In this lesson, we are going to learn how to choose your first guitar. The best way to choose your first guitar is to decide what type of guitar you want to play. Acoustic or electric? Also, think about who inspired you to play in the first place. This will help you to make a better decision.
A personal journey
Learning to play the guitar is a very personal journey and much thought should be put into it if you expect to get anywhere with the instrument. Once you have decided what kind of guitar you want to play, then look online for some reviews and go to your local music store and try some out.
I don’t mean play them if you’re just getting started, I mean hold the guitar, get a grasp for how the neck feels and how heavy it is. How the guitar feels in your hands.
If it feels comfortable and you like it, buy it and get started learning how to play it. If you go through this physical process you’ll find the right guitar. It will let you know if it is the one for you.
Tips for what to look for:
#1: Acoustic or Electric:
This makes a huge difference. As you can see from the pictures above, they are quite different in size and style. Look to your favorite players and songs you want to learn and decide what might be best to start with.
#2: Set a budget:
This is a huge factor as well. Guitars come in all different styles and shapes. Each one will have a certain cost attached to it, so make sure you consider this. Especially an electric guitar, as it will need an amplifier and a guitar cable.
#3: Inspires you to learn:
This is probably the most important thing to consider. You must like the guitar itself. If not, you won't be inspired to practice it daily. That is one thing I love about the guitar is you can find one that fits your personality.
All these things must be taken into consideration when choosing the right guitar. Look into what is going to keep you inspired to stay motivated to practice daily.
Once you find the right guitar
Then once you get to that point, look up some videos on YouTube to get started or, you find a good learning system out of a book or a video course for beginners.
This will allow you to make the most progress in the least amount of time. YouTube videos are great because they are free, but they don’t always provide the best step-by-step path. Only a system of learning will provide that.
I authored and self-published a step-by-step method book that is designed to help you get started playing guitar no matter if you choose acoustic or electric.
Learn Guitar Simple Method
This book is packed with full-color pictures and diagrams that provide a very easy-to-understand method for easy understanding and learning. It shows you all the things necessary to build a solid foundation and get results with your guitar quickly. How to get started playing guitar in a fun and easy manner.
This book consists of techniques and training methods that have been developed through years of learning, playing, and teaching. This getting-started guidebook has everything you need to learn how to have fun playing guitar.
A simple method for beginners
Learn which guitar to choose, how to hold the guitar, how to tune it, how to use a guitar pick, your very first guitar chords, reading sheet music, improving chord changes, as well as strumming and arpeggiating chords. In addition to all that, you will learn simple song melodies you can play right away.
The difference between learning online as opposed to offline, is practice habits, common mistakes to avoid, and a simple training quiz to make sure you fully understand the material. All this and more can be found in Learn Guitar: Simple Method for Beginners.
Need more help?
Look into my service of private guitar instruction. With over 20 years of teaching experience. Both online and in-person. I specialize in crafting customized lessons that cater to your musical journey. Even if you have no formal training. With your interest and availability, I can tailor our lessons to suit your pace and schedule.
Whether you want to dive into the basics or explore different musical styles, I can guide you every step of the way. Just contact me at my website, and we'll set up a time to talk on the phone.
Thank you for your time, and good luck with your guitar playing.
Sincerely, Dwayne Jenkins
