I want to learn guitar can you help me?

Question:I want to be able to play basic songs. I work in activities in a nursing home. I would like to be able to play basic songs for sing a longs. What type of guitar shoud I get and is there a good video or web site for learning? I am so crammed, I couldnt take lessons til like 11 at night so learning on my own is a better option. I can play the piano, flute, and trombone so I know some stuff about music already. Thanks in advance for the help!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I want to be able to play basic songs. I work in activities in a nursing home. I would like to be able to play basic songs for sing a longs. What type of guitar shoud I get and is there a good video or web site for learning? I am so crammed, I couldnt take lessons til like 11 at night so learning on my own is a better option. I can play the piano, flute, and trombone so I know some stuff about music already. Thanks in advance for the help!

Guitar wise your best bet would be an a steel stringed accoustic guitar. Steel strings are somewhat harsher on the fingers initially but the instrument has a more suitable sound for the environment you'll be working in. Phosphor Bronze/Gut strings (classical guitars) have less 'ring' to the strings. You cannot use steel strings on a gut stringed guitar as the extra tension in the strings will warp the nech at a minimum and snap it in many cases.

I won't recommend brands as the choice is largely influenced by budget. Quality brands include Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Martin etc though many of those will probably be way too expensive for your likes. The best way is to head to a guitar center or other retailer near you and try out a few instruments.

Since you have exposure to other instruments no doubt you'll know your scales and basic theory at least. The hardest piece for you will be fingering the instrument (ftetboard) in a correct manner. This is were lessons really do have an advantage, to stop you from picking up poor fingering technique. Since lessons are out due to time constraints the best bet would be a couple of "learn to play" books (eg Mel Bay series) which have excellent sections on correct playing techniques. As for video's online, most are crap to be honest, you may find it better to outlay a few bucks on a professionally produced DVD from a music shop. They should be abel to advise you as to the best current titles.

I hope no one is reading this(at least anyone I know) but! there's this dude Estaban on the home shopping network(or you can type in Esteban in that search box thingie) that has an instructional video(worth way more than the guitar!) in his package deal.($199) guitars playable but not great. strap was too short,extra strings junk. cord chart invaluable. the videos however quite good,guess this guy learned from the masters and was suppose to be the next, but got took out by a drunk driver thought he'd never play again. selling guitars now,sad but true!

I have posted answers to several similar questions that I have participated in. You should find anything you need there, but if you come up with other questions, don't be afraid to give me a shout. My door is open and I'll leave the porch light on for you.