Guitar recommendation for a teen?

[Smidget]

great! glad to hear you found something and that he's likin' it.

I wonder how long it will take him to decide that 10 IS louder than 9

[Huskie]

He's getting a little discouraged right now.

I've found a couple sites that have on-line lessons.
www.fenderplayersclub.com and www.littlekidsrock.org

We went to the littlekidsrock.org one which seems more for him and me I'm itching to try this myself now. Sorry GH controller, you're being transformed back to your original self whether my wife likes it or not.

The littlekidsrock site starts off very basic which is exactly what we both need. He's not liking strumming up but he does have a sense of beat because of his involvement with the school band. He has to understand that this is going to take time and I'm trying to convey that to him. Maybe once I have my own guitar to practice with him, it might make him feel better (cause I suck more) but I'll just keep trying.

I thought 11 was louder than 10? - LOL

This might be just me but that Fender Frontman 15G amp is LOUD for using inside of a house ... for practice. I have to set it between 0 and 1 so the walls don't shake and the wife doesn't skin us. In time and with practice, that sucker is going to 11! I don't care if I have to sleep on the couch. It will be well worth it.

And thanks again for the tip.

ETA: I mistook the Fender lessons for the lessons on a DVD that comes with the guitar. The ones on the DVD seemed too hard to start with. We still need to check the ones on the Fender site.

[benjamin]

I have that exact same pack, and the most difficult thing about the video is that it tries to teach one to read sheet music, though it goes into Tablature later.

My guitar has been good to me, the amp has not overdrive, which I dislike, and I also traded out my strings for a higher gauge, but that is only cause I dropped down to Drop B. But the guitar works for me, even though my elitist dick friends make fun of it.

[Smidget]

I thought 11 was louder than 10? - LOL

erm, *ahem*...yes. When I typed it I was thinking about it and was like "eh, I'll just put this and I know for sure that it will be corrected if wrong" haha

I wish I could give some tips on "what helped me to keep going when I started" but alas, I don't play guitar. Learning it with him is a great idea, as long as he doesn't mind hanging with dad :P Getting involved with music in school is always a plus and would teach him to read music (if its not too late); though it would probably require him learning another instrument on top of guitar as most school bands don't have places for guitar.

[Huskie]

I have that exact same pack, and the most difficult thing about the video is that it tries to teach one to read sheet music, though it goes into Tablature later.

We want him to learn by reading sheet music first which is what he is doing now with the trombone. I'll get him to learn tabs after he's comfortable.

I wish I could give some tips on "what helped me to keep going when I started" but alas, I don't play guitar. Learning it with him is a great idea, as long as he doesn't mind hanging with dad :P Getting involved with music in school is always a plus and would teach him to read music (if its not too late); though it would probably require him learning another instrument on top of guitar as most school bands don't have places for guitar.

He hasn't complained yet about me hanging with him when we play the GH and Star Wars games I hope he's not getting bored with me ... yet.
Not too late to read music. He's been in the school band for a few years now and plays the trombone. My youngest plays the trumpet. It can get a little loud in my house sometimes.
I printed out "The Circle of Life" lesson (sheet music with guitar chords) from the Fender site and the little one yells out "Hey, I can read that. I can play that on my trumpet!"

... We jam next Sunday

[hmxsean]

You should start a blog about A: his progress and the arc of learning guitar and B: the early formation of the Huskie Family Band.

[Smidget]

You should start a blog about A: his progress and the arc of learning guitar and B: the early formation of the Huskie Family Band.

haha, agreed!

I played trumpet in school from 5th-11th grade, loved it. I think I learned 2 or 3 of the Lion King songs early on as well, haha. In marching band I played mellophone and baritone. I highly recommend marching band for any kid who's already in band and has the time to do so. Most of my best memories of high school came from it (Disney World, Ireland/London, ...) and it kept me out of trouble. Not that I would have been a "bad" kid otherwise but I definitely would have had a lot more time on my hands after school and would have been hanging out with other peoples. But it didn't stop me from spending late late nights with Halo LAN get-togethers..on school nights...every other night..XD

[Huskie]

You should start a blog about A: his progress and the arc of learning guitar and B: the early formation of the Huskie Family Band.

You just want the book rights.

I played trumpet in school from 5th-11th grade, loved it. I think I learned 2 or 3 of the Lion King songs early on as well, haha. In marching band I played mellophone and baritone. I highly recommend marching band for any kid who's already in band and has the time to do so. Most of my best memories of high school came from it (Disney World, Ireland/London, ...) and it kept me out of trouble. Not that I would have been a "bad" kid otherwise but I definitely would have had a lot more time on my hands after school and would have been hanging out with other peoples. But it didn't stop me from spending late late nights with Halo LAN get-togethers..on school nights...every other night..XD

I heard about those band trips. I used to play the trumpet in grade school but I didn't go on to band but I did hear the stories. Late late nights with Halo LAN get-togethers is tame by comparison

[Smidget]

haha, well by "best memories" I DID mean honest-to-goodness fun times. But between the trips and band camp each year, I definitely have some good stories, haha. Sneaking out of our hotel (we had to be ninjas man, it was crazy) in London to get some beer because the drinking age is lower there is just one of them XD

[Huskie]

Maybe I can chaperon these trips then They sound like they're a lot of fun.

I have that exact same pack, and the most difficult thing about the video is that it tries to teach one to read sheet music, though it goes into Tablature later.

My guitar has been good to me, the amp has not overdrive, which I dislike, and I also traded out my strings for a higher gauge, but that is only cause I dropped down to Drop B. But the guitar works for me, even though my elitist dick friends make fun of it.

Did you have any problems with your's yet?
I just exchanged the electronic tuner because one of the LEDs didn't work. Other than that, it's been good.
The store had already sold out of this Pak but they got more in that have the digital Fender amp. $80 more but it sure looks like it is worth it. The bass Paks are still there which I would like but I value my life more and I don't want to sleep on that couch.