Silver Back Muzik

So you have purchased, or are at least you are thinking about purchasing, your first Yamaha guitar. Congratulations on your decision! But before you dive into your new endeavor there are some important things that you should know.

Most everybody who wants to learn to play the guitar begins with high expectations. I say, most everybody, because some are forced into the experience, which is usually a recipe for disaster. But if playing the guitar is your aspiration then one of two things will happen. Your experience will either be "wonderful" or "horribly frustrating." In most instances, "horribly frustrating" leads to abandoning the pursuit of playing altogether.

What you want to happen is a pleasant experience where you realize a modicum of success. For some people that only amounts to mastery of a few songs and for others it will mean the ability to play just about anything they want. How far you go with learning to play is obviously up to you...but all roads can be treacherous if you don't go about it in the right way.

The first step is to purchase a decent instrument that is user friendly. That is not to say that you have to pay a lot of money but that you should put your money in the right place. I believe that the best choice for beginners is a Yamaha guitar. Beginner guitars from Yamaha have a reputation for affordability without sacrificing quality. That means "quality" of construction and "quality" of sound.

An excellent beginner model that comes highly rated is the Yamaha FG700S Acoustic guitar. You can pick one up for under $200. This guitar is easy to tune and is good about staying in tune. It has that "user friendly" quality that I mentioned earlier. If your beginner interest is in playing classical music then take a look at the Yamaha C 40. As is the case in most of their instruments the classical Yamaha guitar is both affordable and reliable.

Another way to save money on your guitar purchase is to buy a bundled kit. For example the Yamaha Gigmaker Deluxe Acoustic Guitar Package includes a gig bag, tuner, strap, strings, picks, and an instructional DVD in addition to the guitar. Best of all it sells for about the same price as the guitar by itself.

If you are buying a beginner guitar for a child, ages 7 - 11, then a good choice is the Yamaha FG JR1 ¾ Size Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag. The smaller model guitar still maintains a rich sound while making it easier for young players to handle the instrument.

If you are serious about learning to play then there must be a commitment to practice. Practice should be consistent, purposeful, and regular. To get the most out of your practice it is best to build in accountability...and the best way to accomplish that is to work with an instructor. Learning on your own with a book or DVD is doable but nothing beats studying under a good teacher.

Most of us live around others which can mean that practice might produce friction in the household or neighborhood. If you don't have a place where you can comfortably rehearse consider a practice guitar. Yamaha also makes a superior line of practice instruments. An excellent choice is the Yamaha SLG110N Nylon String Silent Guitar Natural. With a silent Yamaha guitar you listen on headphones while you play which means you can practice in apartments, hotel rooms, or in your room late at night. The only problem is that the silent Yamaha guitar is pretty pricy...but well worth it if you are serious about growing as a musician.

For most of us mere mortals learning to play guitar is not easy. And despite those who promise that you can learn to play in just a week...forget it. You should aspire for something more than mastering "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Take your time... and put in the time. You will be rewarded with a skill that will produce much joy and satisfaction for a lifetime.

Good luck on learning to play your Yamaha guitar. And who knows? Maybe one day...that will be you up on that stage playing to a crowd of adoring fans.