Nathaniel Moore

Picking A Guitar

Because this is a book for a total beginner. I am starting at the very basics: Picking your instrument. Many people purchase starter kits, or guitars online. I would strongly caution you against this. Many times these beginner kits have subpar instruments that struggle to stay in tune and are less than pleasant to play or listen to. As a beginner or even as a seasoned player, the best option for choosing an instrument it to go to a local music shop. 

Guitars like clothes or shoes come in many shapes, styles and sizes. Even if you do not yet play, getting a feel for how an instrument sits with you is very important. Remember you are going to be spending hours and possibly even years with this instrument. You want to be sure it fits your body and hands well. It should not feel uncomfortable to hold in any way. 

Common & Popular Guitar Types

Although it is very common to name guitars after the style of music they are most associated with. This is not technically the way they are classified. Instead they or more accurately classified according to the build style (acoustic, classical, electric etc.) and body shape. Along with other special design features and attributes. 

In this section you will become familiar with the basic differences between various guitars. 

Common Guitars:

• Acoustic - This variety encompasses a large area of body styles and differing features depending on the maker. However the real defining features are as follows:

a·cous·tic gui·tar

noun: acoustic guitar; plural noun: acoustic guitars

1.) a guitar that does not require electrical amplification, having a hollow body that amplifies the vibrations of the strings.

• Electric - Again a huge array of instruments are cataloged under the heading electric guitar. So lets cut to the chase:

e·lec·tric gui·tar

1.) a guitar with a built-in pickup or pickups that convert string vibrations into electrical signals for amplification.

Within these two main groups are sub-catagories. And as you grow in your ability as a guitarist you will no doubt find your self exploring many of the options available.

Acoustic Sub-Catagories:
 

• Acoustic-Electric

• 12 string acoustic 

• Archtop Guitar

• Classical Guitar

• Flamenco Guitar

Electric Guitar Sub-Catagories:

• Hollow Body

• Semi-Hollow Body

• 12 string

• 8 string

• Various other body types: Strat, Les Paul, Tele, SG, ETC. The variations are plenty!

Activity:

An Instrument to Fit your Needs

Some people have very specific goals and stylistic preferences. Others just want to learn an instrument. Either is great! Both have a different set of questions which need to be answered when you are choosing a first guitar. 

If you are learning guitar for a specific purpose or to play a certain style. You will want to purchase the guitar which can best serve the needs of the genre or purpose. With that in mind I have written up a brief guide for you. This is not comprehensive and if you are unclear as to what your choice should be feel free to contact me. I would be happy to make a recommendation for you.  

Guide to Styles and Guitars:

One thing that many people are confused about, is the many guitar brands. To be clear Fender, Ibanez, Gibson, etc. are brands or companies who manufacture many different styles and types of guitar. They are not in themselves a type of guitar. Going to a music shop and saying, “I want an Ibanez” is like going to the car dealer and saying you want a Ford. Ibanez, like Ford makes many styles and types of guitars. Which are suited to specific styles and genres. Similarly, telling your teacher or a friend you have an Ibanez could mean anything.

Build Quality

You can get a guitar for very cheap. The result will be a cheaply made toy, which may not play in tune, certainly will not sound good and most likely will not be enjoyable to play. Not to mention the materials it is built from are probably the likes of plywood. 

I am not suggesting you run out and purchase a several thousand dollar instrument. However it is definitely possible to purchase a good quality instrument at a reasonable price.  The thing to look for as a beginner is value for money. There are certain makers who are very good at providing a high value at a reasonable price point. 

You want an instrument which is built from solid woods, or at least the top, neck and fretboard are solid wood. 

Neck Shapes

The curvature of the guitar neck is something that is almost always overlooked by beginners. This can be  problem for people who have small hands or short fingers. Your hands comfort while learning will be impacted by the shape of the guitar neck. So please do consider this when you are picking a guitar. Try holding a few different neck shapes and see which one seems most comfortable. As you grow in your abilities you will gain a clear idea as to what your preferences are. 

There are three basic neck shapes. V, C (or oval) and U. Depending on the manufacturing company the names and descriptions may vary. But the important thing to remember is that there are many different kinds of guitar necks. So try a lot of different guitars and find the one the feels the most comfortable to you.

Instrument Care

Many people who start out learning to play are not really sure how to take care of their instrument. In this chapter you will learn some of the basics to keep your instrument in good playing condition. 

The main points I am going to cover are as follows:

• Guitar cases and Gig bags

• Polish Cloths and wood oils

• Instrument stands

• Keeping your instrument in tune

• Humidifiers

This is not a comprehensive section on guitar maintenance and repairs. Only a simple guide for the novice. So that you can easily maintain your investment.

Cases Bags & Stands

Student guitars almost never include  case or bag. If they do include a bag it is usually a cheap worthless piece of canvas. If you plan to leave the house with your instrument at all you will need at least a gig bag. I recommend Gator (brand). They are well made and come in nearly any shape or size you might need. They are also sold at nearly all music stores and easy to find on the internet. 

If you have a guitar and no case, you can bring your guitar into a local music shop and ask them to match a case to the size of guitar the you own. I would not recommend ordering a guitar case on the internet if you have little knowledge of guitars and their various body types. The chances of getting a case that does not fit your guitar are high.

Hard cases are a good investment if you have spend at least $500 on your guitar. There are a wide range of hard cases for both electric and acoustic. At least on for each body type. As a beginner buying a hard case is not necessary. I would not advise it or consider it. I also would not advise spending more than $500 on a guitar as a beginner.  

You should have a guitar stand. There is a wide array of options. It really does not matter which one you choose. But you should have one. Leaning your guitar on a wall or a couch or a chair or anything other than an instrument stand is a bad idea. I have seen student instruments broken  and damaged as a result of this.

Cleaning and Tuning

You should have at least one instrument cloth or polish cloth. Many instruments include one. However, they are cheap and a good investment. Get into the habit of wiping down the body of your instrument as well as the strings and neck after each use. This will keep your instrument’s finish from wearing out more quickly as well as keep body oils and grime off. Additionally, wiping down the strings will help to prolong their life. Each time you play you are transferring oils from your fingers to the strings. The oil causes the strings to wear out more quickly. 

Other optional cleaning supplies include lemon oil for your fret board. And instrument cleaning polish for the body of your guitar. As you grow and progress and want to upgrade your instrument. These cleaning tips will become much more important to you. 

Tuning

Always tune your guitar before playing. New strings will likely need to be tuned multiple times during a practice session until they settle. I recommend an electronic guitar/bass tuner. NOT a chromatic tuner. Other options included a tuner app. A pitch pipe or tuning fork and tuning to a piano which is in tune or a keyboard. 

Practice Space

The most effective practice time has its own dedicated work space and dedicated time. Each day set aside a minimum amount of time. Having a place that your guitar is out on its stand and your music on a music stand with all your other materials close at hand is very useful and important.

The ideal practice space is in a place that you regularly pass by or through. So that if you are passing by and have a moment you can grab your guitar and have some fun. It should be well lit and comfortable. You will need a comfortable chair which has no arms and possibly padded. Both feet should be able to comfortably touch the ground with your knee's bent at a (approximate) 90 degree angle. Additionally a music stand will be highly effective in helping you maintain a focused and comfortable practice time.

*Do not practice slumped over a coffee table, dining table, or anything else (couch etc.)

Having a small shelf with a tuner, guitar prop or footstool as well as reference materials near by is also a great idea.

As you progress you may want to have a small digital recorder handy for tracking your progress.

Along those lines, I recommend you get into the habit of keeping a practice log. This is a good habit to keep from day one. As it will help you keep track of your practice time helping you know what to work on, how you are progressing and how much time you are spending on everything.

Here is a list of important tools which your practice space should include:

Guitar Stand

Guitar/Bass Tuner (Korg is a great brand)

Metronome

3 ring binder (to keep your lesson materials organized and easily accessible)

Piano bench (for your bum)

A foot stool or guitar prop

A Music Stand

Note book (log your practice time and take notes from lessons etc.)

Tone and Tension

Always be in complete control of the notes. You should never play quickly if you are not able to control your movement as well as the rhythm and tone of your instrument.

Never play beyond the point of control. Be aware of your tone quality as well as your level of tension and comfort. You should never feel discomfort in any way while playing the guitar. Especially at this early stage.

Be aware of tension and eliminate it by allowing your arms to rest at your side for a moment before continuing to play. NEVER practice tense or in any discomfort. You will train bad muscle memory habits which are damaging and difficult to undo.