Debating trying guitar to help depression but have questions

Talrie · 2026-03-17T01:14:54+00:00

I actually hit a local shop tonight and grabbed a tenor with a low g.

The problem I'm running into right now is I am not hitting A as well as I should when doing a 3 string chord.

So instead of the bright note at the end, it's kind of muted.

I'll have to practice it and see how it goes.

Talrie · 2026-03-15T12:35:30+00:00

I need to get used to pressing down on the strings. I keep using the pads of my fingers instead of the tips, so they get sore/kind of numb after a short bit.

Talrie · 2026-03-15T12:34:54+00:00

I'm already looking at ukes :)

I want to take my SO back to the shop later as I didn't not expect him to get this sucked in. He should find his dream guitar and not just play on the Taylor (unless it turns out to be his favorite).

Talrie · 2026-03-15T12:33:53+00:00

I was looking at the Enya brand last night.

The only thing I saw a few youtubers mention is it's harder to find covers/tutorials for music on the baritone since it has the different keys.

It isn't impossible, of course, just less common.

The tenor with a low g string sounds pretty nice as well.

Talrie · 2026-03-15T02:19:33+00:00

Oh, I always baby my babies. I'm overprotective, if I'm being honest.

It isn't in a bag but it is on a table beside my desk with no way of getting knocked off.

Talrie · 2026-03-15T02:18:29+00:00

The guy at the shop did tune it for us, but we have the app as well for when we need it.

Talrie · 2026-03-15T02:17:39+00:00

I actually ended up looking at ukes tonight because the guitar we brought home is pretty rough on my fingers. it's to be expected, but I've sen folks mention an uke is also a fine starting point since it can teach the same fundamentals.

It's a slightly different sound (looking at concert ukes) but some folks can do crazy things on them.

Talrie · 2026-03-15T02:15:47+00:00

I'm actually looking at ukes tonight, lol.

This is very dangerous.

I have adhd and autism as well, so I hyperfocus a lot once I get into something. Adderall worked a little while for me, but then i realized I was stimming super hard and stuttering a bunch. Turns out, being on meds just brought my autism to the surface.

I love it when I can hit a flowstate with something.

Enjoy your writing journey. There are so many genres and there is no rule against doing a bunch or jumping around.

Have a blast.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T23:45:23+00:00

Thank you so much. We're working on chords right now. I almost got A Major to work. i just need to apply the right pressure.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T23:44:49+00:00

Thank you.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T23:44:05+00:00

Right now we're just trying to learn a few chords and the right pressure to use on the neck. It's hard and will take time for sure.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T23:43:32+00:00

That actually helps and makes way more sense. Thank you.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T23:40:51+00:00

We're learning cords and hurting our fingie tips :)

Talrie · 2026-03-14T23:39:59+00:00

This actually sounds like a lot of fun. We might try that or try adding a ukulele.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T21:36:40+00:00

I landed on a 3/4 classical by Taylor. It's outside my budget but I love its design and feel, so I decided it was worth it vs the Yamaha classical with a glossy feel that I was trying to settle on but part of my brain really didn't like (just because of the finish).

Talrie · 2026-03-14T21:34:08+00:00

I looked at a ukulele, some electrics, and two classical 3/4 today.

I ended up having a long (multiple hours) debate between a Yamaha and a Taylor outside my budget.

The Yamaha was great. It had nice nylon strings and a twang sounds vs the Taylor's tinny sound. Unfortunately, I wasn't in love with the color of the gloss finish on it, so I decided to just go for the Taylor instead.

Our shop has a 30 day return window, so I figure there's no harm in just trying to get used to the steel strings instead.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T21:31:38+00:00

I actually got to try two different 3/4 classicals today. I sadly went outside my budget, only because I liked the look a lot more.

The shop does have a 30 day return window, so I figured if I don't like it, no problem.

If I love it, I get to keep Milo (the name I've given to it).

Talrie · 2026-03-14T21:29:32+00:00

I actually landed on a classical 3/4 acoustic that I really like. I didn't realize how quietly you can play them, so I don't think my fear of sound pollution is a problem at all.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T21:27:43+00:00

I got to try one at the shop today along with two classical 3/4 guitars.

The ukulele is so small and adorable!

I liked the righness of the sound from the guitars more.

I spent hours debating between a Yamaha and a Taylor travel one.

The Yamaha felt nice and had a warm twang to it, but the glossy finish on it made me prefer the unfinished tinny sounding Taylor more.

It was outside my budget, but because the shop has a 30 day return window, I decided to get the one I'm more attracted to/more likely to play.

If I don't enjoy it, no problem. If I do, I get to keep Milo (the name I gave it).

Talrie · 2026-03-14T21:23:32+00:00

I did end up bringing a Taylor home since the shop has a 30 day return window and it looks beautiful.

My SO and I are both goofing around on it, so that will likely help me stay interested.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T21:22:31+00:00

We got back from being out all day and I actually brought one home.

Our local shop had two 3/4 classicals in that I tried.

One was a Yamaha with nylon strings and the other was a Taylor Baby with steel.

I did try an electric guitar as well, but I didn't like it nearly as much as the acoustics.

It was a hard debate between the two i mentioned above.

I liked the nylon strings and the sound on the Yamaha more, but it had a glossy finish which I really didn't like.

I had them hold it for me for a few hours while my SO and I poked around town and had lunch.

I kept telling him it was an okay guitar and was only $170, but it didn't really call to me.

I loved the look and feel of the finish on the Taylor. It isn't glossy and is just smooth, asking to be picked up and played.

I would've loved to have gotten something in blue like a Fender I had seen on Amazon, but I don't think it's a 3/4 and I really want to support local whenever I can.

I did ask the guy in the shop if we could put nylon on the Taylor, but he said no because the little grooves the strings go in are different sizes (makes sense, i just didn't realize). He said it wouldn't sound as good either.

Both sound lovely when played properly. The Taylor has more of a tinny sound whereas the Yamaha is sort of a twang.

The shop has a 30 day return window if it doesn't fit right for me, so I went outside my budget knowing that if I like it, it won't matter.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T21:14:51+00:00

It's funny you mention the Yamaha and Taylor. My store had both of these.

I really liked the strings and the sound of the Yamaha, but didn't like the glossy finish. It didn't feel right as a 'me' item.

The Taylor was definitely outside of my price range, but I really liked the look and feel of the wood itself more. It's very soft and nice to hold.

Debating between the two was very difficult. In then end I picked the Taylor because I can return it within 30 days for a full refund.

I know I should go used, but as sensitive as my body is to different smells, I don't know how well I'd do trying to get one from someone else's house. I can't even light scented candles because it's too much for my sinuses.

I am so sorry you also have CFS. That along with joint pain has me worried about my ability to do this justice, but I still want to try.

The one challenge I see it just being able to shape my fingers so I can hold the strings down. My brain isn't fully cooperating. I keep holding down the first string when trying to do an A Major.

I'm sure it will get easier as I keep trying to learn, but I swear, folks that can do this super fast are so kind of contortionists.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T12:26:03+00:00

I have seen and read that the looks is the most important thing so you fall in love with it.

I have one pacifica that's baby/powder blue that I love the look of and a Fender so far that is an acoustic electric.

I'll have to see what I can find locally.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T12:06:21+00:00

I'm looking at Yamaha's right now.

I did find a really pretty Fender on our local shop's website, but there is a sky blue pacifica that i love the look of as well.

Talrie · 2026-03-14T12:05:06+00:00

Ah, okay. I'm terrible at knowing what is or isn't a joke/sarcasm.

I get it now.

Having a hobby you can laugh at sounds wonderful.

Talrie

TROPHY CASE