3 Reasons Learning Guitar Is Different To Learning Other Instruments

The guitar has always been a popular instrument to learn for a variety of reasons. It’s relatively cheap to buy, it has a fairly steep learning curve and the music you’re probably listening to features a lot of guitar work that you can learn from. Learning the guitar is different from learning other instruments and the experience is unique in a number of ways. This article will discuss just a few of them.

People Are Able To Learn By Watching Others

 

While there’s no doubt that taking lessons with a guitar teacher is going to give you the best chance of learning how to play the guitar well, there are a great many guitarists out there that initially learnt just by watching other people play. A lot of this has to do with the visual nature of guitar playing and our psychological response to it. Many people remember chords by the way they look, for instance, the position of the hand and the fingers when they are played. This enables people to pick up a few chords relatively quickly just by observing others and apply what they have seen.

Your Favourite Songs Only Have A Few Chords

Another reason for playing the guitar is so popular and is often considered different to other instruments is the fact that with just a few chords, you can play a huge number of songs from some well-known artists. In fact, with just a G-chord, C-chord and D-chord under your belt, chances are you can play along to the large majority of rock and country songs. Add another couple of chords and you can play almost anything.

This makes learning guitar more rewarding earlier compared to some other instruments, which require that you develop and refine your skills before you are able to really get something out of it and see your progress.

The Perfect Campfire Instrument

 

One of the big reasons learning and playing the guitar is so appealing is the fact that it’s practical compared to most other instruments. It’s pretty easy to transport and take with you wherever you go, and requires little to no set up if you want to play. This makes it a great instrument to play in a group setting just about anywhere and it’s great to sing along to, as the music the guitar more often than not produces the foundation for the main melody. The guitar is the perfect addition to a camping trip or just a hangout with friends for this reason.

If you’re looking to take lessons at some point, it’s worthwhile picking up a guitar at some point and trying your hand at it first. There are plenty of affordable guitar options down at Guitar Paradise that are worth checking out. Go to our website or just pop into our Richmond store today.

How to Find the Perfect Guitar Amp for Your Needs

It is often said that there are three things that make up a guitarists sound that defines them; the player, the Guitar and the guitar amp. With these three items being a bone of contention throughout the history of recorded music, as guitarists look to replicate a Hendrix or Knopfler sound that they can enjoy and further make their own.

But playing the guitar is all about finding your own path to success and how you define the sounds that you create. With your playing style taking much of the credit, the guitar you use will also play a large role – but one of the most important aspects of your setup has to your guitar amp. From deep, rich tones of a jazz amp, to a triple super lead cranked to 11 – your amp will define your playing like no other!

Fender Guitar Amps

If you are looking for a classic twang of the American blues and rock, then you’ll find all that you need in the wide range of Fender amps available from the past and the present. From solid state starter combos to fully-fledged reissue valve amps, Fender has set the tone in the guitar amp world for many, many years.

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One of the best fender amps out there today has to be the ’65 Deluxe Reverb blackface edition. This amp has it all when it comes to tone, making the most of whatever guitar you plug into it – you will notice that distinct American sound that set the world alight back in the 60s. As a premium professional guitar amp, the cost is a little over a beginner’s budget, but for the players, the pros and the travelling guitarists, there doesn’t come much better than this pure valve tone monster!

If you are looking for a starter amp with a lot of value for money, then maybe one of the Fender Champion amps is right for you. Featuring several models with different combo speaker arrangements, the Fender Champion 40 is a great way to get into the tone of Fender amps. As one of the most popular guitar amps, Melbourne music shops sell, the Champion 40 is one of the most versatile amps on the market, with a number of voices and effects that will allow you to tune your tone to perfection every time!

Laney Guitar Amps

Laney has been in the business since the mid-sixties and has enjoyed playing a huge part in the metal genre of music. Built for guitarists and bassists, Laney specialises in giving an alternative tone for musicians to play with. Laney features a number of different amp combinations, including amp heads, cabinets, combos and rackmount systems for the ultimate in versatility.

One of the most popular series of Laney amps has to be the VC series and in particular the VC15-110. This 15-watt combo has all of the rich, warm blues tones you could imagine in a single box, as well as featuring multi-channels with equalisation options to boot. This ‘Class A’ all valve head is perfect for blues with a bite and brings out an amazing sonic performance when fully cranked!

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Marshall Guitar Amps

As one of the most famous guitar amps in the world, Marshall is known for its range of tone, versatility, high-quality manufacture and dependability. It is little wonder why so many choose a small Marshall combo as their first guitar amp, as well as the classic full stack for stadium rocking sounds!

Marshall has a range of vintage series amps that include all valve construction, as well as being made to the exacting specifications of the original units. The Marshall MG series of solid state amps that are built for great tone at great prices, including the Marshall MG30CFX which features a 30watt combo amp, multiple channels and a fluid and brilliant equaliser panel. Being one of the fastest selling guitars amps Melbourne shops stock, get in there fast to reserve your new amp!

If you want to upgrade to something a bit more modern, then the Marshall CODE series of amplifiers will be a perfect choice for the modern guitarist. Featuring amp modelling based on a rich history of Marshall amps, as well as Bluetooth functionality, the CODE series is a great way to get into digital home recording for the ultimate in versatility.

Whatever amp you choose to purchase next, don’t forget to purchase great quality oxygen-free cables for better quality, as well as test the amp with a range of guitars that suits your style. You’ll find Guitar Paradise offers help with the selection of your accessories, being the number one shop for guitar amps Melbourne wide. Choose the amp that best matches your mood, and goes for versatility if you want to enjoy the amp for many years to come!

Choosing your first Pro-Level Guitar

Finding a high-quality guitar that plays as great as it sounds used to require hard work and a little luck, but these days there are numerous guitar manufacturers to choose from to find your ultimate axe. To start your foray into guitar music, you might want to an acoustic guitar to give you that flexibility and ease of use you need when you’re starting out. However, there starting with an electric guitar is also safe if you’ve got your heart set on playing that kind of music. To avoid the dilemma whether you should play an electric guitar or acoustic guitar let’s take a look at 2 of the brands we recommend for beginners.

The Epiphone Les Paul Electric guitar

 

Epiphone, a company steeped in 140 years of history for their musical instruments is one of the cornerstones of the modern electric guitar industry. The guitar came into being after Les Paul was asked to consult on a new design for Gibson guitars to rival the introduction of the Fender Telecaster. This iconic design, as well as its innovative circuitry which give it an iconic sound has made the Les Paul one of the most famous guitars in the world.

When the Epiphone musical instrument company was bought out by Gibson, the Epiphone brand was used to create high quality, yet affordable versions of the Gibson branded guitars. With many other innovations still being made by Epiphone, they continue to create new designs, independently of Gibson.

A range of tones

 

The Epiphone Les Paul comes in a number of different options available for the beginner or the pro which allows you to choose a high-quality instrument that doesn’t break the bank. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard is well regarded as a high quality professional musical instrument, despite its relatively low price compared with Gibson models. A number of famous guitarists use this guitar and swear by its quality and sound.

Other variants of Les Paul include the Les Paul Studio; a ‘no frills’ version of the standard that has less finishing options such as body and neck binding, dot inlays and a natural top finish. The Les Paul Plus Top features a beautiful A+ wood top finish that usually contains quilted maple. But for those that want a true Les Paul experience on a budget, the LP-100 comes in at an amazing price to give you that authentic Les Paul sustain and tone. You can check out this review on Epiphone Les Paul guitar and make the decision a little  easier for you:

Cole Clark Guitars

 

Finding your tone is one of the most enjoyable aspects of guitar playing, and as you progress you will find that the materials used in the production of your guitar will play an essential role. For this reason, many people choose to find a specialist guitar maker that uses the best materials combined with a high-quality finish.

Cole Clark guitars are a small producer of high-quality musical instruments that utilise years of experience and craftsmanship to offer some of the finest sounding acoustics on the market. Cole Clark guitars use indigenous Australian fine woods to create their masterpieces, which allows a tonal range that is rich and true to hear.

The finest materials and construction

With two separate classes to choose from when it comes to acoustics, the Fat Lady and the Angel series, a wide range of choice is on offer to give you an acoustic tone to fall in love with. Cole Clark acoustics are made from the finest materials, offering Quilted Maple, Indian Rosewood and Tasmanian Silkwood tops to give you a rich deep tone.

The finish on all of the acoustics in the range is second to none, giving you high quality craftsmanship in the binding and fretwork, delicate inlays and the refined class of the headstock which screams quality. Cole Clark guitars also offer their very own range of pickup systems which are incorporated into their acoustic models.

Standing the test of time

So if you are looking for a fine guitar that has a history of superior quality, fine craftsmanship with high-quality materials, Cole Clark acoustic guitars are the way to go. Similarly, with a rich history of build quality, super cool looks and killer tone, the Epiphone Les Paul models are your best bet at your first pro model guitar.

If taken care of, these guitars will last you a lifetime of enjoyment. Built with the finest materials, designed by world leading skilled luthiers, and a brand name that many artists swear by, your first pro level guitar is just waiting to be played.