Learning Guitar – Basic Knowledge for Beginners
The Guitar Itself:
The most obvious piece of equipment needed when learning to play the guitar, is the guitar itself! There are 3 major types of guitars available, each with its own sound and associated genres. Here are some basic facts about each:
Acoustic Guitar:
This is one of the simplest and most common guitar types to learn on. These guitars are made of wood and have metal strings. These strings are the thickest from the 3 guitar types. Acoustic guitars produce their own sound and do not need an amplifier, though amplification is an option to make the guitar play louder/with effects in a live performance setting. These guitars are very versatile and can be found in one way or another in nearly every genre. The most popular however are: pop, folk, country, indie, bluegrass, blues, rock, jazz.
Electric Guitar:
Nearly as popular as acoustic guitars are electric guitars. These generally do not produce their own sound and need to be plugged into an amplifier in order to be heard properly. They also use metal strings, though they are much lighter than on an acoustic guitar and so easier to play on. Electric guitars are also very versatile often being played with a range of effects that can greatly change the sound of the guitar coming out of the amplifier/speaker. It can also be found in many genres but is most popular in: rock, blues, indie, pop, metal, reggae, funk, r&b, jazz, neo-soul.
Classical Guitar:
Definitely the least common of the 3, classical guitars have a very warm and sometimes more nostalgic sounding tone because of their nylon (like plastic) strings rather than steel strings. They are not as versatile as other guitar types but are still widely used in genres such as classical, folk, jazz, and many Latin genres.
Guitar Accessories:
Apart from the guitar itself there are many accessories that are helpful or even necessary to play certain things on the guitar.
Guitar Tuner:
This is likely the most important tool needed for playing guitar, especially for beginner players, as when your guitar is out of tune, nothing will sound good. The best are generally tuners that mount onto the guitar and check the tuning through vibrations since they are the most accurate and do not pick up outside sounds. However, many free apps, and other non-mounted tuners exist that are also fine for solo practice.
Guitar Plectrums (Picks):
Another basic tool every guitarist should have is at least a few picks. Although some guitar players play exclusively with their fingers, the majority will use a mix of plectrum picking and fingerpicking. Picks tend to get lost and you should always have a bunch, so you have one when you need one.
Guitar Capo:
Without getting into the technical details, a capo changes the key of the chords you play allowing you to match and play along with original recordings of songs. It can also match your chords to the key that someone is singing in, which is useful since vocal ranges are limited, while a guitar is not. Along with a tuner, picks, and a metronome, the capo is one of the essential guitar accessories that every beginning guitarist should have.
Extra Guitar Strings:
Strings tend to snap when you least expect it, and when you most need them, so it is a good idea to always have an extra set, and to know how to change them yourself. Remember that you need different strings for an acoustic, electric, or classical guitar.
Travel/Performing Essentials: Guitar Case, Strap, Amp, Cables
Whenever you are travelling with a guitar it is essential that you have a case in which you can carry and protect your guitar. Guitars are delicate, especially at the neck and need to be stowed properly. If you want to play standing up you will need a properly attached strap so that your guitar hangs off your neck while you play. If you want to perform on an electric guitar or with an acoustic that plugs in, you will need the right amp as well as a ¼ inch jack cable that plugs into the amp and guitar. Regular electric guitars and acoustics that plug in use different types of amps, so make sure you are using the right kind, or it could damage the amp.
