Hi Mom & Dad...

If you are getting ready to buy little Johnny his first guitar, I suggest you read the page/pages below. You will probably be surprised to find out a few things.

I know it might be a little long winded but I strongly suggest you educate yourself completely and read the whole thing.

Most Important thing to realize, RULE #1
   The worst possible mistake you could possibly ever make would be to buy a guitar from a mass media source. (see below)

Never buy a guitar from a TV ad (No matter how good the player sounds as he demonstrates what he is selling.)
Never buy a guitar from a Costco, Sam's Club, Best Buy, Circuit City, Service Merchandise, Macy's, Sears & Roebuck, Target, Comp USA, Try N' Save, Linens & Things or Bed Bath & Beyond.
Never buy a first guitar from a Pawn Shop!!!!    (Buying s guitar from a pawn shop & not getting ripped off is a bona fide skill !!!!
If you have purchased a guitar from any of the above run don't walk, race on down there and beg them to give you a refund.

Be extremely careful with any big box corporate mega-store like Guitar Center, Sam Ash, Brooks Mays, etc. 

There are 2 types of people who buy beginners guitars for their children !!!

1.  Well meaning parents who actually want their child to succeed with the guitar.

2.  Parents who are just appeasing Jr. by buying him a guitar. Jr. has asked for a guitar and they simply want to run out and buy him something just to keep him quiet. They fully expect him to throw it in the corner a couple of days after he gets it and forget all about it.

For the first group of people I recommend buying a good decent quality instrument that will stay in tune and be somewhat comfortable to play.  I recommend electric over a folk guitar because they are easier to play and much more fun to play after you learn.  Plus, you can learn about twice as fast on an electric.  If you buy something halfway decent it will hold it's value and may turn out to be a decent investment over a few years time.  If Jr. still wants an acoustic guitar just make sure that you get something with a light touch so that he won't have trouble learning on it.

For the second group of people I recommend you buy Jr. a CD player or something else.  I have dealt with parents who have confided in me that they wish he would play football or something else instead of playing a guitar.  Some of these people deep down actually don't want Jr. to learn how to play.  So, they actually make it very hard by buying a real cheap model that is impossible to keep in tune and very uncomfortable to play.

If you fall into the second group of people you may want to re examine your intentions and your position and read the rest of this page.  Otherwise, I would advise you not to waste your money on a guitar shaped object like what the big box department stores try to pass off as a real instrument.

First Things First !!!!!
These links should all be of Interest

 Custom Made

Beware of Guitar Shaped Objects that department stores & big box stores try to pawn off on an unsuspecting beginner.  These guitars are usually so unbelievably cheesy that no self  respecting music store would carry it.

Much has been said about people's first guitars.

The truth of the matter is you can learn to play guitar on any cheap guitar.  However, it is usually much harder to do, but it can be done.  If money the primary a consideration, and it usually is, I recommend buying a medium quality, 24 fret, $350.00 or so, Ibanez, Michael Kelly, Dean, Fender, or OLP.  Michael Kelly is probably your best bet. The cheapest RG Model Ibanez guitars are 95% as good as their $1,900.00 Steve Vai or Satriani guitars.  Baker guitars are an excellent deal that will also give you a good resale value if and when you go to sell them.

The biggest problem I face, is when some well meaning parent decides to buy their son or a daughter a guitar, but does not want to spend too much money, citing reasons like

"Were not sure he's gonna stick to it."  or  "He usually never sticks to anything."

I've got a newsflash for them.  With that attitude they are most certainly facing a failure.

I always tell the parents to make an agreement with their child.  The child will never learn and never know the beauty and feel of playing unless he succeeds at the beginner level.  Sit your child down and ask them if they are serious about learning.  Explain to them that you don't want to waste your money like you did on that surfboard last year.  Make a deal with them. Something like they must practice everyday for at least one hour for at least 3 months. Give them a consequence if they don't and stick to it.  Properly handled, your child should be past the uncomfortable unsure part in about 4 weeks.  You should not have to tell them to practice after 6 or 7 weeks.  They should be playing more than an hour by then. 

Not because they have to but, because they want to!!!!!

If you buy a $99.00 piece of crap, you might as well not buy anything.  When your child can't keep it in tune, he or she will become discouraged quickly.  The guitar will most likely end up leaning in the corner.  Remember the kid is trying to learn to play.  If he can't get it to sound good he will give up quickly.  The poor kid is already struggling to play the chords and they usually can't make them sound good right away. If the guitar won't hold tune it can be exponentially longer before they can get it to sound good.  It is critically important to get them past this stage As Soon As Possible.  As soon as they are having fun they will progress at amazing speed.  An adult will progress much more slowly, but kids can learn within 3 to 5 weeks if they set their minds to it.

At Ed Roman Guitars we have a vested interest in your success as a guitar player.  Simply put, if you have a positive learning experience, you will definitely become a guitarist, and my business has the the potential to profit from your purchases. 

On the other hand, our competitors at many of the superstores have the advantage of not caring whether you actually succeed or not.  To them you are just another commission check.  They are fully aware that if you do get lucky and become successful at playing, you will probably not be going to their store to buy anyway.  Once you become an educated player, you will seek out real stores, presumably like Ed Roman Guitars. 

Remember, to merchants like me you are a lifetime of guitar sales. To the superstores you are a one hit wonder.  I myself or my staff will gladly go that extra mile for any beginner.  If after you purchase your guitar you need some help with it, I will gladly assist you in any way I can.

Years ago, I developed a lesson program which was designed to teach people to teach themselves.  One of the most important things I could say to a beginner is "SING"--make sure you sing. Singing will help develop your confidence, your timing, and your ability to change chords at the right time.

Another great tip is to take several lessons from several different teachers.  This way you will stand a better chance of finding someone you like better.

Here's a Great Idea

When you buy your son that electric guitar he has been wanting, don't buy him an amplifier.  Instead make a deal with him.  Have him learn a minimum of 3 songs, and then buy him the amplifier!!!

Benefit 1:  It will cost you less, or you could spend the saved difference on getting a better guitar.

Benefit 2:  It will be far easier for Jr. to learn on a better guitar.

Benefit 3:  This will be a good reason for Jr. to practice harder so that he can get the amplifier.

Benefit 4:  If Jr. does fail at least the guitar will have some resale value. If you bought the cheaper guitar it would have no resale value.

Benefit 5:  Best of all you don't have to listen to him practice those first 4 weeks when he absolutely can't play anything!!!

Hey Ed,

REMEMBER

you learn to talk,     Before you learn to read  !!!!

So why shouldn't you learn to play before you learn to read music?

My feeling is that guitar playing is supposed to be fun !!

Start having fun first, then make the decision if you want to learn theory and reading.

Many of the worlds greatest guitarists are self taught and and never bothered to learn to read music.

Sometimes lessons can stifle your creativity.

For some people lessons are a must.  For example, if you start to play at an age over 25 then lessons are pretty important.

Children learn fast and they can do some amazing things.   Sometimes lessons can turn them off.

Ed Roman 01/14/03

You're Never Too Old To Learn

You're Never Too Good To Learn

Ask Ed Roman

Debunking Myths

Should I start with an electric or an acoustic guitar?

Ed Roman personally recommends electric.  They are about 3 times easier to learn on and you won't bother other people while you are learning.  Plus, the resale value on electrics is good whereas lower cost acoustics are usually worthless several weeks after you buy them.  Electric guitars hold up better and they are a lot cooler!!!  Of course, if you want to play acoustic guitar and sit around the campfire, roast marshmallows, and sing folk songs like,  "Michael Row the Boat Ashore," then you should start with an acoustic.

I went to a store that told me to buy a nylon string  guitar because the strings were soft & it wouldn't hurt my fingers. 

Should I buy a Classical Guitar?

Well Boo Hoo Hoo !!!  We wouldn't want you to hurt your itty bitty little fingers now would we?

Sorry for the sarcasm but, I really hate that BS story.  The truth of the matter is, nylon string Classical guitars are usually the absolute cheapest guitars that can be bought.  Most of the time the dealer who tells you that one is looking to make the most money off a poor, unsuspecting, trusting customer. 

Cheap Classical guitars have no real tension on the neck, making it easy to use substandard woods and sometimes no truss rod.  These guitars can be built in Indonesia for as little as $15.00.  By the time it reaches John Q Public in the USA, it will sell for as much as $179.95.  This kind of thing really gives me a case of the red ass.

The other thing about Classical guitars that I don't like for beginners is the fact that the necks are so incredibly wide. The width of the neck makes the guitar very uncomfortable to learn on. Classical technique is very different from traditional Country, R&B, Pop, and Rock music.

What is your opinion on school music programs?

Recently it has come to my attention that most school music programs require the students to use a Classical guitar to learn on.  I have a major problem with that.

1. School music programs are only in place because it is a proven fact that children who play an instrument are smarter, more articulate, and it helps to develop their coordination and general attitude.  It is supposed to give them a boost of self esteem and make them enjoy school.

2. Some of the larger companies, under the guise of caring about our school children, have spent lots of dollars to hoodwink the school boards into thinking that they can and should buy into one of their packaged programs. This is where the company sells them the guitar, the strap, stands, cases, strings, picks, music books, and even supplies videos for any lazy teachers that don't want to actually teach.  I have been told there is a training program that teaches a non-musician how to teach guitar in 3 days.  Theoretically, eventually these people will be the ones responsible for teaching the programs.   EEEEEEEEEEEkkkkkkkkk!!!!

3. I have seen some of these guitar shaped objects and as I suspected they were cheap imported guitars that would barely last 3 years.  The local schools in Las Vegas start with 30 guitars and are allowed to buy 10 more guitars a year to replace the ones that fall apart.  (Talk about your planned obsolescence.)

4. For the last few years, I have been scratching my head about where some of these large guitar companies are making all their money.  In my end of the business, these larger companies are looked on with disfavor by most real musicians.  Except of course the paid shills who make as much as $100,000.00 yearly to tout some crappy name brand.  I suspected that they were doing it by selling to Europe and Asia.  Over there the musicians are running about 7 years behind the USA.  In Germany, a Gibson or a PRS are still considered to be the top of the line guitars.

Eventually the Germans will smarten up and they will catch on.  For the time being, that's the way it is.  I am selling lots of PRS guitars in Germany.  Almost as much as I sell at Christmas time here.  (PRS is the Current Christmas Guitar it used to be Gibson....)

A Christmas guitar is the brand that the rich people buy their kids for their 14th birthday.  The kid doesn't know the score, the parents are usually well meaning, but they know less than the kid does.  In the hands of an evil commissioned salesman in a superstore these people are the reason they come to work. 

1970 to 1982 Fender Stratocaster was the Christmas guitar

1983 to 1986 Kramer Pacer was the Christmas guitar.   (Today they are quite valuable and hard to find for sale)

1986 to 1998 The Gibson Les Paul was the Christmas guitar.  (The Les Paul is an ancient design that is too heavy and I can't think of a single reason to buy one)

1999 to present PRS is way out in front with no one licking at their heels.   ( A PRS is built a lot better than a Gibson but still not recommended by Ed Roman.  People will eventually see the light.) In the meantime Ed Roman Guitars will continue sell 150 or so PRS guitars in December every year and about 15 for the entire rest of the year.

PRS has recently made the same mistake that Kramer did and they have come out with Cheap Korean guitars last year.  They did this to cash in on the PRS name with the people who couldn't afford to spend the insane price they are charging.  (Remember today PRS guitars are no longer handmade.)

PRS IS SPENDING BIG MONEY ON ADVERTISING THOSE CHEAPO MODELS... Why?  because the profit margin on a $699.00 imported guitar can be higher than on a $1,999.00 USA made guitar. (Sad But True)

Do I need Lessons?

Definitely not. I recommend that you learn to play a little by ear first then, if you want lessons you will be much better served.  Some of the world's best musicians are totally untrained.  Just as most wealthy entrepreneurs are high school dropouts.  I am not saying quit school.  Just don't let it program you to be an automaton.  Pick up a chord book and have a friend show you a couple of things to help you get started.  Once you are having a little fun, (FUN is the key word here), then you can decide if you want to improve yourself with some theory and some lessons.

Should I find one teacher & stick with him?

It is rare that one teacher will be multifaceted, most teachers are jazz buffs. I personally believe that if you are going to take lessons you should try and find as many teachers as you can afford and spread yourself around. This will go a long way towards helping you in developing a style of your own.

Should I learn on a 22 fret model or a 24 fret model?

I strongly recommend that you learn on a full double octave guitar (24 frets).   It is just as easy to learn as a partial one.  In fact, it is probably easier because it makes more sense when you try to learn scales and positioning.  It's also physically easier to play because the necks are usually slimmer and longer.

What brands of guitars do you recommend?

Today almost any brand of guitar is decently made.  I recommend trying to stay away from the big corporation brands like Gibson, Epiphone, ESP, Schecter, etc.  I recommend that solely because, I would rather see the smaller companies succeed.  Fender builds a great beginner guitar and so does Peavey.  Just don't fall into the trap.

Here's the Trap !!

Wow!  If this $237.00 guitar is this good, it stands to reason that their $1,650.00 must be way better!

NOT !  In fact, the one that costs 6 times as much is usually not that much better at all.

I'm a quality conscious person.  I want to invest into something that will go up in value.  What should I buy?

Don't buy into the hype, look for quality and workmanship. Spend time comparing models, don't look at the brand name.  Look at the playability. Look at the construction. Look at the fit & finish.  Look at the design improvements.  If you use your head and not your emotions, it becomes very simple to choose the right investment grade guitar.

Remember.... Don't buy into the hype,  Pay no attention to the perceived value, and use your basic intelligence.  (Your basic intelligence is your best friend)   USE IT !!!

Ed Roman