Five Secret Beginner Guitar Tools

Are you a beginner guitarist? So was I, 8 months ago.

Now, after playing/practicing guitar at least 2 hours every day for 8 months I am an advanced beginner guitarist. I wanted to share three “secret” guitar tools that will help you make it past the first 3 months.

Yes, you need a guitar tuner and a metronome (or metronome app) will help you. Everyone knows about those things. I am going to give you 3 secret tools that have never been mentioned on the Internet in one short blog article.

You will thank me later 🙂

Guitar Finger Pain – Use Cotton Balls with Rubbing Alcohol

These are tools #1 and #2.

For less than $8 you can alleviate your finger pain when learning guitar. Best $8 you will have ever spent on guitar.

Let’s face it, beginner guitarists endure finger pain on their fretting hand. For right handed people that’s your left hand. You need callouses fast.

Before and after you play guitar, take white cotton balls and dip them slightly in 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. It’s a first aid antiseptic.

1. Do this immediately before you play guitar. It will toughen your callouses over time.
2. Do it immediately after you play guitar. It will sooth any beginner guitarist pain you have on your fingertips and once again, it will build finger callouses.

Practice Neck on Amazon

This is tool #3.

It may be the best $12 you ever spend. You can practice chords anytime, anywhere. No music, just chord shapes.

I know what you’re thinking. You see the rating and think that 3.6 our of 439 is a slightly above average rating. Don’t think about it. Just buy this thing.

I have purchased three of these.

1. The first one had sharp fret edges and I filed them down with an Emory board. Gave it to someone who traded guitars with me as a “thank you”.
2. The second one had the strings in reverse order. Thin strings were in wrong position. Sent it back.
3. The third one was perfect. OK, they forgot the tiny 4 mm allen wrench you use for tightening the strings (a small detail).

Yes, people complain this practice neck does NOT make good sounds. That’s not its job. It didn’t claim to be a guitar. It’s simply a practice neck for shaping chords.

I rapidly built my chord vocabulary up to over 40 chords.

I tucked 3.5 index cards under the strings with my practice chords. This thing was indispensable. Get it, give it to a beginner guitrist.

Buy a Used Manhasset Music Stand

These is tool #4.

Stop balancing your sheet music on a pillow or a pile of books !!!

Beginners prop their sheet music, songbooks, and iPads on stacks of books, tables, or beds. Get smart and purchase a used Manhasset music stand on Facebook.

These Manhasset music stands are indestrictible. Yes, the one below is selling on Amazon for $65.

I live in Chicago, IL USA. I patiently waited, searching every day, and pounced on a $10 Manhasset for sale. Bought it the next day. I really think this is an important tool in becoming a guitarist, a musician.

I was patient and purchased my Manhasset for $10. It was a bargain.

I immediately had better guitar posture and better concentration as I practiced guitar.

The Collapsible Pro-Line Music Stand is Very Good Also

I suppose I didn’t absolutely need it, but I bought a collapsible music stand for a friend when he comes over to play guitar.

It’s shockingly solid and collapsible. Another great $10 purchase on Facebook. It’s a Pro-Line Collapsible Music stand.

I purchased mine off Facebook in Chicago, IL USA. It’s very good.

Use an Armless Chair for Guitar Practice

This is tool #5.

Armless Chair for Guitar Practice: You need complete freedom of your arms when playing guitar. Playing guitar in a chair with arms constrains your arms from holding the guitar correctly.

1. The low white chair. I typically use this for all my guitars except my two dreadnought guitars.
2. Taller grey chair. I use this for my large dreadnought guitars. It’s hard to explain but the high chair with high seat works better for my Epiphone and Fender dreadnought guitars.

Note: I don’t know why music schools and teachers keep pushing full size dreadnought guitars on smaller people, especially women. I am 6’2″ tall and the two dreadnoughts hurt my right shoulder a bit when I strum. Using the high grey chair has allowed me to play with my dreadnought guitars again.

Use an armless chair for your guitar practice. You will thank me later in the comments.

Purchase the Five Secret Guitar Tools and your Guitar Practice will Improve Immediately

Are these “tools” new to you? Please leave a comment if these guitar tools were helpful.

Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today

Thanks for visiting Shoshin Guitarist today.

I hope my “secret” advice will help you get past the first 3 difficult months of practicing guitar. Leave a comment if I helped you. Thanks.

And remember, be a Shoshin Guitarist. Approach guitar with a “beginner’s mind”, even if you are an experienced guitar player.