How Do I Play Guitar

These days, cost-cutting is the new norm. The first few steps of cost-cutting can begin with your music. You don't have to buy a new guitar if you need one, especially when you've only just begun playing, how about a second hand guitar instead?

You might be the type of person who buys brand new guitars to get more bang for the buck. Despite this, you should know that you can save a great deal of money in buying models that have already been used.

The dilemma that you now have to solve is whether or not buying a used guitar was worth the cash spent on it. Purchasing a used guitar is not an easy task. Researching solves all kinds of problems if you need it. A lot of times, newbies who can't even haggle for a simple thing will find it even harder to haggle with sellers who vend them guitars at higher prices. Which is why, again, research will always save you some money when trying to invest in second hand guitars.

What happens now when you've found someone, whether through the classified or from a friend, who sells a used guitar you'd like to buy? You have to think on it for a bit before agreeing to anything, of course. Purchasing an old guitar is a serious matter when you're pinching pennies.

Don't hesitate ask the vendor as many questions as you can about the guitar. It would be wise on your part to ask for all the technical details and specs. If you've done your homework then you should already know all this. More often than not, it helps to compare prices and consumer reactions to the guitar models they buy. This puts you in an advantageous position when someone persuades you to buy his used guitar.

You must also be sure to ask how the guitar has been handled in the past. Asked if it has been handled carelessly or has suffered from any trauma so that you can address the necessary repairs. You would not want to suddenly find cracks on it in the future when you're already using it. Also check for the guitar's age. This is how you determine if it has been maintained properly. If all things fall into place, the guitar you are about to purchase is still in great condition.

Once you have the guitar in your hands, you must examine it in two ways. Take a few steps back and see if there are any obvious dents, then up close. If in its entirety you think it looks great, then that's a good sign. Don't worry about a few scratches. But even a tiny bit of rust means you should totally forget about buying that. It's a sign that the guitar has not been well-taken cared for and will not function well for a long time.

You must inspect the guitar to see if there are any scratches or cracks on its neck. Check it as if you had a gun in your hands.Be sure that it looks straight from that point of view. Look at the part where the neck and body merge down the bottom. Do you spot parts that have been glued on, or cracks that are sticking out? If you see any of these, that's a red flag. You must also examine the guitar's action. Examine the strings to see if they are all parallel to each other with the same amount of distance in between them. It is better if the strings are closer to each other, this makes them easier to press. If the board touches the string, that's a sign for you to reconsider your purchase.

Once the guitar passes all these tests, then you must actually play it.

Make sure each string makes the right pitch. Don't look out for the tune as that can be adjusted later, but you must be sure that each string plays the proper note in the proper place. If the intonation is incorrect, you might have to seek the services of a guitar technician. Usually, you can test for the intonation by playing a chord -- in this case, the E shape bar chord is most useful to play on every fret. Check if the pitch is consistent up until the bridge of the guitar.

If you want to purchase an electric guitar, you have to use an amp to test it's amplified sound as well. The rest of the guide is perfect for just that.

Crank up the volume and play the instrument. Switch from soft to loud volumes in order to inspect the tone switches. Make sure all the switches are functioning properly. Be wary of strange sounds coming from the guitar. You can test for odd sounds by playing a chord then switching on a few controls. If it does have any scratchy noises, then you are going to need to have it maintained on a regular basis for a few years. However, if it's fairly new, then don't even bother buying it.

Now, the testing does not end with just that; there is more. You must see for yourself how the same brand new model sounds, and compare it with the used guitar you are planning to buy. Ask someone for help at your local music store. If it doesnt sound right, then it is time to search for another vendor. Lack of experience in playing guitars should not be a hindrance for you! This is a matter of assuring the guitar's condition, and not a public spectacle.

Don't forget everything you've read here before making a decision on any guitar purchase. Feel free to bring someone else a long to help you determine what you should do as well. Buying a guitar is not as easy or cheap as buying a new pair of jeans or a new top, but the effort you put into it will benefit you in the future.

Want to answer the burning question How Do I Play Guitar? Discover how to Learn Guitar Easy using step by step instructions, tutorials, jam tracks and famous songs at http://www.howdoiplayguitar.com"