4 Things You Should Know Before Starting Lessons


1. Guitar Teaching Methods:  Learn faster and better from a qualified teacher. The guitar is a fun instrument, and for the most part it's not hard to learn a few easy things to play. Unfortunately it is also easy to develop a lot of bad habits that make it harder to advance. Without guidance it is also easy to get "stuck in a rut". Many guitar students start out trying to play by ear, have a friend show them a few chords, learn off the Internet, or try to learn on their own from a book. While this can work for a few people, most stop playing after a while because they lose interest and motivation from doing the same thing over and over.

A professional teacher and musician can help you plan the fastest route to your guitar-playing goals and teach you the proper technique along the way. They can guide you in the best choice for a guitar book and customize your lessons according to your interests and learning style. With a qualified instructor at GTR Music Studio, you'll be strumming real chords and making music from day one as you learn to really read music and play from the 3 standard notation systems.


2. Types of Guitars: There are so many different guitars available it can be overwhelming knowing where to begin. The age of the musician and style of music you want to play can help you decide which type of guitar to buy or rent. Here is a brief overview of the most common types of guitars and the style of music they create.


Classical Acoustic Guitar:  Also called the Spanish guitar, it has nylon strings and is mainly used for classical, pop, folk, Latin and jazz.

This is a great type of guitar for young beginners because the nylon strings have lighter tension and are easier on the fingers. Classical guitars are small bodied and more uniform in shape which many find more comfortable to hold. It has a wider neck and flat fingerboard. This design lets you play fingerstyle where the strings are plucked to play the melody. You can also play chords and bass lines to accompany the melody.


Acoustic (Folk) Guitar:  Also called a dreadnaught or steel-string guitar, it is mainly used for pop, country, ragtime, blues, and rock.

This type of guitar is best suited for older beginners and adults because the tension of steel strings requires stronger fingers to play and because the body shape is a bit larger than a classical guitar. Beginners may want to start with light or light-medium gauge strings, then work their way up to medium or heavy gauge strings as their fingers grow stronger and tougher. "Cutaway" acoustic guitars have a part of the body cut away to let you reach frets in the higher positions on the neck for more advanced playing.


Acoustic/Electric Guitar: This type of guitar is an acoustic guitar that has pick-ups built into the instrument. It can either be played acoustically or plugged into an amplifier.


Electric Guitar: These come in a few different body styles; solid or hollow and have pick-ups.

Because electric guitars don't have (or have a limited) sound box, they are too soft to be heard except for individual practice in a fairly quiet environment. They are designed to be plugged into and played through an amplifier.  A 10-30 watt amp should work for home practice. The sound can be enhanced and altered with a variety of effects pedals. Comes in single and double cut-away styles.


3. Guitar Sizes:  Most adults can use full or standard size guitars.

  Half and ¾ size guitars are available for children.  Arm reach determines the best size guitar for your comfort.  Our age & height chart below will help guide your selection:


Age              Height     Classical Guitar Size            Acoustic Guitar Size

6 -7 years    46” – 53”  (3/4 size) 32” – 34” guitar   (1/2 size) 32” – 34”
8 – 10 yrs    54” – 59”  (standard size) 36” guitar    (3/4 size) 36” guitar
11 – adult    60” +       (standard size)  36” guitar   (full size) 39”+



To Rent Guitars: Atom Heart Music  in Pullman has children and adult size guitars available for monthly rental. Contact Vic, Jeff or Steve at (509) 332-1113.

To Buy Guitars: Keeney Brothers  and Guitars' Friend  in Moscow, and Atom Heart in Pullman have a great selection. While you can find instruments at places like Costco, Target, and Hastings, you'll get a considerably greater quality instrument for not much more by purchasing from your music store that deals exclusively with instruments. 

You'll get an instrument that is better built, easier to keep in tune, parts won't wear out prematurely and if they do they're under warranty so they can usually be replaced for FREE or at a very minimal cost within the first year.


4. Accessories: Things that are good to have--a case, metronome, tuner, picks, replacement string(s), neck strap, and a music stand, to name a few. 

•    A Guitar Case ~ Cases keep your instrument protected going to and from lessons and when stored at your home. They are available in soft shell (also called a “gig bag”) and hard case styles. Some guitar packages include them or you can buy one for $50-100.

•    Metronomes ~ These help you develop your timing so that you learn to play at a steady pulse. They can be adjusted to many different speeds, from slow to very fast. Next to having a case for your guitar, this is THE most important accessory for a beginner to have.

•    Tuners ~ These help you keep you guitar in tune. The device “listens” to the vibrating sound of your string when plucked and then tells you which way you need to turn the peg (up or down) until the string is in tune. Tuners range in price from $12-35 for your basic models.

•    Music Stands ~ They help keep your music or book in an upright position so you can easily read it and keep your body in a balanced playing position. You can make a simple one out of a file folder, use a recipe book holder on a table, or purchase one for $15-50.

•    Picks ~ You'll need them if you plan on strumming chords or playing solos.  They are usually in stock at your lesson studio or local music store.  They range from 25 cents to $1 per pick. We suggest ones that are about the size of a quarter and have some "no slip" grip on them.

•    Strings ~ It's a good idea to have an extra set (a packet that conatins all 6 strings) in case you need to replace one that breaks. Sets run from $7 up.  Individual strings run $2-10 each.

•    Neck Straps ~ These attach to the button on the bottom, and top of the neck of the guitar. Some guitar packages include them or they can be purchased for $5-25.  If you plan to play standing upright you will definitely need to have one.





Need help choosing the right guitar? 
We are happy to assist you in your purchase. This service is FREE to all students who register for lessons at our studio. We take your needs and musical preferences into consideration to help you find the right style guitar that fits YOU best.

Already have a guitar but not sure if it's suited for you or your child's lessons?  
We are happy to look it over and make recommendations.