any experienced acoustic guitar players here?

[paulwoof]

is there around? im looking to learn the acoustic guitar but i am struggling where to start.

i have played the electric guitar on and off for around 5 years, so im not a complete novice but again no expert. although i can read tablature although my musical notation could do with a revamp.

i havent picked up the electric in a while but feel i would be happier with an acoustic,

i learnt the electric between a mix of self/brother taught and a book called learning the rock guitar or something silly but it did help. i was just wondering if anyone had any tips as to where to get the ball rolling? any good books with backing cd's etc, any forums to check out,

also the matter of which guitar ive done some moderate reading, but unsure of what guitar to get, being so many different types and materials i get stuck just looking.

my main inspiration comes fromo the likes of this,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-2kmpTQkQw&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UltXARGcBrM

[Ultuous]

Well... What are you looking to play?...

That's a classical (usually nylon strung) guitar in the videos you've posted - if you're looking to play more 'standard' pop/ rock/ blues type stuff then you'd probably be looking for a steel-strung instrument instead!

[SD1992]

I would say start with the Eric Clapton Unplugged album, and the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" album.

Don't jump straight in with the lead stuff, stick to the backing until you are comfortable with it and then start building it up from there.

Worked for me

The trick is to try and get the song into your head before you try and learn it, and also don't try and stick religiously to tabs and chord strumming pattern. Get the basics down, and then start adding in your own things here and there.

Before you know it, you will be able to improvise your own patterns etc, but the most important thing is to enjoy it!

As for guitars - look at Takamines. They are very well priced and play incredibly well. I went in to the local music shop to buy a Yamaha after much research, and on a whim tried a Takamine that they had - ended up buying it! 3 years later I still love it.

[AndyFoo]

Also, check out the Foo Fighters Skin and Bones album. Shows how even some of their more rockier stuff can be transformed.

Cold Day in the Sun is a must, but learn the original guitar solo and the Skin and Bones one is a just a bit... jammy?

[audidoody]

Do you want to play acoustic guitar as a backing rhythm instrument (ie just chords)?

Or do you want it to be a solo instrument? Flat picking? Slide ? FInger picking?

If the latter, the usual rite of passage for all aspiring acoustic pickers is to master Davey Graham's "Anji" (Paul Simon did a fine version but Bert Jansch's performance is the bench mark). Makes a change from struggling with "Stairway to Heaven".

Also, grab a few John Renbourn and David Bromberg tracks off iTunes for acoustic inspiration.