If you’re thinking of learning how to play the guitar and you need to get your hands on one, here are a few tips that may be useful. For some more information check out this page.
The size of the guitar is one of the most important factors for new guitar players. A guitar that is too large will feel clunky and hard to handle. Especially for smaller people and younger kids.Take a look at a 3/4 size guitar like the ones on the review page mentioned above.
The second thing to be aware of is the way your fingers must get used to holding the strings down. Most ordinary guitars come with steel strings. They can be “heavy” or “light”. Heavy ones are thicker and so are harder to push down. You should go for light ones. Don’t worry if they end up being too light – perhaps too thing sounding. Strings are fairly easy to change, and a set of strings usually is around $10.
They will hurt at first, but eventually you will develop what amount to callouses on your fingers. I suggest you start out with nylon strings. You might just rent a guitar for a month or two. Spend 15 or 20 minutes practicing every day and your finger tips will get harder. Then you will be ready to buy something more sophisticated and more to your liking.
The third thing to check out is the “action” of the strings. This refers to the distance between the strings and the fretboard. If the strings are too high off the fretboard they will be hard to press down and make your guitar too hard to play. Of course if they are too close they will buzz against the frets.
So be sure to get a guitar with the right action. Have an experienced guitar player check it out and recommend if you should have your guitar set up by a professional luthier (guitar technician/builder/fixer). Usually the guys (or gals) at your local music store can help you out.