How to choose your first guitar. Which guitar is better? Selection tips for beginners Which guitar is best for a beginner to buy?

Instructions

So you've decided to buy a guitar. No matter how strange the very first advice may seem, you must, first of all, like it, so you shouldn’t discount the visual component. It's a beautiful instrument and a pleasure to play. You also need to consider the size of the tool you are purchasing. A large guitar will sound better than a small one, but if you are fragile or a child will play, then you will have to choose a guitar that matches the size of the player.

Now let's decide on the strings. Classical guitar - six-string. Seven-string guitars are purely an invention, so don’t look for imported seven-strings in stores, you won’t find them anyway. Synthetic or nylon strings prolong the life of the guitar; metal strings are much less likely to destroy the body of the instrument; they are undoubtedly lighter. The distance between the neck at the 12th fret and the strings should not exceed 5-6 mm, 1 centimeter will be the maximum permissible value. Metal strings sound brighter and louder, but they are also much more difficult to play. In addition, such strings overload the body of the guitar, and even a very high-quality instrument can collapse under their tension.

But the main criterion when choosing a guitar will still be its sound. Don’t be embarrassed to ask the seller to tune the guitar, and it will be very good if he or a friend you take with you specially for this purpose will play you a short melody. If at the same time you hear some rattling, or simply the sound of the instrument is not very pleasant to you, it is better not to buy such a guitar. After going through several copies, you will definitely come across one whose sound you like.

Carefully inspect your future guitar for unevenness, defects, minor scratches or distortions. Clamp the strings on different frets and pluck them as you do so. The strings should not rattle and the neck should not wobble. A good guitar will serve you for many years, so you shouldn’t skimp on buying additional accessories for it. A bag-case, a belt, a pick, and a guitar tutorial will be useful to you immediately after purchasing the instrument, so it is better to purchase everything together from one seller who will help you choose everything you need.

Video on the topic

A toy guitar is a unique instrument for a child's musical creativity. By buying it for your child, you are helping him get comfortable in the wonderful world of music. Teach your child to play a toy guitar, and this will help develop his ear for music, sense of rhythm, memory and imagination.

Such a wonderful instrument as a toy guitar develops patience, perseverance, and improves the child’s coordination of movements. The kid will learn to improvise and create his own mini-compositions, and may want to study at a music school or even become a musician in the future.

When buying a toy guitar, you need to take into account the presence of a certificate of quality and safety, the absence of characteristic chemical odors, sharp edges and loose parts.

There are different types of toy guitars for different age groups. Children's toy guitars, of course, cannot be called musical instruments; rather, they are intended to instill an interest in music.
Brightly colored guitars with flashing lights and fun buttons are a favorite among little musicians. These toys usually come with multiple tunes. Also, the baby will be able to add his own sounds, combine melodies and rhythms. Such toys develop the child's hearing and imagination.

For older children, you can choose small decorative guitars that have real strings. They can be played, but they also cannot be called a full-fledged instrument. They allow the child to fantasize and “play musician.”

Children's miniature guitars are already a real instrument, only of a small size, which a child can already begin to learn to play for real. There are also children's electric guitars - copies of large instruments, only in a more child-friendly shape. They can connect to a TV and children learn music through colorful pictures that appear on the screen.

There are also computer instrument simulators and music video games. Such games allow a child to acquire the necessary skills to play a real instrument - the ability to play equally with both hands, confidence in performing a composition, and synchronization of the work of the hand and fingers.

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.

You can choose a guitar based on its appearance, and some people do just that. But here you need to understand that all guitars are approximately the same. For example, guitars with a body type called dreadnought were invented a hundred years ago and have not changed since then.

It is also important to consider: the more expensive the guitar, the more professional it is, the more restrained and laconic it is made.

Yes, there are some nuances here, for example, the so-called exit on the body. Professional musicians will look at such a guitar and immediately understand what it is used for - to play the high frets. For a beginner, this is purely a feature of appearance, and, in fact, he does not need such a guitar.

If you don’t know all these tricks, then they won’t make any sense to you. So, when choosing a guitar based on appearance, you can simply focus on its color.

Is it possible to choose a guitar by sound?

In my opinion, to choose a guitar based on its sound, you need to have experience, so that you have already played ten, a hundred, a thousand different instruments. Then you will have your own sound. You will be able to say: “Ο, I like the sound!” - or vice versa.

Everyone's taste is completely different. Some people like the traditional jazz guitar sound of Joe Pass and George Benson and find it perfect. Another person likes the sound of Tommy Emmanuel's guitar: it has a very pronounced midrange, and it sounds very cool when played with fingers. And for some - 12-string guitars, because such instruments are closer.

There is nothing “solid” about the shape of the body, the color of the guitar or its sound. This is not a clear criterion. What really matters is convenience. Take the guitar in your hands and say: “This guitar is comfortable for me! I can play it!” - here it is, the criterion.

Make sure that the instrument has no obvious defects: chipped varnish, cracks on the deck. Inexpensive guitars are made from material that isn't dried enough so that the bridges start to peel away from the body, so you should look to see if there are any gaps.

2. Check the quality of gluing

The gluing should not have any cracks or gaps.

3. Pay attention to the neck

If you take the instrument and look along the neck, it should be relatively straight, not curved outward.

4. Measure the height of the strings

Pay attention to the height of the strings above the fingerboard: there should be 2 mm above the sixth string and 1.5 mm above the first. Plus the distance between the 12th fret and the string itself. How can I check this? When traveling, use coins. Ten-ruble is approximately 2.2 mm, ruble is approximately 1.5 mm. If they pass with a reserve, it means that the height of the strings is higher than necessary.

5. Check the fret ends

They should not cling to your hands if you run your fingers over them. If there is discomfort, this can lead to cuts in the future.

Instruments that come from the factory often require modifications to make them playable. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the listed points, so that later you don’t have to take the guitar to the workshop.

If you're a beginner, you probably have no idea how to choose the right guitar for you, so you need to know some selection criteria. First you need to decide what type of guitar you need: ? Or maybe classic? How to choose a guitar for a beginner? It all depends on your financial capabilities and the purpose of the purchase and the purpose of its purchase. Let's look at each of them.

Classical guitar used for classical music, flamenco and some blues compositions. This instrument is perfect for studying in a music school.

• Soft strings that are easy to press. This will make learning easier in the initial stages, as your fingers will hurt much less.
• Wide arrangement of strings, which will reduce the likelihood of a miss, and this very often happens at the beginning of training.

• You can only play on nylon strings, because installing metal ones will damage the instrument.
• Faint sound.

Acoustic guitar used for performing blues, rock, chanson, pop compositions and just yard songs. Perfect for songs around the fire and playing in a group.

• Loud and rich sound. Due to the fact that the body of an acoustic guitar is larger and metal strings are used instead of nylon, the sound becomes deeper and louder.
• Versatility. An acoustic guitar can be played in many genres, and the variations in models will allow you to choose the instrument that is right for you.

• Only metal strings can be used. Nylon ones will sound too quiet due to the structure of the body.
• The strings are harder to press than on a classical guitar, which is why your fingers will hurt more and longer at the beginning of learning.

Electric guitar used for playing styles such as jazz, blues, rock and pop. The electric guitar is mainly played in groups.

• Possibility to customize the sound for yourself. You can adjust both the sound volume and its timbre using processors and guitar “gadgets”.
• Easy to press the strings.

• High price. Typically, an electric guitar costs more than an acoustic or classical one, and to play it, you at least need a combo amplifier.
• Attachment to electricity. To play an electric guitar, you need a power source. So it is not suitable for playing outdoors. Even if you try to play it unplugged, the sound will be too weak.

Having taken into account all of the above and having chosen which guitar you want to purchase, you can safely go to the store. You should not immediately buy an expensive guitar, since very often interest in music disappears after several lessons, and the money spent cannot be returned. But you shouldn’t buy a cheap and low-quality guitar, because playing such an instrument will bring more disappointment and may discourage you, even if there was one. Therefore, you need to choose a guitar so that its price is within reason, and the quality allows you to play it without any discomfort. Here are some tips on how to choose a quality guitar:

General criteria:

• The neck must be straight. There are several ways to check this. First, you can place the guitar's soundboard against your shoulder and look along the neck along its edge. The neck must be perfectly straight. Any irregularities or distortions indicate a defect. Secondly, you can press the string (first or sixth) at the first and sixth frets. The distance between the string and the neck in this segment must be the same, otherwise the neck is considered crooked.
• There should be no damage to the body of the guitar.
• Check your guitar's tuning. To do this, play the string in the open position and compare it with the sound of the string clamped at the twelfth fret. The pitch of the sound must be identical. You can also compare a harmonic on the same fret with an open string.
• The strings should not rattle or make any extraneous sounds. Check every string at every fret.
• Check the headstock and tuners. They must be completely intact.

Acoustic guitar and classical guitar:

• The distance between the strings and the neck should not exceed 3-4 mm.
• Get a wooden guitar, not a plywood one.
• The distance between the wood fibers on the body should be 1-2 mm.

Electric guitar:

• There should be no rust on the metal parts of the tool
• Check the tone volume controls and pickup selector switch.
• Check the status of the jack input. Plug in the guitar and play it, the cord should not come off.
• Check the guitar against the background. No strangers should be present during the game

Among other things, just play it, listen to how it sounds, whether it’s comfortable for you to hold in your hands. Also, to the advice on how to choose a guitar for a beginner, you can add that before you buy the model you like, try several copies and choose the most suitable instrument. Remember that there is no better advisor in choosing a guitar than yourself.. The seller may not be entirely respectable and try to sell you a low-quality product, while your friends will choose a guitar that they like. You need to choose either yourself or with an experienced teacher who can help you choose your instrument.

So, you have an irresistible craving for art, but you have never picked up a guitar. The question of choosing the first tool and many other related questions immediately arises. How to choose the right guitar? Which guitar should you choose? Should you buy an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, a classical guitar, or, regardless of everything, buy a bass?

You can find a great variety of such materials with tips on choosing a tool on the Internet. We will try to understand the issue more specifically, look at certain models in different price segments.

Before going into detail about choosing your first tool, it’s worth understanding one thing. When we went to a regular, non-musical school, we were first taught simple things - how to write correctly, draw all sorts of dashes, sticks, plus signs, etc. We developed the motor skills of our hands. When choosing your first instrument, you should look for a guitar that will help develop hand motor skills. In general, we need a good classical guitar with a wide neck and nylon strings.

General provisions

How to choose the right guitar for a novice musician to more easily understand the basics of music playing, develop hands and become comfortable with the instrument? First of all, you should look for a classical six-string guitar. This approach is used everywhere, in every corner of the planet. There is no need to look at Western guitars with a narrow neck and metal strings, there is no need to look for an electric guitar, and, especially, there is no need to reach for a bass guitar.

Let's repeat again - we need a classical guitar with a wide neck and nylon strings. This is an undeniable rule for a beginning musician. No need to try to jump over your head, no need to “show off”. At this stage, when the instrument is not familiar, the simplicity of the guitar is the best option for us. If the desire to purchase acoustics is too strong, be patient.

What is a classical guitar? It is a traditionally shaped instrument with a wide neck and only nylon strings. Externally, such guitars have a natural wood color and can be varnished, but no one ever paints classical guitars. Well, only if these are not Chinese consumer goods tools for absolutely ridiculous money. We talked about Chinese guitars in other articles; you can read them here and here.

Classical instruments always come with nylon strings. There is no need to buy an additional set of metal strings and strive with incredible persistence to install them on a classical instrument. The neck of a classical guitar is a delicate thing. The tension of metal strings is several times stronger than the tension of nylon strings at the highest tension. Installed on a classical guitar, metal strings slowly but surely deform the neck and top soundboard, breaking off the lower saddle (bridge).

In general, I think everything is clear. Asking a question how to choose the right guitar for a beginner, think classic. Classical instruments are equipped with nylon demo sets of medium tension strings. Therefore, it makes sense to buy a new set of strings when purchasing a guitar. Medium tension strings will help your fingers get used to and develop their strength. Over time, you can switch to tight-tension nylon if you want a brighter sound.

When choosing an instrument for a beginning musician, we have three price categories: budget guitars, mid-range guitars and premium guitars.

Budget tools

There are a lot of budget guitars on the domestic market, but don’t think that absolutely any guitar will do. Despite the low prices, you should choose wisely.

At the moment, there are several manufacturers with similar models of tools that have already been time-tested and are rightfully the best in their “weight category”. If you are looking for a good quality musical instrument in the price range of $75 to $150, then feel free to choose between guitars Hohner HC-06, Washburn C40, Yamaha C40, Yamaha C45, Yamaha C70. No other instrument can match the price-quality ratio of these guitars.

You shouldn’t hope that budget models will be made from any serious types of wood. 95% of budget guitars are made from veneer, that is, ordinary plywood. This has its advantage: budget guitars are the most indestructible guitars on the market. Of course, you shouldn’t try to hammer nails with them, dig trenches and carry them in 30-degree frost without an insulated cover, but the likelihood of damage to such tools is much lower.

When choosing a guitar from the budget market segment, first of all, inspect the operation of the tuning mechanism (the knobs that tension the strings), and also see if there is any mechanical damage on the instrument. Look at all the parts of the guitar, shake it in your hands to understand that there are no parts that have fallen off inside the instrument. If everything is fine with the guitar, feel free to buy it, but don’t forget about the case.

Mid-range instruments

If you have enough money to choose a mid-priced guitar, then you should check out the instruments from Admira, Francisco Esteve and Yamaha. Instruments in the mid-price segment have a wide range in cost: from $180 to $1000. In other words, depending on the ruble to dollar exchange rate, on average their price will be from 13,000 thousand rubles. Actually, you should choose according to your means.

Mid-priced guitars will have a large amount of wood in their composition. Most likely, the top will be made of some kind of solid wood (spruce, rosewood), which will allow the instrument to resonate better during play, making the sound richer and more saturated. The shell—the side ribs of the guitar—can be made of rosewood, mahogany, or walnut. These types of wood differ not only in appearance, but also in the effect they have on the sound of the instrument. In the matter of how to choose the right guitar in the middle price segment, what kind of wood it should be made of is based on personal feelings. Whichever sound you like best, take that instrument.

If we talk about specific models that can be recommended, then you should look towards the following guitars: Admira Malaga, Admira Maria, Francisco Esteve 1.4 ST, Francisco Esteve 1GR01, Yamaha CG122MC, Yamaha CG142S. When choosing a guitar, also pay special attention to the absence of mechanical damage to the instrument, especially the top deck. Well, don't forget about the case. It is advisable to buy a higher quality and, of course, insulated cover.

Premium class

If you are not short of money, then you should think about buying a premium instrument or even a master guitar. Most premium guitars are handmade by professional guitar makers, although assembly-line instruments are also present. Such instruments give a completely different feeling when playing: the fingers seem to be playing themselves, and the sounds of the instrument sound enchanting. When choosing a premium-segment guitar, you should pay attention to the “top” series of instruments created by Francisco Esteve and, of course, Alhambra. Luxury guitars from these manufacturers cost from $1000 to infinity. There is no limit to perfection, yes, yes.

For example, you can try the following models: Alhambra 5P, Alhambra 6P, Alhambra 7P, Francisco Esteve 1.7SM, Francisco Esteve J.Hernandes Sonata SP.

Premium guitars are made entirely from solid wood of various types, producing incredibly powerful and crystal clear sound. Of course, in order to play such guitars, the musician himself must have some performing skills, but one should not think that buying a premium guitar for a beginner is shameful. On the contrary, you quickly get used to good things, you want to hold the instrument in your hands more often, and playing it is much easier and more enjoyable.

How to choose the right guitar for a beginner musician from the premium instruments camp? Take the instrument in your hands, try to extract some sounds from it and rely on your own feelings. If you feel that you have warm feelings for the instrument, this is your option. Well, be sure to examine the classic instrument for any damage to the body and neck, and also get a high-quality insulated case or hard case.

The humidifier must be

When buying an instrument in any price segment, you should not lose sight of external factors that may affect the operation of the guitar. If in the room or apartment where the instrument will be located, the humidity drops to 20% during the heating period, it is worth buying a special humidifier for a classic instrument. The thing is that a guitar of any level and quality requires a humidity level in the region of 40-60%.

Remodeling the heating system in an apartment for the sake of a guitar is an expensive pleasure; it’s easier to buy a special humidifier. It usually looks like a plastic box the size of a pack of cigarettes. Inside the box there is a porous material resembling an ordinary sponge. This material must be filled with water, and the device must be placed in a case or in the guitar itself for some time to create the necessary microclimate for the instrument. In fact, such humidifiers will also be useful for those who play the violin, domra and other wooden instruments.

It is worth using a humidifier 1-2 times a week, depending on the climate in the apartment or room. You can purchase such humidifiers at any music store. When choosing, focus on companies Martin And D'Addario.

For those who want acoustics

If your own “constitution” or any other prejudices do not allow you to start learning with a classical guitar, then be prepared for the fact that your fingers will encounter great difficulties when learning to play an acoustic instrument. The fact is that acoustic guitars use metal strings, which are much harder to pluck if your fingers are not properly trained. In addition, the neck of the guitar is much narrower, which requires great precision in the placement of the fingers on the fingerboard.

You can solve the problem of finger weakness by purchasing an expander at any sports store. Although you can also find a wide selection of resistance bands in music stores, there is no difference in where you buy it. The main thing is that it fulfills its purpose. If you have to buy an expander in a sports store, then take any one that will help train your fingers, with a compression force of 2 kg. If you find yourself in a music store, then ask the seller if there is a simulator. D'Addario Varigrip. This simulator has the ability to adjust the applied effort, and also allows you to train each of the fingers separately.

When buying an acoustic guitar, it is worth remembering that the factory set of strings is usually very thick and unsuitable for beginners. Thick strings are installed by manufacturers to ensure that the guitar sounds as powerful and bright as possible in the store. Beginners don’t want to torture their fingers with thick strings, so it makes sense to immediately purchase a set of thinner strings, for example 10-gauge. Yes, this will make the sound somewhat more modest, but your fingers will be grateful for such a move.

How to choose the right guitar for a beginner from a huge range of acoustic guitars? In general, the tips will be quite similar to choosing a classical instrument. There are also three main price segments, the instruments in which differ in quality, materials used and other things. It all depends on the budget. Look at guitars that are produced by companies Crafter, Fender, Ibanez, Taylor.