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