| Alright, you've been thinking that the sound of | | | | much younger players. Choose the guitar that |
| "wang" and "chung" could seriously alter the course | | | | interests you the most; you will be more motivated |
| of your life. Or perhaps your approach is not that | | | | to play. As you get better at the guitar you will |
| intense. Any way you look at it, deciding to play the | | | | probably want to end up with both kinds anyway to |
| guitar either seriously or casually has the potential to | | | | cover different styles of music. |
| bring you and others a lot of joy and satisfaction. It | | | | Have tuner will travel... |
| will also bring you a small dose of frustration, which is | | | | Including an electronic tuner with your first purchase |
| to be expected in any worthwhile life endeavor. At | | | | is a must. Even if the guitar is tuned in relative pitch, |
| the beginning, your fingers will hurt, you'll want to | | | | if it is not in standard pitch the string tension |
| launch the guitar (don't do that...leave that to Pete | | | | difference will cause neck and action problems, string |
| Townsend!). You may even think to yourself, "Self, | | | | breakage, and even outright damage to the |
| this is impossible!". But I am convinced that anyone | | | | instrument. Even more importantly, tuner usage |
| can learn to play on some level if they have the | | | | contributes to ear training. Your ear may become |
| desire and are willing to be patient and put the right | | | | accustomed to less than adequate tuning. Using a |
| practice into it. The following are some guidelines to | | | | tuner saves you valuable playing time and can |
| deciding on your first guitar. | | | | eliminate a slew of frustrations particularly for the |
| Electrics and Acoustics and Bears, Oh My! | | | | beginner. Tuners are cheap (they start as low as five |
| There are a few things to consider when faced with | | | | bucks each!) but provide a world of convenience and |
| the conundrum of going with acoustic or electric. the | | | | necessity every guitar player at any level can't live |
| approaches and disciplines to both types vary | | | | without! |
| marginally, though most things that can be played on | | | | Finally... |
| the guitar in general can be done on either | | | | Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you have to |
| instrument. What is your favorite style of music? If | | | | get a popular name-brand guitar. Their cheaper |
| you fancy yourself a troubadour carrying your guitar | | | | guitars can potentially be as bad as any brand. I have |
| around to gain the affections another, or maybe | | | | found name-brand guitars that are horrible and |
| would like to strum Gospel tunes in church or by the | | | | lesser-known brands that are great. People will see |
| campfire, an acoustic guitar will fit the bill nicely. You | | | | their favorite guitar heroes rockin' a name-brand |
| have instant amplification in a smaller setting; you are | | | | guitar and think, "Any guitar with that Name on it will |
| ready to impress sans cords! | | | | be great!". Not so fast. You may be headed for a |
| On the other hand, if you want to learn Rock or | | | | clunker! One final thought: If you have never bought |
| Blues tunes and would like to play leads and | | | | a guitar before and especially if you are shopping for |
| experiment with amplifiers and effects, go electric! | | | | a child that wants to play guitar, do not go out and |
| Electric guitars come with lighter-gauged strings and | | | | buy the cheapest acoustic that you can find. These |
| are a bit easier to play at first, but you can also have | | | | suckers are definitely the bottom feeders! You may |
| an acoustic guitar strung with lighter strings that are | | | | be better served going electric or getting an acoustic |
| meant for an electric until you have played for awhile | | | | that is only slightly more money. Chances are that is |
| and developed some callouses on your fingers. They | | | | what the kid wants to play anyway and it has more |
| will sound thinner and less robust than normal acoustic | | | | potential of holding his/her interest and cultivating a |
| strings but are less likely to discourage, particularly for | | | | love of playing. |