Start Here · Beginner · 6 min read
I Just Bought a Guitar
Tune it, get comfortable holding it, and learn three chords this week.
Simple answer
Your first week is about comfort, not speed. Get a tuner, learn to hold the pick, and practise a few minutes every day.
1. Inspect it
Look along the neck, check that the tuners feel secure, and make sure the cable jack and controls do not move loosely. Small finish marks are cosmetic; cracks, lifting bridges or sharp fret ends deserve attention.
2. Tune it
Standard tuning is E A D G B E from the thickest string to the thinnest. Pluck one string at a time and tune upward to the note so the gears settle.
3. Learn the controls
Start with every knob fully up and the pickup selector in the middle. Change one control at a time and listen; this teaches you more than memorizing labels.
4. Get comfortable
Adjust the strap so the guitar sits in nearly the same place seated and standing. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your fretting thumb light.
5. Build a care habit
Wipe the strings after playing, keep the guitar away from heaters and damp rooms, and use a stand where it cannot be knocked over.
6. Play something
Learn E minor, G, C and D. Work on two clean chord changes at a time, then use a slow, steady downstroke rhythm.
7. Know when setup may help
If the strings feel unusually high, notes buzz loudly through the amp, or chords sound out of tune up the neck, a setup can make the guitar much easier to play.
8. Upgrade later
Do not replace parts while you are still learning what the guitar does. Play it long enough to identify a specific limitation first.
Things to know
- Tune before every session
- Short, daily practice beats long, rare practice
- Your fingertips will hurt for about two weeks — that's normal
Go deeper
Most new guitars benefit from a professional setup — lower action and correct intonation make chords much easier to press. Aim for 15 minutes a day rather than one long session a week.