I already made a list on things you will probably need as a guitarist, but perhaps you’re looking out for things that aren’t vital but may help you practice or even make rehearsals more comfortable. So here’s my list of things you don’t need but may want, or may like to have on hand for the future.
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Earplugs
At home, I would assume (or pray) you are playing at a comfortable volume level, but if you ever plan to play with others or on stage, you better have some ear plugs on hand. Don’t go deaf so early if you want to be a musician long term.
You can buy a pack of disposable earplugs and keep a few in every bag and case you have, or buy a decent pair of reusable plugs that will fit comfortably in your ear. You could even get some custom molded to your ear canal at a hearing clinic! (I used to work at one, so I got a pair for free).
Music Stand
Ever wondered why these are in every music room and rehearsal room? Because they are a blessing. Hunching over to see your laptop or your paper lying on a desk can be uncomfortable and promote bad posture, which will only make it harder to learn your instrument.
A music stand lets you put the music closer to you, and even allows you to see it while standing. Not a need, but a huge want if you haven’t considered it yet. I got mine on Amazon from the CAHAYA brand. I love that they include a case, light, and other perks, and it has high ratings!
Tablet
A tablet is smaller and more portable than your laptop, but bigger and easier to see than your phone. Chances are, you’re going to want to reference tabs, chords, or a video to learn, so having a tablet on hand is great…more so if you have a music stand 😉
You don’t need to get the priciest tablet ever either. I got my Amazon 10 fire tablet for just over $100 during a sale, and it’s still working fine 3 years later. I really only use it for practice (lyrics, tabs), but I like that I don’t have to charge it often. The battery could last a month or longer if I’m only using it during rehearsals.
Pedal Board
After your first pedal, it all goes downhill from there. Even with just 2 pedals, it can be hard to keep your play area neat due to all the cables, and it’s going to be troublesome having to set everything up if you ever plan to play somewhere else. Imagine when you have 3 or 4!
A pedal board allows you to tape down your pedals in a more organized space and you can easily transport everything together in the matching case. I currently have this small pedal board that can hold 4-5 pedals easily (Only cost me about $30).
There are also bigger pedal boards that can hold, 10, 15, and even more pedals, but at that point, it’s more of a need than a want 😛
Pick Holder/Case
There’s an ongoing joke about guitarists dropping or misplacing a pick, never to be seen again. Maybe it’ll pop up randomly a year later or in your dryer after a load of laundry.
Picks are so small that they’re so easy to lose, so don’t take the chance of just resting it on a table or putting it in your pocket and expecting it to be there tomorrow.
I highly recommend this pick holder that you can put on the headstock of your guitar, ready for use. If you take your guitar places, some kind of case or a keychain holder may also be warranted.
Make it a habit to put your pick where it belongs when you’re done so you don’t lose and misplace them. If you have invested into pricier pics or have a very special pick, this will definitely be a life saver.
Guitar Hanger
Having some kind of guitar stand is necessary. If you keep it in a case, you’re probably not going to play it much.
The triangle shaped ones on the floor are great and what most people resort to. However, they can take up some space, and it also leaves your previous instrument vulnerable to be knocked over by children, pets, or just you stumbling around in the dark.
A guitar hanger (or String Swing, as the brand who makes them is known as) lets you hang your guitars on the wall, leaving them out of reach and out of the way.
I had one at my last place and I personally loved it. I shared a room and there was only one corner, beside a drawer, where I could keep my guitar out. If not for the hanger, I would have to pack it away and put it in my closet.
So if you don’t have enough floor space for a stand, or you got a lot of guitars and want to display them nicely, definitely check out a String Swing.
Wireless Cables/Systems
Let’s admit it, cables can be quite annoying. Even more annoying when they become a tripping hazard or become faulty and it cuts you off.
Wouldn’t you love to be able to walk around the whole stage without risking your guitar getting unplugged? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some kind of alternative to cables?
Well just like how there are wireless microphones, there is a way to wirelessly connect your guitar to your amp and/or pedals! One side will plug into your jack and one side into your amp. Presto! They are fast and convenient and will allow you freedom when performing. Just make sure they are charged!
The best rated ones on Amazon is by the Getaria brand. Just make sure it would fit into the outlet of your guitar, as all wireless systems can be quite bulky for obvious reasons.
Recording Interface
After you pass the beginner level, you may be interested in recording your playing for videos, demos, or original songs. While you could go the traditional route and use a mic by your amp, the quality isn’t always going to be there, and it would be harder to edit and integrate with other software.
There are many on the market. My bandmate recommend Focusrite and since it had many great reviews, I got the Scarlet Solo one for myself second hand. I’ll write a more in-depth review on my experience another day!
Funny thing is though, only after I got mine did I start seeing memes about producers who have it and girls walking out, so at least you know it’s that popular and recognizable haha
Soundbrennar Watch
I’ve been using the soundbrennar metronome app for ages. It was my favourite. Clean interface and various options. I only found out last year (2020) that the app had a watch, and I was intrigued. I got it as a gift and I love it.
Many musicians had the sound of a metronome. Even if you’re used to playing with one, you can’t really play with the tick tick ticking of the metronome live. This watch uses vibrations to help you keep time, and you can place it anywhere you’d like (wrist, chest, leg, etc). If your bandmates also have a watch, you can all sync up and play together.
I wouldn’t use this as a crutch, but many professional artists use a clicktrack, and there may be times when being able to keep time secretly is important, so definitely consider this watch.
Oh! It also has a built in tuner, and it is an actual smart watch, so you can see the time and your incoming messages, so it’s the perfect thing for any musician!
Guitar Tricks Subscription
Last, but definitely not least, if you’re a beginner, this is definitely something you would want. There are so many free lessons online, but they are all over the place. Very few channels have progressive videos, and some teachers just suck at teaching. There’s no tabs, the explanations aren’t clear, they rush, etc.
Guitar Tricks is designed for beginners. It starts you from the beginning, and teaches you everything you need to play your first licks and songs in the very first fundamental course. They then have in depth lessons for various genres, slow and detailed tutorials for songs, and all the tools you could possibly need. If there’s a new skill you’d like to pick up, like tapping, 7th chords, or muting, just look it up and there will be lessons on that.
No one person could know everything about guitar, so it’s great having many great teachers available at any time. Use it as much or as little as you like. For the price, you’ll get 1000s of lessons for the price of 3 private in-person lessons. Fun, detailed, and you can repeat them as much as you like. It’s definitely one of the best investments I’ve made as a beginner.
You can read my full experience and gain more insight with this article, and you can try out a 2 week full access subscription with this link!
Conclusion
They weren’t lying when they said guitar is an expensive hobby. You can definitely get places with a basic guitar and amp setup, but I think part of the fun is finding other tools