Originally Posted by: CribloI'll add another question so I don't have to make a new thread. I feel a little discouraged when everyone talks about how much they pay for their guitar and when they say how guitars that cost three times what mine did, suck. I bought an Alvanez sd20sc or something such as that. Will I be needing to upgrade my guitar? Should I expect mine to not sound as good as others? My friend has a Washburn D10S and told me I should get the same, but the guitar store had none. Will I be THAT much worse off just going for the Alvanez?

I'll just pretty much say what the others have said. Stick with what you have right now. The person who said starting out on a crappy guitar can make you better is absolutely right. I got my first guitar about 35 yrs. ago, a no-namer acoustic, and the action (string height) was so high, I had to shave the callouses off my fingertips every coupla months. When I finally moved on to an electric or a better acoustic, it was sooo much easier.

I think you asked in your first thread positioning- I'd suggest putting the leg on the same side as your picking hand on about a 1-2 foot stool in a seated position; this will raise the guitar up. If you practice standing, tighten up the guitar strap so the guitar is about chest level. My point is, if the guitar is too low, you'll feel REALLY uncomfortable, and probably strain the ligaments and muscles in your wrist and forearm. As far as single notes- I think of my fingers like the hammers on a piano; I try to attack the strings the same way; straight down onto the string. Later on when you're more comfortable, you'll find your own comfort zone, and wear your guitar like a gunslinger if you want. Get into good habits now cuz bad habits will be hard to break later. Good luck and just have fun!