Tips for Acoustic Guitar Players
You’ve got to admit it. It’s a basic thing to learn the acoustic guitar. That’s one of the reasons there’s so many guitars sold each and every year. But remember, it’s takes something else to actually become good at it. And it’s not just about the basics of learning. You really need some knowledge about the instrument itself and what you need to do to take care of it.
The vast majority of acoustic guitars are made of wood and are usually hollow. They are sensitive to changes in weather, such as extreme heat or super cold. It’s very easy for parts of the guitar to warp or otherwise become damaged depending on how you store it and what it is exposed to daily. Remember the old cassette tape and how it would melt into an useless mess if left on the back seat of your car on a sunny day.
One of the major needs for a guitar is a good guitar case. It should be water resistant but also provide protection from heat. Dark colored cases will absorb heat more than lighter colored enclosures, so remember that when selecting one for your guitar. You’ll have the choice of soft shell cases and hard shell cases. In almost all situations, I would endorse the hard shell case unless your budget prohibits it.
Guitar strings are sensitive to environmental changes as well. Note how quickly guitars go out of tune, especially with a new set of strings? The neck of your guitar will give and let go depending on the type of strings you use, and if you decide to use a particular gauge of string, it’s probably the best thing you can do, as the shock of going from one type of string to another wouldn’t be good for your guitar. Also, don’t take all the strings off your guitar at once, as that might cause warping of the neck. Change your strings one at a time, as that will keep the tension on the guitar neck constant.
If at all possible, it’s a nice idea to have at least two guitars, one that you use around the house and another that you keep for performances. Your practice guitar doesn’t have to be expensive, something in the $100 range. You won’t have to replace the strings on it as much as the guitar you use for performances.
When cleaning your guitar, never use water or furniture polish. Just use a clean cloth and wipe the dust. Try to not wipe so hard that you affect the finish of your guitar. And don’t go nuts. Your guitar should have its own natural character, and the way to let it do this is letting it get used and worn in a normal fashion.
I’m the co-webmistress of the Easy Songs To Play On Acoustic Guitar website.
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