A Taylor Swift Guitar Could Save the World
I know, I know. It's just a guitar. But I have a solid argument for why this new guitar Taylor Swift has come up with could do a lot of good, so hear me out. If you spend any time with teens and tweens, you'll notice that they are very hyperverbal -- in an all-talk-no-action kind of way. They will text ad nauseam, Twitter about absolutely nothing and update their Facebook status every 10 minutes. So that doesn't leave time for doing very many things that would actually be worth the texts, tweets and status updates. Enter the Baby Taylor guitar, due out on Nov. 5. It's a ¾-scale dreadnought. Technically, a grown-up can use it, but it's really more well-suited for younger musicians. And, it's pretty, with a rosette design and Swift's signature and the words "Love Love Love" buried in the vines on the top. So for $299, a teenager can start DOING things that are very worthwhile. She can learn a few chords, write some poetry, pour out her heart, callous her fingertips, overcome frustration, take a lesson, audition for talent shows, face an audience and maybe find out that she has a talent that could take her places. I'm not saying every girl who buys this guitar will have a future like Swift's, but playing music will do a lot more good than playing nothing. When I interviewed Swift a couple of years ago, she told me how she'd started out playing a 12-string guitar and how so many people told her she'd never be able to master it because her hands weren't big enough. She showed them. And now she says, "For a beginner, finding the right guitar can be intimidating, but this guitar, it's the perfect size. I wanted to share my passion for playing guitar with my fans."
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T J says:
I’ve seen ads for this guitar already - Nicknamed the ‘Baby Taylor’ -cute.
The youtubes are stacking up of the number of Taylor fans that have done her covers. The guitars that are used in these videos are not cheap.
An affordable Baby Taylor is just what is needed for these youtubes.
I love the concept - here’s hoping everyone that wants one gets one!
dan says:
I like the concept and love her but i don’t like seeing famous people’s names on every single thing.
Yay says:
Now we can have a new pop singer who can’t sing, isn’t that good on guitar beyond one or two chords, and writes nonsense for songs, and has hits. Oh wait. That’s Taylor.
Yay says:
And then Alison can write a blog post about that horrible singer too!
Syds says:
Hey Yay, if you don’t like her so much then why are you here in the first place? And that “nonsense” you talk about isn’t just nonsense to some people. Taylor’s music has gotten me through some really dark times in my life, no, not just relationships. Just because you can’t relate to her doesn’t mean everyone doesn’t relate to her. We all have reasons for liking our favorite artists. You probably have you reasons, while I have mine.
Andrea says:
This post strikes a chord with me (no pun intended). I first heard of Taylor and her music during the summer right after my eight grade year - before Taylor had released any albums or singles. Now, because of the impact Taylor and her music have had on me, I plan to major in music business as a college freshman next fall. Although I don’t aspire to be a singer at all, Taylor and her music inspired me to pick up a guitar and pursue music. I think a lot of times, singers such a Taylor, Miley, the Jonas Brothers, and other artists target at teens aren’t taken seriously because of their target demographic. However, as a big advocate of childhood music education, I believe that if they inspire a kid somewhere to write a song, sing, pick up a guitar, etc., they have MORE than achieved their purpose!
Mee says:
I would like a Baby Taylor, and I happen to like Taylor Swift’s music. But I wouldn’t like to have a guitar that had her signature and album title on it - unless she had signed it in person.
Heather T says:
omg!!!!!!!!!!! I want one sooooooooooooooo bad!!!!!!!! I want to be closer to Taylor, and country music!
Cammy says:
Taylor is why I like country music now. I love her! she plays guitar so good 12 strings and six strings. I want her guitar to!
Debra says:
Boy who ever is marketing her is a genius!!!!!!
merlefan49 says:
Naw I’d really get a blue ridge
Gail says:
IS TAYLOR SWIFT A COUNTRY SINGER OR A POP SINGER???___WHEN I LISTEN TO HER VOICE, IT SOUND REAL POOR QUALITY. HOW CAN SOMEONE WITH SUCH A BAD SINGING VOICE BE SO POPULAR????
Gail says:
INFACT, HER SINGING VOICE IS VERY ANNOYING.
Nicole says:
Taylor’s songs has gotten me through some rough times and i agree with syds why r u saying stuff if you dont like her? Taylor is the most nicest greatest person ever in the world! She rocks!
Sam says:
I’m 13 And if i had that guitar i would try to learn how to play it!
I ♥ Taylor Swift
randy says:
Gail…have you ever heard of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, even Dolly Parton? Not the best singers in the world but some of the best artist in the world. I think the Baby Taylor guitar is a good thing. I got my first guitar when I was 10 years old and it was so hard to play I stoped. I bought a Fender Telecaster when I was 16 and learned to play. I wish I would have had that guitar to start with, I wish I had that guitar now it was a 1969 Telecaster and I bought it new, tells you how old I am.
Mike says:
Taylor guitars were around before Taylor Swift was born. The name is just a coincidence. I am 48 years old and have been messing around with guitars since I was about 20. Listening to Taylor Swifts music (which imho give country music a very fresh, positive feel where she is able to crystallise her feelings very concisely)was one of the reasons I got back into playing the guitar again. She is a great role model for kids everywhere and good luck to her with the baby Taylor initiative.
Robin says:
While I’m not at all a fan of Taylor Swifts voice/music/songs/etc. I am a big fan of her on a personal level. I think she’s a great asset to music in general and even country music specifically. I don’t think her current album is pop country. I think it is straight pop, BUT… with that said, she’s still a huge advocate of country music and she spends most of her non-touring time in Nashville.
And, I think this guitar is a GREAT thing. No, it’s not new, but it will add motivation to kids that follow her to become more personally involved with music. Now they don’t have to just listen to their favorite artists, they can speak their minds. Yes, they could have done that anyway as this isn’t new, but they would have never thought of it.
While I do not think kids define great music and their stas do not qualify as “great” until they move from the teen set, I do think it is very important for them to have music in their hearts and bones before they move on independently into the world where they have to fight the monsters all by theirselves and they need to truely understand who they are. What better way to discover who you really are than to write your own words and sing those words for the whole world to hear you (even if just on youtube). Besides, that what kids mostly are really looking for - to be heard. They don’t have to be great singers to be heard - Taylor is an example of that (and I’m not trying to be smart.)
I say good for her and I might just buy one for my Goddaughter for Christas.
Redmaz says:
To Gail, you ask if Swift is a country singer or a pop singer. Since Pop is NOT an individual genre of music, and is an industry consisting of MANY genres of music…Swift is a Pop Country singer. Everything she has done is Mainstream Pop music, as opposed to Americana Roots Music. Technically she can’t be either/or. As far as being a “country” performer. you are basically either a Pop act or a Roots artist. You can’t be Pop OR Country. That makes no sense at all. However you CAN be Pop Country OR Roots Country. These are individual genres of music.
Robin says:
Redmaz - “pop” is not a genre - therefor “pop” country is not a genre in and of it’s own. It is country, if you want to seperate it from “roots” country, you’ll have to pick something more appropriate.
Redmaz says:
Yes I know, Pop is not an individual genre of music however you are wrong when you say Pop Country isn’t an individual genre. Pop Country is a genre within the industry of Pop Music. Just as Americana is not and individual genre of music, but Roots Country is. Roots Country is a genre within Americana Music because Americana Music is Roots music based on the traditions of Country, Rock, Blues, Bluegrass, Folk. This is not really that difficult to understand. I see you finally admited that Pop is not a genre, but you seem to imply it is quite often. For example…”I don’t think her current album is pop country, I think it is straight pop” Once again that makes no sense. Of course in your opinion CMT is a Pop Country website and cmt television is a primarily a Pop Country tv station. That is wrong too, and makes no sense either. If Pop Country is not in genre in and of it’s own, then what is Pop Country?. You use the term so you must know the definition. Could you give me your definition of Pop Music? Also do you believe Roots Country is not a genre in and of it’s own?
Robin says:
Redmaz - You are the one calling them genres. Just because you “name” something does not mean you are naming it a genre. Referring to “pop” country does not mean you are referring to it as a genre. This website and the station is about the genre of “country”, but it is “focused” on the popular “country” industry. While it gives tidbits of the entire genre, it’s focus is clearly on the popular industry. So, when I say “pop” country vs. “pop”, I’m referring to the popular country music industry and those that sing within it and those songs that are within it, and when I refer to the straight “pop” industry that’s all of the popular music industry and the genres within it with the EXCEPTION of the genre of country.
So, while Swifts first and second album both fit within the “pop” industry, only the first one by the content is country. The second one, “Fearless”, but content is not country.
While I digress and argue with you yet again. The focus of this thread for me and Swift is “good for her on creating a guitar for kids to start pouring their hearts out over”.
Megan says:
Taylor Swift, I love ur music, and so does my 4yr old little brother his favorite song is “Our Song”, and he know the lyrics.But anyway, your guitar is truly beautiful
Redmaz says:
Once again, you answered none of my questions. You seem to be confusing your opinion with facts too. Once again…Pop Music is an industry consisting of MANY genres of music including, Rock, Hip Hop, Rap R&B, and Country(why the exception of country in your post?) Americana is Roots music based on the traditions of Country, Rock, Blues, Bluegrass, Folk. These are basic music fundamentals and facts. Prove me wrong and I will no longer post on this blog other than to give a full apology. Your personal opinion on a certain individual and their music is something completely different as is mine. You are really starting to embarrass yourself. As I said this is not that complicated, but if you continue to disrespect music, I will have to challenge you. I hope you understand.
Robin says:
Are you really that dense? Talk about being embarrassing. You clearly are that.
Of course POP music (the industry) consists of many genres. But, just because you are in the pop music industry does not mean you are in one of those genres specifically. In my post, I said that “Fearless” can fit into any “pop” genre you want to fit it into, but it is not country so it isn’t “pop” country. Are you really that thick or is this an act?
No one said you were wrong about what fits into Americana. What I said is that “Taylor Swift” is a “pop” (industry) “Country” album and “Fearless” is a “pop” (industry) “left the genre blank” genre (with the stipulation that what ever genre you filled in the blank with it wouldn’t be country.
So, let’s make this simple:
Robin says:
“Taylor Swift” is “pop” “country” = “American Ride”, “The Foundation”, “Carnival Ride”, “Revolution”, “Lady Antebellum”, “Wide Open”, “Twang”, etc. etc.
“Fearless” is a “pop” “I throw “rock” in here although I think there’s a better fit with something else” = “Circus”, “Jonas Brothers”, “Stripped”, etc. etc.
Not so hard.
Redmaz says:
No need for you to explain anything to me. I already know basic music fundamentals an genre description. I also know how to seperate fact from opinion. Something you seriously need to work on. After all once it hits the cmt website or cmt television it ALL becomes Pop country doesn’t it?…or is that Pop? No wait….maybe it’s Pop Rock now ;)
Haley says:
Hey Robin, you’re not even a fan of Taylors voice, music, or songs so what difference does it make what ‘genre” or “industry” she is in? Leave her alone and stop obsessing with something or someone you are not even a fan of, and find something you are a fan of. You are NOT a fan so move on! There is something wrong with you.
Steven says:
I agree with Redmaz and Haley what diffence does it make if Taylor is pop country or pop Robin? You are not even a fan. It’s just your opinion. What makes her first cd pop country and her second pop? That makes no sense. they are all played on the same radio station and award shows. It’s just your opinion not fact. Find someone you are a fan of and leave Taylor alone! It doesnt matter to her FANS!
Robin says:
Actually, I stopped by to say that I liked what Taylor was doing with the guitar, but Redmaz ALWAYs hijacks these conversations and turns them into a “genre” discussion.
And appearantly Red, you clearly need lessons since you clearly can’t stay focused on the difference of people talking about an industry and a genre. And NO, playing it on CMT does not make it country in and of itself.
I clearly stated that I’m a fan of Taylor personally, but I guess everyone has to be an obsessed crazed fanatic to post comments now? Well, I got news for you guys, Red is a fan of no one in the “pop” industry. So, he is not your friend. I give credit where it is due and I do not disrespect Taylor by attacking her personally. I can seperate music preference and discussion and one of the personal artist.
And, discussion is what they do on Blogs. You should probably go back and read the whole blog rather than jumping in on one spot.
Steven says:
I DID read whole blog and Robin and YOU brought up genres before Redmaz so did Yay! Redmaz answered a question by Gail. You are the one who started it, and attacked him/her first. At least his/her answer to Gail makes sense not like you. You are NOT a fan so why does it matter to you what genre she’s in?
Swilly says:
Yep, gotta go with Red, Haley and Steven on this. I think nearly everybody in the world knows Taylor Swift is a pop country act, even Alison. Opinion is one thing, facts are another. Like Red said, “Everything she has done is mainstream pop music” It just so happens her mainstream pop music happens to be called “country”. That’s where she is marketed first and foremost. Robin may not like it, but it’s still a fact. Isn’t Taylor Swift nominated for some CMA awards? can’t get more pop country than that unless it’s the ACM awards. You’re not a fan so it shouldn’t matter to you anyway. Don’t lose any sleep over it!
Robin says:
Steven - As clearly stated, this conversation is the same conversation and it is on most of these blogs. Red makes statements on one and the same one on others without refuting the first. It’s circular and reading more than one of these would show that.
I did not make a comment on whether “she” was pop country or what she was. My comment was on her two albums. It matters to me as a point of discussion that is a regualr point of discussion on all of these blogs.
Red clearly did not make sense to Gail since “pop” is not a genre - therefor “pop” country is not a genre in and of it’s own. It is country, if he wants to seperate it from “roots” country, he’ll have to pick something more appropriate.
Same conversation different blog. And, he only starts this one conversation by the way. Which he did clearly bring this topic up (not I) by his same old same old response to Gail. I just do not let him slide on his contridictions and I post rebutals. Now rebutals to a clearly already started conversation is “bringing it up”?
And, like I said, I like the girl personally. I don’t like her voice or music. So, am I not a fan of hers? Or as common sense would have it, I’m not a fan of “her music”. If I’m having the conversation, then it clearly matters to me at some level, evenn if that level is small.
Steven says:
So now you’re claiming you know Taylor Swift personally? If you like her personally you must know her personally. I’m interested in how you met her, and how often you are with her? Have you told her personally that you are not a fan of her music?
James Garren says:
Does anybody know how to order a signature “BABY TAYLOR” guitar????
Bullride says:
This is the most ridiculous post I’ve seen here since Kanye vs Taylor! Pop country is not a genre in and of it’s own?????????? Then who are all these people on the pop country radio and the pop country charts???????? Robin you need to do some research and learn something about music history. Pop country has been around since the late 50’s early 60’s. YOU are a joke!
bagelgirl says:
taylor guitars are actually called that cuz of the guy who makes them, not cuz of taylor swift
Babycarrot says:
can i just point out that certain people have way too much free time :)
James Garren says:
Thanks anyway—I just ordered a guitar from AMAZON…
Kroyj says:
I’d call to mind the the world of to fit true level with that too!
Liberty says:
Boy that rlealy helps me the heck out.