The First Fret

Getting Started

Everything you need to pick up a guitar for the first time without feeling lost. We start with the choice that stalls most people — acoustic or electric — then how to choose a first guitar without overspending, what a comfortable, beginner-friendly setup feels like, how to tune the instrument and keep it in tune, and honest reassurance about sore fingertips and the awkward first week. If you've wanted to start but didn't know what to do first, start here.