What Do You Need To Play Electric Guitar?

Many individuals ignore all that goes into learning to play a musical instrument. Some instruments may be purchased and used right immediately. Others, like the electric guitar, require additional equipment and pieces of gear before you can begin playing. So, what precisely do you require for an electric guitar? What are the principles of guitar playing?

The bare minimum is a guitar, an amp, a wire, and a pick. You’ll probably want some extras, such as a strap, tuner, case, etc. But, to get started, those four fundamentals will enable you to begin playing the electric guitar. We’ve got you covered if you want a little more information and aren’t sure what you’ll need before you can begin playing your guitar. This article will go through all the necessities and a few things you might not need but might desire anyhow.

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The following is the bare minimum of guitar equipment. Without them, you won’t be able to receive the full experience.

1. Guitar

An electric guitar is a first and most evident piece of equipment required to play. There are various sorts and types of electric guitars on the market, created by some fantastic manufacturers, so do your homework to pick the ideal one.

If you are a novice, buying a secondhand guitar may be a good idea to avoid having to invest as much money. If that isn’t an issue, we recommend a high-quality brand-new guitar.

We won’t go into great detail on which guitar to buy or how to purchase one. However, the fundamentals are as follows:

If you’re just starting, don’t go overboard with your spending. You can end up disliking it and wasting money on something you’ll never use.
You should try it before you purchase. Going to a guitar store and trying different instruments is usually a good idea. It’s an excellent idea, even if you’ve never played the guitar or picked up a guitar before. Why? Because guitars differ in size, weight, form, neck width, tone, and so on. You may not be able to play them yet, but you will notice a change. And some will be comfier to hold than others, with better-fitting necks, and so forth. So the best approach to buying a guitar is to try it out in person.
To contradict the preceding argument, you may buy online from places like Amazon because they offer a generous return policy. You may test out a guitar and return it if you don’t like it. Still, if you choose this way, do a lot of studying first.
Online shopping frequently offers better discounts and more color selections. Trying on items in-store but then purchasing them online is a viable option.
Looks aren’t all that significant. However, if it appeals to you aesthetically and increases your likelihood of picking it up and playing it, then purchasing a guitar that you truly enjoy the look of becomes quite significant. Be honest, and don’t worry if it seems a little shallow – will you use the guitar more because it looks nice? If so, make your purchase with that in mind.
First, conduct research. Because there are so many great resources available, it’s a good idea to start by reading up on guitars: check websites, forums, Reddit, and so on.
Choose a well-known brand. It’s not foolproof, but you’re significantly more likely to receive a solid, well-made entry-level guitar from Fender or Ibanez. If you buy a brand that no one has ever heard of, chances are it will be dreadful – cheaply constructed, with terrible action (how high the strings are off the fretboard), and sounding cheap.

What Do You Need To Play Electric Guitar? | 2. Amplifier

If you play an electric guitar, you will almost certainly need an amp. To be honest, you don’t need an amp to play the electric guitar – many individuals practice unplugged due to noise limits, such as living in an apartment, not wanting to irritate the neighbors, and so on.

However, you’ll need an amp if you want to sound like your favorite bands and artists. It is also necessary to practice and play loud at times since you must become acquainted with string muting, the noise made by your fingers while changing strings and chords, and other issues.

However, an alternative to using an amp is playing via your computer. You will, however, require an audio interface to connect your guitar to your laptop or PC. You can use the Deplike virtual amp as an amplifier!

This might be a specialized interface or a multi-effects pedal. Whatever it is, it allows you to play on your computer, which is increasingly popular.

3. Instrument Cables

You can’t expect your guitar and amplifier to connect by themselves. They require something to connect them. That’d be a cable. When you pick or strum the strings, the pickups transform it into an electrical signal, which is then amplified by the amplifier. Without a cable, you have a disconnected instrument and amplifier. They appear to be strangers.

Even if you opt not to use an amplifier and your computer, you will still want a cord. Cables can also have an impact on the sound and tone of the guitar. A faulty cable may produce undesirable noise and feedback.

So, it’s usually a good idea to acquire cable from a reputable brand that you can trust. You don’t want it to break on you in terms of audio quality and construction quality.

What Do You Need To Play Electric Guitar? | 4. Guitar Pick

Picks are tiny, thin bits of material used to strum the strings of an electric guitar. They are available in a variety of forms, sizes, and thicknesses. They’re often constructed of materials like celluloid or nylon.

Choosing the appropriate pick may affect both comfort and tone. If you’re just beginning to start, we recommend acquiring a few different options to experiment with and determine which one you prefer. Several thicknesses are recommended for certain approaches.

Thin picks provide brilliant tones with low loudness, which is ideal for acoustic guitars. Because they don’t bend when strumming the strings, extra heavy picks might be slightly warmer yet generate a stronger tone. Everything in between has some of these qualities.

As you gain expertise, you will prefer a particular sort of choice. Experiment until you discover the ideal match for your playing style!

5. Tuner

A guitar tuner is a tiny gadget that produces a reference note for each string on your instrument to assist you in tuning it. This allows you to compare the sound of your strings to the tuner’s note and make adjustments as needed.

Tuners come in various styles, from basic handheld models to more complicated pedal tuners. We propose a simple and inexpensive tuner for a beginning guitarist. This allows you to play the guitar in tune, which is essential, in my opinion. Even the world’s most popular professional guitarist relies on a competent tuner to give them the greatest electric guitar experience.

It is vitally necessary to play in tune. Everything you play will sound incorrect and horrible if your guitar is out of tune. However, as a novice, you cannot tune your guitar independently. So, you’ll need an electronic tuner, a tuning pedal, or a tuner app on your phone.

Tuning programs are both free and simple to use. You may download and use one in a matter of minutes. If you intend to perform live, you should consider purchasing a tuning pedal. They range in price from relatively low-cost models from lesser-known companies to industry standards such as a BOSS tuner.

What Do You Need To Play Electric Guitar? | 6. Guitar Strings

Most guitars are pre-strung. However, if you use the strings that came with your guitar, you will not be able to select the gauge or brand of string.

When you’re initially starting to play the guitar, a thinner or lighter string gauge can help: it’s simpler to hold down, your calluses will ache less as they develop, and barre chords will be easier.

Furthermore, the strings that arrive with new guitars are frequently of poor quality. It would be wiser to purchase a set of Ernie Ball or Elixir strings and swap them out.

It will also offer you an occasion to practice restringing your guitar, which is something you should understand early on since you’re certain to break a string at some time.

Optional Guitar Equipment

A few pieces of equipment are optional and are not required to make the electric guitar operate. However, these are highly recommended things.

1. Guitar Strap

A guitar strap is a piece of cloth that you connect to your instrument’s neck and body. In this manner, you may carry the guitar across your shoulder while standing up and playing the instrument with both hands-free.

Guitar straps are made from a variety of materials, including leather and nylon. They also come in various widths and lengths. Choosing the best strap is a question of personal taste. However, we recommend purchasing one that is adjustable and constructed of sturdy material.

Optional Guitar Equipment | 2. Guitar Stand

If you’re planning to store your instrument at a studio or home, you’ll need a guitar stand. It keeps the instrument kept upright and secure. Most folks will lean their instrument against the couch or a table when they’re finished.

If your guitar is leaning on the strings, this might cause complications. It might also put your instrument in danger of being knocked over. This might damage the instrument as well as the furniture in your house.

A guitar stand is inexpensive and may safeguard the instrument by providing a safe place to rest until you return to it later.

3. Guitar Case

A sturdy case or gig bag is also advisable. Most people believe they are only useful when traveling; however, this is not the case. Your guitar may suffer from a lack of moisture if you reside in an extremely dry region. When utilized in conjunction with moisture-replacing materials, a guitar case can assist in providing protection.

They can also provide the required protection for keeping a guitar in good shape. When a guitar is not in use, it is quite easy to harm it by accidentally touching it. As a result, putting it in a case while not in use helps safeguard your electric guitar.

Gig bags also provide enough protection and are less expensive. However, they do not provide the same level of protection as hard cases. It’s entirely up to you to decide which one you desire.

Optional Guitar Equipment | 4. Effect Pedals

Effects pedals are optional but highly recommended. They allow you to change the sound of your guitar in a variety of ways, which can enhance your tone. They are a lot of fun and may help you find your tone and style.

These are only a few of the most well-known effects pedals. There are many more options available that produce a variety of sounds and tones. So it’s really up to you to decide which ones you want to acquire based on your musical tastes. Begin with a couple and gradually add more as you discover your tone.

A pedal board is also recommended to keep them organized. This way, you can readily reach them without having to dig through a jumble of wires. However, this may be worked out later in your electric guitar adventure!

4. Metronome

A metronome is a gadget that assists you in keeping time. It’s a great tool to have around the house for practice. When first starting out, many electric guitar players feel using a metronome is beneficial. This allows students to concentrate on their rhythm and timing without being concerned about keeping time.

This is a skill that drummers utilize more than guitarists, yet maintaining time is essential for all musicians. As a guitarist, it is way too simple to speed up or slow down at random. A metronome may be used to teach your mind to keep time.

How to play your favorite songs on guitar?

Guitar Learning Game by Deplike offers you:

The ultimate way to learn your favorite songs
A fun way to stay on track with your goal
Adaptive and guided learning path
Bite-sized lessons adapted to you
Visualization made easy with 3D and AR
Fun, gamified practice
Get Instant feedback
Fast progress

If you want to start playing your favorite songs on the guitar without going through music theory and boring exercises, then Guitar Learning Game is the perfect guide for you on your musical journey.
With the 3D and AR features, you will be able to zoom in to and rotate the 3D hand model to perfectly grasp the chord positions and strumming patterns.
Your virtual guitar coach will be in your pocket wherever you go!