how hard is the guitar?

[hey_look_i_play]

okay so i've heard from a range of people on different occasions that the gutiar was very hard. And i've heard that its pretty easy to pick up on. Im wondering on what your output is on how hard is it to play the gutiar., Also which would be easier Acoustic (spell check sorry) or electric. im intested in playing both. But im wondering as to which would be best for someone with no experiance such as i . Also , is this


Ibanez IJV50 Jumpstart Acoustic Guitar
Includes:
V50 acoustic guitar
Electronic tuner
Acoustic guitar strap
Gig bag
Accessories pouch

all for $100
is that a good deal or not? Please asstiance needed! Thanks

[*Metra*]

It depends on how much you practice, you get out of it what you put in.

[standard]

I would honestly go for an electric to learn on.. But preference.

As Metra said, it's practice, and what you put in. However, if you have a knowledge of music, say you played the trumpet or piano in the past, it will be easier to learn and understand it.. But playing it will take practice.

[xhaereticusx]

Guitar is pretty easy to start.

[TheSpokenWheel]

learn on an acoustic, it'll make playing electric way easier. Its not that hard, just practice as much as you can, and get lessons if you can.

[ProfitOfDoom]

Yes,Well it depends what you you are playing,there are soem really easy stuff,then again some really hard stuff.But I would recomend getting one,everyone says start with an acoustic,"I agree it does make playign electric much easier once you got down some acoustic" But there just not as fun and it might not keep your interest,So my opinion is go electric.
Guitar is a great thing,I sit here just about everyday just try stuff,look up tabs,Its just fun.A pc and a guitar = hours of fun each day :)

[HoefNugz]

Starting on an acoustic is easier on the wallet so if u dont like it its not as big of a deal

[no compromise2]

I've been playing for a year and I've gotten a lot better. And I mean a lot better. Practice a lot I guess.

[Posted]

Guitar isnt easy.

It really depends on what you want to learn.

If you just want to know how to make simple chords and play some songs, sure its easy. But if you actually want to learn the instrument then its hard.

id suggest acoustic, then buy an electric maybe a year later if your really into it.

Acoustic is better for learning the basics and getting your hands nice and strong. also, you wont get carried away with all the effects that can "hide" your faults (or at least make you think that their hiding them) or trying to learn other techniques that you dont really need to know just yet, when you dont even know the simple basics. its better on the wallet, and better for you.

for me i got a yamaha, i honestly think they are one of the best "cheap" guitars that have really good sound. I got mine for about $140 back then and i still use it, ive had it for 4 years, and i still love the sound.
Id suggest trying all of them and see which has the best sound to you. Bring your parents as well, they may be able to aid you in which has a better sound, they usually have better ears for these things.

thats my 2 cents

[Alive]

It's pretty hard. I got 10000 point on extreme shredder level.

[Shadows Within]

it depends cause my friends been playing for about a year and a half and is only 14 (im 15) and he can play anything the only thing he actually needs to work on is sweep picking but other than that hes incredible for how long hes been playing.

[Esp Griffyn]

it depends cause my friends been playing for about a year and a half and is only 14 (im 15) and he can play anything the only thing he actually needs to work on is sweep picking but other than that hes incredible for how long hes been playing.

He can play anything :lol:

Sure.

[Kurrpt]

hehe


you reap what you sow


/thread

[bradc1988]

I reckon the first few months of guitar are the hardest. Trying to develop coordination, finger strength, chord changing, picking/stumming in time etc. proved to be a bitch. But after you push through that most of the songs out there are pretty easy.

But then you get to bands like Dream Theater, Racer X, Symphony X, Cacophony, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai etc and your hopes are shattered once again. :upset:. But hopefully in a few years I'll do the same as I did when getting through the beginner stuff, and look back on it and how crap I was.

Also I think you should get a cheap electric to start. You don't need an amp or anything but my advice is to get an electric as I started on an acoustic and developed a very bad technique. My main problem was using my pinky and when trying to play stuff high on the neck on an electric, I would play weird because of the way I learnt it on my acoustic. That's just my 2 cents

[Shadows Within]

He can play anything :lol:

Sure.
ok i might have gona over with but he can play alot i ave him a random dragonforce song and he learned the guitar part to it on 10min or i give him a nightwish song and he matches the keyboards to the vocals perfectly its pretty incredible i always tell him to "shut the **** up" everytime he starts showing off :p

[The Elf]

yeah start on an electric. if u get an acoutic, u will want an electric soon anyway. with not much practise, and just trying to play basic tabs u can do them without too much trouble. But then if u want to play satriani and vai like bradc said, its really hard (although possible after alot of work).

[Happy]

Guitar's gotta be one of the easiest instruments. Definately go for it.

[MysweetFracture]

Guitar's gotta be one of the easiest instruments. Definately go for it.


No easy instruments, just easy lines.

[Alive]

No easy instruments, just easy lines.

Easier than violin and most other stringed instruments.

[ingraman]

Guitar has a relatively steep learning curve compared to something like piano. But once you get over the initial difficulty (first month or so), you should be good to go.

And most definately go for electric. The strings are much softer and lower than that of an acoustic. Most (if not all) people who start on electric also learn faster than those who start on acoustic.

[maggot4875]

its going to be harder to pick up on guitar than others

[The Elf]

yeah theres kind of an initial difficulty, then u can play basic stuff, then a while down the line u want to play solos and stuff, and thats another difficulty (as u need to practise with metranomes and theory and stuff)

[Genxcide2424]

Compared to most other instruments, Guitar is pretty easy to learn the rudiments of. But achieving real technique requires tons of practice just like any other instrument.

Electrics are generally easier to play than acoustics. Though learning on a crappy acoustic will condition(read - hurt) your hands and fingertips, building up the muscles and callouses you need to play effectively, faster than playing an electric would.

[The LUE volta]

Guitar is very hard to get good at, you just have to be really commited to it and then it becomes very rewarding. You should be prepared to spend at least half an hour and ideally an hour a day practising if you want to get up to a good level.

also an acoustic would be better for starting as its cheaper and you get calluses much quicker (you also shred your fingertips too =P).

[desecritter]

EXTREMELY HARDi

[K3rry King]

Easy at the start hard when you get to solos. :(

[Kirk's Puppet]

Just get to Level 110+ and you'll be okay.

****ing power levelling crap!!

[Karim]

Not too hard actually...

Begin with a teacher if possible...if not, just practice a solid two hours a day.

Learn the chords, learn how to strum effectively.

When you get to the solos, you start with learning hammer-ons and pull-offs, then you move on to scales, then alternate-picking and so on.


Two years and you'll know most of the solos out there...except maybe all the Satriani, Vai, Yngwie things :D


-Karim

[Lydisk]

level 10 is the hardest.

[toxicmudd]

Guitar has a relatively steep learning curve compared to something like piano. But once you get over the initial difficulty (first month or so), you should be good to go.

And most definately go for electric. The strings are much softer and lower than that of an acoustic. Most (if not all) people who start on electric also learn faster than those who start on acoustic.

123
Also, if u buy an electric, u can keep it and start adding stuff to ur set up if u want to. With an acoustic what u got is what u have to put up with.
And headphones for when u start ;)

[Alive]

Most (if not all) people who start on electric also learn faster than those who start on acoustic.

So? The people who start on acoustics are going to find it so much easier to play an electric if they want to switch in the future.

[insaneguitardude]

Guitar's gotta be one of the easiest instruments. Definately go for it.



u must be a freakin poser, guitar is by far the hardest instrument out of the band instruments (drums, bass, guitar). u can get away with sayin "yea i play guitar" by just learning basics. if u ask people if they play guitar, alot will say yea, but half of them really really suck. they just say that to be cool. but guitar basics are easy. overall the guitar is way hard.

[Amit]

u must be a freakin poser, guitar is by far the hardest instrument out of the band instruments (drums, bass, guitar). u can get away with sayin "yea i play guitar" by just learning basics. if u ask people if they play guitar, alot will say yea, but half of them really really suck. they just say that to be cool. but guitar basics are easy. overall the guitar is way hard.

hahahah

Just get to Level 110+ and you'll be okay.

****ing power levelling crap!!

hahahahahahah

[screamo_rocks_101]

[QUOTE=
Ibanez IJV50 Jumpstart Acoustic Guitar
Includes:
V50 acoustic guitar
Electronic tuner
Acoustic guitar strap
Gig bag
Accessories pouch

all for $100
is that a good deal or not? Please asstiance needed! Thanks[/QUOTE]

I bought that exact package for my sister who was wanting to play. The guitar itself isnt all that bad. Decent to fairly good tone for the price. The accessories it comes with, such as the tuner, are not all that great. I would recommend that u buy a new tuner as soon as u get it. When i bought it, the carrying bag that it came with was way to small for it to fit in. And the tuners are not all that great. I mean they stay in tune, but they are VERY VERY tight. It made me uncomfortable when i was tuning because i was afraid i would break a string.

Overall i would give the package deal are very high 6 or very low 7 out of 10.

Plus, if you learn on acoustic first, you will build up super callisus' (as mentioned above) and it will make playing electric a breeze (to a certain extent).

Personally i would start with the acoustic, then get an electric.
As mentioned above, when u buy an acoustic, all u got is what is there, but with an electric, you can add to stuff. This may sound better, but its kinda a good and bad thing. Adding to an electric guitar can take alot of money to get it to sound good, depending on the guitar and amp ( which i must add arent cheap). Most effects pedals arent very cheap.

Bottom line is (to me at least) that if you dont have a lot of money to spend at one time, get an acoustic. If you do have alot of money, get an electric, but you have to buy all the equipment to go with it, unless you really want to be playing "clean" toned all day. But keep in mind, if you ever want to play and acoustic song and all you have is an electric, your out of luck, because it will sound horrible.

If after all of these posts are through, and u do decide to get an acoustic, try a Jasmine by takamine or yamaha, or even an ibanez (even the one you mentioned).

When i first started about 2 years ago, i bought a jasmine by takamine for about $120 and it has an unbelievably good tone for a cheap guitar. I would buy one again if i ever had a chance to.

[darrell]

Get an acoustic. If you never get to the point where you're playing with a band, but you'd like to play songs, you could also sing and play songs on an acoustic. You could do the same on electric, but I think acoustic has that better sound by itself.

Edit: I have an Ibanez AW series acoustic. Unfortunately my dad threw a phone at it and put a big chip in the finish and a 2" crack coming from the bridge down to the base of the guitar. I'm very happy with this one though, as it was a LOT better than my previous Fender DG-16 (maybe 14). I'm left handed, so there's not many options...

Unless I get serious about playing acoustic (I'm mainly a bass player), I think this Ibanez will get a number of years out of it.

[Kurrpt]

it all depends on what your goals are as a guitarist...


depending on what that is, it could be extrememly easy (like 2 years or less) or an entire life time...

[Matthew3Man]

Basic guitar is not that hard, by that I mean open chords and stuff. But it gets very advanced (think Satriani, Morse, Johnson, etc). Anyone can learn, up to a point. Depending on how much they practice and if they are just a natural or whatever.

Acoustic guitar would be easier on your wallet. Electric is usually easier to push the strings down and has less string tension than acoustics. Also, if you are going to be playing metal or something, you're not going to have much use for an acoustic.

The package could be a good deal for a first guitar, but you'll need to upgrade quickly. When it comes to music instruments/equipment, you get what you pay for.

[Roo_bass]

An instrument is only as difficult as you make it.

[deathscreamingsheep]

Easier than violin and most other stringed instruments.

As a violin player I can tell you that it is about the same difficulty-wise. IT has a steep learning curve though. At first it is very simple and gets gradually harder, then suddenly your in at the deep-end. The advantage of other stringed instruments is the learning curve is fairly gradual as methods of learning have been refined for much longer.

[hey_look_i_play]

thanks for the input here. i think im going with package i asked about , most of you replied and said this was a fairly good package! Well thanks , !.

[Hep Kat]

good job on deciding to take up a most excellent instrument

[Alive]

As a violin player I can tell you that it is about the same difficulty-wise. IT has a steep learning curve though. At first it is very simple and gets gradually harder, then suddenly your in at the deep-end. The advantage of other stringed instruments is the learning curve is fairly gradual as methods of learning have been refined for much longer.

I would assume (and also have heard off people on here) that it is harder. Probably, at elast partly, becuase it doesn't have any frets.

[Happy]

u must be a freakin poser, guitar is by far the hardest instrument out of the band instruments (drums, bass, guitar). u can get away with sayin "yea i play guitar" by just learning basics. if u ask people if they play guitar, alot will say yea, but half of them really really suck. they just say that to be cool. but guitar basics are easy. overall the guitar is way hard.
No, guitar IS one of the easier instruments. I didn't say "In a band Guitar's the easiest" You really should try out other intsruments before you say guitar's hard.

[deathscreamingsheep]

I would assume (and also have heard off people on here) that it is harder. Probably, at elast partly, becuase it doesn't have any frets.

Meh... maybe it's just me then. It's just I've been playing violin for so long now that the lack of frets doesn't matter to me. In all honesty I can't remember my first year of playing violin that well, but now I'm so used to the fretless fingerboard that the technique of a violin comes easily to me. It did help greatly when I took up fretless guitar for some smooth fusion sounds too :thumb:

[KK2K5]

its easier than drums, but no way as fun :P i play both

[insaneguitardude]

its easier than drums, but no way as fun :P i play both


not necessarily. although drums can be wicked hard. guitar OVERALL is a harder instrument. i mean, try playin that crazy mexican music on a acoustic or even like a crazy solo from like metallica, then get back to me on that. i play both too. i say they are equally hard.

[insaneguitardude]

who else agrees with me???

[deathscreamingsheep]

I would say that a 200bpm cross-rhythm or a lot of polyrhtym african style drumming is harder than a metallica solo to be honest. But then I've only just started playing drums.

[bloodseed]

As hard as you want to make it, if u feel like youve accomplished what you want then thats as hard as it gets, the more you want to do, the harder itll be. Ive only been plaing a year and half, i can do some leggato, play a maiden solo, rock out most metal riffs and do some good improv, im happy, but i dont consider what I play to be hard. Its all done to being an individual, just see how far you can take it.

[Happy]

not necessarily. although drums can be wicked hard. guitar OVERALL is a harder instrument. i mean, try playin that crazy mexican music on a acoustic or even like a crazy solo from like metallica, then get back to me on that. i play both too. i say they are equally hard.
bollocks are metallica solos hard. I have been playing a year and a half and I can play a lot of them. For hard guitar check out Jason Becker.

[insaneguitardude]

bollocks are metallica solos hard. I have been playing a year and a half and I can play a lot of them. For hard guitar check out Jason Becker.


well, im not just saying metallica solos
just think of any guitar stuff that would actually take some time to get.
i think both guitar and drums are equally hard. they both can get really hard.

now who else agrees with that???
some one out there please agree

[aznrocker]

You should start on the acoustic, then move on to the electric. Makes it really easy to play on the electric.

For me guitar was easy to pick up, because I had previous experience with a piano. But I've met others, such as my cousin, who had no other music experience, so it was hard for him to learn.

[aznrocker]

its easier than drums, but no way as fun :P i play both

IMO playing drums is hella boring unless you have someone playing a guitar, piano, bass or another instrument with you. With guitar, you can play by yourself and it sounds good and it's fun.
Also, it's hard to say one instrument is harder than another, because it all depends on the person.

[slash_bmxer09]

IMO playing drums is hella boring unless you have someone playing a guitar, piano, bass or another instrument with you. With guitar, you can play by yourself and it sounds good and it's fun.
Also, it's hard to say one instrument is harder than another, because it all depends on the person.

Not really...
If your playing basic beats yes drums get boring.
But if your trying to play a drum solo and if your messing with double bass they can be fun.

its easier than drums, but no way as fun :P i play both
If you play drums you must not do much. Have you tried double bass? 16th notes at 200? Thats challenging.....

[TheRedDeath19]

I've been playing seriously for about 8 months (by seriously i mean started getting lessons)... After getting to book 2 of this guitar learning thing, we went on vacation, and when we got back, the teacher skipped town. For some reason, i've gotten way better ever since i stopped getting lessons.

I started with an electric, i'm not sure if i'm good for my level, or totally pathetic.

Guitar isn't too hard to play, at the start it may be hard, but you'll get the hang of it... I haven't really learned much of theory and all that sht, i think thats where i am now...

[Alive]

Not really...
If your playing basic beats yes drums get boring.
But if your trying to play a drum solo and if your messing with double bass they can be fun.


If you play drums you must not do much. Have you tried double bass? 16th notes at 200? Thats challenging.....

Have you tried that on guitar whilst playing string skipping licks?

[kamiccollo]

It just depends on the person at 11 i started piano, hated it, damn hard. Another kid who was in my piano lessons found it way too easy to get the hang of it. A few months later I picked up the trumpet and found it easy as s***. Later on i found drums hard to start, though once i had the basics sorted out it was pretty easy, and to improve was just a question of practising, took time but wasnt too challenging.
At 14 i first tried to learn guitar, and i pretty much gave up after a few months, Been playing now for just over a year and Id say the hardest for me out of all 3 was definatly guitar. but thats just me.

And im sure other peaople have had different experiences. im my opinion people are naturally suited to different instruments.

[insaneguitardude]

It just depends on the person at 11 i started piano, hated it, damn hard. Another kid who was in my piano lessons found it way too easy to get the hang of it. A few months later I picked up the trumpet and found it easy as s***. Later on i found drums hard to start, though once i had the basics sorted out it was pretty easy, and to improve was just a question of practising, took time but wasnt too challenging.
At 14 i first tried to learn guitar, and i pretty much gave up after a few months, Been playing now for just over a year and Id say the hardest for me out of all 3 was definatly guitar. but thats just me.

And im sure other peaople have had different experiences. im my opinion people are naturally suited to different instruments.


i agree

[insaneguitardude]

Have you tried that on guitar whilst playing string skipping licks?


yea, this guy knows what he's talkin about. u can make guitar as hard as u want, and u may not be able to do it.

[insaneguitardude]

IMO playing drums is hella boring unless you have someone playing a guitar, piano, bass or another instrument with you. With guitar, you can play by yourself and it sounds good and it's fun.
Also, it's hard to say one instrument is harder than another, because it all depends on the person.


very true

[insaneguitardude]

and i think the reason that there is alot more guitar players then drummers, is because.
1. its the most popular
2. u can get away with just being able to play basics, but they arent that great anway
and 3. not many people can get drum sets

[Hep Kat]

and i think the reason that there is alot more guitar players then drummers, is because.
1. its the most popular
2. u can get away with just being able to play basics, but they arent that great anway
and 3. not many people can get drum sets

or not, methinks



/is a guitarist

[aznrocker]

In a band, the Guitarist and vocalists are definitely the most popular instrument no doubt.

[aznrocker]

Oops I meant popular ones not popular instrument.

[kirk hammett's D man]

Guitar isnt easy.

It really depends on what you want to learn.

If you just want to know how to make simple chords and play some songs, sure its easy. But if you actually want to learn the instrument then its hard.

id suggest acoustic, then buy an electric maybe a year later if your really into it.

Acoustic is better for learning the basics and getting your hands nice and strong. also, you wont get carried away with all the effects that can "hide" your faults (or at least make you think that their hiding them) or trying to learn other techniques that you dont really need to know just yet, when you dont even know the simple basics. its better on the wallet, and better for you.

for me i got a yamaha, i honestly think they are one of the best "cheap" guitars that have really good sound. I got mine for about $140 back then and i still use it, ive had it for 4 years, and i still love the sound.
Id suggest trying all of them and see which has the best sound to you. Bring your parents as well, they may be able to aid you in which has a better sound, they usually have better ears for these things.

thats my 2 cents

aye! i'll be adding my 2 cents into that pot, anyone else in??

[thegrimjester90]

I started/am starting on electric but i borrowed my cousin's acoustic for about3 days and played that for 12 hours a day for those three days :). I built up more finger strength those three days than playing five hours a day electric for the past 3 months.

[aznrocker]

Yea it's easier to play the electric than the acoustic.

[insaneguitardude]

or not, methinks



/is a guitarist


what the freak??