Article by Music For All Inc
If you´re reading this, you´re probably thinking of starting to take guitar lessons. Believe me, you still have no idea how exciting and fun playing a guitar can be! In fact, there are few things in life that will provide the relaxation and feeling of accomplishment that you will experience during the learning process with guitar chords, guitar tabs and guitar chord progressions.
It is with the objective of sharing both our love and expertise on the guitar world that we decided to write these quick tips to help you buy your first guitar in an attempt to guide you through the decision process. First things first: guitars are not created equal. There are many brands of electric guitars to choose from. That´s why making the right choice when purchasing a guitar can be stressful for someone who´s just started or is about to start taking guitar lessons. Choosing the right first guitar depends on 4 basic factors:
1. Guitar TypeChoose the kind of guitar (acoustic, electric or classical) that interest you the most, because, needless to say, the first thing to consider before you buy a guitar is the type of guitar you want to go for. You have many options to choose from, such as a steel-stringed acoustic guitar for folk and blues, a nylon-stringed acoustic for classical music, or an electric or electric bass guitar for old rock and roll, among others.
2. SizeSelect the appropriate size guitar for you. If you´re above 11 years old, or an adult and about 5 tall or taller, a 4/4 guitar size will work for you. If you´re between 8 and 11 years old and between 4'6" and 4'11", pick a ¾ size guitar. If you (or your son) are between 5 and 8 and about 4 a ½ size guitar will work best for you. For children below 6 and about 35, a ¼ size guitar will be more suitable.
3. SoundIf you still don´t trust your untrained ear, what better than to bringing along a friend with a good one who can also play! A good tip is to try your guitar outside the shop or in a very large room before you buy it so you can truly test its sound. Never be afraid of asking for help! If you´ve already started taking guitar lessons (with a borrowed guitar), ask your teacher to help you out.
4. Budget
Do not rely on brand names ONLY. The most costly isn´t necessarily the best guitar in the market and it might be too much to spend if you´re a beginner. In fact, if you´re just starting to take your first lessons, there is little or no reason to consider investing several thousands of dollars into a pro level guitar! Personally, we would recommend you dont exceed a two hundred dollar budget. On the other hand, avoiding the cheapest guitars available is also good advice. This also goes for those guitar packages at amazingly low prices. If youre thinking of buying a second hand guitar, know the seller. If you´re buying new, ask for a guarantee. And always, always, always compare before you buy! Also, it might be a good idea to head to the local music store and ask them what kind of beginner guitars they have, and if they have any beginner packages. Remember: You dont want to spend hundreds of dollars on your first guitar nor buy the cheapest ones. As many other things in life you need to find the right balance. After all, as a beginner, you will not know how to take care of your guitar and your mistakes will make your first guitar go through a lot until you´ve had a few guitar lessons. Choose a nice beginner guitar, and once you feel like you are ready for an upgrade, go for it!
Last but not least, select a guitar with a finish/color you enjoy and have fun!The best is yet to come!
About the Author
ABOUT Music for All Inc
Since 2002, Music for All Inc. offers guitar lessons in the area of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Leaded by founder Dr. Hernan Zapata, Music for All Inc´s Fort Lauderdale teachers customize each Guitar Lesson to fit each student´s needs and learning pace.To learn more about us and our guitar lessons, visit http://www.musicforallinc.com/GUITAR-LESSONS.php