these lessons.
From Steve Eulberg's Lesson 13: Different Guitars
Not sure what type of guitar you want to play? In this lesson Steve talks about 3 types of guitars. He provides some beautiful music and information regarding the instruments we all love.
A. Definition of Acoustic
An instrument that creates sound as a result of vibrations occurring within a resonating chamber. In reference to the acoustic guitar, the resonating chamber is called the "body."
B. Parts of the Steel String Guitar
1.Bridge - On a steel string acoustic, the bridge is a black, wooden piece that is glued to the top of the body. The strings mount to the guitar at the bridge. Strings are inserted into the bridge and held in place with pegs.
2. Saddle - Strings are elevated slightly above the bridge as they pass over the saddle. Quality saddles are typically made from bone or ivory.
3. Soundhole - The vibrations caused by plucking the strings enter the resonating body through the soundhole. This is why picking directly over the soundhole produces the loudest tone.
4. Body - The resonating chamber of the instrument.
a. Top
b. Sides
c. Back
5. Neck - the long, slender piece of wood that is jointed to the body with glue. A section is cut from the top of the neck to fit the fingerboard into place. The neck of a steel string acoustic tapers towards the nut.
6. Fingerboard - typically made from ebony or rosewood. Frets are glued into the fingerboard. The fingerboard joins the body at the 14th fret.
7. Tuners - The tuners on steel string acoustics point outwards, away from the headstock.
8. Truss Rod - a metal rod inserted into the neck of all steel string guitars. The strings exert tremendous tension on the neck. The tension of the strings pulls the neck towards the body. The truss rod prevents this from happening by applying force in the opposite directions. Occasionally, the truss rod must be adjusted to provide relief in certain areas of the neck.
C. Sound of a Steel String Acoustic
Most steel string acoustics have a bright tone. This is especially true when a steel string instrument is played with a pick. A steel string acoustic produces a much louder tone than a classical guitar.
Classical Guitar
A. Special Features of the Classical Guitar
Strings-Classical guitars are strung with either nylon or gut strings. Nylon consists of many polymers. Polymers have memory. If you tune your bass string down to a D, the string will gradually sharpen. The opposite is true if you tune your guitar sharp. The strings will go flat in order to return to their normal resting point. In order to give the polymers in a string new memory, the string must be stretched thoroughly.
Note: Stringing a classical guitar with a set of steel strings will significantly warp the neck. Tuners - Point backward similar to a banjo. The strings are wrapped around the tuning posts in the same direction regardless of which side of the headstock they are on.
Neck - Does not taper at all. The neck is slightly wider than the neck of a steel string.
Bridge-Strings are tied to the bridge in loops.
Fingerboard-The fingerboard meets the body at the 12th fret instead of the 14th.
Soundhole - The soundhole is surrounded by a decorative inlay called a "rosette." The rosette consists of tiny pieces of wood painstakingly inlaid into the wood of the body.
Pickguard - Pickguards are only found on Flamenco-style classical guitars. This protects the wood from damage caused by Flamenco techniques such as the rasgueado. Also, the pickguard is occasionally tapped by the right hand to achieve percussive effects.
B. Sound of the Classical Guitar
Classical guitars sound much more quiet and metal than their steel string counterparts. The tone also has more midrange, giving the guitar a darker sound. These differences in tone are attributed to the different types of strings. Steel is a much more dense material than nylon. This results in a louder, brighter tone from steel strings.
12 String Acoustic
A. Special Features of the 12 String Acoustic
Strings - The 12 string essentially takes each individual string on a normal 6 string acoustic and pairs it with another string. The extra string is the same pitch, but one octave higher. These pairings of strings are called "courses." Thus, the 12 string has 6 courses.
Tuning - The extra strings cause additional tension and strain on the neck. Consequently, the 12 string guitar is typically tuned down a full step in order to relieve some of this tension.
B. Sound of the 12 String Acoustic
The 12 string is typically described as having a very big sound. The extra octave of each string creates the effect of two guitarists playing an octave apart. As Steve explains, the additional strings also give the guitar a chorused sound. Guitarists rarely choose a 12 string as their primary instrument. Rather, they are typically used for effect in order to achieve a large, chorused acoustic tone.
From Jim Deeming Lesson 2: Choosing a Guitar
Acoustic Vs Electric
Around the early 60's it became a popular notion that every beginning guitar student should first learn on an acoustic. Parents with little or no musical experience spread this idea. Although the logic behind this argument is understandable, the argument bears little truth. This false argument gained popularity for several reasons. Starting a child on an acoustic guitar cuts out the expense of equipment such as an amplifier and a patch cable. However, since the electric guitar is far more popular than its acoustic counterpart, the price of a typical entry level electric is more affordable than the typical entry-level acoustic. In addition, many companies such as Fender sell a combination package that includes the guitar, amplifier, patch cable, and electronic tuner at a very affordable price. Many parents prefer to buy their child an acoustic because it is a quieter instrument. Parents in the 60's associated the sound of the electric guitar with the eardrum busting tones of Pete Townsend and Jimi Hendrix. These parents failed to realize that an electric guitar's volume level is controllable. Also, most practice amps are outfitted with a 1/4" headphone jack for silent practice. Finally, many parents believe that it is much easier to learn the basics on an acoustic guitar. This could not be farther from the truth. Due to lower tension and action of the strings, it is far easier to learn solid fundamental technique on an electric guitar.
There is only one good reason to choose an acoustic guitar for your child's first instrument. A child should start on an acoustic guitar ONLY if the music that he/she desires to play is primarily performed on an acoustic. If you are planning to buy your child his/her first guitar, work together with your child to conduct thorough research. As a result, you will both sleep soundly knowing the best possible selection was made.
Buying a guitar is a lot like buying a car. Regardless of whether it's the first or fifth car you've bought, you still have to do your homework. Before you hit the streets to find a new guitar, there are some necessary preliminary steps that must be taken.
1. First, you must determine a price range.
Roughly all guitars (with the exception of classical guitars) fall into three price range categories. However, price is not always an accurate indicator of quality.
A. $0-450: Beginner Quality
B. $450-950 Intermediate Quality
C. $950+ Professional Quality
2. Narrow the field.
You must form a general idea of the ideal instrument. Jim gives you some great tips to get this process started.
A. Observe Your Heroes
This is the single best piece of advice for anyone looking for a new ax. Whose guitar sound do you admire most? What guitar does he/she play? Do many of your favorite guitarist play the same guitar or a similar type of guitar? When choosing your first guitar, you most likely won't want to shell out the cash to get the same guitar your heroes play. However, it's a great idea to take some notes regarding the features that these guitars have. This way, you can look for a less expensive model that resembles the ideal sound you are looking for.
B. Set Some Preliminary Goals
Do you want to perform publicly or just play for your own personal enjoyment? This has a large bearing on which guitar you should eventually choose.
C. Don't Stress Out!
Choosing a guitar should be an enjoyable process. Regardless of your price range, there is a great guitar out there for you. For example, Matt Brown owns several professional quality guitars. He owns a PRS Custom, a Gibson Les Paul Standard, and a G&L ASAT Special. However, his no. 1 guitar is a beat up Mexican Strat he purchased for only $200. Keep in mind that the price tag is not always an accurate indicator of quality.
3. Where to Shop
Over the past few decades the retail industry has undergone some drastic changes. The retail music industry is no exception. Gigantic chain retail stores have replaced multiple small businesses across the globe. Although giant stores such as Guitar Center or Sam Ash sell equipment at lower prices, the customer receives less quality per dollar spent. Instruments at these stores are not cared for at all. Once an order is received into inventory guitars are simply taken out of their cases and thrown on the walls. From this point they are handled daily by numerous customers who typically have no interest in buying the instrument they are test-driving. As a result, guitars diminish in quality the longer they hang on Guitar Center's walls. Also, the sales representatives in these stores are rarely knowledgeable. Lastly, customer service and satisfaction is not a high priority, because the sheer volume of customers is simply unmanageable.
We recommend that you shop for your first instrument at a store that is not part of a large retail chain. Ask a respected professional in your area where he or she shops. For example, the Drinking Gourd Music Store in Dayton, Ohio is a long standing favorite among professionals living in the Midwest. When a guitar arrives at a store of this quality, professionals carefully inspect the guitar for any possible defects. A full professional set-up is then performed. Key issues such as the quality of fret installation are also addressed before the guitar is hung on the wall. From the moment a customer walks in the store, he or she receives excellent customer service throughout the entire sales process. This excellent service continues after the guitar has been purchased. The salespeople at these stores are often professional players themselves. Their superior knowledge of the instrument enables them to help each customer find the perfect guitar.
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