Must Have Accessories

           Like any hobby, there are some key accessories that you need to have before you can dive into the guitar.  Think of them as part of the guitar and not as a separate thing.  This way you will never be without them.  A golfer would never go with out his club bag, a cook would never be without their knives, and a guitar player will always have these accessories.

            The first thing you should do whenever you pick up your guitar to practice is to check the tuning.  Tuners come in many varieties, brands, styles, and price ranges.  Current trends lean toward clip-on chromatic tuners.  These devices are small, accurate, and affordable.  Simply clip it on the headstock, pluck the string, and dial it in.  The most important part of the tuner, though, is that it stays with the guitar.  This way your guitar always has the correct sound, and will make you sound even better.  Don’t know how to tune your guitar yet? Check out this website.

GoGo Tiki Tuner

            Another important accessory is a guitar strap.  The strap not only adds a lot of function but also some personality.  A guitar strap can serve to support the neck of the guitar so that your hand can be free to fret the chords.  The strap also allows for the guitar to be positioned so that it is more comfortable to play.  Most beginners naturally hold the guitar with the neck low and find that it is uncomfortable on their wrists.  So they inevitably raise the neck up; a strap can do this for you.  Check out players like Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, or John Mayer and you will always see them with a strap and the neck tilted up. 

Dave Matthews

Eric Clapton

John Mayer

         

   Last but not least, is a guitar stand.  The more you can have the guitar in your hands, the faster you will progress.  Having a guitar stand is the best way to get in more playing time.  Put the stand next to the couch, when commercials come on, mute the TV and strum some chords.  You will find that having the instrument readily available makes you much more likely to practice.  You will not have to mess with a big bulky case all the time, and you can just leave the strap and the tuner on the guitar while in the stand.

            These accessories are small, simple, and cheap ways to greatly improve your chances of succeeding at the guitar.