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