Top 10 mistakes for a beginner?

howie70 · #1 03-14-2014, 07:25 AM

I saw this on another site, being a beginner myself, I am not sure about a couple of these:

#1- Bad Guitar.

#2- Bad Instructional Materials.

#3- No Tuner.

#4- No Teacher.

#5- Practicing Too Little.

#6- Practicing Too Much.

#7- Practicing Too Fast.

#8- Expecting Too Much At The Beginning.

#9- Storing Your Guitar in a Case.

#10- Giving Up.

Can someone tell me why storing the guitar in a case is a bad thing?

Also, practice too much? Unless it is causing physical pain (or time away from the wife/family, which would probably lead to physical pain also) can you practice too much?

rick-slo · #2 03-14-2014, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howie70

I
Can someone tell me why storing the guitar in a case is a bad thing?

Cause you can't play it while it is in the case.

11. guitar's action (string height) not setup well

00-28 · #3 03-14-2014, 07:35 AM

Joining a Forum. ....Mike

6L6 · #4 03-14-2014, 07:43 AM

"Can someone tell me why storing the guitar in a case is a bad thing…?"

My college roommate was already a virtuoso guitar and banjo player (he'd been playing professionally around St Louis since he was 8 yrs old). Lucky me, I got four years of free lessons from him.

He had a couple of ironclad rules to follow:

* NEVER put your guitar in a case unless you are taking it somewhere.

* NEVER walk by your guitar without picking it up and playing it for at least 15 seconds. Preferably, leave it on a stand right by your door. "It's all about muscle memory."

* No matter how crappy your guitar is, get a pro setup done on it so it's very playable

* Invest in a high quality instrument as soon as you can. It will inspire you to practice!

* Learn to use a plastic thumb pic and at least two metal fingerpicks (he refused to teach me unless I was wearing them). Boy, was he RIGHT on this!!!!

Those lessons started 50 years ago. I believe all of the points are just a valid today as they were back then.

Bill

Sonoma2 · #5 03-14-2014, 07:49 AM

I disagree with the "don't store your guitar in a case..." I live in a tiny house (1000 sq ft) with 2 kids and 5 cats. Any guitar left out would not be well taken care of, so my guitar stays in its case.

I also never had a teacher...never could afford one, and probably never will be able to.

I think there are exceptions to every rule.

#6 03-14-2014, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00-28

Joining a Forum. ....Mike

I agree. Once someone's got their first "decent guitar" to learn on...beginning is 4-7 years of doing vs. discussion.

Instructional tips here and there? Nothing wrong with that. But I would I would distingush that from most forum talk...including my dreadful own.

I'm also a big believer in 1 guitar for about 4 years minimum before the upgrade/variation. Whether it's a Yamaha FG series or a Martin D-28, I don't care...just stick with 1 for several years before being convinced by yourself or a forum of others that "the next level" isn't really in your own hands.

The best "forum" besides a good teacher? One or more people to play guitar with.

janx218 · #7 03-14-2014, 08:03 AM

Of all these, I'd personally say number 8, expecting too much too soon, is the biggest. I've dabbled for years without ever really getting good, and I've realized that a lot of my problem has been never taking time to really learn the fundamentals. I've recently decided to re - dedicate myself and have been working my way through justinguitar's beginner course, forcing myself to slow down and practice on each and every step, even those I thought I knew. I already feel like my technique is improving.

I'm also inclined to think number 1 should probably be replaced by "poorly set up guitar".

And I kind of agree with the case thing. I do most of my practicing on my GS Mini, and a lot of that is due to the fact that it's faster and easier to whip it out of its gig bag than to get my 320 out of its case while hoping my dog doesn't decide to attack it.

MikeBmusic · #8 03-14-2014, 08:12 AM

"Practicing too much" - no such thing, unless it refers to playing so much you get finger/hand cramps so bad you can't play for days.

Also disagree with the case thing, for the obvious reasons.

fazool · #9 03-14-2014, 08:21 AM

#11 - believing certain "instructors" are good just because many beginners applaud them on Youtube (while they blithely teach you wrong).

hermit · #10 03-14-2014, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6L6

"Can someone tell me why storing the guitar in a case is a bad thing…?"

* NEVER put your guitar in a case unless you are taking it somewhere.Bill

Humidity control?

11. Starting.

At least with an honst addcition like with drugs and alcohol you get some sympathy and it is called a disease. With a 'geetar' you are just another PITA.

howie70 · #11 03-14-2014, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00-28

Joining a Forum. ....Mike

Reason being...???
I can think of a few, just curious as to whatyours are.

DesertTwang · #12 03-14-2014, 08:23 AM

#9 (storing guitar in case) has the disadvantage of hiding the guitar instead of displaying it on a stand where it beckons you to play all the time. That said, if you live in a dry environment, #9 is a good thing because if you don't store the guitar in a case with a humidifier, it will lead to #1.

DesertTwang · #13 03-14-2014, 08:26 AM

I would change #4 "No teacher" to "Bad teacher." No teacher is better than a bad teacher. Finding a good teacher is more difficult than you might think. I took lessons from a handful of people who all were incredible players but couldn't teach their way out of a paper bag. To me, finding and sticking with a good teacher has been the most vital factor in making progress.

howie70 · #14 03-14-2014, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazool

#11 - believing certain "instructors" are good just because many beginners applaud them on Youtube (while they blithely teach you wrong).

Care to name them so some of us beginners will not follow them? We are beginners, most of us do not know any better. Obviously the two most popular are Justin & Marty, are they two of your culprits?

K-vegas · #15 03-14-2014, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howie70

Can someone tell me why storing the guitar in a case is a bad thing?

Also, practice too much? Unless it is causing physical pain (or time away from the wife/family, which would probably lead to physical pain also) can you practice too much?

#6- Practicing Too Much with poor technique

#9- Storing Your Guitar in a Case and leaving the latches open.