Selection tips for beginners. Which guitar is better? Selection tips for beginners What a good guitar should be

The first serious question that novice guitarists and guitarists face when coming to a music store is: “Which guitar to choose and how do they differ?” Often this situation makes you seriously reconsider the decision to buy a guitar and spend a couple more weeks on the Internet, looking for a suitable instrument. To save your valuable time, in this article we will provide all the necessary information on how to choose a guitar for a beginner.

Types of guitars

The first thing you need to know is what types of guitars there are. Otherwise, what to choose from? J

Guitars are divided into 3 types:

• classical;
• acoustic (pop, western, folk, concert);
• and electric guitar.

If the difference between electric and acoustic is immediately clear, then the question is, “what is the difference between the first two?” causes confusion among newbies. “After all, they both have 6 strings and they look the same!”

Well, they look completely different, as can be seen in the photo below. As you can see, their cases are different. The classic one is rounder and smaller in size.

In addition, the classical guitar has only nylon strings, which is convenient for beginners’ still delicate fingers, and its neck is wider and shorter than that of an acoustic guitar, which simplifies learning. By combining these factors (body size, string material), we get a completely different sound timbre and purpose of the guitar.

As you probably guessed, this is not a complete list of guitars. There are also seven, ten and twelve string guitars and even a four-string ukulele - a Hawaiian guitar with a sonorous sound. Of course, you can start learning them, but professional guitarists do not recommend J

Why do I need a tool?

So, now you have become familiar with the types of guitars, but this hardly helped you make your choice, did it? The next step on the path to purchasing your first instrument is an honest answer to the question “Why do I even need a guitar?” Why answer it? The fact is that, as noted above, all guitars sound different, and to play them, different techniques and techniques are used.

Acoustic guitar

An acoustic guitar has metal strings, which gives it a ringing, rich timbre and loud sound. If your goal is to learn how to accompany yourself to songs, then acoustics are an ideal option. The metal strings are great for picking, and the narrow neck makes playing barre chords much easier.

Of course, “strumming chords” is far from the only purpose of an acoustic guitar. Thanks to its ringing and rich sound, it is well suited for performing jazz, blues, rock, pop music, chanson, etc. In fact, the instrument is universal and you can play anything on it, with the exception of classical works and flamenco. So, if you see yourself as a performer or performer of pop genres, feel free to buy an acoustic guitar.

But keep in mind that for untrained beginners, learning the finger technique (that is, without a mediator) on acoustics is much more difficult and in some places even painful. Therefore, many professionals believe that it is correct to first master classical music and then acoustics.

Classic

Thanks to the wide neck and soft nylon strings, the classic is an ideal option for a beginner:

• it is convenient to heal strings on it;
• Fingers get used to nylon much easier.

What to play on the classics? Traditionally, classical music, flamenco, romances and other lyrical compositions are performed on it. But over time, everything changes and today the classics are as universal as the acoustic guitar. They play it in a rhythm, perform rock, jazz and blues. The fundamental difference is only in timbre and number of frets. The classical guitar has a soft, deep sound, for which many musicians value it. But it is inferior to the acoustic one in the number of frets (18 versus 20 or 21) and sound volume.

Electro-acoustic guitar

This is an intermediate option between acoustic and electro. Essentially, these are the same acoustics or classics with a pickup. The instrument can be connected to speakers and amplify the sound, and in some cases, change the timbre. This is a guitar to buy if you want to play loudly or perform.

Electric guitar

The instrument is designed for playing through an amplifier (without it you will practically not hear yourself). Most often, such a guitar is purchased for playing rock music, but it is also suitable for other genres. Nowadays it can be heard in folk and ethno music, pop, jazz and blues. And thanks to various special effects, you can realize almost any idea with the help of an electric guitar.

Hollow electric guitar

It is a synthesis of acoustics and electro. Outwardly, it is similar to an acoustic one, only instead of a “socket”, there are “f-holes” as resonating holes, like a violin. The body may be completely hollow or partially hollow. Due to its specific soft timbre, the instrument is used to perform jazz, blues and rock and roll music. And of course, it can be connected to an amplifier.

If the beginner is a child

If you are buying a guitar for a child, it is very important to consider his age and physical characteristics. The ideal option for a child is a classic with nylon strings; children under 12 years old are generally not recommended to play on metal strings.

It is important to choose the right instrument for the baby’s height so that it is comfortable for him to hold it. Today you can find “different-sized” tools in stores. The table below will help you navigate:

If the child is completely under 4 years old, then a ukulele or guitarlele (about the size of a ukulele but with six strings) would be a good option.

Which material should you prefer?

So, you have decided on the type of guitar and are already excitedly flying to the store in anticipation of the purchase... but what is the difference between “all these identical guitars”, which for some reason also differ in price? Let's find out below.

The main difference between instruments of the “same type” is the material from which they are made. All guitars today are made from wood, plywood or MDF. What is the difference? Firstly, when it comes to acoustic guitars, instruments made from wood are always lighter. Secondly, this is the sound quality: the more “wood” in a guitar, the better it sounds, regardless of whether it is classical or electric.

Electric guitar

Electric guitars are made from mahogany, ash, alder, maple, and linden. Mahogany gives a rich, surround sound and enhances the lower register. However, this material is only used for expensive guitars from well-known brands. Alder gives the instrument a high, ringing sound, ash also enhances the upper register, but sounds harsher. Maple and linden have a powerful and rich sound in the middle register.

Classical and acoustic

The soundboards of these guitars are made from rosewood, spruce, cedar, walnut or mahogany.

It is important to note that guitars made entirely of wood are very expensive, so for a beginner the best option is to buy a semi-wooden instrument with plywood or MDF inserts. The sound, of course, is different, but at first, this is not fundamental and not even noticeable.

Brands

Brands are a controversial issue. Some people like some manufacturers, others – it’s a matter of taste. However, there are brands with “good” and “bad” reputations.

Electric guitars

Among branded budget instruments, Fender Squier Bullet strat, Ibanez GRG150 and any “GIO” series, Epiphone LP 100, Yamaha Pacifika 112 are good for a beginner. But do not forget that an electric guitar also requires a combo, and, if desired, a belt, tuner, case and other accessories, which is also true for other types of guitars.

Classic

Traditional options for beginners with an optimal price-quality ratio are Ibanez GA3, Yamaha C40 and C70 tools. The next option in terms of sound quality is ProArt guitars. They are approximately in the same price category as the Yamaha, but have a deeper and more sonorous tone.

Acoustics

Some of the best inexpensive options include the Ibanez v50, Takamine Jasmine JD36-NAT, Yamaha F310, and Fender CD-60.

How not to stumble into marriage

In order not to encounter a defective instrument, you need to carefully inspect the guitar, check whether it “builds” along the frets, and make sure that there are no distortions or bends in the neck. In most cases, a beginner is unable to carry out such a check correctly. Therefore, our advice to you is to find a guitar teacher and ask him to go choose a guitar with you, so you will definitely choose a high-quality, reliable instrument.

If you come to the store alone, then carefully examine the selected tool:

1. The guitar should not have cracks or scratches, broken or swollen varnish, or untaped joints.
2. Check the straightness of the neck, to do this, hold the instrument like a gun and inspect the side line of the neck, it should be straight along the entire length.
3. Inspect the strings; the outer ones should not extend beyond the plane of the neck.
4. Twist the pegs, the smoothness and noiselessness of their operation is an indicator of quality.
5. Listen to the sound of the strings; ideally, all strings sound for approximately the same period of time.

In the case of guitars, everything is simple: the more expensive the better! But it makes no sense to buy the most expensive instrument to begin with; you still won’t feel the difference. But you also shouldn’t save money and buy the cheapest one. If you have any questions, write in the comments, we will try to help you with your choice.

OK it's all over Now! Happy and safe shopping!

There is no friend for taste and color, but quality is important, do you need advice?
I didn't set out to write poetry. On behalf of MirSovetov, I want to help you with choosing a guitar. After all, even those who already know how to play it can get confused when entering a music store if they are looking for a beautiful guitar rather than a specific one.
Knowing what the sound of an instrument depends on, you can’t get into trouble when buying.

Purchase cost

About guitars

Components of a six-string guitar

Notes:
On different guitars, the neck is either bolted to the body or glued. Sometimes it becomes necessary to adjust the height of the strings above the fingerboard. This can be done with a bolt or with an anchor. An truss rod is a rod inside the neck that can be used to correct its bending in guitars with a glued neck. The truss rod is either located in the body of the guitar, near the rosette, or on the headstock.
Not all guitars have fret markers. These are points, usually on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th frets. These points are needed only so that the guitarist can navigate and hit the right notes in complex compositions, even if the notes are scattered throughout the fretboard.

• nylon strings. Used only for classical (Spanish) guitar. Essentially, nylon strings are fishing line. The first three strings, unlike the last three, are made without winding. Nylon strings are an excellent choice for beginning guitarists. They are soft enough for hands not used to playing the guitar for long periods of time. But compared to steel strings, the sound comes out dull;
• carbon strings. The density of carbon is 25%-85% higher than that of nylon. This allows the production of strings with increased density and reduced diameter. Carbon strings also have a superior sound to nylon strings. They are more vocal! Of course, this is a positive factor. In addition, carbon is more resistant to wear. In the time it takes 5 pairs of nylon strings to wear out, with the same playing, only 1 pair of carbon strings will wear out. Unfortunately, prices for carbon strings are several times higher than nylon strings;
• metal strings - pop. They are more sonorous, but require a reinforced guitar. The first three strings are without winding. The fourth, fifth, sixth are made in winding (what kind of alloy you can read below).
  As we have already found out, metal strings have the strongest sound. But over time it loses its sonority. A clear, strong sound is characteristic only of new strings.

Guitar selection

Brands

Good luck!

Any beginner who wants to learn how to play the guitar perfectly is faced with the question of which guitar to choose. There are several types of guitars, each of which has its own characteristics and is suitable for different purposes.

Classical guitar

This type of guitar is also called a “regular” guitar. This is the instrument that is usually taught to play in music schools. Classic-style guitars come in different sizes, which should be selected based on personal preferences in terms of comfort.

They are usually equipped with nylon strings, which, due to their softness, are ideal for beginners and do not rub their fingers. This is the easiest guitar to learn how to play the first chords on.

The wide neck of a classical guitar allows you to play classical pieces of music easily and comfortably.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that the neck of a classical guitar is not very strong, so it is not recommended to use any other types of strings on it except nylon.

Acoustic guitar

The popularity of acoustic guitars is comparable to the popularity of classical ones. The main feature of this guitar is a denser and louder sound.

Acoustic guitars usually have metal strings, which can be difficult for beginners to get used to due to their stiffness. You can play the acoustic guitar with either your fingers or a pick. Most acoustic guitar models have a thinner neck than classical instruments.

Country, blues, folk and many other types of music are successfully performed on acoustic guitars.

When choosing an acoustic guitar, it is worth remembering that the material from which the guitar drum is made may vary. It is not recommended to buy a guitar with a plastic drum, since the sound of such an instrument will be a little muffled than on models with a wooden drum. You can also give preference to a guitar whose drum is made of high-quality plywood.

Jazz guitar or electro-acoustic guitar

This type of guitar occupies an intermediate position between the acoustic and electric guitar. It can be played not only as a simple acoustic, but also with an amplifier connected. Typically, this guitar is chosen by musicians who often give acoustic live concerts.

Jazz guitars have a ringing and loud sound even without an amplifier. Characteristic features of this type of instrument are: holes for sound resonance, similar in shape to violin holes, a larger shape of the drum and the instrument itself, as well as the presence of volume controls and pickups.

Electric guitar

An electric guitar is suitable for musicians who want to perform rock and other heavy genres, as well as play not only independently, but also as part of a rock band.

This type of guitar differs from others in many ways. The sound of an electric guitar is not produced by the instrument itself, but by the pickups and amplifiers with which the instrument is equipped.

Pickups convert string vibrations into serial signals. The panel of this guitar contains volume and tone controls. The unusual sound of electric guitars is due to sound processing using various effects.

When giving preference, it is worth remembering that it will not work without an amplifier, and all interesting sound effects are obtained only with the use of special guitar processors, which must be purchased separately.

Before buying a guitar, you need to decide whether you want to play with metal or nylon strings. Nylon strings have a softer sound, dominated by a rich timbre, while metal strings have a harsher and ringing sound.

For those who are just about to learn to play the guitar, nylon strings are more suitable, since such strings are clamped much easier (due to weaker tension) and the adaptation of the fingertips to the strings will be painless. If you already have experience playing the guitar or are ready to endure painful sensations until your fingers get used to it, then you can choose a guitar with metal strings. After some time of regular practice, calluses will appear on your fingers, and it will not hurt to pinch the strings.

It should be noted that metal strings cannot be installed on a guitar that is designed for nylon strings, since metal strings have a stronger tension and they will simply irrevocably damage the guitar. And if you install nylon strings on a guitar that is designed for metal, then most likely they simply will not be able to “swing” the guitar. The sound will be dull and lifeless.

Under no circumstances should you succumb to the stereotype that first you need something worse. You need to learn to play on a normal guitar, and not on a “wood” guitar - it will be easier and more enjoyable, and it will turn out better.

Although the appearance of the guitar is also an important factor, you should not order a guitar from an online store. The most important thing about a guitar is its sound and how comfortable it is to play it. Be sure to visit a music store and try playing different models in the price range that suits you, and you will notice how much the sound of different instruments can differ. Don't be shy, even if you don't know how to play at all, just pluck every string on every fret. The sound should be clear, the strings should not rattle. Please note that the guitar should be comfortable for you, and you and only you should like the sound.

Choose guitars with solid tops rather than plywood tops. Such guitars are more reliable and their sound is noticeably better.

When you choose a specific model, ask the seller to give you several copies. Surely their sound will also be different from each other. Choose the most suitable one.

Carefully inspect the neck and soundboard for scratches, cracks and chips, if any are found - it is better not to buy this guitar. Pay special attention to the neck - it must be even. To check, pluck the first or sixth string at the first and twentieth frets and check the distance of that string from the frets between the frets. For a level bar, this distance will be the same. The distance between the strings and the neck with open strings should be 3-4 mm. This will ensure the strings sound clear without rattling and will make it easier to barre chords. There should be no play or cracks where the neck is attached to the deck. The neck should fit snugly and evenly to the soundboard.

Inspect all metal parts of the tool - under no circumstances should they show signs of corrosion.

If you chose a guitar with a top made of solid wood, then pay attention to how the fibers are arranged. It is better if the fibers are even and parallel, and the distance between them is 1-2 mm. Such a soundboard will have better resonator properties.

It’s good if you have a tuner at hand: you can check the scale (length of the string from the top to the bottom). A string clamped at the twelfth fret should sound an octave higher than the open one. If you do not have absolute pitch, this can only be determined using a tuner. If there are significant deviations and the scale size is not adjustable, then it is better not to buy such a guitar.

All of the above are not all the factors that should be taken into account when choosing a guitar. Intuition and experience will best tell you which guitar to buy. If you do not have experience, then ask someone you know or a teacher to help you choose a guitar.

• Roman Vitalievich (“Marusya the Rusak”): from beginner to master

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