Guitar lessons in San Diego?

Question:I need suggestions on where a beginner can go to get beginners instruction on a guitar. I don't really know enough to say what kind of guitar I want to play, I just know that I want to learn. Anyone in SD know of a good store, company, private tutor, etc; that I can consult with?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I need suggestions on where a beginner can go to get beginners instruction on a guitar. I don't really know enough to say what kind of guitar I want to play, I just know that I want to learn. Anyone in SD know of a good store, company, private tutor, etc; that I can consult with?

First--most beginners start on a steel-string acoustic guitar. If you are more interested in classical, you might want to start on a classical guitar, which uses nylon strings.

To find a teacher, the cheapest good option is to put a note up on a bulletin board at a local college music department advertising for lessons from a guitar major. Those students will work for cheaper and they are up on the latest pedagogy.

If that doesn't work, ask that music deparment for a referral--or if they don't know anyone (in which case, what a lame music deparment they must be!) then go to the best full-service music store in town, the one that sells orchestral and band instruments as well as the rock-n-roll gear. Or, phone the office of your local musicians' union.

When it's time to shop for a guitar, go to either that full-service music store or to one of the national chains (Sam Ash, Guitar Center, etc.) and try out all of the models that are in your price range (include used and scratch-n-dent instruments if they're warrantied--you can get better gear for the buck that way). What you are looking for is feel: does the neck nestle comfy in the left hand, all strings within reach of the fingertips? Does the right arm drape comfortably over the body, fingers brushing strings near the sound-hole?

When you have several feels-good finalists, have someone (even a sales clerk) play the same tunes on each while you turn your back. The one that sounds best then is the one you want. Buy THAT SPECIFIC guitar, do not take a "new in box from the stockroom" instrument, variations in wood grain and manufacture will cause two guitars of the same model to sound different.

And one other plan: as a beginner, many short practices are better than one long one. Aim for 4-6 sessions of no more than 10 minutes at a time in your first week. In week 2, extend the times by a couple of minutes. Keep extending times weekly until you've got one session up to half-an-hour or so, then one by one drop the shorter practices. Eventually you get up to an hour at a time. This plan makes you better faster, and it also builds stamina with less risk of injury.

BTW - For the 1st "answerer" if you don't have any feedback, don't answer. I ask here because the yellow pages just gives you phone numbers. Here you get meaningful feedback...expect from you.

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