[ Closed ] Musicians Input Needed! (Page 1 of 2)

Learning on acoustic will make him learn to play cleaner because there's no distortion or volume to hide behind, but let's face it, there are some things you can do with an electric that is so cool that is impossible to do with an acoustic (taking advantage of long sustained bends and whatnot).

I very much disagree. I believe what ever inspired your son to play guitar is the instrument you should purchase. If you start your son on an acoustic and he is inspired to play an electric, you will be selling the acoustic within a month. They are two complete different instruments. It is like learning to ride a bicycle. The sooner your son can play a song or something that excites him musically the better. It is much easier and faster to learn on a electric guitar than an acoustic, plus it is alot more fun. Playing the instrument clean is technique and is taught by a teacher, it has nothing to do with the instrument being an electric or acoustic. Remember, when the kids are learning, it should be fun and inspiring, not painful and discouraging. Most low end to intermediate acoustic guitars play horrible and that is enough to discourage an experienced player let alone a youngster whose finger muscles are not developed. Let them have fun with the instrument and they will play for a long time. How do I know this ? I started Joe Bonamassa out on electric guitar and he hasn't looked back ! I hope this helps you. Thanks, Len Bonamassa

photogal-I am not a guitar player, but I have witnessed many kids around your son's age be sooooooooooo discouraged by attempting an acoustic first.  We have a couple extra electric guitars that were starters for my kids, so we loan them out to defeated acoustic players.  My hubby has turned around many a discouraged kid from the acoustic vantage point by showing them how to play an electric guitar.  A kid has to be excited to practice and when they are frustrated, they loose interest fast.  My boys both learned on an electric guitar first.  I'm assuming your son already knows how to read music. Personally, I also recommend, don't go the MELBAY route. (Lots of teachers like those books-kids take forever to advance, it's not meant for everyone when it comes to guitar!) 

I'm wondering what others think about this-Should a child this age jump in and learn tab or learn to read music?

Hard to argue with that logic!

Very well said, Len (and by the way, you did an excellent service to the world by starting Joe on an electric... Just imagine where this world would be if none of us had ever heard of Joe.)

Also, about the tab/ reading music thing... It is definetly better to learn songs by just figuring them out with your ear.  However, when a new guitarist is just starting out, you need something to teach them what the notes are and what they sound like.  Get him lessons and let the teacher show him the guitar and everything about it, but encourage him to start figuring songs out by ear- it will help immensely in their future development as a guitar player.

Scott

I totally agree with Joe B's daddy. I am not able to advise on drums, but I strongly suggest getting an electric guitar if that is what he is interested in. Considering his age, you might want to look at a MIM Fender Telecaster (made in mexico). The neck is a little narrower than the Strat and the quality is pretty good for a very reasonable price. Those list at around $347, but I bought one (wine red!) for $280 and love it.

Amp wise, I like the Fender G-DEC, which is a good practice amp that also provides a backing band. Not a gigging unit, but decent none the less. Those run about $270 new. As an alternative you might look at a Roland Cube. There are several different models including a battery powered unit. The Roland Cube 15 is $95 on Musicians Friend online.

You might want to check out something like this on Musicians Friend:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ … sku=518677

Nice setup for $199.

Whatever you do make sure he is having fun!

One more thought. If he likes blues/rock you could check out the instructional book called Blues You Can Use. It is pretty basic and is well written and gets you playing pretty quick. There is also a web page and the author is very responsive to questions etc.. IMHO.

For newer fans and itune downloaders that don't have the liner notes, Dad Len is a guest guitarist on "Trouble Waiting"-always thought that was cool!

Does anyone know what acoustic Joe is holding on the Blues Revue cover? I'm limited to headstock identification-vintage Martin possibly?

As a guitar instructor for almost 10 years, I can say that I strongly encourage my students to learn on the type of instrument that inspired them to play in the first place.  As far as brands go, for my beginner electric students, I recommend an electric guitar called "Reynolds", found at a local store, Music-Go-Round--I think they are a chain store.  You can usually pick them up for under $120.  They are light-weight strat-body guitars that are inexpensive and they stay in tune nicely.  You will probably find name brand guitars like Fender or Ibanez that put out beginner models and guitar/amp packages, but in my opinion, the beginner models offered by namebrands are just not that great of quality and usually don't stay in tune, which can be very frusterating to a beginner.  I personally play American Fender Stratocasters--so I DO like namebrand guitars--but they can get costly.

If a student continues to play guitar and advance after a year or so, I recommend trading up or spending the money on a nicer guitar--it's great incentive, and their parents are not out a ton of money up front if the child decides guitar isn't for them.  Plus, when a student starts out, they may not know what type of body, neck or pickups they prefer on a guitar until they've been playing awhile.  This way they can pick out a guitar for their style of playing and the guitar's sound and playability--not just 'cause it looks cool.

I also recommend that you find a teacher that teaches a combination of standard notation (reading music) and tablature.  In my opinion they are both important.  Tablature is great for getting students playing what they like now, but I believe that reading music has great benefits long term.  I also teach my students dexterity exercises, practicing with metronome (drummer in a box), playing by ear and theory--only if they inquire or need it for Jazz band band in school. 

I hope this helps.  Good luck.