Hey, it makes sense…
If you want to play you need a guitar AND the equipment that allows you to play it. If you're searching for equipment, then below you'll find links to order my highest recommended beginner guitars and accessories for the best playing opportunity possible!
Please note that these recommendations are for beginning guitar students who want an acoustic guitar (like I use in the program) and want to keep costs to the minimum and quality at the maximum. So if that's you, let's get started!
To complete the program you must have a guitar, pick, tuner, and capo. There are also optional guitar cases and stands you can get to make your life easier. Here are some important things to know about each item:
ACOUSTIC GUITAR - There are two kinds. 1) Acoustic 2) Acoustic-Electric. An acoustic-electric is a guitar that has a pickup installed. If you see yourself plugging into a sound system in the near future, then I would suggest going with an acoustic-electric. These two kinds are listed in the store below. The best affordable beginner guitar brands out there are Fender, Yamaha and Washburn. They consistently have great intonation and action.
GUITAR CASE - there are two major kinds 1) gig bag 2) hardshell case. A gig bag is a layer of cushioned fabric that surrounds your guitar, offering good protection from scratches and wear and tear. They’re also super light and can be used like a backpack. The more expensive ones even offer the same kind of crush protection as a hardshell case. I personally use MONO cases for my acoustics. A hardshell case is what you normally think of when you think "guitar case." It will keep your guitar from not only getting scratched but also from being crushed thanks to its hard exterior. Make sure to match the body style of your hardshell case to the body style of your guitar--Dreadnaught, Jumbo, Concert, or Electric.
PICK - for playing rhythm guitar (which is what is taught in The 20 Lessons program) you'll want a thin or medium pick. Dunlop has been a go-to brand of mine for years as they consistently make a high quality pick that feels great, has a balanced tone, and is incredibly durable. Go with the green, yellow, orange, and red Dunlop Tortex picks or the gray nylon picks that have grip on them. All are listed in the store below.
TUNER - there are different kinds of tuners, but the one I would recommend starting off with is a clip-on tuner. My favorite clip-on brand is D’Addario. I personally use D’Addario micro clip-ons on stage. You can find them in the store below.
CAPO - I love capos! A capo allows you to change the key of a song on the fly. It also allows you to use CAGED Method, which is an incredible technique that you'll learn about during the program. My favorite capo is the G7th. It’s super sleek and keeps your guitar in tune. I also used the classic Kyser Capo. Definitely a work horse. You can pick from a ton of different colors and patterns in the store.
GUITAR AND MUSIC STANDS - it may not seem like much, but having a guitar stand is important! They make home practice much easier by keeping your guitar readily available to pick up at any time (plus they can help present your guitar as a decorative piece for the room), and they protect your guitar from being knocked over. Also, consider a music stand if you have a dedicated practice space in your house and want to have your chord charts out and ready to play. There's a lot of different options below.