Which Guitar Is Right For You?

If you're considering learning to play a musical instrument, good for you. The world could do with more passionate music makers. The guitar is one of the most popular instruments beginner musicians try because it's extremely versatile. It's a primary instrument in many genres of music so irrespective of taste, it'll find a place in classical, country, blues, rock, metal, soul and pop.

Purchasing a guitar for the first time requires some basic know-how. First of all, there are different types of guitars and each type is made up of different models that vary in quality, price and pickup (for electric guitars.

Classical: The classical guitar is used to lend melody to classical music like jazz and folk. It's also suitable for other forms of music but usually where plucking and not strumming is required. The strings are typically made of nylon (the three treble strings) and silver plated copper wire wound over fine plastic (for the bass strings).

Acoustic: An acoustic guitar uses metal strings instead of nylon. A narrower neck is another difference. But the biggest difference is in the sound which is sharper and brighter than that produced by classical guitars.

Bass: Bass guitars produce a bass sound made possible by four thick strings. They're a type of electric guitar where sound is amplified not by relying on the guitar's body but on pickups that convert the vibrations produced into electrical signals for magnification, recording and broadcasting.

Electric: Electric guitars also use pickups to amplify sound but unlike bass guitars which typically have four strings, they have six. Both bass and electric guitars can take on various body shapes since the body has no bearing on sound.

These are the four main types of guitars you as a beginner can learn. Keep in mind that classical, bass and electric guitars are more expensive so if you can't afford them, that leaves you with the acoustic guitar. Just be prepared for painful fingers as the metal strings can cause blisters.

If classical and acoustic are chosen, you need to know something about wood and how it affects sound. Ash produces bright sound and sustains longer while alder gives a clean tone. Maple sustains well and mahogany has a soft, warm quality. Walnut is warmer than maple but with equal sustain and rosewood is very warm. If all these bright, clean and warm qualities are confusing, try out different guitars at a store and see which suits your preferred sound.

Noted brands are always a better choice when it comes to selecting between unknown and known manufacturers. This is irrespective of whether you choose a classical, acoustic, bass or electric guitar. Cheap instruments wear out faster and don't produce desired sounds which can be frustrating if you're determined to make it as a professional guitarist in the future. So if possible, wait till you can afford to purchase a branded guitar.

It's been said that the electric guitar shouldn't be chosen for beginners. However, learners who intend to concentrate on rock and metal music are better off using one because the sound produced by the rest will not meet their expectations.

If the electric guitar is chosen, don't forget to purchase key components like amplifiers and cables. It won't work without outside amplification. You'll also need pedals if you want to try out different sound effects. Chorus, distortion, compression and wah are some examples of pedals.

The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments that beginner musicians are always keen in playing because it is extremely versatile. Browse the following website and acquire more details of all such instruments.