A Quick and Easy Guide to Proper Guitar Maintenance
Getting a new guitar is a really exciting moment for any musician! Whether it’s something you saved up for and bought yourself or if you received it as a gift, it will come as no surprise that it wasn’t cheap. Instruments are very costly, and guitars are no exception. That is why once you have one to call your own, it is extremely important that you know how to properly care for it and maintain it.
That is why today, our team wants to take the time to give you a few maintenance pointers to increase your instrument’s lifespan. Continue reading to learn more about guitar maintenance and upkeep as well as information regarding taking face to face or online guitar classes from Music House.
Tip #1: Invest in a good guitar stand.
All too often, guitars are left lying around on a table, propped up in the corner of the living room, or are even just haphazardly abandoned on the floor. A single misstep could knock the instrument over and result in broken strings, tuning knobs, or a busted bridge. This is not only frustrating but will end up costing you a lot of money that you didn’t need to spend. That is why one of the first things you should buy after you get your guitar is a guitar stand. While they vary in price, even a cheap stand will suffice and is better than leaving your instrument on the floor. When not playing your guitar, be sure to prop it up in its stand for safe storage.
Tip #2: Get a carrying case.
If you plan on traveling with your guitar, even if it’s just to go to your private guitar lessons or group guitar classes, it’s important that you have a case. The case will protect it from the elements, such as the wind and rain. You can also have peace of mind knowing that if you bump into someone while walking or your guitar slides around in your trunk, it will be protected. Plus, it makes it easy to store in a closet and up and out of the way if need be. This is a solid choice if you have small children or pets at home and you’re worried about leaving your guitar in its stand for a long period of time.
Tip #3: Tune your guitar regularly.
While the guitar is a versatile instrument and can be a ton of fun to play, if it’s out of tune, it’s going to sound horrible. Thanks to smartphones and other advanced technology, it is now easier than ever to tune your guitar quickly and effectively. Or, when attending your face to face or online guitar classes, you can ask your instructor for help if you’re not sure. They would be happy to assist you!
Remember, it is very important to tune your guitar regularly. In fact, you may have to do it before each time you play. Even carrying your guitar around in its case can cause the tuning knobs to move and impact the sound. If you find that tuning your guitar is rather tedious, invest a tuner. These devices can be a lifesaver and is a tool used often by many professional musicians.
Tip #4: Keep your instrument clean.
Just because your guitar isn’t sitting idly and gathering dust doesn’t mean that you don’t need to clean it. In fact, playing your instrument is a great way to get it dirty! Think about all the oil and dirt on your hands and how often you touch your guitar to play the strings, adjust the knobs, and even pick it up and move it around. In order to properly clean your instrument, make sure you have three essentials: a soft, clean rag, elbow grease, and patience. You will need to handle your guitar delicately while you clean it as well. This level of finesse and care will go a long way in extending the life of your guitar.
Tip #5: Replace the strings routinely.
When taking face to face or online guitar classes, one of the first things you will learn is that your guitar strings will need to be replaced about once every three months. Due to the way that strings are constantly stretched and suspended, they are always under tension and pressure. This means that they can only hold onto their bright, warm sound for so long before it starts to dull. To ensure that your guitar is giving off the best sound quality possible, set up a routine for placing the strings.
One important thing to note, especially for first time guitar players, is that you need to remove the strings one at a time. The neck of the guitar is designed to withstand a specific amount of pressure. Without that, they may warp. In an effort to maintain the shape and integrity of your guitar, it is best practice to replace one string at a time.
Tip #6: Be a responsible guitar owner
Above all else, you need to hold yourself accountable and be responsible for your own guitar. It takes a lot of hard work to keep your instrument in top shape, but it is very much worth it. Guitars are expensive and if yours has to be replaced due to your own negligence, we can guarantee you’ll be kicking yourself over that one for a while. Take the time to do things properly and you will be glad that you did.
Guitar Classes at Music House
Whether your guitar is acoustic or electric, or perhaps you play the bass, Music House has face to face and online guitar classes that can help elevate you to the musician you want to be. Our incredible instructors are highly trained and extremely knowledgeable in all areas of the guitar and have the ability to guide you so you can reach your goals.
To get started with Music House, or to find out more information about our classes, contact us today! We can’t wait to have you as a Music House student.
