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I was lucky and found a great guitar teacher, right from the start.  He teaches me everything from scales, theory, tab, strumming etc.  We started out learning songs based on my skill level.  Now I usually take in songs I want to learn and we sit and learn them together.  It's great.  He always has something new to show me or throw in, so I'm always challenged.  There's stuff he's taught me that I'd never have learned on my own.  And because of that I think I've progressed much faster and farther.  And I always want to impress him the next week so I practise, practise, practise.  Good luck!

My first acoustic was a Takamine G Series, baby model.  Was just under $500.  It was great to start out on but after 2 years I hated the sound of it.  Because it was a baby model the neck was even narrower than most.  So it was very hard to play.  I traded it in for a Taylor 214CE this past August.  WOW. What a difference.  Easier to play, sounds heavenly.    I know there are better Takamine's out there, you just have to spend the money.  At least I bought one with a solid top, not laminate.  That's my advice to you as well.  A solid top will be better for resale or a trade in, plus it will be a better lasting/quality guitar.  Spend as much as you can!  To get the best guitar for your buck, like everyone else says, go try them out. 

AccoustikNoyz, that's really cool that you have a Takamine signed by the Wilslon Sisters. 

Absolutely Ken!  Most of my family and friends live far away from me as well.  It's a great way to connect.  Cheers!

Thanks Micky.  I might have to invest in one.  My ear has definitely gotten better in the last two years of playing but I still haven't learned to tune by ear.  Soon I hope.    Cheers!

Anything that's done well and sounds good.  In other words, "Music Baby!"  Check out this private radio staion in Alberta, www.ckua.com  "A World of Music" and they mean it.

Cheers
Heather

The Stampeders, in a wee small town in the maritimes, Sussex NB.  They came out from Calgary in the 70's and were playing Fair's across Canada.  I barely remember.  The one I actually spent money on to see was Trooper, later in the 70's.  Those were both in small venues.  The first Arena concert I ever saw was when I was 15 yrs old.
Rush - Hemispheres Tour
Max Webster AKA Kim Mitchell opened up.  It was way cool! 

Hey Bonedaddy, my Dad's from Grimsby!  He used to play Trumpet in a Jazz Band called "The Riverside Jazzmen".  Circa 1956.

First one I bought was:

Elton John - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirty Cowboy.  I think that was his and Bernie Taupin's greatest.  And the artwork on the album was fabulous.  I used to just sit and look at it while I listened to the album.  I miss album cover artwork. 

I bet you're right Cytania.  Already I find can play barre chords much easier on the electric.  That's funny you mention your "bad habits" on the Bass.  I found a site for my husband today on some basics and they said the same thing.  Ha. Ha.  Here's the link if you're interested.  Free advice and stuff.   http://www.studybass.com/lessons/basics … ners-make/   

Cheers!

Thanks Cytania and Bootleger.    Yeah, Adam at the store already lowered the action a bit for me.  Might get him to lower it a tad bit more today after my lesson.  Man, am I having fun with this.  Sooo much easier to play.  (although I've been sick the past two days and haven't played much) My husband was fooling around on it the other day.  Having a great time doing some bass lines.  Sounding like Pink Floyd etc.  He said he might like to get a bass.  He currently has a Tabla type drum, tambourine and chicken shake to play along with me.  Sooooo.....yesterday I had to swing by the shop to pick up a stand for my new "baby".  I got talking to the manager about a bass.  Well they had this sweeeet deal on a box kit.  Comes with a Fender Squire Jazz Bass, Fender bass amp, strap, gig bag (Paul figured that must be filled with two bottles of axe deodorant spray, rolling papers and pen and paper to write down all the "babes" numbers, well I laughed when he said that), bass tuner, instructional DVD and cord.  Got it for $309 plus tax. Got him a stand as well and we're off to the races.  I phoned him at work when I got home.  Told him I did something crazy and he actually guessed that I bought him a Bass.  I guess we know each other pretty well.  He was so happy and very excited when he got home last night.  Said the song, "Big Bottoms" from Spinal Tap kept running thru his head all day.  Told him it was in mine too!  I said I also wanted to paint the number 11 on his volume control.  LOL  Now I need to find some Bass tabs for him to some or all of the tunes I already know. 

Hey Old Doll,

I'm 43 yrs old and just started playing the guitar a year ago.  I  found the strumming part very frustrating at first too.  I wanted it to sound like the recording but I was too "busy" with my strumming.  All I could hear was the entire band in my head and I was strumming like mad to make it sound rich and full like that.  Doh!  My teacher really helped.  He started me out with simple strumming patterns and chords on songs and I've really progressed.  I've always used a pick, even for picking styles of songs.  Sometimes the pick feels really foreign in my hand but I just try to keep at it.  I use Fender Medium picks.  Good luck to you.

Hey Paul,

I have the same problem, especially at my guitar lesson.  Nervous and wanting to impress my guitar teacher I guess.    Anyway, I just put on a set of "Elixir Light for Acoustic" strings and I love them!  Easier on the fingers and less squeak.  Definitely worth the extra cash.  Especially if they last twice as long.  I still wipe my strings after I play too. 
Cheers