We all know that the guitar is one of the coolest instruments in the world. For someone new to the guitar, it can be daunting on knowing where to start. To help you get started with your guitar adventures, here is a starter guide.

Choosing The Right Guitar

Steel vs Nylon

The guitar has two string types nylon and steel.

Nylon strings: Easier to play, softer tone, used in classical music.
Steel strings: Trickier to play, brighter tone, used in contempary music.

It is quite often that people start learning on a nylon string guitar and then progress on to a steel guitar. Ultimatelly the deciding factor will come down to your preference in playability and music taste.

Body Size

The guitar comes in various sizes ranging from 1/2 - full size and everything in between.

1/2 size: Generally recommended for children
3/4 size: Easier to transport, easier to play for smaller hands
Full size: Fullest tone.

The size of the guitar will effect the sound produced and the playability.

Brands

Sticking with a reliable brand is definetly recommended. Some entry level brands you might consider:

Yamaha
Martinez
Cort

Accessories

Tuner

Tuning devices, such as a clip on tuners, are great as you don’t have to worry about noise intererence.

The other option is a phone app tuner which works well quiet spaces.

Capo

One that is easy to clip on/off.

What To Learn First

String Names

Knowing the string names on the guitar is important for many reasons but especially when it comes to being able to tune your guitar.

Open Position Chords

To play through songs you will need to learn open position chords by knowing how to read chord diagrams.

Tip: Start by learning the major and minor shapes first before progressing on to extensions such as 7ths.

Need A Hand?

To ensure you up to speed with the basics, it is generally encouraged for a beginner with no guitar playing experience to book a few private guitar lessons (it usually takes 2-3 lessons to get the hang of it) before joining group classes.