Pointers on How to Select Guitar Strings | How to read guitar tabs

Guitar strings are an often overlooked element in recording guitars. Many think that it doesn't matter what type of strings their guitar holds as long as they can play. However, how to select guitar strings is a very crucial step in the recording process.

The strings, more so than any amp or effect, defines your guitar's tone. Putting on improper strings can also inadvertently damage your guitar. It's also important to note that choosing guitar strings depends on your level of expertise or desired ease of playing, the type of guitar you will play, and the sound you are going for.

There are many different kinds of guitar strings. For beginners and the unacquainted who are looking for the right strings for acoustic or electric, here are our pointers on how to select guitar strings...

Acoustic Guitar:

There is a wide array of strings for acoustic guitars, more so than for electric; how to select guitar strings for your acoustic?

For you beginners, choose nylon strings, which are easy on your fingers. They also produce a soft tone, which is great if you're going for a classical guitar sound. If you are a singer-songwriter or want to play pop or folk guitar, go with ball-end nylon strings, which are a bit heavier than regular nylon and thus better for hard strumming. Bronze strings are also great for pop/folk/singer-songwriter guitars, with light gauge better suited for fingerpicking and heavy gauge for strumming.

If you need a louder and sharper sound than what nylon can deliver, pick Monel strings. Beginners, choose medium-light gauge, which again are easy on your fingers. Otherwise, go with a thicker gauge for a stronger sound. Brass strings will also generate a sharp tone. If metal strings are too much for your fingers or you want something that's even better for finger-style playing, then switch to silk or steel (just make sure not to use metal or steel strings on a classical guitar, as the high tension can damage it by warping the neck). Flat-polished strings are also easier on your fingers, which could be a great choice if you're a beginner.

Hey, what about electric guitar strings? What type of strings are best for electric guitars? Visit our site to find out pointers on how to select guitar strings for electric guitar and to read other great guitar recording tips.

by: Tony_Olegro

How to read guitar tabs

About Tuning | learn how to read guitars tabs

learn how to read guitars tabs

The first thing you should whenever you pick up the guitar to play or practice is get it in tune. The sound of an out of tune guitar ranks up there with the sound of fingernails scratching on a chalkboard. It can be very discouraging to play an out of tune guitar, because nothing you play will sound right. In fact some beginners quit playing at all because of this very reason.

Tuning your guitar is something you get better at with practice. It takes time to develop your ears to the point that you are able to fine-tune your instrument. Once you have developed your "hearing power" you may hear subtle differences in pitch that you haven't heard before.

Always tune up. This means that you increase the tension of the string until it reaches the desired tone. If you go too far loosen the string tension and tune up again. This is much more accurate than tuning down and increases the chances of the string staying in tune.

To tune your guitar you'll need a reference pitch from another guitar, a piano, a tuning fork, or an electronic tuner. You can get a decent tuner at any music store for under $20. I suggest you get one if you don't already have one.

Standard Tuning

In standard tuning your strings will be tuned to the following notes low-to-high: E A D G B E. There are other tunings, but don't bother messing with them unless you know what you are doing. Over 95% of all guitar music is in standard tuning or a dropped down version of it. Some guitar players tune all the strings down one half step.

Use the audio clips to get your guitar in tune to standard tuning. Match the pitch of each string as closely as you can. It's all right if it takes you awhile. You'll get better with practice. One you have tuned all six strings, go back and check them again. Sometimes you'll have to make some minor adjustments. Remember to tune up to the correct pitch and not down

for more info: guitaralliance.com

learn how to read guitars tabs

basic guitar chords | learn how to read guitar tabs

Basic Guitar Chords

These are the most popular guitar chords that most beginners start with. Click on the name of the guitar chord to get different fingerings for it. A printer friendly sheet is available here.

A Chord

Am Chord

B Chord

Bm Chord

C Chord

D Chord

E Chord

F Chord

G Chord

for more info: guitarchords247.com

learn how to read guitar tabs

Buying an acoustic guitar and the importance of the neck angle (How To Read Guitar Tabs)

(How To Read Guitar Tabs)


How well a guitar plays is determined by the action.The action on a guitar is the distance between the underside of the strings and the frets. The frets are the thin metal strips that lie across the neck. The maximum distance is found in the area where the neck and body join. If the distance is greater than say 3mm then it will be harder to play the guitar up the neck than it should be and for a beginner it can totally discouraging. Keep in mind that that a small difference can mean a lot.
A 4mm gap is a big step up from 3mm.

There are four things that influence the action.
1. The Saddle Height
2. The Nut Height
3. The Truss Rod Adjustment
4. The Neck Angle

The first three can be adjusted. If the neck angle is bad then adjusting the other three will bring about little change to the action. Picture a guitar lying level on its back and you place a straight edge along neck and extending down to touch the bridge. The bridge is the piece of timber attached to the body of the guitar that has the strings attached to it, and the saddle is the (usually) white plastic strip that sits in the bridge and has the strings running across it. When the neck angle is good then the neck and the top of the bridge will be on the same line. When the angle is bad then the straight edge will point to a spot closer to where the bridge joins the body and is a really bad case it would touch the body of the guitar first.

Now we cannot carry out this test in a music store, however what we can do is sight down the neck and it’s fairly easy to see where the line of the neck points to, it should be in line with the top of the bridge.

This is all probably a lot to absorb in one go, the important thing is to be aware of the action and any good guitar salesperson should know all this and be able to point them out to you so you can make the best choice so you have a guitar that is easy to play.

Lastly do not buy a guitar because you like the color of it , buy the guitar that sounds good and plays well.


(How To Read Guitar Tabs)