So you want to play the guitar huh? Good for you. A whole new world is about to open up before you.

You make a trip to the nearest music store and ogle longingly at the display of guitars, anxiously wanting to take them all home with you. But what do you really need? This lesson is going to deal with just that subject.

First of all you need a guitar. (DUH!!) What kind you say? My suggestion to those just starting is an affordable accoustic model. Many companies make them. But some good names to look for might be:

FENDER
GIBSON (A bit on the pricey side, but you can find deals)
SIGMA (really made by Martin)
HERITAGE (Formerly the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan)
YAMAHA

The list goes on and on, but the general rule of "You get what you pay for" holds true. USUALLY.
Once in a blue moon you will happen across the deal of the century. It has happened to me.

Some things to look for when shopping for a guitar:
SIZE - (The jumbos look cool, but for now stick with a concert size)

CONDITION - (No doubt you will be tempted to buy a used instrument. Especially the way the prices have soared in the past few years.) Take a good look at the guitar you want to buy. Look for any blemishes, cracks, or obvious deformities. Looking from the butt of the guitar, sight up the curvature of the neck. Both down the strings and down the top and bottom on the neck. There should be a slight curve to the neck looking down the strings. This is natural. But it shouldn't be too extreme or look wavey.

SOUND - Obviously the sound is going to vary depending on the style you choose. Whether you opt to get nylon string or steel string. But you want one that gives you an overall good, full, rich tone. Try all the fret positions on all the strings and listen for any buzz. You will hear a slight vibration on all of them, but it shouldn't stop the string from ringing. If you like the guitar and it has a slight buzz in the neck, ask the salesperson to have the neck adjusted. It is common to have some set up needed on new instruments.

PRICE - ARGHHHHH!!!! I had to mention money didn't I. If you have done any shopping for a guitar, you will find they aren't a dime a dozen. Once again, used is sometimes an option. Another option of course is to rent a guitar. Most stores have a variety of rental instruments, normally more affordable ones. Be sure to ask if the rental payments apply towards purchase. Don't be afraid to try to talk the salesperson down on a price if you are going to buy the guitar outright. They all have a margin and can slash the price if you throw greenbacks on the counter and they smell a commission. I have yet to pay the tag price on any item in a music store. Be assertive.

CASE - You will need a case. I suggest a hard case. They normally come with the new guitars and rentals. Ask for one if you are buying used.

What else will you need? Why, accessories of course.
TUNER - Get an electronic tuner. I suggest getting the type with the lighted digital display. The one with the analog needle works well too.

STRAP - Be certain to get the kind for an accoutic guitar if it doesn't have two strap pegs on the guitar (One on the butt and one near the neck on the body on the guitar)

PICKS - I prefer a thick pick myself. They don't bend as much and last a lot longer than the thin ones.

POLISH - You will want to keep you guitar clean. Get a quality polish and a use a soft cotton cloth.

STRINGS - To start out with, you are going to want to use light gauge strings. Believe me, your fingers will hurt enough with just the light ones.

BOOKS - It might be a good idea to get a beginner (Level 1) book. It will show you the basics of the guitar, from caring for the instrument to your 1st chords and scales.