How to Choose Your First Guitar? Complete Beginner's Guide

Want to learn guitar but don't know which model to choose? It's the most frequent question I receive from my students. Here's everything you need to know to make the right choice.

Classical vs folk guitar: what's the difference?

That's the first decision. The classical guitar with nylon strings is softer on fingers, ideal for beginners. The folk guitar with steel strings produces a brighter, more powerful sound, but steel strings are generally harder on the fingers at first.

My advice: for pop, rock, or folk fingerstyle, go with a folk guitar. For classical, flamenco, or Spanish music, choose a classical guitar. Fingerstyle can be practiced on both types depending on the style you're looking for.

What budget should you plan?

For a decent beginner guitar, budget around 700 to 1500 MAD, or more depending on the brand and model. Prioritize build quality, comfort, and setup over brand alone. Brands like Yamaha, Cort, or Epiphone offer interesting beginner models, but each model is different — try to visit a store if possible.

Guitar size

From adolescence, a full-size (4/4) guitar usually works, but the choice should mainly depend on the player's build and comfort. For children aged 6-11, there are adapted sizes (1/2, 3/4). A poorly sized guitar will be uncomfortable and slow your progress.

Essential accessories

• Gig bag — to carry and protect your guitar
• Spare strings — replace them when they lose their tone or become hard to tune
• Tuner or tuning app — essential for keeping your guitar in tune
• Capo — to raise a song's key while keeping the same chord positions
• Picks (plectrums) — for cleaner strumming
• Guitar strap — if you play standing up
• Metronome — for rhythm practice