So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and learn to play the guitar! Congratulations! Perhaps one of the first daunting prospects on this adventure is buying your first guitar. It’s easy to be a little taken aback by the high price tag of even seemingly “middle of the road” types of instruments. Many newcomers to the guitar are not sure they will have the perseverance to stick with the instrument and justify the initial impact of their first guitar. I’ve had many beginning guitar students come to my studio for guitar lessons in Surrey and Langley, and I thought I’d share some advice for those looking to buy their first instrument.
First things first, we have to make sure that the instrument we buy is playable. The guitar is a mechanically challenging instrument, especially when we’re just starting out, so we want to make sure the instrument doesn’t “struggle” us as we train our fingers to create music. Being one with your instrument is a very freeing feeling, and it becomes very difficult to unlock if we are playing an instrument that is not comfortable to play. It’s for this reason that I generally don’t advocate making your first guitar extremely cheap. It may be tempting, for example, to buy an acoustic guitar for $50 at a department store, but this will not help our learning process.
I would suggest that a beginner avoid buying a used instrument, unless you have a very experienced player who can come along to check out the guitar before you buy it. There are many finer details that we want to make sure are under control when buying a used guitar, they are quite temperamental instruments, and these details will be very difficult for someone new to the instrument to spot. If the cost is prohibitive or you or your child are not 100% sure that the guitar is for you, I recommend renting your instrument. For example, Long & McQuade ( https://www.long-mcquade.com/ ) has great monthly rates for very good instruments available.
Try to find an instrument that is visually appealing to you. There is likely an artist who has inspired you or your child to learn to play the guitar. Wouldn’t it be fun to play an instrument that resembles the guitar this artist plays? Think of your or your child’s favorite rock, acoustic, blues, or jazz guitarist. Yes, established artists play high-end instruments, but chances are there’s an entry-level option with an equivalent visual aesthetic designed for someone like you. A perfect example would be the Squier ‘strat’ or Fender Stratocaster style guitar. A common starter package is a complete kit containing an electric guitar, small amp, and accessories, usually for just a couple hundred dollars! Brands like Yamaha also have great basic models of acoustic guitars.
Here are my top thoughts for beginners looking to buy their first guitar or buying their child’s first guitar. If we can buy or rent a guitar that is playable, in excellent physical condition, affordable, and makes us excited to play, we are already on the fast track to success in learning this great instrument!