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Buying a guitar follow these dos donts

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We’ve all admired geniuses like Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Nancy Wilson, Santana, The Dire Straits, John Mayer, etc. and you’ve surely at least once felt, “I wish I could be such an amazing artist”. Good news, you can! All you need to understand is that the one thing these music legends had in common was a wonder Guitar, determination, some crazy guitar skills and the fact that they too just like every amateur started with a basic Guitar someday. So if you’re a dreamer/budding guitarist in search of buying your first or next guitar, this list of Dos & Don’ts will surely help you.

Dos
1. Enlist your current Guitar’s shortcomings
If you already own a guitar, and are considering buying a new one, there are some qualities you’re specifically seeking which is why you’re out for a purchase. If you’re a complete newbie have no worries, the further details will surely guide you for your first purchase.

2. Decide between Acoustic or Electric
The string height, string space & neck width are very different in both. But it’s usually believed that learning the acoustic first helps when you later graduate to an electric one. Eventually, it goes down to what your musical inclination is, because your music should sound the way it sounds in your head, so the choice is yours. If you’re confused, you could simply buy an Acoustic guitar & add a Magnetic pickup to convert it into a semi-electric guitar to get the best of both worlds.

3. Decide the Handedness of your guitar
Yes, this matters the most! Everyone has a dominant hand that helps us perform to the best of our capabilities. So if you’re right-handed you can go for a regular guitar, but if you’re left-handed, you might want to buy a left-handed guitar. The only difference would be the string arrangement as it’s vertically opposite to that of a regular right-handed guitar.

4. Analyze & choose the body type
If you want a superior playing experience do consider certain factors while shortlisting a guitar – 1. Your preferred genre of playing music, 2. Your body frame, 3. The guitar size & 4. The comfort of holding it.
For Country, Pop, Indie, Folk genres you can go for Acoustic ones like Classic guitars, Dreadnought & Parlour.

For Jazz & Rock genres you can go for Electric ones like Hollow body guitars, and the Stratocaster (associated with The Jimi Hendrix)
If all goes well and it sounds great, just buy it. Browse through high-quality guitars at the Jhankaar Music Shop.

5. Buy the essentials
It’s always advisable to buy some extra strings, picks, a strap and other essential accessories, like a case, stand, etc. Also, preferably buy strings in bulk if you’re going to play often.

6. Learn how to play it
Please note, it’s not a fancy toy, it’s your dream in the making. So, if you’ve made this sincere effort of doing enough research before buying a guitar you’re surely searching online for ‘Guitar Classes in Mira Bhayandar, Mumbai, etc.’
Learn from the best faculty at Jhankaar Music School & become the next big guitarist in the music industry!Don’ts

1. Keep it in direct sunlight
Believe it or not, hot & humid weather and temperature fluctuations can stress your guitar too! Instead, use a guitar case & store it in a moderately cool place away from the sun.

2. Store it in extremely hot or cold weather
As guitars are mostly made of wood, extreme weather conditions can melt the glue, warp, crack or swell the neck & body. So avoid it.

3. Avoid getting a Setup
Treat your guitar like it’s a part of you. Taking care of your guitar will contribute to your artistry and the life of your guitar. Find someone reliable who will help maintain & service your guitar to ensure it lives long and sounds great too!

4. Use oil or polish to clean your guitar
Contrary to common belief, it’s not suggested to apply oil or polish to make your guitar look “clean” as it may have adverse effects. Avoid using these, instead, use a soft, smooth, slightly damp, cotton cloth to regularly wipe it and later use a dry cloth to absorb the moisture.

5. Play your guitar near a fire
Even though you may feel tempted to show off your new guitar & playing skills on a camping trip, beware to not play it near a fire as it results in cracking.

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