Purchasing Your First Amplifier

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Purchasing Your First Amplifier

Congratulations on taking the first step on your journey to becoming a guitar god! Now that you have your guitar, purchasing your first amplifier can be a lot fun. I’ll walk you through the basics of choosing a guitar amp for beginners. I’ll cover everything from wattage to features to budget, so you can find the perfect amp for your needs.

What Wattage Do You Need?

The first thing you need to consider when choosing an amp is wattage. Wattage is a measure of how loud an amp is. For beginners, I recommend an amp with around 10-20 watts of power. This will be loud enough to practice with at home, but not so loud that you’ll be disturbing your neighbors. Later you can upgrade if you decided to join a band. At that point, I would try to get an amp with at least 50 watts of power.

What Features Do You Need?

Once you’ve decided on a wattage, you need to start thinking about the features you want in an amp. Some amps have built-in effects, such as reverb and distortion. Others have multiple channels, so you can switch between different sounds. And some amps even have Bluetooth connectivity, so you can play along with your favorite songs.

How Much Should You Spend?

The price of a guitar amp can vary greatly. You can find basic amps for as little as $50. But if you want an amp with more features, you’ll need to spend more. A good quality amp for beginners will cost between $100 and $200.

Where to Buy a Guitar Amp

There are a few different places where you can buy a guitar amp. You can go to a music store, online retailer, or even pawn shop. If you’re not sure what amp to get, I recommend talking to a guitar teacher. They can help you find an amp that’s right for you and your playing style.

Here are some additional tips for choosing a guitar amp for beginners:

  • Consider the type of music you want to play. If you’re interested in playing rock or metal, you’ll need an amp with a lot of distortion. If you’re more into jazz, you’ll want an amp with a cleaner sound.
  • Think about where you’ll be playing the amp. If you’re only going to be playing at home, you don’t need an amp that’s as loud as one you’d use for gigs.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re not sure what amp to get, talk to a guitar teacher or salesperson at a music store. They can help you find the perfect amp for your needs.

Here are some very good guitar amps for beginners:

 

Fender Mustang LT25

The Fender Mustang LT25 is a great all-around amp for beginners. It has a variety of built-in effects, including reverb, chorus, and delay. It also has a headphone jack, so you can practice without disturbing anyone. Sweetwater has this amp for $159.99 as of the date this blog was posted.

 

Boss Katana 50

The Boss Katana 50 has a lot of great effects and a tube-like sound. They effects can be a bit confusing for the beginner, but if you love to tweak amps, this one has a lot of options and is very capable of creating amazing sounds. The Boss Katana 50 watt amp is currently $269.

 

Orange Crush 20

Best Amp for Metal Guitarists-The Orange Crush 20RT is a great amp for metal guitarists. It also has a built-in distortion pedal, so you can get that classic metal sound. Keep in mind, this amp does not have any effects built in, so you may want a pedal to go with it. The Orange Crush 20RT is $199.

 

Blackstar ID:Core 10

The Blackstar HT-1R is a great option for beginners who want to experience the sound of a tube amp. It’s a very small, affordable amp that delivers big, rich sound. This amp also has built in effects such as delay and reverb.

These amps are all great choices for beginners. They’re all affordable, have a variety of features, and sound great. The Blackstar HT-1r is a little more expensive but may be worth the investment. This one runs $319.99.

 Bonus Tip for Purchasing Your First Amplifier:

If you’re on a tight budget, you can always start with a headphone amp. This is a small, portable amp that you can plug your guitar into and listen to through headphones. A perfect way to practice without disturbing anyone else.

Here are some of the best headphone amps for beginners:

  • Blackstar Fly 3
  • Fender Mustang Micro Amp
  • Yamaha THR5
  • IK Multimedia iRig Micro Amp

These headphone amps are all great choices for beginners. They’re all affordable, sound great, and are portable.

If you have any questions about purchasing an amp, feel free to contact me, I will be happy to help.

Scheduling a Guitar Lesson

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Scheduling a Guitar Lesson

If you are interested in scheduling a guitar lesson, one of the first things you will need to do is to check the availability. Here are some tips that may help the process.

Scheduling In-Person Lessons Near You

Scheduling a Guitar Lesson

Ethan at Northern Colorado Guitar in Greeley

If you are taking in-person guitar lessons, it is sometimes best to e-mail or text each other the availability. Having a previous list of times that won’t work is helpful when trying to narrow down a spot. Most instructors have set hours that they are available but may be able to work outside those to accommodate your schedule.

When scheduling in-person lessons, it is important to consider the location of the instructor’s studio. If you live in a large city, rush hour may be stressful and can add to the drive time. Finding a guitar teacher who offer lessons near you can help reduce frustration and may lower blood pressure.

Group Lessons

Sometimes, smaller cities only offer group guitar lessons. Group lessons are typically less expensive than private lessons but may have limited times and availability.

Start by contacting your local parks and recreation department. They will be able to tell you about their policies on offering group lessons, as well as the availability of space and equipment.

As a former Parks and Recreation teacher in Fort Collins, I liked it when a student contacted me. It was a perfect opportunity to break the ice and let them know about any possible future offerings as well.

 

 

A couple of things to consider when scheduling with the Parks and Recreation department:

    • What is your skill level? Some programs offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
    • Try to reserve a slot as soon as possible after the booklets are printed for the most flexibility.

When scheduling group lessons, it is important to consider the size of the group. If you are a beginner, you will want to choose a group that is not too large. This will give you more individual attention from the instructor. In my experience, the later classes usually had fewer students.

Here are some additional tips for scheduling guitar lessons:

  • Think about your schedule. When are you available for lessons? Make sure to find an instructor who is available at times that work for you.
  • If you have multiple activities, will you become stressed trying to navigate traffic.
  • Be flexible. If you are not able to make your scheduled lesson, please be sure to give your instructor as much notice as possible.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, taking guitar lessons is so much fun and very rewarding. You are taking the first steps toward one of the best hobbies/careers a person could ever have!

If you have any questions about scheduling, please contact me.

Guitar Lessons Near Me

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How to Find Guitar Lessons Near Me

There are a few different ways to find guitar lessons near you. One option is to ask your friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. You can also search for “guitar lessons near me” on Google for guitar teachers in your area. Also, music stores usually have a list of instructors that they recommend.

Schedules and Experience

When looking for guitar lessons near you, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • The teacher’s experience. How long has the teacher been teaching guitar? Do they have any formal training?
  • The teacher’s availability. When are you available for lessons? Try to find a teacher who can work with your schedule.

Questions for Potential Guitar Teachers

Once you’ve found a few potential teachers, it’s time to start interviewing them. Here are a few questions you may want to ask:

  • What is your teaching style?
  • Are you a traditional teacher who focuses on the basics, or are you more progressive and willing to teach different styles of music?
  • What are your rates?
Madeline taking a "guitar lesson near me"

Madeline at guitar lessons

Your Comfort Level

It’s important to make sure that you feel comfortable with the teacher. The phone interview will tell you a lot about how they may interact with you during the lesson. Getting the right personality is key since you will be spending a lot of time with them.

 

The Teachers Personality

  • Do you want a teacher who is strict and demanding or someone who is more laid-back and relaxed?
  • Find a teacher whose personality meshes well with yours.

 

Here are a few other things to consider:

Your goals

  • What do you want to achieve with your guitar lessons?
  • Do you want to learn how to play basic chords?
  • Do you want to learn how to read music?
  • Do you want to learn how to play a specific style of music?

Once you’ve found a few teachers in your area, it is a great idea to schedule a trial lesson. This will give you a chance to meet the teacher and see if they are a good fit for you. For any questions about Northern Colorado Guitar lessons, please contact me.

How to Choose the Right Teacher

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Five Tips for Choosing the Right Guitar Teacher

 Learning to play the guitar can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to choose the right teacher to help you reach your goals. Not all guitar teachers are created equal, and some may be better suited for your individual needs than others.

In this blog, we’ll discuss five tips for choosing the right guitar teacher. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding a teacher who can help you learn and grow as a musician.

Choosing the Right Teacher

Christina performing at the jam session

Tip 1: Consider your goals

The first step in choosing a guitar teacher is to consider your goals. What do you want to achieve by learning to play the guitar? Do you want to be able to play basic chords and songs? Do you want to learn a specific genre of music? Or do you want to become a professional musician?

Once you know your goals, you can start to look for a teacher who can help you achieve them. If you want to learn basic chords and songs, you may not need a teacher with a lot of experience. However, if you want to learn a specific genre of music or become a professional musician, you’ll need to find a teacher who has the knowledge and experience to help you reach your goals.

Tip 2: Ask around

Once you’ve considered your goals, the next step is to ask around for recommendations. Talk to your friends, family, and fellow musicians to see if they have any recommendations for guitar teachers. You can also search online for reviews of guitar teachers in your area.

Tip 3: Interview potential teachers

Once you’ve found a few potential teachers, it’s important to interview them. This will give you a chance to learn more about their teaching style and approach to music. Ask them about their experience, their teaching philosophy, and their rates. You should also ask them to play for you so you can get a sense of their skill level.

Tip 4: Make sure you feel comfortable

It’s important to choose a guitar teacher who you feel comfortable with. You’ll be spending a lot of time with this person, so it’s important to find someone who you can relate to and who makes you feel at ease.

Tip 5: Take a trial lesson

Once you’ve found a teacher who you think you might like, it’s a good idea to take a trial lesson. This will give you a chance to see if you click with the teacher and if their teaching style is a good fit for you.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right guitar teacher is an important decision. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding a teacher who can help you reach your goals and become a better musician. If you have any comments or questions, please email me.