Reviews: Kona Learn to Play Acoustic Guitar Starter Pack receives 4.4 Stars out of 5 Stars based on over 300 Customer Reviews.
Walmart Return Policy: Eligible for returns within 30-Days of item delivery
Warranty Information:
For a period of 10 years from the original purchase date, Kona Guitar Co. will warranty any material or workmanship that is deemed defective by KGC.KGC, at its option, will repair or replace, at no charge, the defective product.
This warranty does not cover damages caused by misuse, neglect, abuse, modifications (cosmetic or otherwise) or repairs other than by an authorized KGC warranty repair person. -slickdewmaster
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Reviews: Kona Learn to Play Acoustic Guitar Starter Pack receives 4.4 Stars out of 5 Stars based on over 300 Customer Reviews.
Walmart Return Policy: Eligible for returns within 30-Days of item delivery
Warranty Information:
For a period of 10 years from the original purchase date, Kona Guitar Co. will warranty any material or workmanship that is deemed defective by KGC.KGC, at its option, will repair or replace, at no charge, the defective product.
This warranty does not cover damages caused by misuse, neglect, abuse, modifications (cosmetic or otherwise) or repairs other than by an authorized KGC warranty repair person. -slickdewmaster
If you are a beginner you need to be familiar with the 'action' of guitars. It's how high the strings are over the fret board, and especiallly how high the strings are above the fret board at the nut. The nut is by the first fret. If the strings are too high, especially by the nut, it's reallly hard to press the strings. It greatly impedes your ability to play and learn. Many low cost guitars have too high action by the nut. Get a guitar low action so it's playable. Not tooo low or it will play like butter but sound like butter too.
also search for 'intonation' on youtube. if the intonation is off the guitar can never be in tune.
IMO a 'travel sized' accoustic is a better choice for a first guitar. It's easier, and it's easy to adjust to a full sized guitar.
Are you talking Marty Schwartz? He's super helpful, for sure. Best way to learn is just like anything else. Nothing but practice. As for learning fast, there's really no such thing as a way to learn fast. It completely comes down to how quickly you end up learning it. 100 people could do the exact same lesson plan, and some will learn it in 10 minutes, while others learn it in 10 days.
One piece of advice I can give you that has always helped me, and many people I know, is to actually "give up" temporarily. It sounds counterintuitive, but what I mean is, if you're just not getting something, bail on it for a little while.
I've been playing for over 20 years, but there are plenty of things that are still hard to play, and if I'm just not getting it, I quit for the day, or for several days. Then I'll pick it up again, and all of a sudden, I start getting it.
I think the biggest problem for people learning is they get burnt out and discouraged, and then they decide to just completely quit and say they were never able to get the hang of it. Guitar is something I truly believe anyone could play, if they actually stuck with it. Just don't let yourself get burned out. If you're feeling discouraged, just quit for the day. Or for a few days, but make yourself pick it back up and try again. That discouragement will go away as soon as you get something down. Then you'll get discouraged, all over again, from the next thing you can't play. Haha. It's a cycle, but it's worth it.
Upside: If you win the guitar lottery and it's problem free, it's a good deal.
Downsides:
1) Quality control is non-existant. Some are good, some are bad.
2) Sound is tinny
3) Tuners are lousy, and you'll have to retune frequently
4) Even if you get a good one, action tends to be on the high side--not good for a beginner
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For the price, it is ok. But I'd want to add that high action will make it difficult to play for beginners. I wish I had a proper guitar when I learned it many years ago. You'd easily lose interest and get discouraged when you cannot progress (Looking at you barre chords) because the guitar is set up harder than it needs to be. If I had to do it again, I'd get a proper used guitar that are set up correctly for beginners.
I have a high-ish action acoustic and my favorite tip for younger players (like my 8 and 11yo) is just to toss a capo on the second fret. It's a low-tech solution, but makes everything smaller, the stringers lower, and all basic chords are still easy to find.
For the price, it is ok. But I'd want to add that high action will make it difficult to play for beginners. I wish I had a proper guitar when I learned it many years ago. You'd easily lose interest and get discouraged when you cannot progress (Looking at you barre chords) because the guitar is set up harder than it needs to be. If I had to do it again, I'd get a proper used guitar that are set up correctly for beginners.
Any recommendations of specific models to look for on the market?
What's the best way to learn playing guitar quickly? is Marty's guitar lessons on Youtube the best way or is there some other gem that I'm missing? Already have good guitar to play (Yamaha FG800) and have good tuner as well.
What's the best way to learn playing guitar quickly? is Marty's guitar lessons on Youtube the best way or is there some other gem that I'm missing? Already have good guitar to play (Yamaha FG800) and have good tuner as well.
Practice six hours a day.
John Petrucci and John Myung did that and were world-class in just a few years.
Tim Hensen has claimed twelve hours, but I think might have been a joke.
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A lefty can use any guitar. Just flip it and reverse the strings. The pick guard will be upside down, but it's not going to play any differently than a left-handed guitar.
You can skip it if it's high, you'll just have to press really hard on the lower frets and probably wont make a clean sound when doing chords becaues they aren't pressed down good enough.
Best to look at some youtube videos on how to set the action and the problem a high nut gives you. Should even if you are going to let a tech do it for you, should even if you are going to skip it and learn on hard mode, so you at least know what's going on and see the value of having correct action.
I played for 2 year with a high action acustic. Honestly I didn't get too far those two years. I thought hard mode would be good for me in the long road. I don't think that anymore.
Guitars are better for cheaper now than they were 40 years ago so there's a better chance the nut won't be too high, I don't know.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Shake-N-Bake
Quote
from sdaddict001
:
What's the best way to learn playing guitar quickly? is Marty's guitar lessons on Youtube the best way or is there some other gem that I'm missing? Already have good guitar to play (Yamaha FG800) and have good tuner as well.
Are you talking Marty Schwartz? He's super helpful, for sure. Best way to learn is just like anything else. Nothing but practice. As for learning fast, there's really no such thing as a way to learn fast. It completely comes down to how quickly you end up learning it. 100 people could do the exact same lesson plan, and some will learn it in 10 minutes, while others learn it in 10 days.
One piece of advice I can give you that has always helped me, and many people I know, is to actually "give up" temporarily. It sounds counterintuitive, but what I mean is, if you're just not getting something, bail on it for a little while.
I've been playing for over 20 years, but there are plenty of things that are still hard to play, and if I'm just not getting it, I quit for the day, or for several days. Then I'll pick it up again, and all of a sudden, I start getting it.
I think the biggest problem for people learning is they get burnt out and discouraged, and then they decide to just completely quit and say they were never able to get the hang of it. Guitar is something I truly believe anyone could play, if they actually stuck with it. Just don't let yourself get burned out. If you're feeling discouraged, just quit for the day. Or for a few days, but make yourself pick it back up and try again. That discouragement will go away as soon as you get something down. Then you'll get discouraged, all over again, from the next thing you can't play. Haha. It's a cycle, but it's worth it.
Sorry for writing a novel.
Last edited by Shake-N-Bake January 18, 2022 at 12:21 PM.
So how does a newbie tell if the action is too high or not?
If you've only tried one guitar, you'll have nothing to compare it to, so it's impossible to know. If you have a guitar store near you, that would be best. You'll need to try several guitars. Also, everyone is different when it comes to the action being "too high." Some people love that. For me, and most players that I know, the strings should be as close to the frets as possible, without having a fret buzz sound when you hit the strings. Some people like their strings way above the frets, though.
Any thoughts on this guitar for a kid. My son is 8 and a half. He has a Ukele which is nice and small but he's been wanting a guitar as well.
I got my kids on electric and would recommend it over acoustic guitars for most beginners. Electric action is lower, strings are easier on beginner fingers. Electric guitar body particularly Strat style are much more comfortable. Electric has volume control and and can plug in headphones for personal practice and not disturb others which most parents would be happy about. Electrics are intended to produce a variety of tones with pedals, amps and emulators. Electric can plug into a computer or tablet for apps like Garage Band, and learning games like Rocksmith. Acoustic guitar with electronic pickup are pluggable as well but not at this price point and not quite the same. Electric guitar feels more durable to withstand handling by kids, and most of all, electric guitars just look cool. Once their fingers develop enough strength and calluses they can certainly pick up acoustic as well but as a learning tool electric guitar is bar none in my opinion. Looks for a used Squire Mini which are often bundled with cable and a basic amp and can be found for $100 or less.
Last edited by slickd888 January 18, 2022 at 12:43 PM.
If you are a beginner you need to be familiar with the 'action' of guitars. It's how high the strings are over the fret board, and especiallly how high the strings are above the fret board at the nut. The nut is by the first fret. If the strings are too high, especially by the nut, it's reallly hard to press the strings. It greatly impedes your ability to play and learn. Many low cost guitars have too high action by the nut. Get a guitar low action so it's playable. Not tooo low or it will play like butter but sound like butter too.
So how does a newbie tell if the action is too high or not?
Watch this part for a min. Then watch whole video. Then watch video again in a few days, or other videos on action. If you learn this stuff you will be far ahead of other beginner guitarists.
Also look at videos on 'intonation'. If intonation is set wrong the guitar will always be a little (or alot) out of tune no matter what.
You should always have a tuner to tune the guitar. With a tuner and some youtube videos you can learn to at least check and know if the guitar you are playing has the intonation off.
Learn about action and intonation for fun and educational purposes. As a guitar player you will never escape the need to know these two things. It's a noob-pro move to learn about them before you even buy a guitar. Knowing also lets you assess if a guitar is worth keeping. If you know this stuff you can look at used guitars and get a great one for cheap. You don't neccesarily need to even make adjustments if you know how to tell and simply buy a guitar that is already set up perfect.
Or just wing it and get a cheap guitar. Play it for awhile then mindfully take a file to the nut (cheapy file on amazon?) and learn to do it on your cheap guitar.
Everything in life takes effort. Might as well see the knowledge of setting up guitars as fun, entertaining and stimulating. See effort as fun.
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Or you can just wing it and get a cheap guitar with bad action like how most guitar players did. But most guitar players got no where and suck, and give up because playing is a pain and sounds wrong (if intonation is off).
Another way to skin the cat is to get a classical guitar. It will sound like a classical guitar instead of accoustic, but it's a lot easier hitting cords and doing fingering. This big nylon strings are easy on the fingers.
Or here's another idea if you get a classic guitar with a high nut. Get a capo. the thing that sqeezes the frets down and bars them for you. tune the guitar down two half steps (two frets worth)Put it on the second fret. Then play that way for awhile.
Or just keep guitar normal, learn a song, tune down two half steps so the strings aren't as tight. You will b paying in D Major instead of E major, but it's all relatiive. can practice the song with lower string tension for awhile to build up fingers.
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also search for 'intonation' on youtube. if the intonation is off the guitar can never be in tune.
IMO a 'travel sized' accoustic is a better choice for a first guitar. It's easier, and it's easy to adjust to a full sized guitar.
One piece of advice I can give you that has always helped me, and many people I know, is to actually "give up" temporarily. It sounds counterintuitive, but what I mean is, if you're just not getting something, bail on it for a little while.
I've been playing for over 20 years, but there are plenty of things that are still hard to play, and if I'm just not getting it, I quit for the day, or for several days. Then I'll pick it up again, and all of a sudden, I start getting it.
I think the biggest problem for people learning is they get burnt out and discouraged, and then they decide to just completely quit and say they were never able to get the hang of it. Guitar is something I truly believe anyone could play, if they actually stuck with it. Just don't let yourself get burned out. If you're feeling discouraged, just quit for the day. Or for a few days, but make yourself pick it back up and try again. That discouragement will go away as soon as you get something down. Then you'll get discouraged, all over again, from the next thing you can't play. Haha. It's a cycle, but it's worth it.
Sorry for writing a novel.
Downsides:
1) Quality control is non-existant. Some are good, some are bad.
2) Sound is tinny
3) Tuners are lousy, and you'll have to retune frequently
4) Even if you get a good one, action tends to be on the high side--not good for a beginner
47 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
John Petrucci and John Myung did that and were world-class in just a few years.
Tim Hensen has claimed twelve hours, but I think might have been a joke.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
You can skip it if it's high, you'll just have to press really hard on the lower frets and probably wont make a clean sound when doing chords becaues they aren't pressed down good enough.
Best to look at some youtube videos on how to set the action and the problem a high nut gives you. Should even if you are going to let a tech do it for you, should even if you are going to skip it and learn on hard mode, so you at least know what's going on and see the value of having correct action.
I played for 2 year with a high action acustic. Honestly I didn't get too far those two years. I thought hard mode would be good for me in the long road. I don't think that anymore.
Guitars are better for cheaper now than they were 40 years ago so there's a better chance the nut won't be too high, I don't know.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Shake-N-Bake
One piece of advice I can give you that has always helped me, and many people I know, is to actually "give up" temporarily. It sounds counterintuitive, but what I mean is, if you're just not getting something, bail on it for a little while.
I've been playing for over 20 years, but there are plenty of things that are still hard to play, and if I'm just not getting it, I quit for the day, or for several days. Then I'll pick it up again, and all of a sudden, I start getting it.
I think the biggest problem for people learning is they get burnt out and discouraged, and then they decide to just completely quit and say they were never able to get the hang of it. Guitar is something I truly believe anyone could play, if they actually stuck with it. Just don't let yourself get burned out. If you're feeling discouraged, just quit for the day. Or for a few days, but make yourself pick it back up and try again. That discouragement will go away as soon as you get something down. Then you'll get discouraged, all over again, from the next thing you can't play. Haha. It's a cycle, but it's worth it.
Sorry for writing a novel.
https://youtu.be/lWnncmZsDus?t=5
Also look at videos on 'intonation'. If intonation is set wrong the guitar will always be a little (or alot) out of tune no matter what.
You should always have a tuner to tune the guitar. With a tuner and some youtube videos you can learn to at least check and know if the guitar you are playing has the intonation off.
Learn about action and intonation for fun and educational purposes. As a guitar player you will never escape the need to know these two things. It's a noob-pro move to learn about them before you even buy a guitar. Knowing also lets you assess if a guitar is worth keeping. If you know this stuff you can look at used guitars and get a great one for cheap. You don't neccesarily need to even make adjustments if you know how to tell and simply buy a guitar that is already set up perfect.
Or just wing it and get a cheap guitar. Play it for awhile then mindfully take a file to the nut (cheapy file on amazon?) and learn to do it on your cheap guitar.
Everything in life takes effort. Might as well see the knowledge of setting up guitars as fun, entertaining and stimulating. See effort as fun.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Another way to skin the cat is to get a classical guitar. It will sound like a classical guitar instead of accoustic, but it's a lot easier hitting cords and doing fingering. This big nylon strings are easy on the fingers.
Or here's another idea if you get a classic guitar with a high nut. Get a capo. the thing that sqeezes the frets down and bars them for you. tune the guitar down two half steps (two frets worth)Put it on the second fret. Then play that way for awhile.
Or just keep guitar normal, learn a song, tune down two half steps so the strings aren't as tight. You will b paying in D Major instead of E major, but it's all relatiive. can practice the song with lower string tension for awhile to build up fingers.
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