Choosing a guitar is an important undertaking for any musician. For those who are just starting out in music, this can be an extremely difficult task. Therefore, before choosing an acoustic guitar, it is worth studying the basic specifications such a tool and decide in advance on the requirements that your purchase must meet.

Choosing an Acoustic Guitar

Those who make a purchase for the first time are often not aware of how to choose. First of all, pay attention to the material from which the tool is made. made of several types of wood - this allows you to achieve the required sound transmission. It is important that the wood is thoroughly dried, otherwise the guitar will begin to deform over time. Be sure to make sure that the body of the instrument does not have plastic parts - this degrades the sound quality.

Pay attention to the nut, that is, a special overlay through which the strings are passed. It determines the height above which the strings will be placed above the fretboard. For a novice musician, it is better to stop at the low nut option: in this case, for a good sound, less pressure is required and, accordingly, less effort when playing.

Be sure to try playing the guitar before buying. The virtuosity of the performance is not important, the main thing is to appreciate the sound. It should be rich and clear, without rattling or discordant notes. If you hear a rattling sound, then most likely, violations were made during the manufacture. Check how the instrument sounds when played by picking, striking, whether the sound is good enough when using a pick or fingertips.

Make sure the guitar can handle a slender sound at the 9th, 11th and higher frets. Some low quality models stop building as they get closer to the body, and you won't be able to play complex compositions on such an instrument. The last thing to pay attention to is appearance. Remember that an outwardly spectacular cheap model can only be a cover for defects.

How to choose the right electric acoustic guitar

A peculiar subspecies of the instrument is It is distinguished primarily by a pickup - a special mechanism that transmits sound to external media. Otherwise, it must meet the requirements that apply to fully acoustic instruments.

The most high-quality and surround sound can be extracted from a guitar, the pickup on which is a miniature microphone. However, these tools are quite expensive. The usual one is considered much less reliable, but it is also able to remove the sound quite qualitatively if it is installed on the body of the guitar. But models with a pickup tablet on the fingerboard should be immediately put aside: the sound of such an instrument will be distorted and incomplete.

Before choosing electric acoustic guitar, you should also think about additional accessories, such as a pick, sound tuner, equalizer and tuning fork. The presence of these items is not mandatory, but greatly facilitates the game process.

How to choose guitar strings?

As a rule, strings are not supplied with the guitar. Therefore, the first question that arises for any musician is: "How to choose the strings for an acoustic guitar?" There are currently quite a few companies producing them, and the choice should be based more on personal preferences than on any general criteria.

All types of strings can be divided depending on the material of manufacture into nylon and metal. The first are installed on guitars of the so-called classical type. They have a softer and quieter sound than metal ones and are great for performing romances and instrumental etudes. At the same time, their tension is less, therefore, classical guitars are easier to play than models with metal strings. It is important to remember that the classical instruments there is no truss mechanism that changes the inclination of the neck, so the installation of metal strings on them can deform the body.

The best instruments for performing rock, blues and bard songs are pop guitars. installed on them, they are distinguished by a powerful, rich sound. However, due to the high tension force, not everyone will be able to play them. When choosing strings, it is necessary to take into account their diameter, on which the timbre of the sound depends: the thinner the string, the louder the sound. However, thin strings wear out much faster, as a result of which they have to be changed more often.

Installing and tuning strings

Proper string setting on an acoustic guitar determines how harmonious your instrument will sound. Each string must be carefully fixed on the saddle and in the hole of the corresponding tuner. Only after that it is possible, by carefully rotating the pegs clockwise, to begin tuning - to produce a tension on each string to such an extent that when touched it makes a strictly defined sound. Achieve this without having music education can be tricky, so it's a good idea to purchase a tuning fork before choosing an acoustic guitar.

Tuning always begins with 1 string, the sound of which must correspond to the note E. After it is stretched with the necessary force, you need to clamp the 2nd string at the fifth fret and twist the pegs until both strings begin to sound in unison. Don't try to do this quickly - a sudden increase in tension can break the string. The rest are stretched according to the same principle: each subsequent one, when clamped on the fifth fret, should sound the same as the free previous one. The only exception is the third string - it is tuned at the fourth fret.

How to quickly tune a guitar

Many novice musicians are forced to loosen and tighten the strings several times, because they do not immediately succeed in tuning the acoustic guitar correctly. Do not be upset because of this - the skill comes with experience. If you need to tune your guitar quickly and without much effort, you can use guitar tuner. This little instrument captures the sound of a string and shows if it matches the target, as well as how much you need to turn the tuning pegs to achieve the desired sound.

How much does a guitar cost

The average cost of an acoustic guitar ranges from 3,000 to 15,000 rubles. Higher-quality tools made by well-known companies can cost up to 80,000 rubles or more. Main mistake one that beginners often admit is buying the cheapest guitar possible. You should not do this, because models costing less than 4000, as a rule, are not of good quality.

Too expensive, however, is also not worth buying - it is quite possible that in a few years you will have a desire to change it to a more functional model. The best choice for those who are just starting to learn music would be an instrument that is in the price range from 4000 to 7000 rubles.

Buying a guitar is an important and exciting experience for anyone involved with music. Do not be afraid to ask questions to sales consultants and clarify the nuances that you do not understand. If you have no idea how to choose an acoustic guitar, it is better to ask for help from friends who already have similar experience.

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

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

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

If you do not know all these chips, then they will not make any sense to you. So, when choosing a guitar in appearance, you can simply focus on its color.

Is it possible to choose a guitar by sound

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

Everyone's taste is completely different. Someone likes the traditional jazz guitar sound of Joe Pass and George Benson, and that seems to be ideal for him. Another person likes the sound of Tommy Emmanuel's guitar: it has a very pronounced midrange, and it sounds very cool when played with your fingers. And for someone - 12-string guitars, because such instruments are closer.

There is nothing “solid” about the shape of the body, the color of the guitar and 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 does not have obvious defects: chips in the lacquer coating, cracks on the deck. cheap guitars they are made from insufficiently dried material, so the coasters begin to peel off from the soundboard, so you should see if there are any gaps.

2. Check the quality of the bonding

Gluing should not have any cracks and 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 neck: it 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 to check it? In field conditions, use coins. A ten-ruble note is approximately 2.2 mm, a ruble note is approximately 1.5 mm. If they pass with a margin, then the height of the strings is greater than necessary.

5. Check the fret ends

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

Instruments that come from the factory often need to be tweaked to be comfortable to play. When buying, you should pay attention to the listed points, so that later you do not have to carry the guitar to the workshop.

For any beginner who wants to learn how to play the guitar perfectly, the question arises 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

Such a guitar is also referred to as a "regular" guitar. It is on such an instrument that they usually learn to play music schools. Classic-style guitars come in a variety of sizes, which should be selected based on personal preference in terms of convenience.

Usually installed nylon strings, which, due to their softness, are ideal for beginners and do not rub their fingers. It is on such a guitar that it is easiest to learn how to clamp the first chords.

The wide neck of a classical guitar makes it easy and comfortable to play classical music.

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

Acoustic guitar

Acoustic guitars are as popular as classical guitars. main feature such a guitar - a denser and louder sound.

Acoustic guitars usually use metal strings, which are difficult for beginners to get used to at first due to their stiffness. You can play the acoustic guitar with your fingers or with a pick. Most acoustic guitars have thinner necks 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 can be different. It is not recommended to buy a guitar with a plastic drum, as the sound of such an instrument will be slightly muffled than on models with a wooden drum. You can also give preference to a guitar, the drum of which is made of high-quality plywood.

Jazz guitar or electric acoustic guitar

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

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

Electric guitar

The electric guitar is suitable for musicians who want to play rock and other heavy genres of music, as well as play not only on their own, 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 reproduced by the instrument itself, but by the pickups and amplifiers with which this instrument is equipped.

Pickups convert string vibrations into serial signals. On the panel of such a guitar there are volume and tone controls. The unusual sound of electric guitars is due to sound processing using various effects.

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.

If you have been burning with the desire to learn how to play the guitar for a long time, the first step should be to buy the instrument itself. It is easy to get lost in a wide range of music stores, and there are a lot of nuances in choosing the perfect instrument for your needs.

In this article, we will tell you in detail how to choose a guitar for beginners, tell you about the features of each type of guitar, and will definitely help you make a choice based on the purpose of using the instrument.

Guitar - musical instrument string type, widely known throughout the world. The advantage of the guitar over other instruments is its mobility and the ability to "realize" a wide range of musical genres.

The guitar has many subspecies: a small Hawaiian ukulele, which can be played not only by children, a gypsy seven-string, sometimes even a double-necked one with 12 strings under different brands.

We will look at more classic and common versions and answer the question of how to choose an acoustic guitar, electric guitar or bass guitar.

First you need to figure out what type of guitar you need in order to understand which guitar to choose. An acoustic guitar is self-sufficient, while an electric guitar (like its bass varieties) needs electricity.

Along with the electric guitar, you need to purchase an amplifier. Electric guitar strings are made of metal, while acoustic guitar strings can also be made of nylon.

Acoustic guitar pros and cons:

• + "live" sound and velvet sound;
• + independence from the power supply;
• + the ability to put nylon strings;
• + fairly wide arrangement of strings;
• + the ability to play anywhere - at home, away, in the park, in nature;
• - the volume of the instrument is low compared to the electric guitar;
• - on classical guitar nylon strings should not be used with metal strings.

Advantages and disadvantages of electric guitar:

• + the ability to adjust the volume and sound;
• + a large number of additional accessories that help diversify the sound;
• + more sound possibilities due to additional equipment;
• + softer strings close to the fretboard;
• + more compact case;
• - more artificial sound;
• — binding to electricity and amplifier;
• — it is preferable to play at home or in the studio;
• - higher cost due to the need for additional equipment.

How to choose an electric guitar? First you need to decide whether you need a regular electric guitar or a bass. The bass guitar is the same electric guitar, but it sounds an octave lower than usual, has an increased scale and four strings instead of six.

Their order is the same, the two lower (highest sounding) strings are missing. Most often, the bass guitar is used in groups with other instruments, as part of the rhythm section.

If when choosing strings for an electric guitar, the only question is choosing a manufacturer, then how to choose strings for an acoustic guitar? Here it is important, nylon strings on it or metal.

classical acoustic guitar designed only for nylon strings, less classic versions allow the use of metal strings.

Nylon strings will be good for a child's guitar as they are less likely to injure fingers. However, their main drawback is a deaf and insufficiently “rich” sound. If for a beginner this is uncritical, then amateurs can significantly cut their hearing.

Metal strings are less gentle on the guitarist's fingers, but produce more ringing and loud sounds.

Choose strings according to your preferences. It is worth remembering one thing - if you purchased a guitar with nylon strings, you should not pick up metal ones on it. A guitar with metal strings is reinforced because it needs to withstand three times the load.

What guitar material should I choose?

The question of how to choose the right guitar rests on its material. Any tool good brand made only of wood, in no case of plywood, or wood veneer. This is especially detrimental to the sound of acoustics: such material does not create the necessary resonance and the extracted melody turns out to be “flat”, quiet.

The more expensive the guitar, the better the material used for it, the deeper the sound of the instrument will be. Therefore, how to choose a guitar for a beginner is important: even for learning to buy a cheap guitar (up to 4-5 thousand rubles) is not worth it - playing such an instrument is unlikely to bring pleasure.

Choose good instruments from the best manufacturer for amateur use, costing from 6 to 15 thousand rubles. Instruments of the highest price category are designed for professional musicians who know what they want.

If you are asking yourself the question of how to choose an electric guitar, then you should immediately think about choosing a guitar combo amplifier, which is affectionately called “amp” by the people. Its task is to make up for the lack of a resonator and expand the capabilities of the guitar.

It consists of an amplifier, speaker and can even add some effects to the guitar sound. There are transistor (inexpensive, but not distinguished by the purity of sound), tube (expensive, but the sound quality is on top) and combined.

So your budget will suffer to a minimum. If you are wondering how to choose an electroacoustic guitar, then in addition to it, you need to choose special amplifiers for electroacoustics.

Guitar processors are quite complex devices and are used to digitally process signals from a bass or electric guitar. Their task is to expand the possibilities of the musician. A beginner guitarist can do without it.

Which brand of guitar should you choose?

How to choose the first guitar in a wide range of brands? They can be confusing for a beginner guitarist, so we've rounded up the most popular brands that you can vouch for. This:

• Yamaha– Japanese corporation, Japanese quality;
• Gibson- world music giant;
• Epiphone is a subsidiary of the Gibson Corporation;
• Ibanez.

Taking into account all the above nuances, you can easily answer the question of how to choose a bass guitar or any other in a specialized store.

You should choose based on:

• sustain - the decay time of the sound, the longer it is, the better;
• the general appearance of the guitar - without chips, protruding screws, deflections, bulges;
• the style of music you want to play;
• where you will play.

Choosing a guitar for yourself is not easy, just like choosing a guitar for your child. Look for a guitar based not only on the budget, the type of playing (fighting or fingerstyle) but also on the appearance - a good instrument will soon become not just a guitar, but also your friend. It is important that everything in it pleases you.

Before buying a guitar, you need to decide on which strings you want to play metal or nylon. Nylon strings have more soft sound, which is dominated by a rich timbre, while metal strings have a sharper and sonorous sound.

For those who are just about to learn how to play the guitar, nylon strings are more suitable, since such strings are clamped much easier (due to weaker tension) and getting used to the fingertips to the strings will be painless. If you already have experience playing the guitar or you are ready to endure the pain 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 the fingers, and it will not hurt to clamp the strings.

It should be noted that on a guitar that is designed for nylon strings, metal strings cannot be installed, since metal strings have a stronger tension and they will simply permanently ruin 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 "rock" the guitar. The sound will be muffled and lifeless.

In no case do not succumb to the stereotype that you need to start, which is worse. You need to learn to play on a normal guitar, and not on "wood" - it will be both easier and more pleasant, 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. In a guitar, the main thing is its sound and how convenient it is to extract it. Be sure to visit the music store and try to play on different models in the price range that suits you, and you will notice how different the sound of different instruments can be. Don't be shy, even if you don't know how to play at all, just pinch every string at every fret. The sound should be clear, the strings should not rattle. Please note that the guitar should be comfortable for you, and the sound should please you and only you.

Opt for guitars with solid tops over plywood tops. These guitars are more reliable and sound much better.

When you decide on a certain model, ask the seller to give you several copies. Surely their sound will also be different from each other. Choose the one that suits you best.

Carefully inspect the neck and body for scratches, cracks and chips, if any - this guitar is better not to buy. Special attention look at the neck - it should be even. To check, play 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 straight neck, 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 that the strings sound clean without rattling and it will be easier to pinch the chords. barre technique. There should be no backlash and cracks in the place where the neck is attached to the deck. The neck should fit snugly and evenly against the deck.

Inspect all metal parts of the tool - in no case should they show signs of corrosion.

If you chose a guitar with a solid wood top, 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 deck will have better resonator properties.

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

All of the above - this is not all the factors that should be followed when choosing a guitar. Intuition and experience will tell you the best guitar to buy. If you have no experience, then ask someone you know or a teacher to help you choose a guitar.

• Roman Vitalievich ("Marusya-Rusak"): from beginner to master

Chord fingerings:

• History of the bass guitar and low-frequency instruments in general

• Roman Vitalievich ("Marusya-Rusak"): from beginner to master
• Choosing metal strings for acoustic guitar