So you signed up for guitar lessons in Orange County and now you need to know how to pick your first guitar. This is an exciting time! You are probably thinking of the band you will start and the girls who will be after you. In the middle of this excitement, there are a handful of things to remember. Follow a few easy steps and you will avoid buyer's remorse.
Starting out cheap is the first rule to keep in mind. It is of course tempting to run out and buy a top of the line instrument. But this is not a great idea because there are many things you do not know to look for at first. For instance, you need to get a feel for how it fits your body. It needs to feel a certain way when you play it. And the sound should have a certain quality to it when you pick or strum.
Since you are a novice, it is best to take someone along with you when shopping for a new one who has played them for years. An experienced player can tell you easily if a it is a good one or if you should keep looking. He can tell you what it should sound like if you strum it or if you pluck it. He will also be able to keep you from over paying, as he will have a good idea what guitars are worth.
When looking at the instrument itself, there are a few things to consider. One is to look down the neck lengthwise to see if it is straight. The neck should be straight and not buckle or bend. Another key tip is to check the spacing between the frets. The distance should be small enough that you can easily depress the strings against the frets.
Inexpensive guitars can be found many places. You can find great deals on used guitars at pawn shops or at flea markets. Music stores and department stores often have a used musical instrument section. Since it is better to handle and look at it before purchasing, it is better not to buy them online. Although sites like Craigslist are good because you can find a good deal but then handle and look at the instrument before buying it.
While you can find a great instrument that is not a well known brand, it is a good idea to stick with the major brands when first starting out. Some good brands to look for are Taylor, Fender, or Gibson. These brands are well known because they make high quality instruments that stand the test of time.
Now that you have your first guitar, some questions arise. One is what kind of strings to put on it. That depends on what kind of guitar playing you plan to do. If you think you are going to do more strumming, then go with steel strings. On the other hand, if you think you might do more finger picking, then nylon strings are the way to go.
Do you need a tuner or not? For many years it was pretty mandatory that you buy a tuner to tune your guitar. However, there are so many free apps now available for your phone that buying a tuner is probably not necessary. To play a guitar, you will also need some picks. You can find these on sites like Amazon. You might also find a strap and/or case for your guitar if it did not come with these when you bought it.
Now that you have figured out how to pick your first guitar and taken your guitar lesson in Orange County, only a few things remain. Clear out that garage to make room for practice sessions with your band. Organize your parties for all of your groupies. And make plans for your cash as you become a rock star.
Starting out cheap is the first rule to keep in mind. It is of course tempting to run out and buy a top of the line instrument. But this is not a great idea because there are many things you do not know to look for at first. For instance, you need to get a feel for how it fits your body. It needs to feel a certain way when you play it. And the sound should have a certain quality to it when you pick or strum.
Since you are a novice, it is best to take someone along with you when shopping for a new one who has played them for years. An experienced player can tell you easily if a it is a good one or if you should keep looking. He can tell you what it should sound like if you strum it or if you pluck it. He will also be able to keep you from over paying, as he will have a good idea what guitars are worth.
When looking at the instrument itself, there are a few things to consider. One is to look down the neck lengthwise to see if it is straight. The neck should be straight and not buckle or bend. Another key tip is to check the spacing between the frets. The distance should be small enough that you can easily depress the strings against the frets.
Inexpensive guitars can be found many places. You can find great deals on used guitars at pawn shops or at flea markets. Music stores and department stores often have a used musical instrument section. Since it is better to handle and look at it before purchasing, it is better not to buy them online. Although sites like Craigslist are good because you can find a good deal but then handle and look at the instrument before buying it.
While you can find a great instrument that is not a well known brand, it is a good idea to stick with the major brands when first starting out. Some good brands to look for are Taylor, Fender, or Gibson. These brands are well known because they make high quality instruments that stand the test of time.
Now that you have your first guitar, some questions arise. One is what kind of strings to put on it. That depends on what kind of guitar playing you plan to do. If you think you are going to do more strumming, then go with steel strings. On the other hand, if you think you might do more finger picking, then nylon strings are the way to go.
Do you need a tuner or not? For many years it was pretty mandatory that you buy a tuner to tune your guitar. However, there are so many free apps now available for your phone that buying a tuner is probably not necessary. To play a guitar, you will also need some picks. You can find these on sites like Amazon. You might also find a strap and/or case for your guitar if it did not come with these when you bought it.
Now that you have figured out how to pick your first guitar and taken your guitar lesson in Orange County, only a few things remain. Clear out that garage to make room for practice sessions with your band. Organize your parties for all of your groupies. And make plans for your cash as you become a rock star.
About the Author:
The author is the executive piano instructor of his own music school in Orange County which offers guitar lessons in Orange County.
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