My daughter wants to play guitar...

[htismaqe]

I have 3 guitars she could use but they're all standard, right-hand configurations and she's left-handed.

My wife thinks I should teach her to play right-handed. Since she's never played before, it won't be like she'd have to unlearn anything.

However, I'm concerned that I could be potentially limiting her later on because she might not ever fully develop the dexterity she might have otherwise developed if I had just gotten her a left-handed guitar to start with.

[DoucheMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I really want to learn to play the piano. If you can play the piano, you can wow people at parties or occasionally in the mall.

With the intelligence you've shown over the years, along with the rhythm of your posts, I'm sure you'd pick it up in a heartbeat.

There's nothing better than scenes in Woody Allen movies, where just about anyone can sit down at the piano and play old standards. I've always thought that was lovely and such a party treat.

I can guarantee that if you bought any old piano, had it tuned and hired a teacher, you'd be playing and enjoying yourself in no time.

Sincerely.

[MeatRock]

Not to hijack your thread htis, but youtube Guthrie Govan - Along the Tracks.

I think it's something you might appreciate.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

My personal and professional opinion is to teach her piano.

There's nothing more satisfying than being able to walk into a room at any age, whether it's 10 or 20 or 30 or 70, read sheet music and play any song.

It's the universal language for a reason. It's an ambidextrous instrument, it teaches history (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, etc.) and there's nothing like the accomplishment of playing historically significant musical pieces or a song from the present.

If you can't afford a piano, rent one to see if the desire is there. Outside of that, guitar is a difficult instrument, especially first instrument, for many reasons.

First off, it's painful to press metal strings on wood to make sound. Most guitars are set up like ****ing shit, whether it's a $100 guitar or a $3000 Gibson (I just had a beginner at my house last week with a $3k 335 that was ****ing dogshit).

Secondly, 99% of all teachers teach the instrument incorrectly, so students don't even like playing after a few weeks. Who wants to play their favorite song on an unplayable $99 dollar acoustic?

Furthermore, if your kids can't sing (i.e., sing in tune, have pitch, etc.) you're wasting your time. I hate to sound like a dick but if you can't sing (and I'm not referring to great tone, sounding like a gospel singer, etc.), your kids will bomb with any instrument.

Good luck!

Lots of wisdom in this post.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

For point 3, I've always felt that using an electric with lighter gauge strings, (coupled with low action), can show quicker results which breeds a further fascination with the instrument, thus, increasing interest in expanding her musical horizons


Did you put a patch on her right eye when she was born so she wouldn't be lazy with her sight?
Why would you want to handicap her out of the gate?

Wait a minute, aren't you the guy that warned against frequent use of hammer-on's and pull-off's? :P

Yes, lighter strings and a lower action might lead to quicker results. I can also say from personal experience that it fosters bad habits.

Futhermore, now that I play my electric in B standard with 12-56 strings, the time I spent on the acoustic is invaluable. Switching from 8's or 9's to these would be very hard to do simply from a finger wear/fatigue standpoint. They're chunky.

And my youngest daughter had a strabismus. She had to wear a path over her eye for 2 years. How dare you!

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Wait a minute, aren't you the guy that warned against frequent use of hammer-on's and pull-off's? :P

Yes, lighter strings and a lower action might lead to quicker results. I can also say from personal experience that it fosters bad habits.

Futhermore, now that I play my electric in B standard with 12-56 strings, the time I spent on the acoustic is invaluable. Switching from 8's or 9's to these would be very hard to do simply from a finger wear/fatigue standpoint. They're chunky.

And my youngest daughter had a strabismus. She had to wear a path over her eye for 2 years. How dare you!

I've found that kids are more likely to stick with guitar when it's not drenched in their own blood.
I learned on an electric with 8's and moved on to acoustic later.
BTW - I'm sorry about your daughter's strabismus, (I had to look that up). I hope she's better now.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

I've found that kids are more likely to stick with guitar when it's not drenched in their own blood.
I learned on an electric with 8's and moved on to acoustic later.
BTW - I'm sorry about your daughter's strabismus, (I had to look that up). I hope she's better now.

I look at it like a sport - no pain, no gain.

I would start on an acoustic because I think it teaches better technique if and when she chooses to pursue it further, say classical guitar in college.

The last thing I want is for her guitar playing to turn out like mine!