Advice for Acoustic Guitar Players
Let’s face it. It’s fairly easy to learn how to play acoustic guitar. That’s why there’s so many guitars sold each and every year. However, it’s another thing to actually become proficient in it. And it’s not just about the basics of learning. You also need some information regarding the instrument itself and how to take care of it.
The vast majority of acoustic guitars are made of wood and are usually hollow. They are sensitive to differences in climate, such as extreme heat or extreme cold. It’s dead easy for parts of the guitar to warp or otherwise become damaged depending on how you house it and what it has to deal with on a daily basis. Think about the old cassette tape and how it would warp into an useless mess if kept on the back seat of your car on a hot day.
One of the major necessities for a guitar is a good guitar case. It really should be water resistant and also give protection from heat. Black cases will absorb the sun’s rays more than lighter colored cases, so keep that in mind when shopping for one for your guitar. There are soft shell cases and hard shell cases. In most situations, I would recommend the hard shell case unless you can’t afford it.
Guitar strings are susceptible to heat and cold as well. Have you experienced how quickly guitars go out of tune, especially if you put on 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 settle on a particular gauge of string, it’s probably best, as the shock of going from one gauge of string to another isn’t good for your instrument. Also, never take all the strings off your guitar at once, as that might cause warping of the neck. Change them one at a time, as that will keep the tension on the guitar neck at a constant level.
If you can, it’s a good idea to have at a minimum two guitars, a beater you use for practice and another that you use for performances. Your practice guitar doesn’t have to be great, something in the $100 range. You won’t have to change the strings on it as much as the guitar you use for performances.
When it is time to clean your guitar, don’t use water or furniture polish. Just use a soft cloth and wipe the dust. Try to not wipe so hard that you affect the finish of your guitar. And don’t go crazy. Your guitar should develop its own natural character, and part of this is letting it get used and worn in an everyday fashion.
I’m the co-webmistress of the Easy Songs To Play On Acoustic Guitar website.
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