Hammond Music

When it comes to learning to play the guitar, probably the most difficult task you will face is often the first: buying one to begin with. If you don’t know anyone who can play in order to ask for advice, or you are simply not completely clued up on the genre, then it can be a very difficult task.

The shop assistant is often a factor when it comes to buying their first guitar for many people. They make the mistake of getting a nice economical purchase which, when got home, turns out to be completely useless for the needs that you had in mind. The advice can often turn out to be misinformed, and driven by a desire to make a sale rather than getting the best instrument for you.

If you are in this situation, and are looking seriously into the possibility of buying a guitar in order to learn, then there are a few things that you should be considering before you depart with your hard-earned cash. The following are all questions that you really need to know the answers to before you step foot into a guitar shop.

1. What style of music do you want to play?

You will know what you want to play, and what you want to learn. Make sure you keep this in mind so that you don’t get pressured into buying something that will not be suitable for your needs. It may sound quite obvious to say that an electric guitar is more suited to rock music whereas an acoustic guitar is better for strumming and singing along. However, many people make this mistake.

2. How much can you afford?

Your first guitar should be seen as an investment – an investment in your own musical future. Bear this in mind when you set yourself a budget for what you want to spend. If this is your first guitar, and you’ve never played before, then do you really want to spend thousands of dollars on a top-end instrument? In reality, you should be looking at paying somewhere in the region of $250-$300 (US) for a decent electric guitar, and around $150 (US) for an acoustic.

When you decided on the style of music that you want to play, and the budget that you can afford, then it’s time to make the decision on which guitar you buy. Bear in mind your answers to the questions above, and consider the following. This is often a fraught step, and will take a little time to get it right, but the time is well invested to make sure that you get the right instrument.

· Try before you buy. At this stage, it is even a good idea to try some guitars that are outside of your budget – that way you will get a sense of the differences in sound and playability that exist. If you were buying a new car, you wouldn’t buy it without first taking it for a test drive, right? Buying a guitar is no different – try as many guitars as you want. You will soon see the differences that exist from one guitar to the next.

· Pay special attention to the playability of the frets. Take a look at each fret, and play a note on each. Look at the condition of the frets – are they worn out? Do they show signs of excessive usage? You may find that there is a small buzzing sound – if this is the case, then it means that the action of the guitar is not set properly. It could even point to a case of poor workmanship on the instrument.

· Many people buy guitars online, and it can be a quick and easy way to purchase your first guitar. Make sure that you fully check out the reviews of that particular guitar, and look at the user reviews as well to get a better idea of whether this guitar is right for you. The advantages of this are that it will often arrive straight to your door, and it can be cheaper than a high street store.

· Try and find one that fits like a glove and plays a sound that you personally find pleasing! Do this and there is a much higher chance of you staying with that guitar for a longer time. Make sure you select a guitar that you like and that you feel comfortable with.

Playing the guitar can be a wonderful pastime, full of reward and great fun. Don’t get pressured into spending more than you can afford, as this will only produce resentment on your part, and you are therefore much less likely to continue. If you are a beginner, and are trying to learn to play a guitar for the first time, then you should seriously consider all of the above before you even start.

Copyright 2009 Liam Gibson (Pro Guitarist)

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