How Do You Choose Your First Guitar?

Henare Classical guitar 2

You’ve finally decided to make the leap to learn guitar only to jump online or whip down to your local music store in an excited rush only to be confronted by hundreds of different guitars!

Guitars can come in all kinds of styles, shapes, and configurations. There are acoustic guitars, classical guitars, and electric guitars. On top of that there are guitars with 6, 7, 8, and sometimes even 9 strings!

Many guitars are also like art pieces so you need to choose a colour, or colours. Do you want a natural finish or fluorescent green with gold lightning bolts? A flying V shape or a dreadnought acoustic?

Then there is the price of your new beauty. How much do you want to pay? Guitars can range in price from around US$100 all the way up to the record breaking price of US$6M paid for a Martin D-18E owned by the late Kurt Cobain of Nirvana!

Chances are you may not have a lazy $6M lying around for your first guitar, so let me jump in to help you make a well-informed purchasing decision for your first guitar in a slightly cheaper price bracket!

The Three Main Types Of Guitars

Acoustic, Classical/Nylon, and Electric guitars are the three main types of guitars we have come to know and love. Essentially, they’re all the same, however they’re definitely different enough to require a brief explanation of their similarities and differences.

Acoustic

Benefits & Features

  1. Versatility: Suitable for various music styles, from folk to rock.
  2. Portability: No need for an amplifier, making it easy to carry and play anywhere.
  3. Durability: Built to withstand different playing conditions.
  4. Sound Quality: Natural, resonant sound that is loud enough for performance without amplification.
  5. Common Materials:
    • Top: Spruce or cedar
    • Back and Sides: Mahogany, rosewood, or maple
    • Neck: Mahogany or maple
    • Fingerboard: Rosewood or ebony

Classical

Benefits & Features

  1. Soft Strings: Nylon strings are easier on the fingers, reducing the risk of injury or pain.
  2. Wider Neck: Ideal for fingerstyle playing, offering better string separation.
  3. Historical Repertoire: Access to a vast array of classical music pieces.
  4. Warm Tone: Rich, mellow sound that is ideal for classical and flamenco music.
  5. Common Materials:
    • Top: Spruce or cedar
    • Back and Sides: Mahogany, rosewood, or cypress
    • Neck: Mahogany or cedar
    • Fingerboard: Rosewood, or ebony

Electric

Benefits & Features

  1. Sound Variety: Can produce a wide range of tones and effects with the help of amplifiers and pedals.
  2. Playability: Generally easier to play due to lower string action and narrower neck.
  3. Volume Control: Ability to adjust volume easily with an amplifier.
  4. Innovation: Suitable for modern and experimental music styles.
  5. Common Materials:
    • Top: Alder, ash, mahogany, or basswood
    • Neck: Maple or mahogany
    • Fingerboard: Rosewood,maple, or ebony

As you can probably see there is quite a lot going on in the world of guitars which doesn’t make choosing one any easier.

Out of the three main types explained earlier I believe that classical guitars are the best guitar for beginners. I started out learning on a classical guitar and after teaching thousands of students at schools and online I’ve come to the conclusion that the best beginner guitar is a classical guitar or nylon string guitar as they are also known.

Here's My Reasoning:

  • Softer on Fingers: Nylon strings are nice and soft and squishy, making them less painful than their steel counterparts.
  • Wider Neck: More distance between strings makes playing some chords much easier because fingers have less chance of touching strings that they shouldn’t.
  • Lower Tension: This makes it easier to press down on the strings which makes your notes sound better with less effort.
  • Affordability: Typically more affordable, offering a good quality instrument at a lower price.
  • Foundation for Technique: Classical guitar technique provides a solid foundation for transitioning to other guitar types and styles.

As you can see a classical guitar as your first guitar makes a lot of sense from a cost, playability, and versatility perspective.

Where Can I Find A Great Beginner Classical Guitar?

When it comes to finding a beginner guitar for yourself there are really only two options:

  • Buy from a physical music store
  • Buy online

Buying from a physical store is a great option because you can play a range of guitars before making a final decision. You can walk out of the shop with it immediately and start your guitar learning journey. Potential downsides are paying a bit more and the very real possibility that there are no instrument stores near where you live or work.

Buying online is also an awesome option because you can see and research literally thousands of guitars quickly and easily from your smartphone or computer. You can usually find reviews of guitars that may interest you which can help to build trust and give you confidence in your purchasing decision. Potential downsides are not being able to get a feel or hear the guitar beforehand (unless the seller has uploaded sound samples or posted videos of it). Returning it may also be problematic if it has been shipped from overseas.

You Also Need To Learn The Right Stuff!

Learning to play guitar or any musical instrument is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things a person can do during their lifetime. And just like choosing the right guitar you need to choose the right teacher and the right course to get you where you want to go quickly with the right techniques and knowledge, and the ability to play your favourite songs.

The NBN Guitar Essentials Primer for Beginners is an incredible course for guitarists that are just starting or considering starting out on the guitar. I created this course after having taught hundreds of learners at high schools and children's music schools in New Zealand over many years. I was able to take the pedagogy of the classical guitar world and apply it to modern guitar playing, delivered using the most advanced Learning Management Systems.

In essence this means if you follow the course you will get fantastic results in less time because I was able to condense and combine years of teaching many different styles into a single course to bring you results.

Some of the features of the NBN Guitar Essentials Primer for Beginners Course are:

  • 17 expertly designed modules
  • 180+ highly structured lessons
  • 240+ minutes of world-class video
  • 112 page course eBook
  • Interactive quizzes
  • Progress tracking

Benefits You Can Expect

Play

Finger Picking, Strumming, Playing with Others, and more...

Theory

Read Music & Tabs, Recognise Music Symbols, Scales & Arpeggios

Mindset

Bust through Plateaus, Deal with Anxiety, Time Management plus...

How it Works

Step 1: Click the button

This will take you directly to the website shop where you take a closer look at the course in greater detail.

Step 2: Learn at your leisure

Register as a member of the website.

Step 3: Elevate your playing

Click the Enrol Now button to Start Learning!

Shopping Cart