There are many reasons why one should consider buying a guitar. If you’re a music lover and you want to play music then buying a guitar can be a very exciting thing. But of course, before actually paying money for a guitar there are some tips one should need about. There are many, many places from which you can buy a new or old guitar, starting from big malls like Walmart and Best Buy to other smaller markets that specialize on musical instruments. I think it’s common sense that the higher quality guitars will always be the ones bought from a shop that specializes in selling them and not from some big mall.

Before heading out to the store it is absolutely vital that you have an idea or two about the instrument so you won’t make a regrettable mistake, buying something that will leave you disappointed. Unfortunately this is the case with many newbies out there but don’t be alarmed, this article should show you how it’s done. It’s recommended that you only buy a guitar or any musical instrument for that matter while being accompanied by someone, a family member of friend, who knows about these things.

There are so many things to know about what makes a guitar a good one that you’ll never find the right one for you without guidance. You’ll soon come to find out that the market is full with cheap guitars made out of plywood and some other cheap wood that is not resistant to the tension of the strings. Also, most cheap guitars can have really awkward fret-boards which. You’re already in a tough position because you’re a beginner and having a bad guitar can mean extra headache.

The biggest issue with these cheap guitars is the fact that they never stay in tuned. I once had a cheap guitar like this and having to tune it each and every time I wanted to play was something I wasn’t too happy about. I can’t stress it enough how vital is for you to have the minimum of technical knowledge when it comes to these beautiful instruments, especially if you want to get one for yourself or for a loved one. Remember that you don’t necessarily have to buy a new guitar. Some second-hand guitars are in absolutely wonderful shape, especially if they’re high-quality. Remember this: a high quality guitar, like a Gibson or Fender will always age like a fine wine if you take proper care of it. All you need to do is to choose the model you desire according the music you would like to play or according to what your favorite rock star plays. Kurt Cobain for instance loved his Fender Mustangs and Fender Jaguars. Slash’s name on the other hand is almost synonymous with the Gibson Les Paul guitar. Of course, these guitars can cost a lot of money, especially if they’re vintage. For a beginner I would recommend a Fender Stratocaster or an even cheap version of Fender, the Squier.

What type of music are you interested in? There’s no use in buying an electric guitar if the music type you prefer and want to study is classical music. Also, there’s no use in buying a classical guitar if you love rock n’ roll and you want to learn heavy metal songs. For this you will need a good electric guitar with a good amp. Once you’ve laid eyes on a type of guitar always make sure to go online and try to find out as much as you can about it. Each and every guitar ever released definitely has reviews from other people just like. Stay away from the ones that others rated low and pick one from the ones others praised. It’s all about the comments; if you like them then you’re certainly like the guitar as well.

Now it’s time to head out to the music store and experiment with the guitars you laid eyes on. Most of these stores will let you play them for free, to test them out. Make sure to test out as many guitars as you can. There’s nothing like the feeling of buying then playing a guitar you absolutely fell in love with. Your playing will seriously be affected by your love you have for the guitar. Kurt Cobain for example was so excited about a new guitar that he instantly wrote ten songs on it in a matter of hours. Now that’s excitement and a genuine love for music! Make sure that the hardware of the guitar is not rusted and that everything, especially the tuning heads are in working conditions. Never buy a guitar with rusted tuning as it will be very tough to tune it later on. Always check the neck of the guitar as well. Make sure it’s absolutely straight and it doesn’t show waves. Many people forget about these things and they later end up regretting their purchase. Don’t make the same mistakes!

Also pay close attention to the fret and the state it’s in. The fret should be in good condition, even if the guitar is second hand. Another thing to take into consideration is the spacing between the strings. What type of fingers do you have? Are they long and slim or short? Make sure your fingers feel comfortable holding the fret and that it’s easy to execute the chords. There are all types of guitars, some with very narrow necks so it could be very uncomfortable for you playing this type of a guitar when your fingers are thick. Remember, if it doesn’t feel right, keep on looking. You’ll find the perfect one for you, all you need is to keep an eye open and test the market.

Does the distance between the strings and fret feel right to you? If it doesn’t then it will be pretty hard for you to play chords and scales on that instrument. It will also hurt your speed later on, when trying to execute riffs and licks. Always make sure the electronics work. Try out the amp and make sure all the switches are in good condition. If they produce weird noises that it’s not a good sign. Play a few notes while the guitar is connected to the amplifier. Does it sound crisp and clear? This is very vital. Never settle on a guitar that doesn’t come with great tones when you play it. Of course there are some other tips as well when it comes to buying or playing a guitar.
It’s pretty unnecessary to spend a lot of money on a guitar if you’re a beginner. Remember that the music comes from you, the musician and not the instrument. Try to concentrate on the right technique and determination. Practice every day. These are things you should be concerned with and not with the buying of an expensive guitar. Later on the road when you’ve gotten better you might want to consider buying a more expensive model. There’s nothing like mastering a Gibson Les Paul, I’ll give you that!

If you finally got a guitar and you want to start playing it you will have to be able to play the basic power chords. These are very essential for playing the instrument. Trying to learn how these chords work can be daunting at the beginning but this is perfectly normal. With some practice you will get the feel of it and in time things will become easier on your fingers. Practicing the guitar you will develop great dexterity. Remember that you don’t need to learn everything in one afternoon. Take your time, study, watch videos online, and figure things out for yourself. It’s all part of the joy of being a musical student.

All you need to do at first is focus on the simple chords like C, A, G, E and D. Leave chords like B major and F major for later on when your fingers can hold them accordingly. Once you start digging for tutorials either on Google using phrases like learn to play guitar, learning guitar, or how to learn guitar.

The muscles of your fingers will strengthen in time and this will make it easier for you to play those chords and eventually your favorite songs. The bottom line is to practice almost every day. Never overdo it, though. After you master those basic chords you can already play some simple songs like Coldplay’s Yellow or Knocking on Heaven’s Door. You’d be surprised how easy they are to play once you know all the necessary chords.