FAQ Page
Questions
Answers
How do online lesson work?
Online lesson will work using zoom currently if this changes we will imform you before doing any changes. You will recieve an email with the link to the lesson that you just click on when the approiate day/time are scheduled. If you have any problems just send me an email or call and we can figure out the issue.
Age old question - should I start with an electric or acoustic:
Depending on what you are willing to spend on the instrument. When starting out sometimes we end up not spending alot of money on the guitar to see if we like playing or not and this can lead to getting an instrument that might not be setup correctly. This can lead to having the strings further away from the fretboard and that causes you to have to press the strings harder. Just might take you longer to build up caluses to play the instrument. Electric guitar is generally easier to play however you will proably want an amp to play through. Acoustic you don't have that issue but sometimes a little harder to play.
What pick should I start with:
You will need to try different onces yourself and see what you like. Buy a bunch of different sizes/thicknesses and try them all. Try a coin as well for fun. Flimsy picks some people like for strumming. Hard picks some like for picking fast. Probably a good place to start would be something in the middle of the two extremes something in the range of .70 mm Lots of people have used different materials for picks as well plastic, metal, coins, fingernails, probably you dream of it you can make a pick from it.
What size string should I use:
If you have a budget and you don't want to go spending alot of money. You are just starting out then buy a light guage string set. I would recommend buying a couple of sets. I remember when I started out I would break the high E string all the time as I found I would go through quite a few high E strings back then you could buy single strings at the music store so I would just buy a couple high E strings. As I progressed I stopped breaking strings as much as I did when starting out.
String size set:
High E - .009
B string - .011
G string - .016 (Unwound) you can get wound G strings
D string - .024
A string - .032
E string - .042
What to spend on my first guitar:
If you are unsure about playing guitar then you could get a used one and give it a try. You could just do that one for the first one and then once you know you are going to continue to play then go get your dream guitar.
Tuning your guitar:
There are many ways to tune your guitar. I will try and list off as many free options or little cost:
1) Find a youtube video with the guitar strings plucked one at a time and you can use your ear to tune to it.
2) You can do this with a friend with a guitar.
3) Tuning fork. This will be for the A string (440 Hz) then you will need to tune the strings to the A string.
4) Phone app - there are "free" ones.
5) Guitar tuner - amazon/local music store (range $20-40 CAD)
Electric Guitar options (you can use the options above as well)
1) Builtin to amp
2) Guitar effects pedal
How far are you willing to travel to me:
Currently please email me or call and we'll work out if we can make it happen or not.