This site offers extensive information on guitars, with an emphasis on beginners who want to (or have started to) learn about playing the guitar. If you want to learn to play the guitar (or to learn more about guitars), this site will help you in understanding the basics and in selecting your guitar gear. Start by browsing the various Types of Guitars that exist. Some basic guitar playing instructions are also available to get you started. However, once you get interested and want to do more with your guitar - you should consider in-person training from a guitar teacher. Books, videos, and online resources may help up to a point, but there is no substitute for a professional who you can talk to and watch, and thus learn from much faster.

There are numerous variations of guitars. One of the most popular is the twelve string guitar. As the name suggests, the 12 string guitar has 12 strings instead of the usual six. Each of the traditional strings is paired with a duplicate string, so it sounds as though two guitars are being played simultenously. Another popular variant is the archtop guitar, which is has a curved top piece (instead of the normal flattop as normal acoustic guitars have), and an f shaped sound hole (instead of the normal round sound hole seen in normal acoustic guitars). Archtop guitars have a distinctive tone and a louder sound than traditional acoustic guitars.

The guitar creates its music from the vibration of its strings. Each string vibrates at a different frequency based on its thickness and length, thereby making different sounds. Additionally, by pressing down a string at a fret (the metallic bumps that run down the length of the guitar's neck), you effectively shorten the length of that string, changing its vibration and its sound. There are two broad families of guitars: Acoustic guitars and Electric guitars. An acoustic guitar is constructed in a shape that reflects back the sound of its vibrating strings, amplifying them "acoustically". An electric guitar makes no audible sounds, its vibrating strings are detected by electro-magnetic coils called "pickups" - and the electric signal is sent to an "amplifier" (amp) which converts it to sound and amplifies it as well. A hybrid of both these guitar types is the Acoustic-Electric guitar, which is an acoustic guitar with built in pickups. Acoustic-electric guitars can be heard without an amp, but it can also be plugged in if a higher sound volume is desired.

• Guitar Types The different types of guitars that are available, such as acoustic, electric, classical, bass, steel string, nylon string and more.
• Acoustic Guitar Parts The parts of a typical acoustic guitar, with illustrations and pictures to help explain why these parts are needed.
• Electric Guitar Parts The parts of a typical electric guitar, with illustrations and pictures to help explain why these parts are needed.
• Acoustic or Electric Guitar Choosing between an acoustic or electric guitar as your first guitar or for starting to learn to play the guitar.
• Buy Acoustic Guitar How to select an acoustic guitar to buy, be it your first or your 15th guitar.
• Buy Electric Guitar How to select an electric guitar to buy, be it your first or your 15th guitar.
• Basic Guitar Lessons The absolute basic guitar lessons, just to get you started and to build your interest so you will continue to play.
• Guitar Notes How to play basic guitar notes, an explanation of why there are six strings and which notes each string makes.
• Guitar Chords How to play basic guitar chords, a chord is a combination of two or more notes to produce a richer sound.
• Guitar Tabs Basics on how to read guitar tablature (guitar tab) notation, the quick and easy way to play any music on your guitar.
• Guitar Sheet Music Basics on how to read sheet music, even though guitar tab makes things easy, reading music notation is important as you get better playing the guitar.
• Guitar Techniques Basic guitar playing techniques, such as bends, hammer ons, pull offs, trills, vibrato, muting and alternate tuning information.
• Acoustic Guitar Types Information on acoustic guitars, such as the available sizes, length and scale, wood types, and strings (steel/nylon).
• Electric Guitar Types Information on electric guitars, such as construction, strings, bridges, tremolo, pickups and other features unique to electric guitars.
• Electric Guitar Effects Electric Guitars are usually used with effects pedals, which can produce new sounds such as distortion and wah-wah.
• Electric Guitar Amps Electric guitars require an amplifier (amp), basic information about guitar amp features that (or this, or whatever) you should know about.
• Guitar Care How to care for your guitar, cleaning and storage instructions.
• Child Guitar If you want your child to learn to play guitar, here are some tips and information on how to get started.

Unlike other hobbies such as collecting stamps or TV Guides, playing the guitar requires a little bit of dedication and some free time. Expect to spend at least 15 minutes everyday for practice, or at least a half hour about two or three times a week at the very minimum. Unless you practice, you're never going to train your hands and your ears to make music. If you want your child to learn to play the guitar, jump to the Child Guitar lessons information page.

Personally, I learned to play on an electric guitar - but I would advise against it. The strings on an electric guitar are lighter and thus easier to handle. Electronic effects and amplification can cover up mistakes, which may sound good but it in reality it is not. I had to relearn finger positioning and strumming when I got my first acoustic guitar, because of the bad habits the electric guitar had covered up when I was learning. The electric guitar does make it easier to just start playing, so if you have a short attention span or are short on patience - an electric guitar will at least help you to begin playing. Just keep in mind that you will have to change your habits if and when you start playing an acoustic guitar.

The first consideration is the kind of music you are interested in. If your taste is in Classical music, you will want to get a Classical Acoustic Guitar (with nylon strings). If you just want to play campfire songs or folk music, an acoustic guitar would probably be a good choice - if you want to play with a pick a steel string acoustic guitar; or if you want to play with your fingers (finger picking) then a nylon string acoustic guitar. Rock, blues, jazz and similar genres of music could do well with either acoustic or electric guitars; however if your taste is in heavy metal then stick with the electric guitar (you really can't shred metal on an acoustic guitar).

While it is tempting to buy a guitar online, you have no way to knowing if it "feels right" and "sounds right", you should make a trip to your local guitar store and find one that feels and sounds just right. After all, you're the one that will be playing it for years to come - if you're not happy with it from day one, you will never be happy with it. Visit more than one guitar store, take your time and try out all the guitars. Most stores allow you to try out the guitars before you buy - it is a normal thing to want to hear a musical instrument. If the store does NOT let you play their guitars - they are trying to hide something so just leave and go somewhere else where they are more friendly. You may also want to ask the salesperson to play any instrument that you like - this way you get to hear what it sounds like when played by (presumably) a professional.

Again, if you want your child to learn to play the guitar - jump to the Child Guitar lessons information page. Kids work differently (if you have kids, I don't have to tell you that!). So now that you are ready, check out the next sections for Buying Acoustic Guitar and Buying Electric Guitar.