How to start playing electric guitar

Are you a fan of rock, pop, jazz, or funk, and thinking about picking up the guitar? That’s fantastic! However, with the plethora of products available on the market, how do you choose what you need? This article aims to simplify the essentials for starting out with an electric guitar and help you begin your journey under the best possible conditions.

1. The instrument

My recommendation is to identify the style or artist that inspires you. Then, look for a guitar that fits that style or artist. This could mean focusing on the shape of the instrument, whether the pickups are thin (single-coils) or thick (humbuckers), or choosing a color that resonates with you. A basic black-painted guitar might not be as inspiring as a replica of your favorite artist's instrument!

2. The amplifier

Unlike an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar doesn’t produce enough sound on its own to be heard clearly. More importantly, the iconic electric guitar sound that comes to mind when thinking of legends like AC/DC, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, and so many others relies heavily on the sound of the amplifier itself!

The amplifier is as much a part of the instrument as the guitar itself and greatly influences the quality of the sound. While entry-level amps will get you started, investing in a slightly better model can make it easier to recreate the sounds of your heroes. I particularly recommend the Boss Katana series, which is affordable, widely available second-hand, and offers excellent sound for beginners. It even includes a low-power mode and a headphone jack for practicing quietly without disturbing the neighbors—or your household!

3. Accessories

Certain accessories quickly become essential when playing electric guitar, starting with a cable to connect the guitar to the amplifier. Known as a "1/4 inch jack cable," it is thicker than the plug for headphones or phones. Without this cable, the amplifier can’t receive the guitar's signal, and no sound can be produced.

A nearly universal accessory is the plectrum, or guitar pick. It’s a small triangular piece of plastic used to strum the strings. Picks come in various shapes, thicknesses, materials, and colors! Buying a set with different kinds is a budget-friendly way to find what feels best for you, it only costs about 5-6€ for a pack.

Another must-have is a tuner—because playing guitar is great, but playing in tune is even better. Guitars need tuning, which is done by adjusting the metal tuning pegs at the head of the guitar to tighten or loosen the strings. Tuners come in various forms: clip-on tuners attach to the head of the guitar but are less precise; microphone-based tuners can pick up ambient noise, affecting accuracy. Pedal-format tuners, though more expensive and requiring additional power and a second cable, offer the best precision and convenience. On a tight budget? Phone apps that use the phone's microphone can also get the job done.

A basic-sized gig bag can be helpful for protecting the guitar from dust or for transport. However, hiding the guitar away in a bag can discourage beginners from practicing. Keeping the guitar visible—perhaps on a small stand—makes it more inviting to play. Just remember to wipe it with a microfiber cloth occasionally to remove dust.

Lastly, keeping a set of spare strings is handy in case one breaks. The most common size for beginners is 9-42. Thicker strings (e.g., 12-52) require more finger strength and might be harder to play at first. As the guitarist improves his technique, experimenting with different string gauges can help find the most comfortable option.

3. Effect pedals

An effect pedal is a module that alters the sound of the electric guitar before it reaches the amplifier. Since a guitarist's hands are occupied while playing, pedals are operated by foot via a built-in switch. Using multiple pedals allows for a wider range of sounds, and combining them can expand the possibilities even further! Pedals are a bit of a guitarist’s guilty pleasure—they can transform a mellow sound into something more rock’n’roll for solos, create the illusion of playing in a cathedral, add echoes, or even simulate other instruments like a piano, bass, violin, or synthesizer.

Although it’s possible to start playing without investing in effect pedals, they can make excellent holiday or birthday gifts for a budding guitarist who’s getting forward. I’ve already mentioned pedal-format tuners as a must-have utility, but they don’t alter the instrument's sound creatively. For those into rock, blues, or metal, the first effect pedal to consider is undoubtedly an overdrive pedal, which adds saturation to make the guitar sound more aggressive, warmer, and, well… sound like rock! Even if your amplifier has built-in saturation settings, a dedicated pedal lets you toggle it on or off with your foot. For tips on choosing the right overdrive pedal, check out my article on this classic guitar effect. Don’t forget to buy a compatible power supply and an extra jack cable to set everything up!

Conclusion

Starting with the electric guitar is all about fostering the desire to play! The key is to make playing music an enjoyable experience by prioritizing the right instrument and amplifier. While effect pedals may not be essential at first, they offer a gateway to the creative side of electric guitar playing. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from your local music store or experienced guitarists. Lastly, purchasing second-hand equipment can be a way to get better quality gear for the same budget—but it’s tricky to assess quality alone. Bringing along a guitar-playing friend can be a big help. Have fun, and happy playing!