Even if there are plenty of years and miles between you and your parents' basement, it's never too late to take up the guitar, according to local instructors.
Before putting pick to string, though, there's a lot to consider.
SIX-STRING TEST DRIVE
"You don't just go buy a guitar because your guitar hero plays one," said Chris Stephens, owner of the Pickers Exchange on Brainerd Road. "You need to fit it to yourself. A musical instrument is a very personal thing."
Here are some tips Mr. Stephens and other local guitarists suggested for finding the right first guitar:
* Try before you buy. Instructors advise against purchasing sight unseen through an online retailer or auction site in favor of local sources where buyers can have hands-on time.
* High action, or the distance between the string and the top of the fret, can make playing even more of a chore on beginning fingers. Instructor Bob Chuckrow said the action at the junction of the body and neck, where the separation is highest, should be no more than 3/8 inch (about the width of three quarters) on an acoustic, 1/10 inch on an electric.
* If a guitar feels too big or awkward to hold properly, don't buy it. When sitting down, the player's right shoulder should drape comfortably over a guitar without having to reach or feel strained, Mr. Chuckrow said.
* Beginners are more likely to practice even simple scales when they enjoy their instrument's tone, said jazz guitarist Ben Friberg. Guitar tone, particularly for acoustics, depends in large part on the wood it's made from. Tops made from a solid wood like spruce, while more expensive than laminate (layered wood), tend to sound better, Mr. Stephens said.
* Playability is more important than pedigree. While it may be tempting to head straight for major brands such as Martin, Taylor and Fender, there are plenty of smaller manufacturers such as Larrivee and Seagul that offer more features at a lower price point than the big brands, Mr. Stephens said.
* To start, spend a little more for a better instrument that is slightly better than the player, so he can grow into it, said guitarist Butch Ross.
THE FIRST FEW MONTHS
Early on, instructors said, beginning guitarists should expect to commit to:
* Daily practice -- Teachers generally recommend half an hour to an hour, but even a few minutes daily is better than a two-hour session once a week. Once the basic chords have been learned, teachers said they usually will be open to students bringing in requests for songs they want to learn, to make practicing more enjoyable.
* Weekly lessons -- Beginners will normally start with a half hour and extend that time as they improve. Local rates tend to run $15-$20 per half hour.
* Sore fingers -- Fingers naturally develop calluses with time and practice, but to begin with, their muscles are being placed under pressure and used in new ways. That's going to hurt, said guitar instructor John Cady. The remedy? Play through the pain, he said.
OUT OF POCKET
Here are some approximate costs for outfitting a beginning guitarist:
Acoustic
* Guitar: $200-$600.
* Cloth gig bag/hard-shell case: $20/$40-$80 (if not included with guitar purchase).
* Electronic tuner: $15-$20.
* Total cost: $235-$700
Electric
* Guitar: $200-$600.
* Cloth gig bag/hard-shell case: $20/$40-$80 (if not included with guitar purchase)
* Electronic tuner: $15-$20
* Practice amp: $70-$100
* Cable (10-foot length): $10-$20
* Total: $315-$820
Source: Elderly.com, Musiciansfriend.com, GuitarCenter.com and local instructors' recommendations
DO-IT-YOURSELF
Local guitarists recommended the following reference resources:
* Books: "Jazz Aid's Handbook" by Jamey Aebersold, "Practical Theory for Guitar" by Don Latarski and Aaron Stang, the Mel Bay instructional series.
* Magazines: Guitar World Magazine and Guitar Player.
* DVD tutorials: Mel Bay and Homespun Tapes.
* Online: A free, downloadable, 93-page guitar chord chart is available at www.completechords.com; Guitar World Magazine's tabbed music archive is at tabs.guitarworld.com
* iPhone apps: Guitar Tuner (free), Guitar Chords ($1.99), Tempo Metronome ($1.99), GuitarToolkit ($9.99, includes metronome, chord library, tuner).
Casey Phillips has worked as a features reporter in the Life department for three years. He writes about entertainment, young adults, animals and people of interest. Casey hails from Knoxville and earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism and a bachelor of arts in German. He previously worked as the features editor for Sidelines at Middle Tennessee State University. Casey received the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists Award of Excellence for Reviewing/Criticism in ...
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