How to choose a guitar for beginners?
In this article, we shall summarily discuss how to choose a guitar for beginners. Choosing a guitar is one of the crucial stages a beginner can experience since there are a lot of factors you need to consider when buying the one that would suit your preference.
It is important to note that, aside from the physical appearance of your guitar, you need to do some quality check before purchasing one. Your first few months as a newbie in learning how to playing the guitar are going to be pretty exciting. That it is why the guitar that you will choose will play a big role in your journey.
Before going to the store, you just have to make sure that you are financially prepared. More than that, you should also make sure that you have done your research so as to know what are the things that you need to consider before owning one.
If you are in doubt and you think that your research was not that enough, you may also seek for somebody’s help, such as those who are knowledgeable about guitars. Ask for their advice or ask them to go with you so they can help you decide what to buy.
Choose the guitar that you think will help you reach your goal of learning and loving the guitar. Guitars that will allow you to want to play anytime and anywhere, this of course will depend upon your interest in music and other related activities.
How to choose an acoustic guitar?
To help you decide what acoustic guitar to buy, it is important that you determine your budget before delving into the differences between those pieces of musical instruments. You have to be convinced that the acoustic guitar you will buy is still of good quality despite the price.
Some do not recommend paying low price for a guitar. The reason is sub par quality, the inferior sound, and the difficulty in playing the same. When the novice has selected the category for the range of budget that he has, he now should choose between an acoustic guitar with laminated or solid wood top.
An acoustic guitar with a laminate top is cheaper than solid wood tops, but they don’t vibrate as well. This means that the sound won’t be as loud than the solid wood tops.
You may also check those affordable acoustic guitars offered by some of the best brands such as Fender and Yamaha, which may be considered by beginners.
Check the overall quality of the guitar by knocking on its body, checking its intonation, and looking into how far the strings are from the fretboard should be the initial inquiry on the instrument itself that you have to do. Preference should likewise be had when choosing between a classical or steel string acoustic.
How to choose a classical guitar?
Classical guitars have Nylon strings, which are generally easier to play than steel strings which are on acoustic guitars. These nylon strings require less finger strength and less likely to cause callus in fingers.
That is why it is preferably used by beginners. But before buying one, there are also things that you might want to consider. First is the sound of the guitar based on its tone wood.
Contrary to what others believe, the wood of a guitar plays an important role aside from the looks of the guitar. There is actually a big impact on the sound of the guitar depending on the wood used.
The sound board of a classical guitar also plays a vital role in playing the instrument as it creates the sound through strumming.
Solid wood, although quite expensive than that of the plywood, is probably the best quality for soundboard because of the tonal qualities it offer. Look also for the Nut and Saddle that cannot be easily broken.
It is best for you to find the best brand and price that would fit your preference and budget that would cater all this aspects.
How to choose an electric guitar?
Buying an electric guitar is a big purchase that is why you have to make the right choice, or else you might regret in the end. Electric guitars are way expensive than the classical and acoustic guitars.
In selecting your preference, when you are in a budget, you should try those branded first with a discount. Branded ones have good pickups. Aside from electric guitar’s over all design, pick ups are one of its most important parts. Pick ups for branded guitars have been meticulously scrutinized and tested to achieve perfect sounding tones.
However, what is common to these three types of guitar [acoustic, classical, and electric] is their tone-wood, which is vital to its overall sound. What sets the electric guitar from the other is that it has a lot of shape which you might want to consider, such as the Flying V style.
Having such design may add up to the spice of its looks, although it does not affect the sound. The Neck of the guitar has also a vital role to play to both the sound and the playability of the guitar.
Which is the best guitar for beginners?
Each type of guitar mentioned above has it own advantages and disadvantages. If you are a beginner and in search for the best guitar to start with, it is best recommended that you start learning through an acoustic guitar, as it considered as the most balanced guitar type.
Classical guitars are less painful to the fingers because they are nylon-stringed. However, acoustic guitars, although steel-stringed, give you the locking feel once you position your fingers, making it easier for you to remember the chords.
Acoustic guitars are the easiest musical instruments among the three to learn. This is because acoustic ones require lesser time to learn and grasp than the others.
It is also best for practicing when it comes to basics such as the chords, strumming, scales and chord progression.
Moreover, you will not be burdened to purchase additional equipment, such as amplifiers, cables, and gadgets, when having an electric guitar.
What size of guitar is best for beginners?
When buying a guitar, not only those mentioned above should be taken into consideration. You will also have to consider the size of your guitar when buying one. Basically, there are two sizes of guitar, the 38-inch and 41-inch.
According to an article entitled “What’s Better, a 38 Or 41 Inch Guitar For Beginners?”((What’s Better, a 38 Or 41 Inch Guitar For Beginners?))
if you’re shorter than 5’2″, then a 38 inch guitar is going to play more comfortably. Otherwise, if you are taller than 5’2″ then there is less probable reasons not to get a 41″ guitar longer than 38 inches.
–What’s Better, a 38 Or 41 Inch Guitar For Beginners?
Except for height purposes, 38-inch and 41-inch guitar have also sound purposes. Since 38-inch guitar has a small body, it gives a lower volume than that of the 41-inch guitar.
Likewise, if you don’t want a boomy sound, then 38-inch would be perfect for you. Nevertheless, if you wanted a louder sound, then get the 41-inch guitar instead. Since it has a bigger body, the sound is boomier than the other one.
The choice depends on you since it is your preference that will matter.
How much time will it take to learn playing the guitar?
“Practice makes perfect.” This is a famous quote everyone of us believed in. This is usually applicable in almost everything we do, just like learning how to play guitar. Learning how to play guitar is not that easy as it takes time.
You need to learn the proper positions of your fingers that would constitute every chord, as well as the strumming and rhythms of that best fits for every music. For beginners, these are actually challenging things to learn.
Despite that, after frequent practices, you will be able to learn all of these. This depends on how serious you are. If you allot at least 1 hour a day, then, maybe in six months, you will be able to play well enough.
Playing guitar may seem to be hard but once you give time and focus on it, it will be just a piece of cake. As with ay other activity, consistency is also the key.
Is playing guitar hard to learn?
How hard it is to learn guitar ultimately depends on how much time your exert to it. How efficient your practice is and what resources you use, whether it be an in person guitar teacher or online guitar lessons. Just like any other musical instrument, learning to play guitar takes time, dedication, and patience.
For beginners, guitar is not really that hard to learn, as it gets easier the longer you consistently play and practice. One of the basic requirements to learn how to play such musical instrument is that you will have to familiarize yourself with the different chords.
After learning such chords, it will be a lot easier for you to find the perfect strumming that would best fit the music. Play along and you will get along.
Initially, the strings and strumming can cause your fingers to develop calluses. This can be a painful experience, Yet, eventually, after couple of practices, you will be able to build enough strength in your fingers.
Conclusion
No new skill is ever easy and no one’s too old to learn the same, more particularly, playing a musical instrument, such as a guitar. What really matters is your passion and dedication to learn.
Even if you put a lot of time in practicing guitar if you do not exert effort and you do not establish an efficient practice, the same would still be useless. It is actually necessary that you have a structured practice routine in order to have a better learning experience.
Find the best resources that would best fit your needs in learning how to play it. Surround yourself with the people who are also interested in playing guitar to help you stay in track while you are on your journey in becoming a guitar hero.
It is also important that you have a goal to look forward to, that will keep you motivated every time you practice. Remind yourself, every now and then, of this goal.
