Guitars are one of the most popular musical instruments in the world.
Indeed 2.3 million of them are sold annually in America.
And it’s wholly unsurprising! It’s hard to hear guitar-playing maestros like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Slash without wanting to pick one up for yourself.
Guitars will forever be a beautiful instrument to both listen to and learn how to play.
Yet finding the perfect one for a total beginner can be a challenge. After all, having never played one, you probably have no idea what you’re looking for! Wondering how to choose a guitar for beginners?
We want to help!
Keep reading for 6 tips for choosing your first guitar.
1. Know What You Want
First thing’s first:
Make sure you know the type of guitar you want to play.
Imagine forking out hundreds of dollars for an electric guitar. You pick it up, hate the sound, and realize you wanted an acoustic all along. It’s a recipe for regret!
Likewise, picking the wrong type of guitar means you’re more likely to quit. Learning an instrument is hard. It inevitably takes serious amounts of time and commitment. Enjoying the actual instrument itself is key to persevering.
Take some time to think about the right guitar for you. Classical, acoustic and electric options all have distinctive playing styles and sounds. Have a listen to professional players.
Which do you like the sound of best? What can you imagine yourself rocking out on? Proceed accordingly.
2. Try Before You Buy
Imagine buying a car without test-driving it.
Or purchasing new clothes with trying them on first.
There’s no way of knowing if they feel right for you. It isn’t enough to listen to other peoples’ opinions and assume it’ll work out okay. You have to try before you buy!
Picking an instrument is exactly the same. It’s a personal decision. The best guitar will be a perfect match for you specifically.
For that reason, it’s essential to pick up and experiment with the guitar in the store. You might not be able to play a single chord yet, but it doesn’t matter.
Listen to how it sounds and pay attention to how it feels in your hand. You’ll have a much better insight into whether it’ll be the right guitar to learn on.
3. Pay Attention to Price
Needless to say, your budget is likely to be a key consideration too.
It’s especially true for beginners. Starting to learn an instrument involves a level of experimentation. The probability someone gives up is directly proportionate to the length of time they’ve been playing.
Just starting out? Then you’re more likely to quit.
That means there’s little point spending thousands of dollars on a premium guitar. Most guitar shops, like Guitars On Main, will have a whole range of prices on offer.
As a newbie, err on the side of affordability. Expect to pay between $200 and $300. You can find a decent guitar for that price, without taking on excessive financial risk.
Remember, though, that you get what you pay for.
The cheapest guitars are unlikely to feel or sound particularly good. A discount option may be financially appealing. Yet it can work against you if you feel less inclined to practice on it.
4. Find the Right Size
In this particular realm of life, size does, in fact, matter.
Imagine a child trying to learn on an adult guitar. It would practically be the same size as them! It would be wholly impractical to play as a result.
Conversely, a grown adult learning on a child-size guitar would make little sense either.
Of course, those are both extreme situations used to highlight the point. Finding the best-sized guitar possible will be less obvious in reality.
The truth remains, though. Size is essential in the selection process. Improper sizing can lead to discomfort and difficulty playing. Levels of height and strength tend to make a difference.
It’s another reason why going to store makes sense. You can try guitars out, in person, to find a size that matches.
5. Pay Attention to Appearance
Despite what we’re told from childhood, looks matter.
We’re visual creatures and inevitably judge books by their cover. We have an innate tendency towards beautiful things!
The same goes for guitars.
Buy a guitar that you find visually appealing too. Sure, this isn’t the most important thing. Priority should be placed on how it feels, sounds, and plays.
That said, you want to take pride in your instrument. You’ll be less inclined to pick it up if you dislike how it looks. Find a color, shape, and style that calls out to you. Remember, this is your personal guitar. Make sure you enjoy it!
6. Ignore the Brand Name
Size and appearance make a difference for a beginner guitar.
Brand names don’t.
They’re often a simple marketing ploy. The name enables companies to sell a product for more money. The quality may be no different from an unbranded alternative. Yet, because of the name, people are willing to hand over more cash!
Sure, for higher levels of playing ability, the brand name can make a difference.
At entry level, though, the difference is less pronounced. You can generally find an instrument of a similar standard for less money.
Avoid buying your guitar purely for the brand name attached to it.
Final Thoughts on How to Choose a Guitar for Beginners
Guitars are a hugely popular instrument in the US. Millions of them are sold every year.
However, knowing how to choose a guitar for beginners isn’t easy. The process is fraught with potential room for error.
After all, having never played before, newbies usually have little idea what to look for in a first guitar. Eager to start learning, it’s all too common to rush the decision and make a poor purchase.
Hopefully, this post will stop that happening. Keeping the above tips in mind should ensure you find a quality first instrument to begin your guitar-playing journey.
Good luck!
