If you've signed up for lessons with me you probably own a guitar already. If you don't, you may be struggling to choose one with so many available options. But what things should you consider when picking one out?
As a teacher, it does not matter to me whether the student has an acoustic or electric guitar - they'll be learning exactly the same things. There are a few considerations though.
Acoustic vs Electric is a bit of a false dichotomy. There are really two important types in the acoustic camp.
This is probably what you're imagining when you think of an acoustic guitar. They have strings made of steel and sound the way you probably imagine an acoustic guitar to sound.
These types of acoustics have strings made from nylon and have a mellower sound. They're associated with classical and latin music.
Steel strings are harder to press down, which can be rough on young hands.
Nylon strings often have wider fretboards, which can be difficult for young hands. The strings are usually harder to change on nylons as well.
You can play any kind of music you want on any kind of guitar you want. Willie Nelson uses a nylon. Agustin Barrios the famous classical guitarist used steel strings.
No, guitars are designed for the type of strings they use.
Young students often have trouble with the size of a guitar. If a student's hands are small, I'd recommend buying a 3/4 size guitar.
Guitars are sold in both left hand and right hand versions. If you're left handed you may want to purchase a left handed guitar.
Personally, I'm left handed but play right handed guitars and many famous left handed players do the same. Left handed instruments can be harder to find and more expensive. Whichever orientation you want to play with regardless of your handedness is fine by me.
Now that you know what type of guitar you might want, how do you choose a good one?
The good news is that with modern CNC manufacturing most entry level guitars on the market are adequate for beginners. I would recommend against buying a guitar from a big retailer like Walmart or Amazon though. It's best to go to a music store like Sweetwater or order from an online music retailer.
If you want to try the used market, a site like Reverb.com (essentially eBay for music gear) will have good deals and get you started cheaper.
Yamaha is my favorite brand for entry level guitars. When a student brings in a Yamaha, I'm confident it will be manufactured well for its price.
Here are my recommendations for what you should purchase.
If you have an electric guitar you'll also need a cable to plug into the amp. The one you buy really does not matter. Just search for "guitar cable" or "instrument cable" on a site like Sweetwater.
I recommend children start by playing with guitar picks rather than fingerstyle. I keep different thicknesses on hand for students to try out to see what they like the best.
I also require children to learn from the Hal Leonard Guitar Method because I believe children should be able to read and understand music. I don't require adult students to learn to read music (though I encourage it). For adults, I learn your individual needs and goals and tailor lessons around that rather than recommending a single book.
No, I made these recommendations to get students started out as cheaply as they can while still getting a usable instrument. It's also written for parents who aren't sure their child will stick with the hobby. If you have the money and want something nicer, go for it.