Any musicians out there, I've been looking to learn an instrument, and was thinking about the guitar. Whats a good accoustic guitar to learn on at a fair price?
The way I've always looked at it, is that it really doesn't matter how difficult it is for a person to play guitar, (or any other instrument for that matter) what ultimately matters is your love for music, and for the instrument. I mean, if you're absolutely enthralled with playing guitar, you're particular learning curve won't even be an issue. The drive is what matters.
If you're going for your first acoustic guitar, I'd suggest an Alvarez or Epiphone. The best way to go, however, is to just try a million different acoustics out. See what sounds good to you, regardless of name-brand.
If you can, try to get one with a "solid top"--as opposed to plywood or some other composite wood.
Hold the guitar. Does it feel comfortable? Is the neck too round for your liking? Too flat? How does the fretboard feel when you slide your chord hand along it?
Check the action on the guitar. (How far the strings are set away from the fretboard; high action, low action)
Action is a preference, and diferent people prefer differentiating types of action. When you're starting out though, I'd suggest an action that isn't ungainly high or incredibly low. One way to check this out is to just press a simple chord shape, and decide if it takes a little too long for you to press the chord shape down to the fretboard. Concordingly, see if it is way too sensitive, the strings hitting the fretboard when you don't mean them to.
**You also want to definately check for "buzzing".**
Pick each string, going from open, (0 fret, without fingering a note) to the first fret, the second, third, and so on. Try the octive (12 fret). As you're doing this, you may encounter this "buzzing" sound as your fingers approach each fret. This is usually indicative of the quality and care that went into engineering the fret holes and saddle of the guitar. If it wasn't mapped out correctly, there is a chance that the the string, as it vibrates after you pluck it, will just so slightly bump against the wood of the fretboard, causing a "buzz" sound. Now, this is going to happen a little regardless of the quality of the guitar, because you probably won't have the adequate finger strength yet. However, it shouldn't happen a lot, and it shouldn't be difficult to fret a note on the fretboard without getting buzzing.
Check the guitar's uniformness.
Take your left hand, (if you are right-handed) and lightly touch the very middle tip of the headstock. Strum the guitar. If the guitar has been put together well, you should be able to feel a humming vibration with your left hand. This means, that the vibrational feedback bounced against the soundboard, and traveled all the way up the neck, to the headstock and your finger. The more powerful the vibration that you sense, the more care went into setting the neck into the body of the guitar, and the more sustain, and responce you'll get out of the guitar when you play it.
As far as acoustic strings go, I swear by Elixir strings. Quality strings make a HUGE difference.
http://www.elixirstrings.com/
Are lessons the best way or can it be done with instructional dvds?
That's completely up to you. Personally, I'd say just try things out for yourself, and go your own route. I think it'll make you a better player in the end, and you'll develop your own style. There are great videos and articles out there for you to use while you're doing this--many of them free. Check out guitar magazines regularly, such as GuitarOne and guitarWorld.
Read lots of sheet music and tablature. Look up all your favorite songs, and learn how to play them. Pretty soon, after reading various tabs and sheet music, in conjuction with the songs you already know, you'll start to get an ear for notes and chords. Eventually, you'll notice that, when you hear a new song on the radio, for instance, you'll start to "see" what chords they're playing, as they're playing them--even though you've never even heard the song before.
Try your own approach, do your own thing, and seek help when you need it. You can keep it simple and just "campfire" it, or you can really delve into new techniques and theory. Just have fun.
http://www.youtube.com/user/justinsandercoe?ob=4
http://mxtabs.net
http://911tabs.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/RobChappers