Guitar Lessons???
 

Well....this week marks our 1 month anniversary as full-time residents and we're now pretty much settled in with only a few, non-major items to complete. Before moving down, I purchased an acoustic guitar with the idea of taking some lessons and starting a new hobby.

I see some guitar clubs in the Rec News but they all seem oriented to those that can already play. Does anyone have any suggestions for complete beginner lessons? It would be really great if the instructor was also familiar with teaching lefties.

Thanks!!

Good question since I would also like to learn.

I would think teaching lefties is actually easier. For example I know that most golf teachers love teaching lefties since they can mirror image their move. This is why Phil Mickelson is a lefty golfer even though he is right handed. He'd stand across from his dad and exactly mirror the moves his dad made.

I looked at TV's Lifelong College's fall schedule. I didn't see guitar lessons. I know it isn't guitar, but they are offering a beginner's class for the mountain dulicimer.

Mountain Dulcimer I (Beg.) 6 weeks
Fee: P $88 R $93 G $98 VHS, Buffalo B (East)
Ruth Harnden 11:15am-12:15pm
This class will build on the techniques needed to
understand the dulcimer. We will look at scales,
chord naming and building. Keys, rhythm, counting,
strumming, playing together and listening. The
keynote here is confidence in smoothing out your
playing skills. We will build our skills, chords, stress
listening and memorizing music. Tuning will be 1-5-
8 or DAD. Supplies to bring: music stand,
chromatic tuner and a 3-ring notebook.
Rentals available.
2195.301 W: Sept. 8- Oct. 13
2195.302 W: Oct. 27- Dec. 8 (except Nov. 24)

I would probably start by going to the acoustic club and ask those who are there where I could find a good teacher.

From the Daily Sun, Club news;
The Acoustic Guitar Club meets
at 10 a.m. Thursdays in the Henry
Fonda Room of Paradise Center.
For information, call Ernie
Mueller at 259-0611.

I plan on finding out where I can improve my electric bass skills and keep active when we settle in.

Guitar Lessons
 

If you find out, let us know.

Thanks,

Thanks, macro. Dropping in on one of their meetings or giving that name a call was my plan if I couldn't get any other options on TOTV. Just thought I'd take a shot here first.

I just looked - the two upcoming sessions at the Lifelong Learning are filled. You could go over there and see if you can put your name on a list for the next sessions and maybe there is a cancellation list, also - should anyone cancel out.

Gary Davis teaches a course at the Lifelong Learning College. Gary is extremely knowledgeable and an excellent instructor. Gary also runs the Advanced Acoustic Guitar Club but I would recommend that beginners stay away from that.

The Thursday morning Acoustic Guitar Club at Paradise Rec Center is excellent for beginners if you know a few basic open chords. You can learn these chords yourself on youtube or from countless internet sites.

I'm not saying to not take lessons, but you can get started on your own on the internet. Or go to a music store and buy a basic chord book. Also buy a clip on tuner. I have a Snark and really like it.

A capo will help a beginner immensely. It is a little device that clamps the strings down a any fret so that you can play the chords in different keys. In other words, if you play a C chord with your capo on the second fret, it becomes a D chord. You can't use it for every song, but a lot of songs are just three chords and a capo can help you to survive a basic guitar club until you learn some more chords.

If you come by the Thursday morning club come over and say hi to me. You can sit next to me and I'll try to help you out a bit.

Here's a basic "must know" chord chart.

http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7f9b087a.jpg

To read this, and all chord charts pretend that you are holding your guitar facing you with the headstock on the top.

I see a lot of beginners come into these clubs and sit there for a while and then leave which is really too bad.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have until you find a teacher.

Don't forget, these diagrams are shown for a right handed player, flip it 180 for a lefty.

No reason you have to play it lefty...do what I do, play it right handed. That way you don't have to flip or reverse anything.

Gary knows his stuff...but I also know Cinda and I think she'd be a good teacher.

Ooops! Forgot that you're a lefty. Here you go.

http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7506cf49.jpg

Yes, there are some lefties that play righty. There are also some lefties that play a right handed guitar backwards and upside down. But you're probably better off learning lefty if you are more comfortable that way.