Where do I start if I want to play guitar?

Question:-I need a cheap guitar that would be good for a beginner. I'm a poor college student. What would be good?

I used to think I could never play an instrument because I failed to play the trumpet, but that was 6th grade, and I've always wanted to play guitar.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: -I need a cheap guitar that would be good for a beginner. I'm a poor college student. What would be good?

I used to think I could never play an instrument because I failed to play the trumpet, but that was 6th grade, and I've always wanted to play guitar.

First: you need an instrument--I don't know your price range or other resources.

Do you have any friends who are knowledgeable about guitars? If so, get them to help.

Cheapest: http://www.shopgoodwill.com Have your knowledgeable friend advise you on whether it's wise to bid on any of their instruments; you ought to be able to find a real deal on a good instrument.

Next: pawn shops. Take your friend along so she/he can check out the instrument and ensure it's not hiding defects that will emerge later to harsh your mellow. More expensive than shopgoodwill.com, but less risky. Also include ebay in this category, if you get an instrument from there that has a warranty.

Next: music stores that sell used instruments.

When you buy your guitar, if you are in a store and you can check out the instruments, go for one that feels right in your hands. If there are more than one that feel good, then have your friend or a sales clerk play each one while you avert your eyes--the one that sounds best with your eyes closed is the one you want.

As a rank beginner, I urge strongly that you get lessons. Sure, you can start by following chord diagrams in books or cds or dvds or websites--but if you don't learn to hold your wrists and fingers correctly, you may develop bad habits, which later will slow your progress and maybe even lead to nerve and muscle damage. A teacher can notice bad wrist and finger position and correct it when a beginner wouldn't.

After about a dozen lessons, you should have basic technique down right and then you can learn from print and electronic media.

If your college has a music department that offers a guitar major, advertise for a teacher there. Student guitar majors often work cheaper than the tutors in music stores.

its best to start with an acoustic. get a used acoustic guitar.

buy 6 rubber bands and make one out of a tissue box.... its easy. JP uhhhh id say first act thats as cheap as it gets unless you wanna go to china

Guitar Hero!!!!!!

Well - you buy a guitar. That or Guitar Hero.

You can usually get a pretty decent, fairly inexpensive Washburn acoustic. (Or a Gibson Epiphone.)
I'd start with something in the 150-200 dollar range (acoustic) and go from there.

Good luck and hope you stick with it.

Get a used Guitar most Guitar vender's a used or damaged Guitar section on there web sight you just have to look for it. Also Epiphone is a good cheep brand.

Also there are a lot of things to look for. I would ask on yahoo answers what parts of the Guitar to look at and how to know its a good one. I took a class and we where told but I forgot.

buy that guitar and lessons off QVC. it is the esteban series. a lot of guitarists are learning from those videos.
panic at the disco even has a song dedicated to him. it is called "thank god for esteban".

Considering your situation. Buy a used acoustic guitar $20-50. Chord Book $5. The look on your face having this two thing and wonder which string is which, priceless. Opsss, sorry can't resist.
You can learn guitar online. Seriously dude, the first four chord you should learn is C, Am, F & G. Trust me, you can start playing oldie song like Dream etc.
The first string on top is E. If you touch your right palm slowly near the end and you just strum the string by itself, you are 'The Long Lost Death Metal Guru'.

Vintage seem to make good ones at a sensible price. Go to your local guitar shop, preferably with a knowledgeable friend and see what's in your price range.Second hand should be fine. Get your friend or the assistant to play a few for you and see if you like the sound. You will need as well a case, a tuner, a plectrum and a book of chords. Be aware that your left hand fingers will hurt at first, but it does wear off with practice. Choose 2 or 3 chords, like A D E. Start with A Practise that until you can play it well. Then try D and do the same thing. Then try changing between them. When you can do that, add E . With those 3 chords you can play stacks of stuff . Johnny B Goode, Hound Dog, Peggy Sue etc. Then add G and you have 2 keys- A D E and D G A. This should start you off at least. Hope it helps.