This week’s question is as follows:
Question: I really like guitars mainly bass i was wondering would it be hard for someone without any guitar knowledge to learn?
Answer: The bass guitar can be the easiest to play. You would have to take the "Less Is More" approach and only hit the bass note of every chord that the band is playing.
It would help to learn simple "finger-style" playing on the regular guitar and to do finger-picking of songs on the regular guitar before learning to play bass. By doing this, you will learn a lot more faster of where notes are on the fretboard which will help you when learning to play bass guitar.
If you learn bass, you will need to learn to mute the bass strings while playing the bass at the same time.
The bass can be the easiest to learn how to play OR it can be the hardest to learn how to play. It all depends on the type of musical approach, technical playing method, and the type of music genres you want to play.
Example: Traditional Country Music: You need to take "Less Is More" approach in terms of playing relatively simple bass lines like playing the root note and fifth note of each chord in alternation while being in a support / rhythm role within the band.
Example: Funk Music: Songs can be centered on the bass line. The bassline is usually very prominent in the mix.
This week’s question is a good one. Let’s have a look:
Question: My mom has this old acoustic guitar that she inherited from her dad, but doesnt actually know how to play it. She doesnt really want to either, so she said I could have it. Other than getting lessons, what do you think is the quickest and easiest way to learn how to play? Are any of those books like "guitars for dummies" good? Videos? Ive always wanted to play, and now i have the opportunity to, and to learn. Please help! Thanks in advance. 
Answer: youtube. TONS of videos.
i would recommend a guy who has alot of videos names Marty Schwarts. i bet 75% of people who have tried to learn any bit of guitar from youtube videos have seen him. he is a great teacher. teaches blues.
but look up how to play country or blues. i guess thats what you play on acoustic mainly? ive only owned electric. (only seven months) about to buy another for guitar centers 4th of july weekend sale.
but just look up stuff like "beginner guitar songs" "how to play ’song’ on guitar/ acoustic guitar" "how to play blues/country/whatever for beginners"
but you are going to want to start with looking up how to play some chords stuff.
techniques you might want to look up are "travis picking" "chicken pickin"( i dont know what that is) and some scales. everyone knows the pentatonic.
and for reference, a lick is a little group of notes that sound cool in a solo or improv. licks arent really more than like 5-6 notes. combine a bunch to make a solo.
riffs are some chords that sound good together like in the song iron man. the chords playin in tha background makes up a riff.
good luck.
Keep the learn guitar questions coming! I liked this one:
Question: It seems like a lot of people do this, hence all the guitars for sale on craigslist.
Answer: actually, I have never picked up a guitar wxcept fror once, and I played Mary had a Little Lamb… very suckishly. So, Ill just stick with my first instrument.
This week’s question is a good one. Let’s have a look:
Question: I want to learn how to play the electric keyboard and electric guitar, but I don’t know if I have to learn how to play the acoustic guitar and normal piano first, which I would prefer not to learn. Somebody please help
From the answers I have gotten, how would I be able to judge playing on a piano when I am ready to start the keyboard?
Answer: For a piano yes. But electric guitars are really different from acoustic ones. You would have to learn it separately
This week’s question is a good one. Let’s have a look:
Question: I still need to buy the guitar. I dont know where to buy a good guitar from! My mom kind of dissapproves of me playing it, so i need a really cheap one. Then when she gets used to it ill get a more expensive one. I am 14 am I too old to learn now? I dont know the difference between acoustic,classical and others? Are walmart guitars cheap?? I want to learn so bad, I love it! Help??:) Thank You!
Answer: Guitars found at Walmart or Target are only good for planters or to decorate a wall. At best, they could serve as toys for infants. They are cheap for a real reason: they have no value to a serious guitarist.
Your best option is to visit a music store and see if they have some used guitars for sale. I recommend you start out on a plain acoustic steel-string flat top guitar. If you can develop the needful calluses through daily practice, and develop some expertise within two years, then you might opt for an electric guitar and amplifier with all the bells and whistles. Right now you don’t need to be distracted by the special effects of an amplifier so get an acoustic flat top.
You’re not too old at age 14 to learn how to play guitar. But you must be dedicated and motivated to learn once you get your first guitar. Your fingertips will hurt until the calluses develop. Can you ignore temporary pain? If so, then you could learn how to play the guitar.
This week’s question is a good one. Let’s have a look:
Question: im 11 i have an acoustic guitar that i never played ever i have no experience with guitars i get frustrated easily and i want online guitar lessons and/or theory is there and online for free
Answer: Every top professional including athlete, actor and musician uses a coach or teacher.
Many of these teachers and coaches are in the background, never receiving the recognition of the public.
This gives the misconception that we can become a great athlete, actor or musician entirely free and on our own.
Adding to this are those with huge egos that claim to have achieved greatness all by their selves.
Find lessons or classes and work with other live face to face musicians.
It is extremely easy to get frustrated when you have no one to turn to when you do not understand something.
This week’s question is as follows:
Question: Our son is almost seven years old and is asking to take guitar lessons. He has loved guitars since he was three years old — he has a $30 kids’ acoustic guitar.
He loves electric guitar music and has asked to start lessons. My husband and I are assuming that kids should begin with acoustic guitar lessons and move to electric guitar later. Is that so?
Also, I wondered if, because of his young age (7), it might be smarter to start him on an instrument that is easier, so he can feel like he’s progressing. Is a ukelele a good choice?
My husband played trumpet from middle school through college. I play CDs… 
Any sound advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Answer: I have been teaching for many years. I have students that start as young as 7. Start on the acoustic and eventually he can go to an electric. (they are essentially the exact same instrument) Do not worry about difficulty. At that age they are like a sponge and will "soak up" all of the pertinent information.
The ukulele is not the same instrument. The tuning is different and the chord shapes are different. Unless he expresses an interest in it, you should stick with the guitar. Be sure to find a good local instructor who has some experience with kids this young.
The sooner you start, the sooner he will start experiencing the many advantages that music lessons offer children. It has been well documented that children who are exposed to a structured music lesson format do much better in math, reading, language skills, spatial and tactile coordination, and many other aspects of higher learning. He obviously has the desire and I encourage you to nurture that as much as possible.
In this day and age when music and extracurricular activities in schools are being cut left and right, and Game boy and Play station are quickly replacing them, you definitely owe it to yourselves and to your son to help him develop a lifelong love for music and the arts.
Good luck to you.
A tough learn guitar question this week. Let’s dive straight in
Question: I am 17 and I want to know stuff like the construction of guitars, how to repair faulty switches. stuff like that. Do I need to be a hell of a guitarist to be able to learn those stuff as I’m not much of a good player. Where can I get a teacher that can help me with this and how much does it cost ?
Answer: You don’t even need to know how to play guitar to fix them, but it will help lol
Check collages to see if there any courses, ask local shops to see if they will teach you
There some great books on the internet that will get you started
Well here’s a question I just had to answering straight away:
Question: I take a weekly guitar lesson and I want to know some ways I can make my teacher laugh. Can yu tell me some random statments and jokes about guitars and playing shows? Thanks
Answer: Wait for him to say that something is in D Minor, then say "…the saddest of all keys"
Or any other Spinal Tap references
We’ve had a reader question come in on the subject of learn guitar. Let’s take a look:
Question: Can play piano and the only thing I know about guitars are the string across are egbdf. How long if would it take appox to learn basics for example. (Acoustic)
Answer: Its all down to commitment ….get some Tabs to download … it will help ..Your fingers will be very sore from the "Fret Work" good luck mate. ( Rock on )
