How to choose the right guitar?

By: Anze Sustar

Choosing the right guitar may be a problem for a large number of
guitarists out there. Luckily there are some tips and tricks
that can help you choose the one that will suit you the most.

If you are a total beginner in the world of guitar-mastery, I
would strongly recommend that you take a look in the direction
of acoustic guitars. Because of their narrow necks they are
relatively easy to play. The drawback might be those sharp
strings, but you can always change them for nylon strings -
which is another thing I would really recommend to the
beginners. Anyhow, your fingers will definitely tell you when
you've had too much of guitar-playing for the day, at least at
the very beginning. Nylon strings are going to be much easier on
them, allowing you to play at least two to three hours a day,
making it possible for you to become better relatively fast. And
this is the most important part - you need to be able to see the
progress you are making along the path, since this will boost
your motivation and help you get even better. Without that kind
of stimulation, a lot of guitarists come across a lack of
motivation ...

Once you learn the basics, you might be ready to try other kinds
of equipment. You might want to try the classical guitar if you
like rich, soft sound and if you are a fan of sensual, slower
music. When it comes to those, keep in mind that they are
difficult to play from the 12th fret downwards - they are
definitely not something you can practice your rock solos with.
However, they turn out to be a great instrument for all the
finger-pickers out there and they do have that unique, almost
Spanish sound, which makes every note seem just a bit more
romantic.

If you prefer rock music and faster tunes, you should take a
look towards the electric guitars. First you need a good
amplifier, but don't get distracted by those huge numbers about
the power. You really don't need anything more than 20 watts at
home, trust me on this one. Don't buy some cheap 100 watt piece
of equipment, you will be much better off with a quality 20 watt
amplifier.

When it comes to the guitar itself, I would recommend that you
get yourself one of the Stratocaster guitars - they are really
easy to play, they have great necks and usually quite solid
magnets. One more thing: go to the store and try out many types
of electric guitars ... The acoustic ones are quite similar to
each other, but the electric guitars are a completely different
story. Try at least 10 guitars before you make a decision. It
should take you more than an hour, but coming home with a guitar
that you are going to use with pleasure makes up for that,
believe me.

You need to buy a capodaster as well, it is a great piece of
equipment and once you get used to it, you can't really do
without any more. Just put it on the 2nd fret and - voila - your
guitar is tuned two semitones higher. And that makes it a lot
easier for you to sing along, you really should try that.
Capodasters can be used with any kind of guitar, so they really
are a good investment.

This short article should help you make an informed decision ...
and once you become a great guitarist, I hope you'll help
someone else to make their informed decision about guitar
equipment. Have fun!

The Use Of Courses To Learn How To Play The Guitar

By: Richard Larcombe

Learning to relax while playing guitar will help immeasurably so
be sure to have fun. Guitar methods and techniques can be
applied to beginners on all kinds of guitars: electric guitar,
acoustic guitar.

With private guitar lessons you could find yourself paying $20
to $30 for a half an hour each week whether you’ve had the
chance to practice or not. How many times have you walked past
that guitar and thought, I only have 15 minutes what good will
it do to practice. The truth is some practise is better than
none.

Courses available on the Internet take guitar learning to a new
level, which enable people to learn how to play the guitar all
over the world in the comfort of their own home. You can then
learn at any time whenever it suits you.

From carrying out research you will find courses take you from
being an absolute beginner right through to playing some of the
most advanced guitar techniques around. With the right tuition
you'll take your guitar playing to a new level of musical
performance, while mastering all aspects of playing the guitar.

Guitar lesson products today contain a great deal of material
and provide as much in depth instruction as you could wish for,
and teaches such advanced techniques. You could probably buy
guitar-learning material from your local music store but nothing
would contain as much in depth information or software as
products bought online.

In these guitar courses you’ll also discover how to read
music, how to recognise chord shapes and how to transcribe songs
from the radio and CDs, simply by playing fun and sophisticated
software games. You will discover amazing methods to learning
how to play virtually any guitar song you hear.

It doesn't matter what level you are at now beginner,
intermediate, advanced or returning, courses are packed full of
quality step-by-step lessons, video files, games and other
resources to get you results fast. There is information and
resources for every level of ability.

Within some products there are computer games so that you can
train your ear to identify all the various guitar chords, and
take you to a higher level of guitar playing. It will also give
you the self-confidence to become the guitar player that you
always wanted to be.

Care And Maintenance Of The Guitar

By: Barbara Salerno

Good guitar care requires little time and effort but can reward
you with years of playing enjoyment. There is nothing like pride
of ownership in a well-maintained vintage guitar. If you
eventually sell it the profits can be just as rewarding. A
guitar is not just an investment of money. It can represent
hours, months and even years of hard work and study, and
neglecting it can also be very expensive in the long run.

So here are some easy tips for guitar care and maintenance:

Always keep it in a protective case, or in a sturdy guitar rack,
away from any source of dampness.

Keep the guitar away from extreme humidity - you can buy small
dehumidifers that fit right into the compartment of your guitar
case that will absorb damp air which can warp the wood.
Sometimes these accessories are included with the purchase of a
top-line guitar, or you can negotiate them with the purchase
when buying from a vendor.

Keep the guitar in a climate-controlled room. The rule of thumb
is, if the room it is stored in is too hot or too cold for you
to live in, then the guitar shouldn't live in it either. Trust
me -- I've made dumb mistakes storing guitars in hot attics and
then wondered why the necks looked a little off kilter. Bad
idea. Keep the guitar in a room where you are comfortable
spending a lot of time.

Guitar stores sell a lot of accessories like guitar polish,
string cleaners, cleaning cloths and such. I usually use a clean
cotton cloth to wipe my guitars off. When I change the strings I
will take a clean cotton or flannel cloth and wipe off all dust
and dirt from the nut and under the bridge area where it is hard
to reach under the strings. It's a good idea to change the
strings every few months or so -- the frequency really depends
on how much one plays -- but don't let the strings get a rusty
or scratchy feeling. The strings should always feel smooth and
almost silky, for maximum playability.

Do not leave anything stuck in between or on the strings, like a
pick or a capo (capotasto). Return the guitar to its case in the
same perfect condition as when you first bought it. Picks can
fall inside the hole, and capos can keep unnecessary tension on
the neck and strings. Remove anything you put onto the guitar
when you first removed it from its case.

Speaking of strings, don't ever store your guitar with high
tension on the strings. Keep the guitar in tune, or even better
still, lower than in tune, so that the strings are somewhat
relaxed. You'll get more play out of them, and better sound.
Replacing the strings frequently can be expensive, so their
maintenance is important.

With a little care your guitar will provide you with playing
enjoyment for years to come.

Classic Guitars: How to Restore Them to Their Former Glory

By: Al Wood

Every guitar player has a certain guitar they dream about
owning. Whether it's a Gibson Black Beauty or a 1961
Stratocaster. However, the problem of finance often gets in the
way. One solution to this problem is to buy a damaged guitar and
work on restoring it. As well as being a way to get your hands
on your dream guitar at a reasonable price, it is also a very
satisfying project to undertake.

This article will give you a few pointers on how to get started.

Locating Spare Parts

This used to be the hardest part of restoring a guitar. Before
the web, you had to get very lucky in order to find the right
parts. Nowadays, a quick search on Google will often turn up
exactly the part you need. It doesn't matter how obscure it is -
there's a good chance someone, somewhere will be selling it.

Repairing the Body

The body of the guitar often gets chipped and scratched over
time. You may want to strip the original finish off the guitar
an refinish it. Don't. The finish itself is valuable. The big
guitar makers go to great lengths to perfect their finishes.
It's unlikely you'll be able to reach the same quality as the
original. A guitar with the original finish, even scratched and
chipped, is worth more than a refinished guitar.

Repairing The Neck

It is possible to fix a guitar neck that is cracked and warped.
Guitar necks often start to crack at the where the headstock
meets the neck. One quick solution is to pour hot glue into the
crack. However, this is not the best long term solution.
Breaking off the headstock altogether, although very
nerve-wracking, does allow you to ensure that the glue fully
gets into the crack and the problem will not reoccur.

The neck will usually be the dirtiest part of the guitar. Give
it a good clean with a toothbrush and wood cleaner. Allowing it
to soak in boiling linseed oil will really add a shine to the
neck.

Other Parts

Again, you may be tempted to replace worn knobs, frets, tuning
pegs etc. with new ones. It is not always advisable to do this.
If you are able to restore the originals to reasonable condition
- do this. If not - try to replace them with parts from the same
make and model of guitar from the same era.

Adding Parts

When restoring an old guitar, some people are tempted to
customize it with new features e.g. a whammy bar. How advisable
this is depends on why you are restoring the guitar. If you are
restoring it solely for your own enjoyment - then go for it. If
you intend to sell it at any point, making modifications will
reduce the value of the guitar.

Restoring a classic guitar is a very rewarding pursuit. I hope
this article has set you off on the right foot.

How to select a good guitar that is right for you..

How to select a good guitar that is right for you..
and get a good price too

When you visit a music store take along a friend who plays the guitar. Your friend can try out each instrument for you and give advice.

Take your time. Try out a lot of guitars. Try out a guitar or two from each of the brands on sale.

Find a quiet spot and a comfortable stool. If you can, find a separate room where you and your friend can really play away and hear each guitar's sound clearly without the background noise of a dozen other instruments. In a separate room you can also play each guitar as soft and as loud as you want and so really hear what the tone of each guitar sounds like and see if there are any defects such as buzzing strings.

Be wary of music store sales people pressuring you into buying a more expensive model or paying a higher price than you really need to.

Most major brands have their own website which you should visit.
Make a list of the brands and models you see in the music store and then go home, get on the Internet and check out the full details, features and benefits on the guitar company websites.

Also visit websites which have reviews of guitars so that you can find out what other musicians have to say about the various brands and models. Users often give franker information than companies do.

Be sure to visit several music stores. Comparision shop.

Once you have chosen the guitar that you wish to purchase, shop around on price. The list price of guitars is often inflated and if you bargain a bit, you can often get a reasonable discount. Again -- take your time. If you seem not in a hurry and no overly enthusiastic, your chances increase of getting a better deal.

Apart from discounts on the guitar itself, you can often receive some great extras thrown in for free or heavily discounted too, such as guitar lessons or a guitar case, strap, some extra strings, picks, wood polish and other supplies.

Look for the best warranty.

Source

How to Get the Beginner Acoustic Guitar That's Right For You

By: Joe Serpico

When you're out looking for an acoustic beginner guitar, you
have to know what kind of music you'll be playing on it.
Latin and certain kinds of pop and folk melodies sound right on
a classical guitar with nylon strings. Rock, bluegrass, and
other kinds of pop and folk tunes work better on a guitar with
steel strings. The only way you can really determine which of
the two is right for you is to actually play both of them.

Most teachers will recommend purchasing nylon guitar strings for
the person just learning to play as they are a little easier on
the fingers. However, this may not be a good idea if the student
wants to learn to be a rock star or if they don't care for the
classical style music as the nylon string will never sound just
right.

If you want to learn to play the type of music that's made by
steel strings, then the obvious choice is a steel-string guitar.
Yes, your fingers are going to hurt at first, but you'll develop
calluses after a couple of months of regular practice. The
reverse is true if you wish to play classical guitar music.
Don't be persuaded to get a steel-string instrument if all
you're interested in is classical music.

Here are some pointers for you when looking for a classical
nylon-string guitar. The distinct features of classical guitars
are their small bodies and wide fingerboards, and most
importantly, their classical sound. Despite similar physical
features, each classical guitar will have it's own feel and
tone, so try several to find the classical acoustic beginner
guitar that best matches your taste. A six-string dreadnought is
the most commonly purchased acoustic starter guitar. There are
only slight size variations among dreadnoughts, and they offer
the kind of tone that is popular with guitarists who are just
starting out.

The kind of wood your acoustic beginner guitar is crafted from
affects the tone of the guitar. Many of these guitars come with
a spruce top. Make sure you select a model made from solid
spruce and not one with a two-piece top. A solid top will be
longer lasting. When it comes to the back and sides, your
options will generally be mahogany, rosewood or spruce. If you
want a lighter tone, look for guitars that have back and sides
of mahogany. You will get a heavier tone from a guitar that
features rosewood back and sides.

Looking for a guitar with relatively low action is something
else to think about when you are a new guitarist. The space
between the string and the neck is called the action. An action
that is too high it can be not only a distraction, but a
hindrance to learning.

When you finally settle on your choice of acoustic beginner
guitar, an accessory you really need to buy is a good electronic
tuner. As a novice you most likely haven't yet developed an ear.
The tuner will allow you to tune up faster and easier, leaving
more time to spend practicing and playing.

Easy Steps That Teach You How To String A Guitar

By: Johnny Stall

Surprisingly, many people that play an electric guitar do not
know how to string a guitar properly. Here is a simple guide to
help you change your guitar strings perfectly every time.

First thing you want to do is be sure to change your strings on
a regular basis even if they do not break. By not changing them
regularly, you can damage your fret board. How often you change
your strings depends on how often you play and the brand of
strings that you use. I've heard that most brands of guitar
strings start to lose their brilliance after 12 hours of use. So
if you want to always have your playing sound at it's best, you
should change your strings shortly after the 12-hour mark or
when you start to hear your strings losing its bright sound. Of
course if money is an issue, you can wait longer before you
change your strings but your playing will start to sound dull.

It's the oil and dirt from your fingers that accumulate on the
strings that make them sound dull. To help them last longer,
wipe down your strings with a soft cloth after each playing
session. Another nasty natural occurrence is humidity, which can
also cause corrosion on your strings even when you're not
playing your guitar regularly.

It may take you a few times before you get used to changing your
strings the right way. One thing you could try doing is to
practice on your old strings before you take your new ones out.

Be sure to choose the right gauge of string for your guitar as
well. The heavier the gauge, the thicker the string is. If you
choose to use a lighter or heavier gauge than the ones already
on your guitar, you may have to adjust the distance between the
fret board and the strings. This may be a little tricky to do if
you have never done it before so you should probably just stick
with the same gauge at first.

Some people change each string one at a time, while others will
remove and replace three strings at a time. If you choose the
three-string method, pick the top three strings or the three at
the bottom. This is better than taking all of your strings off
at once because it will help to keep some tension on the neck of
the guitar at all times.

If your guitar has a total of six tuning pegs in line, you'll
want to work with the thickest to the thinnest. 6,5,4 then do
3,2,1. If your guitar has three tuning pegs on each side, you
will want to work towards the center- 6,5,4 then do 1,2,3.

It is important to clean the frets and fingerboard once you have
three of the strings off. This way you can remove any dirt and
grease that has accumulated since the last string change. There
may also be times you will need to scrape off the dirt and
grease. When doing this, you need to be sure that you're very
gentle so you don't damage your frets or fingerboard. Once you
clean the first side and put on your new strings, you can then
clean the other side when you remove the other three strings.

To place a new string on your guitar, put the string through the
hole in the bridge or what is known as the tailpiece. Next you
need to pull it tight and measure at least two posts up from the
post you will use. Bend this string at a sharp angle and run it
through the correct post then bend it again where it actually
enters into the post when pulled tight. The bend that you make
should actually create a "z" shape, allowing the string to run
straight up, and then across at a 90° angle and go through the
post. Then it should bend back up again. You need to be sure to
hold the string very tightly where the first bend is and wind
the turning key. Be sure to always wind the string so that it
wraps from the inside out on the post. You need to do this with
all of the strings.

Once you have all of the strings on, you want to stretch the
strings by tugging on them firmly. This will help your guitar
stay in tune longer once you tune it. Cut off the extra string
at the end.

Changing the strings on your guitar does not have to be a
difficult task. With a little bit of practice, you can learn how
to string a guitar in no time at all.