Guitars are six-stringed musical instruments that are fretted and played with both hands. One hand plucks or strums with the fingers or a pick, while the other hand simultaneously holds down relevant notes or chords. The sound emanating by these actions projects acoustically through the hollow of the guitar in the case of the acoustic type, or through electrical amplification in the case of the electric type. You can read more about this from this article.
Electric guitars are require amplifiers and loudspeakers to project the sound emanating from them and make it loud enough for the hearing of both audience and performer. One other advantage it has, being an instrument that generates electric signals, is that those signals can be manipulated electronically to adjust tones as desired by the use of effects. This is why you see them with treble and bass controls aside volume controls. Apart from these elementary controls, they come with other effects that define their use in several music genres.
Some Initial Things to Learn
Before you take the step to buy an electric guitar, there are things you should learn and know. You should have learnt how to handle this instrument before you go making a purchase. You will be playing either standing or sitting. You will need to know the proper ways to handle this instrument if you are sitting or if you are standing.
Proper Positioning While Playing Seated
When playing while sitting, it is not necessary to put on your strap. The most common way to position the instrument when sitting down is placing its waist on the right leg, with your right arm placed on the bout, while the left hand gently supports the neck with the thumb from behind it. Some position it in such a way that the neck is almost in a vertical position and well close up the face.
Proper Positioning While Playing Standing
You will need a strap to play standing, because electric guitars need to be held when playing in a standing position. You pin the straps on the pins provided on the guitar’s body, and adjust the straps to fit to your own body frame in such a way that you will be able to hold the guitar and play if comfortably.
Learn To Tune Your Instrument
By tuning, we mean adjusting the strings of the instrument to the point where they play in harmony. In tuning, you have six strings which run as E, A, D, G, B and E. At the upper end is a low E and at the other end, the lower end, is a high E. The low E has the thickest, lowest-pitch string; while the high E has the thinnest, highest-pitch producing string. You can get a visual explanation here: https://www.wikihow.com/Tune-an-Acoustic-Guitar.
Tuning With an Electric Tuner
With this device, tuning is so much easier. In this method of tuning, you do not need to reference your tuning on any string, rather the tuner which picks up sound waves from your instrument gives a display of what it picked up in notes. So, all you need do is keep adjusting the strings while looking at the tuner. When the particular string gets tuned, the digital display informs you.
Tuning By Ear
This is the good old-school way of guitar tuning. All you need is a reference tune from your instrument, or another instrument like a piano or organ; or simply going online to pick the tune of a particular musical key. You then keep adjusting other strings to either rhyme with the reference tune or to produce a harmony with the reference tune.
Physical Examination before Purchase
They come in all sorts of looks, shapes, designs, feels, sounds and such. So, it would pay you to ask questions regarding the following:
- Looks
- Feel and sound
- Sound without Amplification
- What kind of wood it’s made of
- Body shape and texture
- The neck feel
- Quality
- Type of pickup
These are some vital considerations to make. For the sake of a better grasp, read on for more elaboration.
Looks
When scanning through the numerous racks at the store you went out to purchase from, let your eye dictate. Go for what appeals to your eye. Quality guitars are not limited to bland-looking instruments; so, nothing stops you from reaching out for an eye-catching instrument. You may want to ask what your guitar stars would do if they were equally there to make a purchase.
Feel and Sound
It is always good to have a second opinion. This holds more true if just a beginner. It is wise to take with you a friend who is familiar with guitars, the purpose being to have a better hand test-play and listen to the instrument. Also, test-play without equalization, you discover the actual audio quality that way. If you choose to go alone, then consider waiting until you have learnt enough to make informed decisions. While you wait, you can get more info from the Electric Guitar Masters website.
Sound without Amplification
It is always advisable to test-play before connecting to an amplifier. You need to know how it sounds without electric amplification. If it does not sound well unplugged, it is not one you should spend on. Guitars that sound well unplugged, sound much better plugged.
Body Shape and Material
Guitars come in different shapes, including very high quality ones. Go for one that does not only feel comfortable when playing in a concert standing but one that feels comfortable whether you are standing or sitting. After all, most of your private rehearsals will not be done standing. So, do not get carried away by the mean-looking rock guitar that makes you uncomfortable when you sit because of its jagged ends. Also check out for the kind of wood used in making them, they also make a difference in tone and quality. While doing this, feel around for any sharp and rough ends that could hurt you while playing.
If you still need more information on how to go about your electric guitar, watch this video.
In conclusion
Before you purchase your electric guitar, you should have learnt how to take care of one. Reasons why your instrument needs care is that a properly cared for instrument will serve you better and longer. Some areas to look into in your care are the following:
- Using right strings
- Cleaning strings regularly
- Keeping the neck clean
- Keeping the body clean
Your instrument will gather dust and oil from use. Without adequate cleaning, they form grime. Also, your strings can begin to rust if they are not properly cleaned after use. You can delay rust, even when your strings are not good ones, with proper cleaning. You can’t enjoy your instrument if the body begins to wear from battering. Avoid allowing your guitar hit walls and the floor.
The thoughts listed in this article are some of the important things you should bear in mind before buying an electric guitar.
Photo source: Pixabay
