Hello! After years of listening to Scandal, I have decided to pick up electric guitar as a hobby. Requesting for tips for a beginner! 

Advice on my first equipment, practice habits, background info, etc will be greatly appreciated!  

I've been playing for about twenty years, and here are a few things I wish someone had told me when I started. I've written general tips in normal font and there are Scandal-specific tips in italics:

- Your first guitar should be one you think looks cool, and other specifications don't really matter. Learning guitar will be frustrating and hurt your hands at first, but if your guitar is your favourite colour, or looks like one your favourite musicians use, you'll want to play it more and not give up!
If you get stuck choosing between a couple of different guitars which you like equally, choose the one with the fewest features, because a simpler guitar will be easier to maintain.
- Haruna mostly plays guitars called Telecasters and Mami mostly plays Stratocasters and a Les Paul. Telecasters are the simplest of the three.

- If there is a guitar shop near you, it's worth paying them to 'set up' your guitar and put on fresh 10-46 strings. A full set up + new strings can make the guitar easier to play and sound better. 10-46 strings are the most common medium size, ideal for beginners.
- 10-46 are also what Scandal use!

- Plugging into a loud amplifier with lots of distortion is fun, but when you're first learning the basics it's easier to spot and correct your mistakes if you keep the volume low (or even don't use an amp at all) and can hear the strings clearly.
- The Marshall DSL1C is a cheaper and quieter, 'home' version of the amplifiers Mami used on most albums and tours.

- Buy a tuner right away and check your guitar is in tune every time before you play. If your guitar is out of tune you won't learn to identify notes correctly and you'll have a much harder time learning songs. Lots of beginners overlook this.

- Finding the type of pick which is right for your hands can make playing much easier. I recommend starting with the Dunlop Electric Pick Variety Pack because it contains several of the most common styles for beginners to try.
- The Fender picks Scandal use aren't available in most countries any more, but Dunlop's standard Tortex picks are identical in material and shape and are available everywhere.

- Try to learn from a few different methods. Some people learn best from a teacher, others learn by reading traditional sheet music, some learn with tablature (like sheet music but with numbers instead of notes), and some people learn best by just listening and trying to figure out the music for themselves. There isn't any one right or wrong way. The important thing is to try a little bit of everything so you can get an idea of what will work best for you.
- The first Scandal song you should try to learn is Pin Heel Surfer. It's the simplest Scandal song; some parts only need one finger! After that, try learning Doll and Ivory, which are the most basic Scandal songs using chords.
- Haruna's parts are usually easier than Mami's and only require basic strumming techniques, so beginners should start there. Some of Mami's playing uses fast funk strumming, which is a little more advanced. The easiest Scandal song which uses funk strumming is One More Time.

- Learning guitar is all about repetition. Practicing every day for just a little bit is better than playing only once a week for longer. Your fingers will hurt less and develop better muscle memory the more frequently you play guitar, not how long you play for.
- Remember that it's meant to be fun! If you find yourself getting frustrated that you can't play something or your fingers hurt, it's okay to try something different, or stop for the day and try again tomorrow.

SJM wrote:I've been playing for about twenty years, and here are a few things I wish someone had told me when I started. I've written general tips in normal font and there are Scandal-specific tips in italics:

- Your first guitar should be one you think looks cool, and other specifications don't really matter. Learning guitar will be frustrating and hurt your hands at first, but if your guitar is your favourite colour, or looks like one your favourite musicians use, you'll want to play it more and not give up!
If you get stuck choosing between a couple of different guitars which you like equally, choose the one with the fewest features, because a simpler guitar will be easier to maintain.
- Haruna mostly plays guitars called Telecasters and Mami mostly plays Stratocasters and a Les Paul. Telecasters are the simplest of the three.

- If there is a guitar shop near you, it's worth paying them to 'set up' your guitar and put on fresh 10-46 strings. A full set up + new strings can make the guitar easier to play and sound better. 10-46 strings are the most common medium size, ideal for beginners.
- 10-46 are also what Scandal use!

- Plugging into a loud amplifier with lots of distortion is fun, but when you're first learning the basics it's easier to spot and correct your mistakes if you keep the volume low (or even don't use an amp at all) and can hear the strings clearly.
- The Marshall DSL1C is a cheaper and quieter, 'home' version of the amplifiers Mami used on most albums and tours.

- Buy a tuner right away and check your guitar is in tune every time before you play. If your guitar is out of tune you won't learn to identify notes correctly and you'll have a much harder time learning songs. Lots of beginners overlook this.

- Finding the type of pick which is right for your hands can make playing much easier. I recommend starting with the Dunlop Electric Pick Variety Pack because it contains several of the most common styles for beginners to try.
- The Fender picks Scandal use aren't available in most countries any more, but Dunlop's standard Tortex picks are identical in material and shape and are available everywhere.

- Try to learn from a few different methods. Some people learn best from a teacher, others learn by reading traditional sheet music, some learn with tablature (like sheet music but with numbers instead of notes), and some people learn best by just listening and trying to figure out the music for themselves. There isn't any one right or wrong way. The important thing is to try a little bit of everything so you can get an idea of what will work best for you.
- The first Scandal song you should try to learn is Pin Heel Surfer. It's the simplest Scandal song; some parts only need one finger! After that, try learning Doll and Ivory, which are the most basic Scandal songs using chords.
- Haruna's parts are usually easier than Mami's and only require basic strumming techniques, so beginners should start there. Some of Mami's playing uses fast funk strumming, which is a little more advanced. The easiest Scandal song which uses funk strumming is One More Time.

- Learning guitar is all about repetition. Practicing every day for just a little bit is better than playing only once a week for longer. Your fingers will hurt less and develop better muscle memory the more frequently you play guitar, not how long you play for.
- Remember that it's meant to be fun! If you find yourself getting frustrated that you can't play something or your fingers hurt, it's okay to try something different, or stop for the day and try again tomorrow.

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive advice!

Regarding my first guitar: I went to a shop yesterday and was recommended a Squier because it produces a more suitable sound for pop-rock. So I'll be going down this week again to pick up a Squier FSR Bullet Telecaster. I think it's a cool one  I'll ask them about the strings too!

Regarding the amp: the Marshall DSL1C is too expensive for my budget (it's more expensive than the guitar :'( ) so I'll get a cheaper one for now (looking at the Marshall MG10G), then upgrade it in a few years.  

And yeah I'll get a tuner and the picks!

Thanks for the recommendations, I'm super excited to start practising :D

Quick question: do Scandal sell official copies of their guitar tabs?

Loads of good advice there from SJM, I have been playing since the 60's ( yes I am old ) and I cannot add much to that

My Father bought my first guitar but it was a cheap one, he probably thought it was just a passing phase, everyone wanted to be in a group in the UK in the 60's.

I bet a lot of people gave up with cheap guitars where the strings are miles above the neck, it hurts your fingers and makes chords almost impossible but luckily I had friends who encouraged me.

I got a Saturday job in a butchers shop ( I was 14 ) and after a while bought a Teisco guitar which many people in the UK started on and suddenly it was much easier !

I also bought tuning pipes of course, we did not have electronic ones back then.

The only advice after that is practise and practise, it is more fun if you have somebody to practise with.

The Squier guitar is pretty good for learning on, these days I have a Fender Jazz bass like Tomomi started with and a Fender Telecaster but it took me many years to be able to afford them.

Like Tomomi I thought Bass would be easier as it only has four strings

So dont give up, I had years of fun in local groups and I still play now but I blew my one chance of fame, I had know Gary Brooker of Procol Harum fame from school and he asked if I wanted to join his new group and I said no, you will never get anywhere with a stupid name like that....*sigh*

Like most people here I also love Japanese groups but probably my favourite for skill and music will always be X Japan, listen to some of their stuff....oh and SCANDAL of course

tonymiller wrote:Loads of good advice there from SJM, I have been playing since the 60's ( yes I am old ) and I cannot add much to that

My Father bought my first guitar but it was a cheap one, he probably thought it was just a passing phase, everyone wanted to be in a group in the UK in the 60's.

I bet a lot of people gave up with cheap guitars where the strings are miles above the neck, it hurts your fingers and makes chords almost impossible but luckily I had friends who encouraged me.

I got a Saturday job in a butchers shop ( I was 14 ) and after a while bought a Teisco guitar which many people in the UK started on and suddenly it was much easier !

I also bought tuning pipes of course, we did not have electronic ones back then.

The only advice after that is practise and practise, it is more fun if you have somebody to practise with.

The Squier guitar is pretty good for learning on, these days I have a Fender Jazz bass like Tomomi started with and a Fender Telecaster but it took me many years to be able to afford them.

Like Tomomi I thought Bass would be easier as it only has four strings

So dont give up, I had years of fun in local groups and I still play now but I blew my one chance of fame, I had know Gary Brooker of Procol Harum fame from school and he asked if I wanted to join his new group and I said no, you will never get anywhere with a stupid name like that....*sigh*

Like most people here I also love Japanese groups but probably my favourite for skill and music will always be X Japan, listen to some of their stuff....oh and SCANDAL of course

Such a shame that you turned him down LOL. Glad you had fun playing though

Will check out X Japan! Thanks for sharing :D

SJM said it right! A tuner is a must for all guitar players. There are lot of choices from different brands.
Try to buy the clip on one with bright and large readings/display. They won't cost you a fortune.
When you make your purchase, Ask the store staff to show you how to change strings. 
If time available ask for how to proper string stretching. Very important!
Once you managed it, each time you put on a new set of strings it feels like a better guitar.

Metal Mickey wrote:SJM said it right! A tuner is a must for all guitar players. There are lot of choices from different brands.
Try to buy the clip on one with bright and large readings/display. They won't cost you a fortune.
When you make your purchase, Ask the store staff to show you how to change strings. 
If time available ask for how to proper string stretching. Very important!
Once you managed it, each time you put on a new set of strings it feels like a better guitar.

Ahh I didn't get to do that when I order my guitar because it was at kept at the warehouse. I'll bring it to the shop when I need to change strings :p

I have been playing for over 40 years, and there is a lot I wish I knew in the first 10 years of playing.

I'm a little late to this thread to add my two cents on picking out a guitar, so I'll hold off on that advice, but definitely do get the guitar serviced/set-up to ensure the neck is straight; the intonation is good; all the electronics function as they are supposed to; and the nut is straight, and the grooves aren't tight or sharp to affect tuning.

Regarding tuning, a clip-on tuner is great, but learn how to tune with your ears.  This will take time, but it is essential for other listening skills that will need developing.

I suggest taking real lessons with an actual instructor when beginning.  I found over the years from giving lessons to friends that they never follow any of the free tips or lessons I provide, and it is most-likely due to not having to pay for the lesson.  It is amazing how focused people are when they have some sort of financial investment at stake.  Or I could be a lousy teacher... anything is possible.

Find an instructor that can not only teach you the basics of learning and playing guitar, but also has familiarity in teaching the type of music you want to play.  This helps to make it fun.  That is the most important part of learning any instrument: you must enjoy it.  This doesn't mean everything you need to practice is enjoyable, but make the best of it.

I wish YouTube and play-along CDs and MP3 tracks existed when I was younger, but even as a seasoned player now I do think much of what's available online can be confusing for a novice because there is a lot of alternating and conflicting advice (for the masses) and no real structure to prevent bad habits from developing.  In short, find a teacher that can monitor your learning process.

As for gear, don't buy into the belief that spending more money on something means a better product.  There are a lot of really good guitars, amps and effects that will fit your budget.  The important factor is how well they feel in your hands (guitar, picks), and how well you like the sound they produce.  It is your ears you need to satisfy first.

Also, don't buy into the belief that having the same guitar, amp and pedal board that your idol plays will make you sound like them.  Your fingers and your feel are your own.  You can learn other people's songs note for note and get every one of them perfect, but you will still sound like you.  Always remember, that's a good thing as a musician (amateur or professional).

Lastly, learning an instrument is both rewarding and frustrating.  There will be peaks and valleys along the way, and you will plateau at some point in your technique and skill; but continue to play and practice regularly.  Eventually you will progress to that next level.

There is a lot of specific advice I could give on practicing and what to learn, but get yourself started first and have fun.  Good luck.

moomeow wrote:moomeow


Quick question: do Scandal sell official copies of their guitar tabs?

Unfortunately, no. Some Japanese magazines have printed sheet music and tabs alongside interviews, but for some reason people rarely scan those, and even when they do, it's usually only a short part and not the whole song.

Of course this forum has many tabs and there are lots of lessons and cover examples on YouTube which can help you figure out songs until you've developed your hearing enough to work things out by yourself. A lot of teachers will help you work out songs, as well. (Once you've learnt the basics, at least.)

edit: I really don't get how quoting works on this system...

edit 2: it slipped my mind when I wrote this post originally, but Scandal have published a few official full band score books for some of their albums. But like the magazine tabs, they rarely seem to get republished outside of Japan.

Don Dio wrote:I have been playing for over 40 years, and there is a lot I wish I knew in the first 10 years of playing.

I'm a little late to this thread to add my two cents on picking out a guitar, so I'll hold off on that advice, but definitely do get the guitar serviced/set-up to ensure the neck is straight; the intonation is good; all the electronics function as they are supposed to; and the nut is straight, and the grooves aren't tight or sharp to affect tuning.

Regarding tuning, a clip-on tuner is great, but learn how to tune with your ears.  This will take time, but it is essential for other listening skills that will need developing.

I suggest taking real lessons with an actual instructor when beginning.  I found over the years from giving lessons to friends that they never follow any of the free tips or lessons I provide, and it is most-likely due to not having to pay for the lesson.  It is amazing how focused people are when they have some sort of financial investment at stake.  Or I could be a lousy teacher... anything is possible.

Find an instructor that can not only teach you the basics of learning and playing guitar, but also has familiarity in teaching the type of music you want to play.  This helps to make it fun.  That is the most important part of learning any instrument: you must enjoy it.  This doesn't mean everything you need to practice is enjoyable, but make the best of it.

I wish YouTube and play-along CDs and MP3 tracks existed when I was younger, but even as a seasoned player now I do think much of what's available online can be confusing for a novice because there is a lot of alternating and conflicting advice (for the masses) and no real structure to prevent bad habits from developing.  In short, find a teacher that can monitor your learning process.

As for gear, don't buy into the belief that spending more money on something means a better product.  There are a lot of really good guitars, amps and effects that will fit your budget.  The important factor is how well they feel in your hands (guitar, picks), and how well you like the sound they produce.  It is your ears you need to satisfy first.

Also, don't buy into the belief that having the same guitar, amp and pedal board that your idol plays will make you sound like them.  Your fingers and your feel are your own.  You can learn other people's songs note for note and get every one of them perfect, but you will still sound like you.  Always remember, that's a good thing as a musician (amateur or professional).

Lastly, learning an instrument is both rewarding and frustrating.  There will be peaks and valleys along the way, and you will plateau at some point in your technique and skill; but continue to play and practice regularly.  Eventually you will progress to that next level.

There is a lot of specific advice I could give on practicing and what to learn, but get yourself started first and have fun.  Good luck.

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately I'm broke after buying my gear so I'm learning though Fender Play instead, and I think it's going well? It's been super fun learning simplified riffs from smoke on the water and another one bites the dust, but I hit my first wall while trying to learn the D chord