Where should I buy a guitar? 



​The obvious question. Of course, I teach at the Acoustic Musician and I do highly recommend you buy gear from them. I have been patronizing their store for a couple of years and they carry some great beginner as well as advanced lines. 



If, by chance, they don't have what you want, go to Guitar Czar on 3300 S. I've known Eric for years and they are great guys. It is a little more of a working musician kind of store, but they have the gamut, and can set you up with great electric guitars and basses as well as amps.



What kind of guitar/bass should I buy?



​Here is my best advice: Don't buy name brand!!! Big companies license out their name to off brands to build cheap stuff all the time, it doesn't mean it's good stuff. That is why I recommended the two stores above. I know they will get you into something good that is not too expensive. They will also make sure it is in good condition (see What if I already have a guitar?). If you still aren't sure text me your phone number with the message 'help me buy a guitar' and I will call you back and give you some personalized advice. Oh, and avoid pawn shops and classifieds. There are too many risks for broken, abused, and warped instruments.



What if I already have a guitar?



​Lucky you. Bring it down and I will look at it. There are potential problems that can affect the playability of an instrument such as truss rod problems, fret wear, bad electronics, cheap hardware, etc. Some things can be adjusted, repaired, or replaced for cheap and I can do that for you. Other things just aren't worth the trouble or money and you might be better off with something new. 



My daughter wants to play guitar...



​And....???? Bring her down. I have seen a tremendous upsurge in the numbers of female guitar students. There are some really fabulous women who are leading innovators on the instrument: Nancy Wilson (Heart), Bonnie Rait, Jennifer Batten (look up Jennifer Batten Flight of the Bumble Bee on YouTube), Ani DiFranco, and Susanna Hoffs come to mind. Check out Sarah Sample, too. I went to college with her and she is a successful singer/songwriter.



Oh, nails are not feasible for the first few years though. 



How long before I get good?



​Uh... I don't know. I hope to have you accomplishing goals in the first year, but it all depends on your dedication to practicing.



Can you play....



​No, I cannot play DragonForce, Yngwie, or like they guy who holds the speed record for guitar. I am working on Eruption, I can play some of it, but other things became more important over the years. I am also working on Tumeni Notes from Steve Morse, so check that one out for some guitar gymnastics. I am a technically proficient player and I can teach you beyond my own abilities when it comes to speed, but some of that stuff I find annoying and I don't care to learn it myself. Oh, yes I can play Cliffs of Dover.



What do you listen to?



​Here is a sampling of my recent musical obsessions: Jeff Beck, Steve Hackett, Igor Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Eric Satie, Jonathan Wilson (www.songsofjonathanwilson.com) Weather Report, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Genesis, King Crimson, Eric Johnson, Charles Mingus, Kevin Gilbert, Adrianne Legg, Steve Morse, the Dixie Dreggs, Albert Lee, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, the Young Dubliners, Big Country, Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Suede, Eric Clapton, SRV, Ani DiFranco, Greg Brown, Leonard Cohen, the Tubes, Tears for Fears, the Cars, the Who, the Beatles, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, the Stones, Porcupine Tree, Django Reinhardt, and I have been obsessed with Neil Diamond since the age of 3. I still own those vinyls from then... well, I still have the ones I snuck out of my parents house when I moved out. 



I am tired and I was up way too late doing this. Please, send me a message with additional questions and I will add any I feel are universal enough.