Guitar accessories
Metronome
Using a metronome during your practice sessions is essential, especially as a learner, to help you keep time and generate a regular tempo for the tune you’re playing. When used appropriately, it can help you develop better playing technique, feel for time and advance your playing better than any equipment. A metronome can literally take years off of your development time. It can strengthen your rhythm skills in ways that aren’t possible without one.
Tuner
The tuner is a key accessory to have as you learn to play your Guitar because as you learn to play, your ears also learn to hear an in-tune guitar and help you develop the ability to be in tune and have a sense of pitch.
Most modern Guitar amps have an inbuilt Guitar tuner; however, the recommendation is still to get a dedicated tuner (pedal)
Most modern Guitar amps have an inbuilt Guitar tuner; however, the recommendation is still to get a dedicated tuner (pedal)
Guitar Maintenance Kit
You should get a Guitar maintenance/tool kit as you will need to take care of your Guitar if you want it to perform well consistently and helps you develop faster. I guess that if you take your Guitar seriously, you’ll take your playing seriously as well. The kit should contain most of the gear you’ll need to keep your Guitar in good shape.
Maintenance Kits should usually contain the following items: -
Maintenance Kits should usually contain the following items: -
- Wire cutters – this makes it easy for you to change strings without damaging your Guitar
- Microfiber cloth – to keep your Guitar clean and polished
- Peg winder – takes the pain out of winding new strings tight
- Screwdriver & hex wrench set – useful for adjusting intonation and action
Capotasto
A Capo (short for capotasto) changes the pitch of open strings. It is a clamp you place on your Guitar that allows you to play chords and songs higher up the neck. You clip a capo onto the fretboard with spring tension or, in some models, elastic tension. To raise the Guitar's pitch by one semitone, the player would clip the capo onto the fretboard just below the first fret. Its use allows players to play in different keys without changing their chord formations. It can make chords more effortless to play when you're starting. This is especially true for children or people with small hands. Because of the ease with which they allow Guitar players to change keys, they are sometimes referred to as "cheaters" or the "hillbilly crutch." Classical performers are known to use them to enable modern instruments to match the pitch of historical instruments, such as the renaissance lute.
Guitar Pick or Plectrum
A "Guitar pick" or "Plectrum" is a small piece of hard material generally held between the thumb and first finger of the picking hand and is used to "pick" the strings. Though most classical players pick with fingernails and fleshy fingertips, the pick is often used for electric and steel-string acoustic Guitars. Today they are mainly plastic, but variations exist, such as bone, wood, steel or tortoise shell. Tortoise shell was the most commonly used material in the early days of pick-making. As tortoises and turtles became endangered, using their shells for picks or anything else was banned. Tortoise-shell picks made before the ban are often coveted for superior tone and ease of use. Their scarcity has made them valuable.
Picks come in many shapes and sizes. They vary from small jazz to large bass picks. The thickness of the pick often determines its use. A thinner pick (between .2 and .5 mm) is often used for strumming or rhythm playing. In contrast, thicker picks (between .7 and 1.5+ mm) are typically used for single-note lines or lead playing. The distinctive Guitar sound of Billy Gibbons is attributed to using a quarter or peso as a pick.
Thumb picks, and finger picks that attach to the fingertips are sometimes employed in finger-picking styles on steel strings. These allow the fingers and thumb to operate independently. In contrast, a flat pick requires the thumb and one or two fingers to manipulate.
Picks come in many shapes and sizes. They vary from small jazz to large bass picks. The thickness of the pick often determines its use. A thinner pick (between .2 and .5 mm) is often used for strumming or rhythm playing. In contrast, thicker picks (between .7 and 1.5+ mm) are typically used for single-note lines or lead playing. The distinctive Guitar sound of Billy Gibbons is attributed to using a quarter or peso as a pick.
Thumb picks, and finger picks that attach to the fingertips are sometimes employed in finger-picking styles on steel strings. These allow the fingers and thumb to operate independently. In contrast, a flat pick requires the thumb and one or two fingers to manipulate.
Slides
A slide (neck of a bottle, knife blade or round metal bar) is used in blues and rock to create a glissando or 'Hawaiian' effect. The necks of bottles were often used in blues and country music. Modern slides are constructed of glass, plastic, ceramic, chrome, brass or steel, depending on the weight and tone desired.
An instrument played exclusively in this manner (using a metal bar) is called a steel Guitar or pedal steel. Slide playing, to this day, is very popular in blues and country music. Some slide players use a Dobro Guitar. Using a slide is also a great way to develop your sense of pitch.
A slide is similar to a capo in that you may use it occasionally or you may use it all the time. It depends on what you enjoy playing on your Guitar.
An instrument played exclusively in this manner (using a metal bar) is called a steel Guitar or pedal steel. Slide playing, to this day, is very popular in blues and country music. Some slide players use a Dobro Guitar. Using a slide is also a great way to develop your sense of pitch.
A slide is similar to a capo in that you may use it occasionally or you may use it all the time. It depends on what you enjoy playing on your Guitar.
Humidifier
Having a humidifier is extremely important if you own an acoustic Guitar. There are various types, from Guitar humidifiers, which you place in your Guitar’s sound hole or case, to room humidifiers that take care of the entire room. The right option for you depends on where you place your Guitar, where you live and how many acoustic guitars you own.
Guitar stand
A Guitar stand allows the player more accessible access to their instrument than if they always have to get it from their guitar case. You’re also far more likely to pick up your Guitar and practice on an easily accessible stand than if locked up in a bag or case.