Buying Your First Guitar

Buying your first guitar can be a very fun experience. I bought a guitar on a whim a few years ago and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. If you are on the fence but aren't sure which guitar is right for you, I encourage you to read this information before buying an instrument. There's also some advice for parents of would-be guitarists and beginning players.

Question: I want to learn how to play the guitar. What type of instrument should I buy?
Answer: That depends what style of music you want to play. There are electric, classical, and acoustic guitars. If you enjoy distorted guitar and want to play heavy metal, some jazz and blues, crossover country or modern rock, an electric guitar may be the best instrument for you. An acoustic guitar is a versatile instrument that can be played with just about any style of music. It works well if you want to sing around the camp fire or just enjoy that unique steel string sound. A classical guitar has a beautiful soft tone that is ideal for playing instrumental melodies & harmonies.

Question: How much should I plan to spend on a new guitar?
Answer: If you're just starting out and want an entry-level instrument, expect to pay anywhere from $99-$250 for an acoustic guitar, $200-$400 for an electric guitar with amplifier, and $200-$350 for a classical guitar.

Question: What if I want a higher quality acoustic guitar?
Answer: A higher-end guitar will have a solid wood top (compared to lower quality instruments which are made of laminate), and the highest quality acoustic guitars are made entirely of wood. A laminate guitar will usually sell for $99-$200, a solid top guitar from $200-$300 and solid wood guitars start at $350 and go up to $2,000 or more. If you enjoy the process of playing your instrument (largely determined by the "action"--the amount of force required to hold down a string to play a note or chord) and the sound of your instrument, you will likely make more rapid progress as a musician. The action can often be adjusted at the store where you purchase your guitar. Finding the instrument with the best sound can be done with a "blind test." Find a guitarist friend or store employee and sit across from this person while he or she plays several guitars. Close your eyes and try to identify the guitar sound you like best without seeing which instrument is being played. Sometimes an instrument will look great but sound awful, or vice versa.

Question: I've seen guitar "kits" for sale that include picks, method books, a strap, a case, and a guitar. Are they a good value?
Answer: They can be a great value for a beginner. An acoustic kit retails for as low as $99 and an electric kit for around $200. But beware, with all of the money spent by manufacturers on accessories and packaging, there isn't a lot left for the guitar. You may get an acoustic instrument that has high action, making it very hard to play. In an electric guitar package, the amplifier will certainly leave a lot to be desired.

Question: I'm looking for a guitar for my child, age 7-10. Should I purchase a 3/4 size or 1/2 size guitar?
Answer: Smaller steel string guitars do not stay in tune for very long (lower quality instruments sometimes won't even stay in tune for a single song). Consider a small nylon string acoustic or full-size electric guitar for the smaller player. Electric guitars work well for younger students because they have narrow necks and light, low tension strings. If your child's arm is too short to reach the first fret, put a capo on the second or third fret. (A capo is a device that raises the pitch of the guitar by shortening the string length.)

Question: I found a small guitar with four nylon strings. It's the perfect size for my child and stays in tune.
Answer: That's a ukulele.

Question: What is a bass guitar?
Answer: A bass guitar usually has four strings that sound an octave lower than the lowest four strings on a standard guitar. It is typically electric, typically has frets, and uses the same tuning as an upright acoustic bass (one that you would see in an orchestra or bluegrass band). Learning to play the electric bass is somewhat different from learning to play the guitar, since chords are used less often and notes are usually struck individually. However, familiarity with one makes the other easier to learn.

Question: I'm trying to find a good beginning guitar book, but there are so many to choose from. Some teach how to read notes, others how to play chords or tab, still others teach finger-style, Hawaiian slack key or slide guitar. Which book is best?
Answer: There are a lot of different approaches to learning guitar, and it is doubtful you will find a single comprehensive method book. Some of the most important skills for beginners include (in order of importance): learning to play chords, learning strumming techniques, learning to play guitar tab, learning to read standard notation (this one is optional for most players, although classical guitarists will find it beneficial). Of course, if you have an instructor you can ask him or her for a method book recommendation. Try to find a book that teaches these skills. A chord chart or chord book is indispensable, and if you combine this with an easy guitar book of some of your favorite songs, you should have what you need to get started. Folk songs, children's songs, Christmas songs and hymns are often good candidates for beginners since these tunes usually feature only four or five chords. After you can play several songs while strumming chords, I recommend learning to read guitar tab. Once you've got the basics down, you can investigate more advanced techniques such as finger-style, Hawaiian slack key, jazz, rock or slide guitar.

Question: Can't I just learn to play by ear?
Answer: Yes, if you have been blessed with extraordinary talent you will probably be able to listen to songs and duplicate those sounds on your guitar. You won't be able to purchase any guitar books at your local store, write down songs, or communicate with other musicians. If that's the route you want to take, go right ahead, but the journey will be difficult and may end in frustration. If you learn to read chord diagrams and tab, you'll have a much better chance at success.

Question: Should I purchase an electronic tuner for my guitar?
Answer: YES. Tuning by ear is a great skill, but you'll spend a lot of time playing out of tune if you rely on it when you're just starting out. An electronic tuner is worth every penny you'll pay for it.

Question: Besides the tuner and method/chord book, what accessories do I need to purchase?
Answer: You'll probably want a strap (required if you want to play standing up) and guitar picks. I recommend a very thin pick for beginning strummers, and thicker picks for playing individual notes or for louder strumming. A case or a guitar stand is also helpful to hold your instrument when it's not in use or when it's being transported. A capo is optional, but recommended as it will allow you to adjust the pitch of the guitar so you can sing along with songs that aren't in your vocal range. A portable music stand may be helpful, too.

Question: What is a good amplifier for my electric guitar?
Answer: You should look for an amplifier that has enough power and features--sound effects, distortion, etc.--to allow you to play the music you want to play. Often, beginning electric guitar kits come with very limited 5- or 10-watt amplifiers. I recommend upgrading to at least a 30-watt amplifier, and if you are going to perform for small groups you will want at least 100 watts. You will also need a 1/4" to 1/4" stereo cable to connect your guitar with the amplifier.

Question: Should I purchase an acoustic/electric guitar?
Answer: Acoustic/electric guitars are acoustic guitars with a built-in "pick-up" microphone inside the guitar. Often, the acoustic pick-up is powered by a 9-volt battery and includes a built-in electronic tuner. It connects to an amplifier using the same cable as an electric guitar, but the amplifier is specifically made for acoustic sounds. This type of guitar is best if you plan to perform for larger audiences. Keep in mind that when you purchase a low cost guitar with a pick-up, the quality of your guitar may be less desirable than a similarly priced guitar without electronics. If you decide to purchase a fully acoustic guitar, you can decide later to purchase an after-market pickup (placed over the sound hole), or you can have a local guitar shop install an electronic amplifier.

Question: I bought a new guitar and brought it home. What should I do now?
Answer: Tune your guitar. The strings should be tuned, in order of lowest (thickest) string to highest (thinnest): E A D G B E. Once the guitar is tuned, pick it up and try playing a few chords such a G, D and C. Then start learning on your own or find an instructor. There are a lot of great songs and a lot of free guitar information available on the Internet, but there's no substitute for a good teacher.

Question: I tried playing my new guitar, but it made my fingers sore. Am I doing something wrong?
Answer: Probably not. It's possible your "action" needs to be lowered, but most new acoustic guitarists can only play for 15-30 minutes at a time before their fingers are too sore to continue (classical and electric guitarists have it a little easier). In time, you'll develop calluses on the tips of your fingers. You may want to try putting a thin coating of super glue over your fingertips to make it less painful to play. It's also a good idea to keep the fingernails of your left hand cut short, so they don't interfere with your ability to hold down the strings.

Question: My guitar buzzes a lot when I play. Is something wrong with the guitar?
Answer: Probably not. It's possible your "action" needs to be raised or you need to use a thinner pick, but most buzzing is caused by not holding down the frets with enough pressure, or holding them down in the wrong place. Some beginners try to place their fingers exactly in the middle of the fret they are playing, but it's best to slide the finger closer to the fret (in the direction of the sound hole of the guitar). You don't want to press the metal part of the fret, which deadens the sound, but just behind it, where it takes less pressure to produce a good tone. Your guitar may buzz a little while you're learning, but over time you'll develop better technique and increased hand strength.

Question: How often should I change my strings?
Answer: New strings can do a lot to improve the sound of your guitar. Your strings will last longer if you wash your hands each time you play. Avid players will need to change their steel strings every few months (nylon strings last a little longer). You'll know it's time to replace your steel strings if they become visibly tarnished, or if they lose their bright sound. Some music stores provide string changes and other adjustments free or at low cost. If you want to change your own strings, I recommend purchasing a peg winder, which will make it easier to turn the tuning pegs. You'll also need some wire cutters. At the store, you can buy a new set of lighter or heavier strings, depending on the desired sound and your playing style. Change one string at a time, paying careful attention to the direction the original string was wound around the tuning peg. Be sure to cut the new string to the approximate length of the old one. When you are done, you may have to re-tune the strings a few times, as the guitar re-adjusts. Your strings will go out of tune more quickly for the first few days you play (classical strings take a few weeks to "train"), but you should notice an improvement in sound quality right away.