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I have never taught anyone how to play guitar. But I was approached by one of my coworkers to help her daughter get started playing guitar. I know their $ situation so I figured I could help guide her in the right direction.
So first I her get get some equipment. We got her a nice Epiphone Flying V (she liked the shape and the dual humbuckers are great) for a smokin' deal. We spent a few hours at Musicians Friend's warehouse/clearance showroom looking at and checking out guitars.
I loaned her my Fender Pro Junior to play with for a while. She fell in love with that little amp. I can't blame her because it is a great amp. With her guitar it has a smokin' tone. I think in the end she is going to get herself a Fender Pro Junior and buy pedals to 'model' the exact tone she wants.
As a beginning player I think it is very important to learn the basics of your instrument, which starts with your head/heart -> hands -> guitar -> (amp) -> ears and back to your head/heart. Adding a bunch of stuff in between just messes up the process (IMO).
I also gave her some basic instructions on how to hold the guitar, a few chords, and how to read tab. I also picked up a basic version of Emedia guitar instruction disc and gave it to her.
Has anyone else been helping out a beginning guitarist? What are you doing to help them out?
>> Blues Lessons ::: Americana Finger-Style Lessons ::: Christmas Carol Lessons ::: Free Guitar Licks <<
Topics I've Started
Another first for me....
30 September 2006 - 12:28 AM
Leading worship in church Oct 8...
About two months ago members of the church decided they wanted to revive the fall outdoor service. They haven't had one of these services in a number of years. In the past there were a number of musicians - guitarist, keyboard players, etc - who helped pull this off. Now we are down to me (guitar), three very good keyboard players, flute player, and drummer. So they asked if I would help and I said yes.
So I have been learning three new songs plus sharpening up three other songs that I know will work in the congregation. Last night I practiced again with the choir and this morning the choir mistress called and said "David, I think we are not going to need to have me play keyboards with you. You can carry this off without me."
was my reaction. But I did say yes because I believe it is time to do this.
I am definitely
and worried about being the only instrumentalist. Fortunately the choir is good and we have one more practice to work on what is left. And I have over a week to make the rest of the songs 'perfect'....
About two months ago members of the church decided they wanted to revive the fall outdoor service. They haven't had one of these services in a number of years. In the past there were a number of musicians - guitarist, keyboard players, etc - who helped pull this off. Now we are down to me (guitar), three very good keyboard players, flute player, and drummer. So they asked if I would help and I said yes.
So I have been learning three new songs plus sharpening up three other songs that I know will work in the congregation. Last night I practiced again with the choir and this morning the choir mistress called and said "David, I think we are not going to need to have me play keyboards with you. You can carry this off without me."
was my reaction. But I did say yes because I believe it is time to do this.I am definitely
and worried about being the only instrumentalist. Fortunately the choir is good and we have one more practice to work on what is left. And I have over a week to make the rest of the songs 'perfect'....
Music Making On The Rise In The U.S.
29 September 2006 - 11:26 PM
Article I got today.... I think this is a 
for people in general. Better than watching the boob tube....
===============================
Music Making On The Rise In The U.S.
A new U.S. Gallup Poll reveals Americans of all ages are continuing to pursue music making and offers insight into the attitudes behind this passion.
- Americans are making more music than any other nationality. The U.S. market accounts for 42.7% of musical instrument purchases, followed by Japan at 15.6% and U.K. at 6.7%
- More than one-half of U.S. households (52%) has at least one person, age 5 or older, who currently plays a musical instrument -- a sharp contrast compared to the United Kingdom at 37% and Australia* at 36%
- 40% of U.S. households have two or more musicians
- More women (51%) play musical instruments than men (49%)
- The fastest growing segment of music makers is between the ages of 18 and 34; an increase of 5% percent since 2003
- More people are encouraged by their parents to take up an instrument (37%) than become interested on their own (29%), or are encouraged by a teacher (17%) or someone else (16%)
- Almost three-quarters of survey participants started playing before the age of 11
- The number of people participating in school instrumental music activities and private lessons increased by 11% since 2003
The report also highlights attitudes behind these trends: - 85% of Americans believe that music is a very important part of their life
- 82% of Americans wish they had learned to play a musical instrument, and 67% expressed an interest in learning to play
- 94% of respondents believe music is part of a well-rounded education, and that schools should offer instrument music instruction as part of the regular curriculum
- 85% believe participation in school music corresponds with better grades and higher test scores
- Seniors are turning to music making as not just an enjoyable pastime, but also for the health and wellness benefits such as enhanced immune systems, stress reduction, and staving off depression and loneliness
"With more emerging research linking active music making to a host of educational and health benefits as well as being a source of expressing creativity and having fun, it's only natural to see an increase in playing across every U.S. demographic group," said Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO. "More Americans are discovering that you don't have to be a 'musician' to enjoy the proven benefits and enjoyment of playing music."
The music products industry's 16 million unit transactions last year in the U.S. alone show that the industry reaches a broad swath of the population. As more people learn about the benefits of playing music, the industry expects to see America's fondness for music making continue.
In addition to the U.S. data, the 2006 Music USA report also features industry trends on different market segments and offers a global overview of the music products industry by featuring data from nine countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and The United Kingdom.
Guitars and Pianos -- America's Favorites
- Guitars are currently the highest selling musical instruments in America -- approx. 3.4 million sold in 2005
- In the last two years, the electric guitar has caught up to the acoustic guitar as per unit sales are becoming even at just over 1.6 million each
- Overall, the fretted products industry is a $1.4 billion dollar industry in the U.S.
- Yet still more Americans play the piano (31%) than the guitar or bass (28%)
for people in general. Better than watching the boob tube....===============================
Music Making On The Rise In The U.S.
A new U.S. Gallup Poll reveals Americans of all ages are continuing to pursue music making and offers insight into the attitudes behind this passion.
- Americans are making more music than any other nationality. The U.S. market accounts for 42.7% of musical instrument purchases, followed by Japan at 15.6% and U.K. at 6.7%
- More than one-half of U.S. households (52%) has at least one person, age 5 or older, who currently plays a musical instrument -- a sharp contrast compared to the United Kingdom at 37% and Australia* at 36%
- 40% of U.S. households have two or more musicians
- More women (51%) play musical instruments than men (49%)
- The fastest growing segment of music makers is between the ages of 18 and 34; an increase of 5% percent since 2003
- More people are encouraged by their parents to take up an instrument (37%) than become interested on their own (29%), or are encouraged by a teacher (17%) or someone else (16%)
- Almost three-quarters of survey participants started playing before the age of 11
- The number of people participating in school instrumental music activities and private lessons increased by 11% since 2003
The report also highlights attitudes behind these trends: - 85% of Americans believe that music is a very important part of their life
- 82% of Americans wish they had learned to play a musical instrument, and 67% expressed an interest in learning to play
- 94% of respondents believe music is part of a well-rounded education, and that schools should offer instrument music instruction as part of the regular curriculum
- 85% believe participation in school music corresponds with better grades and higher test scores
- Seniors are turning to music making as not just an enjoyable pastime, but also for the health and wellness benefits such as enhanced immune systems, stress reduction, and staving off depression and loneliness
"With more emerging research linking active music making to a host of educational and health benefits as well as being a source of expressing creativity and having fun, it's only natural to see an increase in playing across every U.S. demographic group," said Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO. "More Americans are discovering that you don't have to be a 'musician' to enjoy the proven benefits and enjoyment of playing music."
The music products industry's 16 million unit transactions last year in the U.S. alone show that the industry reaches a broad swath of the population. As more people learn about the benefits of playing music, the industry expects to see America's fondness for music making continue.
In addition to the U.S. data, the 2006 Music USA report also features industry trends on different market segments and offers a global overview of the music products industry by featuring data from nine countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and The United Kingdom.
Guitars and Pianos -- America's Favorites
- Guitars are currently the highest selling musical instruments in America -- approx. 3.4 million sold in 2005
- In the last two years, the electric guitar has caught up to the acoustic guitar as per unit sales are becoming even at just over 1.6 million each
- Overall, the fretted products industry is a $1.4 billion dollar industry in the U.S.
- Yet still more Americans play the piano (31%) than the guitar or bass (28%)
