Buying an Acoustic Guitar: Excited, Nervous
I’ve been considering getting an acoustic guitar for some time now. Over a year, easily. More than two years, possibly. I like the idea of playing music again, and quite honestly… singing a little. I sing from time to time, but I do so kind of in secret – either in the shower, or when I’m in the apartment alone.
The act of singing a song I like brings me great pleasure, but the thought of “performing” for other people doesn’t quite elicit the same response.
The fact that most guitars are kind of expensive has made me gunshy about purchasing one. Part of me is worried I just like the idea of owning a guitar, and not necessarily practicing playing guitar. What if I blow a ton of money on this thing, and it just sits in the corner gathering dust?
I’ve got tons of examples of things I’ve wanted to purchase or learn, that are still waiting for me on a shelf somewhere: books on Processing, a small Arduino kit, a collection of old photographs I mean to root through and scan, the list goes on.
On the other hand, the itch to have a guitar has been building for a long while now. I’m slowly noting down songs that I want to learn how to play, and the list seems a reasonable one – within reach for my abilities and my vocal range. I don’t think it’s going to be the next thing I totally throw myself into, but it feels like something I’ll pick up from time to time for pleasure – a bit like video games, in that respect.
I’ve shied away from buying used, mostly because I just don’t know what I’m looking for yet. I’m planning to go to Old Town School of Folk Music this weekend, to test out a few guitars and figure out what I like and don’t like.
It’s funny how much I go, back and forth, between wanting a guitar and worried I’m just wasting my money. I’ve always had a problem with big ticket items, and it takes me a really long time to pull the trigger on anything that costs more than $50. Even buying video games is a tough decision, sometimes.
We’ll see how this weekend goes. Some time on Saturday, I’ll be trying out a few guitars… and possibly coming home with one of them.
Related:
Erik Mongrain: Amazing Guitar Tapping Videos
Guitar Man
Who Knew Charo Was a Kick Ass Guitarist?
The Old Town School of Music is a great place. Whether you buy a guitar or not (you should, and I think you will), you’ll love your experience there.
Juliet (March 9, 2013 at 12:51 am)