So you want to play the guitar and you don't know where to begin? The first decision you need to make is what kind of music do you want to play.
Easy listening, country, rock, jazz, blues, metal, reggae or something else? Well you know what you like to listen to and that will probably be what you want to play.
Once you know what you want to play it makes the decision of what kind of guitar to buy much easier.
Acoustic or electric is going to be the main question and both have their pros and cons.
Acoustic guitars are pretty straightforward and you don't need to buy and lug around a ton of gear every time you want to play.
Acoustics are lighter than electrics and there isn't too much to go wrong with them if they are looked after.
Electric guitars require an amp at least and that means extra expense.
However electrics are usually more comfortable to play for a beginner and, depending on the music style, more forgiving to the inevitable fingering mistakes we all make.
Many beginners see one of their heroes playing a particular brand of guitar and want to play the same.
Unfortunately not many people can afford to start out with an instrument that costs thousands of dollars.
So decide what your budget is and then look around to get some idea what is available.
You don't need to spend a fortune on a first guitar.
In fact unless you are already proficient with another instrument and have a well-developed ear you probably wont be able to hear the difference at first anyway.
There are many online stores that sell affordable instruments and many wannabe guitar players who gave up after a few weeks or months trying to sell off their gear cheap.
So shop around and check out some reviews before buying.
When you buy your guitar try to buy a case for it as well.
Even if it's not the greatest guitar in the world it will serve you better if you look after it.
And keeping it in a case is a good start.
If you can't afford a hard case then a guitar bag or gig bag will do for a start.
Learning to look after your instrument is a good habit to get into right from the start.
That way later on when you are playing that expensive Gibson or Fender you will instinctively do all the things necessary to retaining a great sound and keeping the resale price high.
Another good investment for a beginner is an electronic tuner.
Learning to tune by ear is a difficult and frustrating thing for a beginner.
It is better and easier to learn on an in tune guitar than an out of tune one.
You don't have to spend a lot of money on a fancy gadget with a heap of functions that you will never even use.
Just buy a cheap one and use it every time you play.
Most of them come with a built-in microphone to pick up the sound of acoustic guitars or those playing electric can just plug them directly into the guitar.
Well, now you've got all the gear you need to start.
What next? If you are some kind of prodigy then you can just pick it up and play amazing music without bothering with lessons or anything.
The rest of us have to knuckle down and get to work learning how to extract incredible heartfelt music from our guitars.
If you have the time and money for a guitar teacher, and there is a good one close enough for you to use, then that can be a good option.
Another way is to look around online and find some online tuition to give you a push in the right direction.
This can be a good option for those with busy lives or who live outside of the major cities where the good instructors are often found.
Whatever option you go for, in the end learning to play will require you to make a genuine commitment and constant practice.
If you stick with it playing the guitar can be one of the most rewarding things you do in your life.
Just think about how good it will feel when you are able to stand up in front of a crowd and play amazing, inspirational music.
What are you waiting for? Create and inspire.