Best Guitar Strings for Beginners

Best Guitar Strings for Beginners

When you're learning to play guitar, you want to make things as easy on yourself as possible. Learning how to play chords (especially barre chords), leads and solos is hard enough without struggling with an uncomfortable set of strings.

So how do you choose the right strings if you're a beginner guitarist? I think once you've been around the block it comes down to personal taste, but here are a few guidelines to start you off on the right track:

Lighter is better, at least in the beginning

Lighter strings require less pressure to fret properly. This helps when you play lead or single note lines, but it's especially beneficial when you're first learning to play chords. Lighter strings don't tire your wrist or cause as much fingertip discomfort as heavier strings.

Make sure you have the right strings for your guitar type

Some beginning guitarists ask whether they can put electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar or vice versa. This is a definite no-no. Guitars are constructed for a particular string type and using different strings can damage your guitar.

For example, classical guitars, which use nylon strings aren't built to withstand the added pressure that steel strings create. Using steel strings on a classical guitar can pull the bridge off the guitar or ruin the neck. Same goes for using electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar.

If you're not sure, nickel wound strings are designed for use on electric guitars while bronze or phosphor bronze strings are for steel string acoustics.

Replace your strings about every 20-30 hours of playing time

Some beginners are unsure of how to change strings or they don't look forward to having to do it, so they leave strings on their guitar well past their 'best before' date.

Strings gradually lose their tension and get out of tune the more they're played and the dirt and sweat from your hands can contribute to this degradation. Old strings are harder to keep in tune and give you a duller sound. New strings give new life to your guitar's sound and are much easier to keep in tune. If you want to get the best sound possible (and who doesn't) it's worthwhile to change your strings regularly.

Don't buy the same strings each time

Sure, they may have worked for you in the past and you should keep a note of them somewhere, but you need to keep testing new configurations as you progress through the ranks. Every so often you'll find a new set which work a great deal better than your old favorite set.

Adam Summers is currently studying and writing about guitar strings, keep an eye on the Author Bio page for updates. Find out the 10 everyday mistakes to avoid when learning guitar chords, and for people without a decent book, tutor or guide to follow, I can personally recommend this guitar course.

by Adam Summers; Wednesday, August 24, 2011 @ 02:12 PM [573]

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