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re: I want to learn to play an instrument - get me started...

Posted on 12/31/15 at 11:44 am to
Posted by Broke
AKA Buttercup
Member since Sep 2006
65044 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 11:44 am to
There is a studio in Baton Rouge called "Adult Music Club". It has beginner groups and advanced groups. There is going to be an article on it in tomorrows BR Advocate in the Red section if I remember right. It's worth looking into.
Posted by Champagne
Already Conquered USA.
Member since Oct 2007
48314 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 11:44 am to
OP I have outlined the "Cons".

Here are the two most important "Pros" I can think of:

-- the inexpensive guitars made today give you more for your dollar than at any time of the past.

-- YouTube guitar tips and lessons: GREAT resource and is free. There really is tons of good stuff on YouTube for guitar. It's more easy now to be self taught than ever before.
Posted by ILikeLSUToo
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
18018 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 12:27 pm to
quote:

I played the Trombone for 10 years.


I played trombone for 7 years in middle and high school and then stopped (mostly) for about 13 years. I was pretty good (for a high school student at least), so I decided to get back into it. I've managed to practice every day since August. Just screwing around, relearning songs and looking at others that used to be intimidating. I'm tackling the infamous Jim Snidero book again (if you aren't familiar with it, it's a jazz solo book that's commonly used for jazz band/program auditions).

Getting back into brass playing is a lot like riding a bike, if you haven't ridden a bike in over a decade and every one of your bike-riding muscles has atrophied.

I don't expect that my trombone playing will produce any income or contribute to society in any way, but playing a musical instrument is a respectable skill that I don't want to lose.
Posted by Flamefighter
Center Field
Member since Dec 2007
7629 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 12:30 pm to
It's a FIddle not a violin!!!!!!!
Posted by rpg37
Ocean Springs, MS
Member since Sep 2008
47402 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 1:04 pm to
quote:

No, I'm fine. I have probably to many hobbies. I was simply trying to offer some helpful advice. It's not easy to make your way in the world today, and, at 28 years old, unless you are already wealthy, it is time to get to work and forget about useless time-wasting activities like learning guitar.


The OP needed to hear all sides of the issue. I was simply presenting a "tough-love" view of the issue, because I knew that the vast majority of the other posts would be "go for it, man" "great idea" "my cousin plays guitar and he's really good".

I've played guitar for many years myself. I started at age 14. Believe me, I spent a lot of time practicing and playing songs.

But on the other hand, Fender makes the Squier brand, and you can find a good Squier if you try them out at the store. They are quite inexpensive, and you get a lot for your money. PLUS the small practice amps out there today are quite cheap and quite good for the money.

Forgot to add one final thing: people approaching the age of 30 need to think about spending at least an hour a day devoted to physical fitness. Guitar is sedentary activity, so, every hour you play is an hour you could have been working out. I myself find that it's a constant struggle to find time to both work out and practice guitar.


I honestly don't dispute this counter. However, I still want to pursue this. Financially I am very sound and fully employed. Contrarily, time management is very tight for me. I get to school around 6:30 a.m. and generally leave the pool around 7 p.m. My days are loaded. We have meet weekends about once per month normally. My workout schedule is managed around it. No doubt time management is a concern for me especially during the school year. Maybe I could dive into this beginning this Summer and then develop it as a time block for next school year.
Posted by Champagne
Already Conquered USA.
Member since Oct 2007
48314 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 1:23 pm to
quote:

If he gets bored with it and quits then it is no different than every other hobby ever that people try.



That's true. Plus, Fender's Squier guitars are outstanding for the money, so, anybody can try it without spending a fortune.

But, still, I find it difficult to find time to both work at physical fitness AND keeping up with guitar.

It takes a while for the calluses to grow on your fingers. It does NOT take long for them to go away unless you play virtually daily.
Posted by Tigerwaffe
Orlando
Member since Sep 2007
4975 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 1:37 pm to
Guitar. The beauty is you don't have to be a virtuoso, like you do with so many other instruments, to become decent enough to play songs and write your own if you wish.

If I can do it anyone can.
Posted by 19
Flux Capacitor, Fluxing
Member since Nov 2007
33182 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 2:23 pm to
Just to throw this out there, but it is a myth that a new guitarist MUST start out with an acoustic.

Electric and acoustic are two totally different animals, and the much more forgiving action (distance between the strings and the fretboard) of an electric lets you learn faster/ practice longer without wearing your fingertips/ hands out - It's much less frustrating for a beginner.

You need an amp, though - more $, but you are more likely get some sort of payoff out of it.
Posted by Champagne
Already Conquered USA.
Member since Oct 2007
48314 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 2:50 pm to
quote:

You need an amp, though - more $, but you are more likely get some sort of payoff out of it.



Yep, and even the most inexpensive practice amp for sale today at your local music store is an outstanding practice amp, loud enough to be too loud and will last a very long time.
Posted by Champagne
Already Conquered USA.
Member since Oct 2007
48314 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 2:58 pm to
quote:

I honestly don't dispute this counter.


I just realized that you are a swim coach! I myself worked swimming into my physical fitness routine about four months ago. I have access to an olympic size 50 meter pool. I worked my way up to swimming 1 kilometer three times a week.

Then I had to take a couple of weeks off for various reasons and next time I swam it felt like I had quit swimming for a year. That was sobering.

So, to cheer myself up, I grabbed my guitar. Then I realized I hadn't practiced in two weeks and it felt like I hadn't played in six months.

frick these hobbies, the best hobby is watching sports on TV because no matter how many weeks you aren't able to do it, it still feels great no matter when you can get back to it.

So, my advice is to quit all of these hard activities and focus your hobbies on watching sports, going to the movies and drinking good beer.

This post was edited on 12/31/15 at 3:01 pm
Posted by el Gaucho
He/They
Member since Dec 2010
52944 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 3:03 pm to
Violin is the hardest instrument I've learned to play. I wouldn't suggest it as a first instrument to anyone

And if you call it a fiddle your baws won't think you're a pussy

You're probably too old to learn piano to where you could impress anyone. I'd start with bass or drums if I were you
Posted by Mullet Flap
Lysdexia
Member since Jun 2015
4208 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 3:03 pm to
Well you already know how to play the skin flute so why not perfect the art?
Posted by diat150
Louisiana
Member since Jun 2005
43505 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 3:40 pm to
quote:

Second the ukulele. Got one for $60 on Amazon because like the OP I wanted to learn an instrument. After a couple of days on Youtube it resembles music. Easy little portable thing that's a lot of fun.


the uke is a great standalone instrument that can play pretty much anything.
Posted by Nativebullet
Natchez, MS
Member since Feb 2011
5134 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 3:43 pm to
quote:

What are the steps for a 28 year old to make such a commitment? Price, time, etc. Any advice would be helpful.



You are past your prime when it comes to a musical instrument. I suggest you just buy an Xbox One and join the rest of us Americans online in Black Ops.
Posted by Champagne
Already Conquered USA.
Member since Oct 2007
48314 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 3:45 pm to
quote:

I suggest you just buy an Xbox One and join the rest of us Americans online in Black Ops.


Not a bad suggestion when it comes to considering sedentary hobbies.

Here's an idea. Why not be unique? Everybody and his uncle has a dust-collecting box guitar standing in the corner of the man cave. Be different:

MONGOLIAN THROAT SINGING

LINK
This post was edited on 12/31/15 at 3:48 pm
Posted by Champagne
Already Conquered USA.
Member since Oct 2007
48314 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 3:52 pm to
Imagine busting this shite out like a Boss at your next Karaoke gathering in Oxford.

The Mongolian Throat Singing Karaoke version of Adele's big hit Rolling in the Deep.

LINK

Posted by LSUwag
Florida man
Member since Jan 2007
17319 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 4:07 pm to
I plan to resume playing Trombone after many years without playing.

I played all the way through college at LSU.

I regret ever giving it up.
Posted by KarlMalonesFlipPhone
Member since Sep 2015
3848 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 5:19 pm to
Buy a cheap acoustic guitar and check out this website Justin guitar . Really has everything you need to get started with guitar.
Posted by BiggerBear
Redbone Country
Member since Sep 2011
2923 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 6:03 pm to
quote:

Buy an acoustic guitar and learn an E chord, A chord and a B7 chord...you'll thank me later.


It's hard to go wrong with an acoustic guitar. Skip the chord suggestions and just buy this book.

Like a piano, a guitar is incredibly versatile and is both a rhythm and lead instrument. Unlike a piano, an acoustic guitar is mobile, and while modern keyboards are excellent piano substitutes, they require power and cannot be worn like an acoustic guitar with a strap.
Posted by biglego
Ask your mom where I been
Member since Nov 2007
76264 posts
Posted on 12/31/15 at 6:04 pm to
quote:


first step- have your ribs surgically removed.



I came here to post this same thing! OP should definitely try to blow himself. He's an athlete.
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