| So you want to pick up the guitar? If you have an | | | | aware that no guitar will ever sound right if it's out of |
| instrument already, good. But if not, you're going to | | | | tune. Unfortunately for us, a lot of guitars aren't already |
| have to get one. There are a lot of choices out there. | | | | tuned. This is when it definitely helps to have absolute |
| This article will help you with what you need to know.If | | | | pitch or, at least, a guitar tuner. If you have no idea |
| there's a cherry red axe you've been lusting after | | | | what you're doing, then you can always ask an |
| lately or if you're picking one out as a gift, it's time to | | | | employee to help you out. If they think you're |
| learn about what you're buying. I know people who've | | | | interested, they won't mind tuning it up for you.While |
| spent thousands of dollars on instruments and it didn't | | | | you're doing all this is the time to buy a couple picks for |
| help play one lick better. Guitars can make nice trophy | | | | a buck or two. Everyone seems to have their own |
| items, but you've got some decisions to make before | | | | preference with picks. Generally, you want one that is |
| you can become a real guitar-playing badass.Now it's | | | | pliable yet sturdy. That way you can strum chords and |
| time to start searching for your special guitar. First | | | | pick out notes with the same pick.Now once you've |
| check out a trading post or the local classifieds. Don't | | | | got a pick in hand and that beautiful guitar is in tune, |
| go to Ebay! A guitar is something you must play | | | | let's play some chords. If you don't know any, then just |
| before you buy. Especially when you're looking for that | | | | try picking the strings. It can be hard to tell without |
| first guitar, there can be a wide variation in the quality | | | | strumming, but what we're looking for is a |
| out there. How will you know if a guitar is really for you | | | | well-balanced, rich tone. The high notes and the low |
| unless you play it first?Another good place to find | | | | notes should have an even balance and it should |
| guitars is at your local guitar shop. There are rows of | | | | create a nice sonorous sensation to your ears. If the |
| them just hanging from the walls begging to be played. | | | | high notes sound "plinky" or the low notes sound dull |
| Most places don't mind if you try one out, though it's | | | | that's a bad sign. Old strings can badly degrade the |
| always nice to ask first. Some of these instruments | | | | sound, so watch out for those. Otherwise, with |
| are very expensive and delicate items. A tiny nick in | | | | acoustic guitars the sound you hear is a pretty |
| the finish or scratch in the chrome can ruin a guitar in | | | | straightforward indicator whether it's a worthy |
| some people's eyes! As for what kind of shop you | | | | specimen.What About The Electric Guitar?It can be a |
| want to go to, most small shops specializing in guitars | | | | little harder to test electric guitars. EQ settings and |
| have very knowledgeable and skilled staff. While | | | | pickups play a larger role with electric instruments. If |
| instruments and equipment are often more expensive | | | | the tone knob on the guitar is turned down or if the |
| at these places, there really isn't a better place to find | | | | amp's treble/bass settings are wrong, then you'll get a |
| advice or get lessons.In any case, you should be able | | | | false indication of what the guitar can do. Also beware, |
| to find a good starter guitar for somewhere around | | | | most sales people will hook you into one of their best |
| $100 to $200. If you decide on an electric guitar, then | | | | amps. I would recommend playing on the kind of amp |
| you'll want to purchase a practice amp too. 15 watt | | | | you're looking to buy. This way you'll get a good idea |
| practice amps usually retail around $50 and sometimes | | | | of it will sound like at home.As far as basic guitar EQ's, |
| you can save money on package deals.How Do I | | | | turn the tone knob on the guitar most of the way up |
| Know If It's a Good Guitar?The most important thing | | | | and adjust the amp settings; for treble around 7 o'clock |
| when buying your guitar is to listen. When you strum | | | | and for the bass control around 3 or 4 is good. |
| the strings do you hear weird noises? Well, other than | | | | Obviously there will be a lot of variation on these |
| your playing... Seriously though, if the action on the | | | | settings depending on the style of music you play. For |
| guitar is too low, it can cause the strings to vibrate | | | | now though, the basic settings suffice.Conclusions Are |
| against the metal frets. Other times, cheap tuning pegs | | | | For WinnersOnce you've decided on the guitar that |
| cause problems. Let's take a look at these next. Do | | | | sounds best to you, it's time to check out the |
| they turn smoothly or are they kind of jerky? You | | | | accessories. The essential items you'll need include a |
| don't want pegs that turn too easily or ones that | | | | pitch tuner, a case, an extra set of strings, a |
| require serious muscle. Good tuning pegs will have a bit | | | | comfortable strap, and most importantly, a whole |
| of resistance at first and then turn smoothly and | | | | bunch of picks. I can't count the number of picks I've |
| steadily once moving. Now be careful and don't tune it | | | | lost in my lifetime. No matter what you do, you will lose |
| too much! Those tiny E and B strings like to break.Next | | | | them!Now if you decided on an electric guitar then |
| up, take a look down the neck of the guitar. Make sure | | | | you'll need another group of accessories. Start out |
| the neck is straight, otherwise funny things will happen | | | | with a little practice amp and a couple of 1/4" cables. |
| when you play further up the neck. Do you see the | | | | Unless you're going to be playing in a massive room, |
| enameled dots on the fret board? We need to find the | | | | short cables are better. They take up less room and |
| fret that has two of those dots. That fret is what we | | | | are much easier to store and untangle. Ten foot |
| call an octave. When you press down at that fret, the | | | | cables are usually optimal. Eventually, you might |
| string will play the same note as when it's played open | | | | consider picking up some effects pedals. The basic |
| or unfretted. You can test your ear here and also | | | | ones include distortion, delay, reverb, chorus, phaser |
| listen for the quality of the guitar. Play the string open, | | | | and tremolo. Personally, I like overdrive pedals because |
| then play it at the octave mark. Do they sound like the | | | | they give a nice fuzzy edge to your sound for rock'n |
| same note or do you hear discordance between the | | | | roll. Another route to go is the ubiquitous multifunction |
| two? If they sound like the same note that means the | | | | effects box. The quality of each effect tends to be |
| intonation on your guitar is in good shape. You can | | | | substandard on these, but it can be cool to try out |
| take a guitar to a repair shop, but if it doesn't start out | | | | different effects and see which ones you might want |
| with good intonation then there's not a lot that can be | | | | to purchase individually later on.My last word advice is |
| done.Play It Already!Once we're done the snooping out | | | | something most wanna-be rockers don't like to hear. I |
| the hardware, we're down to the moment of truth. | | | | recommend starting out with an acoustic guitar. They |
| Let's hear how it sounds! Plug it in or if it's an acoustic | | | | force you to have better technique and that makes |
| just start playing.With guitars it can be tricky knowing | | | | you better in the long run. Also, I find acoustic guitars |
| what you want in the beginning. Generally, you're | | | | are better for learning chords and writing songs. The |
| listening for a nice thick low end that you can really | | | | great thing about them is they can go practically |
| feel. On the high range we want a clear and present | | | | anywhere you can. And there aren't many better |
| sound that can pierce through walls. All guitars vary | | | | ways to attract people than by playing a guitar.So yes, |
| widely in their sounds, pickups, and EQ's. Some guitars | | | | be cool and get yourself a guitar. Inevitably, you will |
| will sound awesome through a certain distortion pedal | | | | suck at first, but you don't have to be that way for |
| while others are meant to be played with a certain | | | | long. If you find someone who can explain and show |
| style amp. A lot of your choice depends on whether | | | | you, you'll be playing soon enough. Above all, don't be |
| you want to play rhythm or lead. A good way to figure | | | | discouraged! If you try hard enough, you will get |
| it all out is by listening to your favorite musician and | | | | better.This article is authored by Daniel Crenshaw. He |
| finding out what equipment they use. I can't offer much | | | | is a musician and writer from Richmond, Virginia. He |
| advice here other than make sure it sounds cool!Be | | | | runs the website Freedommedium. |