MATERIALS

THE BASICS OF GUITAR PLAYING:

Ok, so first, we have to have the right materials in order to properly play guitar. In that way, you need the most important object! Anyone guess what that thing is?

A GUITAR!!! :)

(Of course...duh.)*

*Because we're only learning the basics of guitar-playing, make sure you have an acoustic guitar, no electrics or other stuff.

With your guitar, you can also have a guitar case to carry your guitar around with you an yet, protect that precious instrument of yours (you don't want it damaged of course, but getting a case is only optional). Guitar cases usually come in with the guitar but if your only gonna play it at home or something, you don't have to get one. There are hard-shelled cases, and fabric cases. Hard-shells are very bulky and heavier to carry than the fabrics. They also guarantee more protection to your guitar. On the other hand, fabric cases are easier to carry but your guitar may still get damaged if you accidentally drop it/knock it over. However, most fabric cases also have a pocket or two it keep your other materials in there like extra picks and guiatr strings. They may also have a backpack strap that hard-shells don't have. I, myself have a fabric guitar case.

Hard-shelled guitar case:

Hard-shelled; more protection
Waterproof
Heavy to carry
Has handles

Fabric guitar case:

Made of fabric
Has backpack straps & handles
Contains storage pocket
May be waterproof (depending on brand)
Easy to carry
Won't protect guitar in severe situations

Next, you need to get a pick in order to play your guitar. You do use your fingers to play the guitar in some cases (that's called finger-picking, bwt), but picks are used for strumming and for plucking the guitar strings, and we'll be using them for the basics of guitar-playing. Picks are usually used so your fingers won't hurt in times when you need to strum chords.

NO GUITAR PICK=

FINGER-PICKING

YES GUITAR PICK

So, you must choose the right pick though in order to start playing the guitar. Many guitarists choose the right pick for them based on how they feel (texture) and their unique designs. There are many different types of picks (the shapes, thickness, & sizes sort of thing) and many more picks with various designs. You, as well, will choose the right pick for you.

<( - -)> ~#choosethepickofurdestiny

Heh heh...except if you have this pick, it will choose YOU. *wow*

GUITAR PICKS TYPES & DESIGNS

Round-tip Triangular Teardrop Classical Standard

Some pick types include the classic standard pick, teardrop pick, triangle picks, sharp edge picks, and etc. Most guitar picks are made of nylon, which is a type of plastic. Others can be made out of metal, bone, shell, wood, cuttlebone, stone, ivory, and even amber; which are all carved to a desired shape. However, I'm a 100% sure that you gotta be pretty rich to get an amber guitar pick (heh heh...).

SO MANY DESIGNS! :)

O-M-G!!!

\(0.0\)

Afterwards, you need to get a tuner, so you can tune your guitar of course! Who wants an off-key instrument anyway? Your guitar may get out of tune went you're travelling by knocking around in the back trunk of your car, or your evil friend purposely untunes it. How else are you gonna being to fix your guitar? You can buy tuners on the Internet or at your local music store. Tuners can be clip -on tuners in which you can clip them on to your guitar and tune. Others are just a small rectangle that you put near your guitar (on the floor or a music stand) and tune, Two good brands that I know of are Snark tuners and Planet Wave tuners (both are clip-ons). I, personally have a Snark tuner. However, Snark tuners need to be handled with carefully, because in rough conditions, you can break the tuner's neck (yep) and it can go bye-bye! Translation: break. You can learn how to tune your guitar by clicking here: "How to Tune Your Guitar".

SNARK

PLANET WAVES

Don't break the neck!!!

When you've gotten your tuner, you also got to buy a pack of guitar strings. Who knows when they'll break. It's important to have all your strings together, otherwise you'll have only part of a guitar, and you don't want that (obviously).Because each string has a different pitch to it, it has a certain thickness to the string in order to may the correct sound. So, I would suggest that you'd buy a pack of the high E, B, and G strings because those are the thinnest and therefore, break the most often; usually when you're tuning your guitar. But if you want to be super prepared, you can also buy a pack of all the guitar strings at your local music store. You can learn how to replace guitar strings by click here: "How to Replace Broken Strings".

You can also get a container to put in your guitar picks, like an empty Icebreakers box, a mint box, etc. so you won't lose them. Some guitarists have a pick-holder that attaches itself to the back of a guitar head or the body of a guitar. These stash picks inside so that when you accidentally drop your pick while playing, you can just quickly press your finger on the holder and a new pick pops out, ready for you to strum on.

PICK HOLDERS

PULL YOUR STRINGS TOGETHER, MAN!!!

Lastly, you need to bring your good attitude in order to have fun learning guitar and anything else! This will help you keep up to the beat through times when you are confused or frustrated. Remember, always be upbeat and passoniate when you explore and learn different things of our world. :)