Legends started with acoustic guitar

We recommend starting lessons on the acoustic guitar to learn the basic principles, some scales and chord patterns, and build hand strength. You can take the acoustic as far as you want – Elvis, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Leo Kottke, Andy McKee, and Neil Young are all legends of the acoustic guitar.

The electric guitar – a symbol of Woodstock

Electric guitar opens up another universe of sounds, styles, and stars to emulate. If you tried to count all the artists who grew famous playing Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters or Gibson Les Paul, you’d run out of time long before you ran out of names. Rockers like Bruce Springsteen and Keith Richards are among the well known devotees of the Tele; the white Strat that Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock in 1969 was his most famous guitar.

Ready to jam? You’ll need an amp

To play electric you’ll need an amplifier as well as a guitar, of course. High-quality amp makers include Fender, Marshall, Roland, Mesa/Boogie, and Bogner, to name just a handful of the best-known. Look for a solid-state amplifier for reliability. Try several; each one will sound different from the rest. Pick one big enough to give the sound you want, but small enough that you won’t mind carrying it to lessons, jam sessions, and gigs.

Acoustic or electric? It’s not either/or

Many players switch back and forth between acoustic and electric, of course. Look no further than Eric Clapton for proof. Some guitarists will play several different instruments in a single performance, choosing each one to give the song a particular sound and feel.

Is the Uke for you?

There’s been a surge of interest in the last few decades for the ukulele, a small four-stringed version of the guitar that originated in Hawaii. It’s extremely portable, versatile, and somewhat simpler to learn than the six-string guitar. Tiny Tim put the ukulele on the map in the 1960s with his surprise hit, a cover of the 1929 song “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.” Israel Kamakawiwo’ole helped drive a resurgence of interest in the uke with his gorgeous singing and uke playing on «Somewhere Over the Rainbow».

Going classic – Classical and flamenco guitar

We’ve only scratched the surface of what the guitar can do. Classical music fans might want to check out Julian Bream and hear the expressive beauty of a prelude fugue by Bach, who of course wrote for the harpsichord, not the guitar. Those who love the fire of flamenco might want to check out Andres Segovia for inspiration, and take their lessons in that direction.

Groove – let’s try the Bass guitar

And then there’s the bass guitar, an essential instrument that plays a very different role in the band than the traditional six-string guitar. The bass is considered part of the rhythm section. If you want to play the bass, you focus extra attention on keeping time and being rhythmically perfect – known as staying “in the groove” or “in the pocket.” Every band needs a bass! Remember, there aren’t as many bass players as guitar players. So as you gain proficiency, you’ll find yourself in demand!

Hear the banjo!

The banjo is a four-, five-, or six-stringed instrument with a circular resonator. Of African origins it became a quintessentially American instrument.The banjo shaped the sound of bluegrass and folk-music and has a unique tonality which makes it instantly recognizable. Listen to Pete Townsend playing the banjo on «Squeeze Box» or Jimmy Page on «Gallows pole». The sound of the banjo makes these songs so very special. And did you know that comedy legend Steve Martin is an excellent banjo-player?