As with many things pertaining to guitar, the type and size of strings are all preference. At most guitar stores there will be a selection ranging from $5 strings up to maybe $35 for premium strings. Strings come in all sorts of different thicknesses and are made from different metals, so how do you choose what type is right for you?

Type of Guitar

The type of strings you are going to get first depends on what type of guitar you have. You will need a different type of strings if you have an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar, a classical nylon string guitar, or a 12 string guitar. There is usually a large selection of strings for each type, depending on what store you go to.

String Gauge or Thickness

Strings come in a range of standard and custom gauges (or thicknesses). Usually they range from extra light, to light, to medium, to heavy, and in some cases extra heavy. The gauge of strings you choose depends on a few things.
Continue reading Guitar Strings - How and What to Buy

When learning songs from written sources like instruction books or online files there are three main forms of written music for the guitar. The three types are chords, tablature, and music notation. Each form brings its own advantages and each form is a bit more complex than the last.

Chords

Probably the simplest form of documenting a song is through chords. The chord progression for the chorus, verse, and bridge of a song is written out for the player to read and play. The advantages to chord files are they are simple and usually show you when the chords are played in relation to the lyrics. Singing guitarists may find this the easiest method of learning a song.
Continue reading Chords vs Tabulature vs Music Notation

If you are just starting to play guitar you have probably learned something not everyone knows when they start - playing hurts your fingers. After hours of pressing the strings down your fingers will get tender. So what can you do to make it less painful? Play more guitar. I know, not the answer you were looking for, but it’s the truth. The more you play, the more your fingers will build strength. Also you will begin to form calluses on the tips of your fretting fingers which will dull the pain. After a few weeks of regular play you should be able to go for a few hours at a time without pain.

Some people suggest covering your finger tips with band-aids or the tight cotton mittens, but that really won’t help in the long run. Your fingers will heal and you will be back to square one. If you are currently in pain just know, it will get better.

One thing to just make sure of is that you are using a reasonable string gauge. People with small hands might be better off using a light string gauge when playing. If you have been playing regularly for more than a month and it still hurts consider replacing your strings with a medium or light gauge.
Continue reading Playing Guitar Makes my Fingers Hurt!