There are many different types of guitars- choosing the right one makes all the difference to your lessons and practice and will set you up to play well.

‍

Types of guitar‍

Guitars can be electric (requiring a separate amplifier to make sound) or acoustic (making sound without electricity).

Acoustic guitars fall into two categories, depending on what their strings are made of – nylon or steel.

Most guitars have 6 strings but variations exist with 7, 8 and 12 strings.

Guitars come in different sizes, for everyone from young children to adults.

 ‍

What is the best beginners’ instrument?

For beginners we recommend a nylon-strung, acoustic guitar.

This is a great starter instrument for all types of guitar playing, including classical, jazz and pop.

Example: Yamaha CGS103A II, Octopus Classical Guitar, Deluxe¾ classical by Gear4Music

What size should I get?

It’s a good idea to wait until your first lesson before buying a guitar, so your teacher can advise on the best size.

As a general guide:

• 5-6 year-old will likely need a 1/2 size
• ages 7-9 a 3/4 size
• age 10 plus may be ready for a full size guitar

You can also visit a music shop, where staff will advise on various models and the correct size to buy. If you’re local to Greenwich Music School, you could try Tom’s Guitar Shop in Greenwich Market, or Normans Music in Eltham.

Do I need anything else?

‍Some key accessories you will also need are:

A guitar case to fit your guitar

Music Stand for practise at home.

Tuner so you can tune the strings of your guitar to the correct notes at home.

Your teacher might also advise you get a footstool.

‍