Music and Bangladesh – 03

Bangladesh can be a tricky place to buy a guitar due to the prevalence of locally manufactured guitars sold under famous brand names. Most guitars, both branded and non-branded, are imported from China. Here are some recommendations for beginners:

I. Yamaha F310

• Type: Acoustic
• Price Range: BDT 18,500 – 20,500
• Features: The Yamaha F310 is renowned for its great sound quality and durability. It’s an excellent choice for beginners due to its comfortable playability and affordability.

II. Chard F-4150C

• Type: Acoustic
• Price Range: BDT 12,500 – 14,500
• Features: This guitar offers a good balance between price and quality. It provides a warmer sound, and the fretboard, made of rosewood, is well-aligned. It requires manual tuning as it does not have an equalizer.

III. Dotch MD-150 Black

• Type: Acoustic
• Price Range: BDT 13,500 – 15,000
• Features: Ideal for beginners, this guitar has good sound quality and a user-friendly design at a reasonable cost.

IV. Tanglewood Crossroad TWCR O

• Type: Acoustic
• Price Range: BDT 13,000 – 15,000
• Features: Made primarily of mahogany, except for the fingerboard (made of techwood), this guitar is popular among beginners for its sound quality and attractive color.

V. Sqoe SQ-39C

• Type: Acoustic
• Price Range: BDT 10,000 – 12,000
• Features: This guitar provides a relatively heavy sound due to its build quality. The rosewood fretboard is well-aligned, making it a good option at a comparatively low price.

VI. AXE Premier Z170/Z180

• Type: Acoustic
• Price Range: BDT 10,000 – 12,000
• Features: Known for its longevity, this guitar features lighter-gauge strings that provide a warmer sound and great playability.

VII. Deviser LS-570-40

• Type: Acoustic
• Price Range: BDT 11,500 – 13,000
• Features: One of the most user-friendly guitars at a reasonable price, this model provides a bright and warm sound with good build quality.

VIII. Tayste LS-570-40

• Type: Acoustic
• Price Range: BDT 10,500 – 12,000
• Features: This guitar offers great sound quality and moderate build quality. The rosewood fingerboard ensures no servicing is required for 10-12 months.

IX. Fender Fd-130

• Type: Acoustic
• Price Range: BDT 10,000 – 12,000
• Features: The laminated basswood body offers a bright and warm sound. The build quality ensures durability.

X. Ibanez V74 Electroacoustic

• Type: Electroacoustic
• Price Range: BDT 19,500 – 21,000
• Features: Although this guitar is more expensive, it offers excellent build quality and high longevity, making it suitable for both concerts and home practice.

Where to Buy:

• Local Music Stores: In Dhaka, shops like Golden Music, Melody, and World Music provide a great collection at reasonable prices. In Chittagong, shops like Weird Rock Station, Musical Shop, Tuner E, and Ganesh and Co. offer high-quality acoustic guitars and accessories.
• Online Stores: Websites like Ajkerdeal, Diamu, Daraz, and local Facebook groups dedicated to musical instruments often have these models.

Additional Tips:

• Try Before You Buy: If possible, visit a store and try out the guitars to see which one feels most comfortable.
• Avoid Low-Quality, Cheap Guitars: Do not buy guitars priced below BDT 8,000. Most of these are locally built with poor quality, which can demotivate beginners due to issues after just a few months of use. Brands like Signature, Givson, Gibson, TGM, and Deviser have many counterfeit copies in the market. To truly learn, budget over BDT 10,000 and opt for a mid-range guitar.
• Consider Used Guitars: You can often find good deals on used guitars in excellent condition, allowing you to get a higher-end model for less.

These options should provide a solid start for any beginner guitarist in Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, particularly in cities like Dhaka, there are various options for learning guitar. Here are some places and platforms where you can find guitar lessons:

I. Music Schools and Academies

• Dhaka: In the capital city, well-known schools and academies like Dhaka Music School, Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA), and Guitart offer guitar lessons. Stores like Melody and GuitarShop BD also offer guitar lessons along with instruments.
• Chattogram: The port city is a popular musical hub in Bangladesh, producing many famous musicians. Notable institutes include Arpeggio, Weird Rock Station, Musical Shop, and Guitar Hall – School of Music.
• Khulna: Khulna Music School, located at Gollamari, and Shilpokola Academy offer prominent guitar lessons.
• Rajshahi: Rajshahi Sisu Academy, Sur Saptak Music School, Shilpokola Academy, and the Rajshahi University Fine Arts Department (Music Section) offer lessons ranging from beginner to professional levels.
• Barishal: Although offline guitar learning is limited, Barishal Music School and Shilpokola Academy offer guitar lessons.
• Sylhet: Sylhet offers more opportunities than Barishal, with institutions like Sylhet Art and Music School, Sylhet Cultural Academy, Ahsanullah Music School, and Sargam Sangeet Academy providing guitar instruction.
• Rangpur: Rangpur Sangeet Academy, Surangana Music School, and Bangladesh Shishu Academy (Rangpur Branch) are offline options for guitar lessons.
• Bogura: Options are limited, but Bogura Shilpakala Academy, Harmony Music School, and Bogura Music Academy offer guitar courses offline.

II. Private Tutors
In urban areas, private tutors are available. Various guitar learning community groups can help you find a suitable teacher near your location.

III. Online Platforms

• YouTube Channels: Many Bangladeshi guitarists offer tutorials on YouTube, with popular channels including “Bangla Guitar Chords” and “Sangeet Bangla.”
• Online Classes: Websites like Udemy or Coursera offer comprehensive guitar courses suitable for beginners. While not specific to Bangladesh, they provide valuable instruction.
• Facebook Groups: Local Facebook groups often have members who offer online guitar lessons via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms.

IV. Cultural Centers

• Alliance Française de Dhaka: This cultural center occasionally offers guitar classes and workshops conducted by experienced musicians.
• Shilpokala Academy: With branches in all major cities in Bangladesh, this academy offers guitar lessons regularly.

V. Music Stores

• Music stores like World Music, Artcell Music Shop, and Harmonic Melodies not only sell guitars but sometimes provide lessons or can connect you with instructors.

VI. Universities and Colleges

• Some universities and colleges in Bangladesh have music departments or clubs where you might find guitar lessons or workshops.

These options should provide a good starting point for finding guitar lessons in Bangladesh. Whether you prefer in-person instruction or online learning, there are plenty of resources available.