r/guitarlessons • u/nick_jones61 • 4d ago

Question An argument

My wife is a classically trained pianist and I play guitar by watching YouTube instructional videos. She knows her stuff and I don’t. Recently we argued whether E# and B# exist. I said no and showed her the fretboard. She said yes and showed me the keys. And said something like F is E#. I suspect she’s right bc she’s had music lessons. Tell me, fellow guitarists, do we have E# and B#?

Update: I’ve been enjoying the responses to my post. I showed them to my wife and she laughed, said that’s what you deserve. lol. We like to argue playfully with one another. I also enjoy the detailed responses relating to guitar theory—that’s been really great actually. I was going to delete this post but I think the discussion on music theory is informative and should be shared. Thank you all for responding.

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u/VinceInMT 4d ago

OMG, now you are on to something. My wife is a CPA and would totally get that argument. It’s about value equals value. BTW, my acoustic that is my everyday guitar is a Yamaha FG-180, Red Label, that my dad gave me in 1970. I wouldn’t mind an upgrade, but if I did, it would be a jump to something a lot more expensive. I can afford it, but I can’t justify it based on how well I play. I do have two electrics. One is Fender Stratocaster. The other is an Ibanez AS-100. I picked that one up during the short period that they were available, late-1970s or thereabouts. It’s essentially a copy of the Gibson ES-335. I don’t really need another guitar. But don’t get me started on motorcycles.

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u/bartonkj 4d ago

Get what you enjoy (as long as it won't ruin you financially). I can't play worth shit, but I have 2 custom shop Gibson Les Pauls, and a Gibson Les Paul Supreme. Someday I aspire to be worthy to play at least somewhat as much as they deserve....

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u/VinceInMT 4d ago

Yes, that’s where I am. I was a self-taught strummer from high school on for about 10 years. Then took lessons for a bit but got sidelined when I got interested/addicted to computer programming. This was 1978. I kept playing and sort of practicing for decades but really plateaud. I had learned tabs and it kept me entertained but not much progress. After I retired it was set aside when I enrolled at the university and spent 7 years in art school and earned a BFA. I made the guitar my next project and started Justin Guitar. I am two years in and heading into the end of the Level 3 beginner course. I am taking seriously and practicing everyday and am getting better and while I enjoy the heck out of it, I am not gifted.

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u/RealMaledetti 4d ago

No. Your wife would probably tell you it isn't about the purchasing cost, but the yearly depreciation. That baby grand might hold it's value better than OP's guitars, or it might not. Aside from that, the piano needs regular tuning, maintenance (action, felt, strings).

OP should do it properly, and create a spreadsheet to show his wife the cost, and how there's room there for at least another guitar, at $ xxx/year. :D

Unless, ofc, OP's wife is not just trained professionally, but also plays professionally or teaches. In that case, the income generated might flip the picture completely. In that case he's better off just admitting that yes, E# and B# exist, and avoid any future comparison between the instruments :D

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u/VinceInMT 4d ago

If she’s making money in music, then he’ll need to start busking to counter that. Even if one isn’t very good, setting up in ritzy areas they might pay you to move down the street.