CONTENTS
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From your first guitar, to your first set of strings, all the way to which case is it the best? Here is the gear I personally
found best for my early years of getting into guitar.
The ideal place to start is considering the budget. Just because a guitar is worth a couple of grand doesn’t mean it will
be easier to play – usually, it all comes down to the fingers. However, this does ring some truths. It is best to spend at
least £100 on a guitar – then you’ll be sure you’re getting a decent make and not a counterfeit model. I would advice not
buying second hand instruments or ordering online from sites like eBay – you never know what you’re truly getting. As
I have stated previously, go directly into a music shop and see what options you have. Listen for the sound, the feel, the comfort of the
instrument – all very important factors that cannot go ignored. I have found the best makes to initiate your music journey with are
Epiphones and Squiers. These guitars provide comfort and ease, sound brilliant, made of good wood and are affordable!
Let’s talk about tuners. A tuner is an electronic device used to tune guitars and other instruments. The first one I bought was from a
brand called Snark and I prefer it from the others I use. It’s chromatic which means you can tune any string to any pitch. It is easy to
operate and can be used anywhere – whether you’re on stage or in the comfort of your own home. Thanks to its digital display it can
even be used in the dark.
Next on the list are cases. These make your guitar portable and offer it protection so it’s worth buying one of these early on in your
journey. Cases generally come under two categories: hard cases and soft cases. Soft cases are padded but are not well protected. They
are ideal for beginners as they are less expensive and portable as you can wear them like a backpack. Hard cases are more expensive
but offer more protection. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, denoting to different makes like Epiphone or Fender. They are
especially handy if you are travelling abroad... can’t trust these airlines, you know...
Finally, strings. It’s clear once you log onto a website or strut into a music shop, you’ll have a big selection to choose from. But which
ones are the best? It’s good to know that strings come in different gauges, which is their thickness. Thinner strings are ideal for beginners, so for you acoustic fanatics it’s 11s. However, if you want the tone and can grin and bear the pain, then get the 13s for acoustics. I
have personally found Martin acoustic strings to be the best strings for me – their bright, brilliant, crisp sound really brings the instrument to life. Plus they are easy to use and not particularly expensive, coming to £5.99.
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Practicing
This section explains what
and how to practice guitar, what’s
good to include and what’s good
to leave out.
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Which gear? My advice
If you live in the South East or are willing to
travel, then here are some venues to visit.
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Local Venues
This section will give
you the best choice of
gear to choose from.
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Miscellaneous
Interesting facts about the music
industry.
December 2016
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