[pimpom]

I'd like to add a few things to my earlier post:

1. Something I forgot to include re mikes and pick-ups (may already be obvious to some): The tiny currents generated inside a microphone and a guitar pick-up are fed to an amplifier and a speaker where the volume can be controlled.

2. I might have sounded a bit pessimistic when talking about the time taken to learn how to play a guitar. When I said that you can pick up basic skills in a few months, I meant being able to accompany songs with some confidence. You can start making meaningful sounds in a couple of weeks. Keep at it and you'll gradually be able to attempt more advanced stuff like 7th and 13th chords, arpeggios, licks, pulls and slides, etc. But never neglect timing and rhythm.