<p>I've played classical guitar for years. Now I think I would like to learn how to be a rocker and/or jazz player. :) Where do I start? What do I buy? How do I learn? I've never played with a pick in my life. I read standard notation, though if TAB is there, I sometimes use it to supplement the notation (to me, it's sometimes easier to see what position to play in). But I can't read TAB alone.</p>
<p>Why am I wanting a shiny red electric guitar? Is this a mid-life crisis???</p>
<p>Yes…come to the dark side! :)</p>
<p>To be honest, if you have a strong classical foundation, you’ll have very little to learn from a musicianship standpoint. Jazz is a different beast entirely, but many of the greatest rock guitarists learned simply by learning to play songs and then just going by ear. Stevie Ray Vaughan, for example, never even learned to read music! Since you’re a classical guitarist I imagine you already know your scales and fretboard inside out, which is great for any type of guitar playing!</p>
<p>As far as technique goes, make sure you learn to hold the pick correctly and make SUPER sure you just stay relaxed in your playing. Keeping my picking hand wrist way too tense was a problem that plagued me early in my guitar life and it’s a problem that I see a lot in the guitarists I teach (who are all beginners). In addition, since you’re coming from a classical guitar background, you’ll likely need to get the hang of muting strings with your fretting hand. I know it’s something classical guitarists avoid like the plague (and for good reason!) but it’s a very important technique in rock.</p>
<p>As far as gear goes, just remember that good tone is 75% amp and 25% guitar. A great amp with a crappy guitar will ALWAYS sound better than a crappy amp with a great guitar. I can recommend some nice, inexpensive bang-for-your-buck type guitars and amps if you can tell me a little more info about what sort of music you’re looking to play specifically.</p>
<p>Rockr- sorry to butt in- can you rec a good sounding guitar amp? S has a nice yamaha keyboard but has been complaining about the sound coming from the amp (intro purchased 3 yrs go). He travels for gigs w this equip. so weight is a concern.</p>
<p>How is jazz a different beast entirely??? I mean, how is it different from playing lead? </p>
<p>So, it sounds like for technique purposes you think a teacher would be important. How does one go about finding a “good” one?</p>
<p>And what would you suggest for a guitar and amp? Do I need one kind of electric to play jazz and another type to play rock? I don’t want to hum-strum. I want to play notes. Sorry if I am making no sense. I know NOTHING about the proper lingo! And, I am an old woman.</p>
<p>Yes, it is a mid-life crisis. So go out and buy yourself a shiny, red Fender Stratocaster and a Blues Junior amp.</p>
<p>I’m too out of it to even know if this is sarcastic or not!!</p>
<p>Hoggirl, if you want a shiny new red guitar, go for it. I found the MLC to be a convenient reason.</p>
<p>Okay…here we go. :)</p>
<p>“Hum-strum” is code for rhythm guitar and “playing notes” is lead, correct? :)</p>
<p>Well in that case, whether you play rock or jazz, you’ll be playing some of both!</p>
<p>But first, let’s differentiate between rock and jazz guitar.</p>
<p>Jazz guitarists, such as Joe Pass, must study modal improvisation, jazz chords and scales, phrasing, etc, etc, lots of other complex stuff that I am terrible at and do not generally understand. Haha. Traditional jazz guitar tends to be played finger style and is a little more similar to classical than rock, though jazz is often played with a pick as well. Jazz guitarists most often use hollow body electric guitars; that is, electric guitars with a cutaway in them to produce a more resonant sound suitable for jazz. Here is an example of jazz guitar: [Joe</a> Pass - All the Things You Are - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>Rock guitarists, such as Jimi Hendrix, must study alternate picking techniques, palm muting and fretting hand muting, string bending, and vibrato, among other things. Proper music theory study is much less important, though to be good at improvisation a rock guitarist must usually have a grasp of some jazz theory as well (though some talented guitarists can just play it by ear if they know the fretboard well enough). Rock guitarists usually use solid body electric guitars, though some use hollow bodies as well. Rock guitarists also usually make extensive use of effects pedals such as delay, distortion, etc. to create different sounds with their guitar. Here is an example of rock guitar (though keep in mind there are SO many different kinds of rock that it’s almost counterproductive to just give one example): [url=<a href=“Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California Live@Chorzów(Poland) - YouTube”>Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California Live@Chorzów(Poland) - YouTube]Red</a> Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California Live@Chorz</p>
<p>YES! I truly appreciate your long, well-thought-out reply. I have a friend who plays electric, so I may get him to go with me to the guitar store. </p>
<p>Even though I have played classical forever, my theory knowledge is poor, so I think I better try to be a rock-chick!</p>
<p>Thanks, again.</p>
<p>Rock chicks are cool!</p>
<p>Good luck and have fun.</p>