quote:Originally posted by DMD3:
My dad has 4 or 5 different guitars. I haven't tried all of them but of the 2 I have tried the Martin seems easier. Is a Martin good for starters or is a bit more advanced?(I'm going to teach myself from scratch).
Yes, a Martin is definitely good for starters! And if you don't like it, I'll gladly take it off your hands!
Before you start learning, DMD, take the guitar to a shop, have a certified technician set it up properly (if it needs it) and put new strings on it. Also, you might want to ask him what the value of the guitar is. Some Martins, especially if very old, are worth a pile of money. Some of the pre WW2 Martins are worth over $15,000. Martins from the '40s, 50's and 60's are also increasing in value. So get it checked out. When you're not playing the guitar, you should put it back in the case, and throw a guitar humidifier in there so the guitar doesn't crack. Don't leave it lying around where it can get damaged. I let my sons play my Martins, but only when I'm home. Otherwise, they are off limits.
You should learn to play a strumming song first, as fingerpicking is a more advanced technique that you should concentrate on after you've learned your chords. Alberta Bound is an easy one. If you need help with playing the chords, let us know. There are a bunch of guitar players in this group and I'm sure they'd all be willing to help.
Good luck!
Cathy
http://www.cathycowette.com