Noob Questions

Welcome, and good on you for taking up the guitar.

I'd say Epiphone or Yamaha - most importantly, if you can, go to a shop and try them all out, then buy the one that feels the best in your hands. Some guitars come with a soft/hardcase - if only play at home, you may get away without having to buy one initially. Get a tuner, a metronome and some picks.

As for books, there are thousands out there - perhaps look at some Mel Bay beginner's books. justinguitar is a great online site with beginner's lessons, and it's free. GuitarNoise of course has lots of lessons and many useful tips for practice sessions etc. youtube has tones of lessons as well.

If it was me, it would be the Mitchell, - the reviews recommend it. - You don't want to on invest hundreds of dollars at this stage - get a feel for playing and then decided after a year or two which guitar to move to.

You will also need a Electronic Tuner - the tuner will be much more important to you in the beginning than a metronome..but you can get a combined Tuner / Metronome

For starter book
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-Guitar-Method-Complete-Edition--Book-CD--941718-i1161543.gc
In the first book the songs are very basic - but they are more about teaching the guitar and reading music from the beginning. Its a three volume set - that gets more advanced - book three has a lot about guitar theory.
There is a companion range of books that contain Pop/Rock songs that you may know.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Hal-Leonard-Easy-Pop-Melodies---2nd-Edition-Guitar-Chord-Songbook-902964-i1157482.gc
GC only carry the first but there is "More Easy Pop Melodies" and "Even More Easy Pop Melodies" that roughly tie in with books in that order. Theres a Classical book as well - i'm looking into buying that one too.

At lot of people advise change the string the factory supply with a 'decent' branded set - i'd probably leave the first set on - to get used to the guitar and then change the set to something else later - quite which strings to change to i have no idea - there are almost as many brands and types of strings as guitars and manufacturers....Also read up on changing strings - winding on the tuners takes a couple of tricks to do neatly.

Get a stand instead of a case! Guitars in cases don't get played.

I've worked trough a large chunk of another book, by Mel Bay - but i found i got complicated quickly - and doesent explain much - i think it is intended to be worked through with a teacher. The Hal Leonard books have kept me going...

I have reached the end of book 1 - but i had decide to start a beginners course at a local night school, £70 for 10, 2hr lessons - the difference in class learning as oppose to learning from a book is amazing - I thought i would be very frustrating learning basics again - but its such a different learning environment, I can't recommend it enough.

Thanks for the great input you guys!!!

This is my updated list of what I'm going to get:

Mitchell MD100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (I'll try out other guitars at the store though to see if I feel more comfortable with another one)
Guitar Stand
Music Books
Tuner
Picks

You might want to think about getting a strap as well. Having one from the start can help you with getting a good posture when you play.

Happy hunting!

Peace

If they have this accessory pack at the guitar center store in the city I'll live in I'll get it.

I forgot about getting a strap. Thanks for reminding me!!!

Two things:

1. You asked about guitar sites:
A guitar site that a lot of beginners say they have liked is http://www.justinguitar.com/

2. Even more helpful than the CDs that come with a lesson book is one that comes with a DVD.
The videos will help with showing you how to position your fingers for the chords, how to string a guitar, strumming, etc.
All of these lessons can be found (usually on YouTube) if you do a search . . .
but if the store has a lesson book for beginners with a DVD, that might prove to be very helpful.

And welcome to GN.

Two things:

1. You asked about guitar sites:
A guitar site that a lot of beginners say they have liked is http://www.justinguitar.com/

2. Even more helpful than the CDs that come with a lesson book is one that comes with a DVD.
The videos will help with showing you how to position your fingers for the chords, how to string a guitar, strumming, etc.
All of these lessons can be found (usually on YouTube) if you do a search . . .
but if the store has a lesson book for beginners with a DVD, that might prove to be very helpful.

And welcome to GN.

Thanks for the tips!!!

I bookmarked the guitar website.

Hi! Some of the sites I use:

This website for lessons and tips.
Youtube for lessons, hearing what the original sounds like, and hearing how people arrange songs for a single guitar.
http://www.aguitartuner.com for tuning. (works surprisingly well just using my skype-headset-thingy).
http://www.metronomeonline.com as a metronome. (oops, haven't visited that one in weeks.)
http://www.gootar.com/guitar to understand which chords I'm playing. (I know a good understanding of theory is irreplacable, but I feel like I learn a lot just playing with this tool.)

Playing guitar is just as much fun as it looks, good luck with it!

Thanks!!!

I bought the "Guitars for Dummies" book and I'm reading it.

I highly recommend the Hal Leonard Guitar Method (3 book + CD's) course. It is less than $20, you can find it locally at most big chain bookstores (or they can order it in).

Also, you may not need it right away, but I would recommend a capo soon. There are a lot of songs that require it and it is nice to have around.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!!!

I'm going to try and go to the Guitar Center tomorrow so if there is anything else you guys would recommend just let me know. I probably won't get the guitar tomorrow but I might get some books and accessories.