Video Question: expensive guitars..?

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Date: April 1st, 2008 | Length: 2.44 | Instructor: Mark Lincoln

Teewii asks, "hi there! im a beginner guitarist, and i bought an electric guitar from a friend for about 220$(including amp, so it was kinda cheap) even i can see that its not the best guitar in the world, but i guess its more than great for a beginner. but anyway ive been looking around the net at sites where they sell guitars, and i see many that are sold for more than 2000$ (some even more expensive). i was thinking, as i get better, i will get a new guitar, and in that case i was wondering; is there a lot of difference between expensive and "cheaper" guitars? what is different? is it just the sound? and what makes a guitar worth paying 2000$ for? please explain what a good guitar is. hope somebody can answer me. btw, this site is so great =) thanks." Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

Other Video Responses:

Chord Songbook - April 11th, 2008 (3 minutes, 29 seconds)

Mogs asks, "Hi wonder if you can help please. I've only been playing guitar for a few months and still mastering the basic chords. Somtimes this gets a little boring so I try learn a popular song to add a little fun to my practice sessions. The problem I have is how to read chord songbooks. For example I have a Johnny Cash Song 'Ballad of A Teenage Queen' the intro is written in the book as: CAPO 1ST FRET [A] Dream on, Dream on, [D] teenage [A] queen [D] Prettiest [A] girl we've [E] ever [A] seen. I understand the capo part and have it set up correctly. My question is how many times do I strum the chords ? Looking at the above is it, (A) on 'dream' only or (A) on 'dream' and 'on'. I kind of get it if theres only one word after the chord but when theres two or three I'm not sure wether I strum on each word even though it doesnt show the chord before each word. Hope this is not a silly question, but would really appreciate your advice. Thanks Mogs PS. The site is fantastic, its given me so much motivation to keep on with the practice sessions." View Response

Modes - July 9th, 2008 (1 minutes, 12 seconds)

john873 asks, "Lets say we are improvising in the key of G Dorian, I want to begin moving down the fretboard to get some higher notes. When i move up to the A Phrygian position do i continue to use G as my root note; or instead, do i switch to A?" View Response

Bluegrass and Chords - April 26th, 2007 (1 minutes, 30 seconds)

Jebo asks: "I was wondering how you can take a chord, just a regular sounding one, and give it a "bluegrassy" feel. I am trying to play tab from bluegrass songs but it doesn't sound like Bluegrass at all." View Response

No Tone - March 24th, 2008 (1 minutes, 90 seconds)

Customs123 asks, "Hello gents, I recently purchased a new guitar and can't seem to get any tone after the tenth fret. It sounds as though I'm hitting a snare drum. I'm going to take it to the local guitar tech and see what he says, but also looking for your advice. Thanks, barry Mac" View Response

Online Guitar Lesson Help - July 23rd, 2007 (2 minutes, 52 seconds)

Sista Vee says: "I am not sure I understand how to start participating in lessons. I am unable to get the teaching videos to show. Still, from what I have been able to get into I have already answered by most pressing reason for joining here with Steve's instruction in strumming. I have gotten stuck strumming all of my songs with the same pattern and now I have a sure understanding of strumming and already hear remarkable differences in my playing in days. How do I actually get to participate now that my fees are paid?" View Response