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11 Common Mistakes Made by New Guitar Owners and how to FIX THEM

Introduction

In this article, we’ll explore 11 common mistakes that new guitar owners often make! If you’ve recently purchased your first guitar or have only been playing for a short time, you might unknowingly be making some of these errors. Don’t worry—you’re not alone! We’ll discuss the mistakes that many beginner guitarists (and even experienced players, myself included) encounter and provide practical tips to help you correct them.

We’ll cover a range of common mistakes, including gear, playing techniques, and guitar setups. These are mistakes that I’ve seen countless guitarists (myself included) make—and it’s time to fix them!

Throughout this article, we’ll also recommend some helpful products. Please note that these recommendations include affiliate links. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you any extra, but it does help support our work with a small commission.

Choosing the Wrong Guitar for Their Needs

Technically, any guitar can get the job done. However, certain guitars are better suited for specific styles and purposes. For example, you wouldn’t typically use an acoustic guitar for a metal gig or even a single-coil S-type guitar for that matter. It’s also common for new players to buy guitars with features they don’t need or won’t use.

For instance, purchasing a guitar with a Floyd Rose tremolo system can lead to unnecessary headaches if you never plan to use it, an easy common mistake to make! So, when choosing a guitar, focus on one that suits your style, feels comfortable to play, and meets your specific needs—without adding features you’ll never use.

If you’re looking for recommendations, be sure to check out our Top 5 Guitars List! It includes a variety of models we highly recommend for players of all levels. Click here to view the list. If you decide to purchase something, we’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support our content.

Ignoring Proper Guitar Maintenance

We’ve all been there! This is a very popular common mistake! So don’t worry if you find yourself doing this—ignoring general guitar maintenance! Taking care of your guitar is essential for making it easier and more enjoyable to play. This includes keeping fresh strings on your guitar, ensuring it’s properly set up (more on that later), and cleaning it regularly. Neglecting these aspects can not only make playing harder but might even discourage you from practicing altogether.

For example, rusty strings are hard to play, sound dull, and feel unpleasant under your fingers. Replacing them with fresh strings not only improves the sound but also makes playing far more enjoyable. Cleaning your guitar is equally important. If you let it get dirty, particularly the neck, it can become sticky and difficult to play, reducing the smooth, fluid movement you want.

If you’re new to guitar and looking for budget-friendly strings, we recommend checking out Harley Benton Stringsbelow! They’re affordable and of excellent quality for beginners and beyond.

"While most listeners might not care about the amp, pedals, or guitar you’re using, they’ll immediately notice if you’re playing out of tune!"

Not Learning How to Tune Properly

Keeping your guitar in tune is absolutely critical for playing! You can never check your tuning too often. Whether you use a clip-on tuner, a pedal tuner, or tune by ear, ensuring your guitar is in tune will significantly improve your sound. While most listeners might not care about the amp, pedals, or guitar you’re using, they’ll immediately notice if you’re playing out of tune.
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tuning tips:

  1. Always tune up to the note. If your string is sharp, lower it past the correct pitch and then tune up to reach the note. This method tends to provide more stable tuning.
  2. Practice tuning by ear. Apps like “Ultimate Guitar” often have ear-training tools to help you learn to tune without a tuner. This skill is invaluable for tuning on the fly or recognizing when a string is slightly off during a performance.

If you’re looking for a reliable tuner, we recommend these great options:

If you mainly play at home, the clip-on tuner is a simple and effective solution!

Skipping Setup Adjustments

Common Mistakes - Skipping Adjustments

Getting your guitar properly set up is crucial! While every guitarist should learn the basics of setup, there’s no harm in having a professional take a look. Ensuring that the neck is aligned, the action is set to a comfortable height, and the intonation is spot on can make a massive difference. If any of these factors are off, your guitar won’t just sound off—it’ll feel strange to play.

Action height, in particular, is a personal preference. Not everyone enjoys super-low action; some players prefer a slightly higher setup. Experiment with different action heights to find what suits your playing style best.

Although guitar manufacturers often claim that their guitars are set up before shipping, this isn’t always reliable. Personally, I always have a guitar technician or the store I’m buying from perform a setup. Most shops offer this service before selling a guitar, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check. Never assume that the guitar you’re buying is perfectly set up for you straight out of the box.

Using the Wrong Accessories

This isn’t something most people talk about, but it can significantly impact your playing experience! Using the wrong accessories can make a huge difference in how comfortable and confident you feel while playing. For instance, playing with a pick that doesn’t feel right in your hand, using strings that aren’t suited to your style, or even having an uncomfortable guitar strap can all distract you from focusing on your playing.

The key is to prioritize comfort, which allows you to concentrate on your music rather than being bothered by awkward grips or ill-fitting gear.

When it comes to accessories like picks, strings, and straps, personal preference is everything. Unfortunately, this means there’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation—you’ll need to experiment with different options to find what works best for you.

That said, here’s a tip for strings: Start with a 10-gauge set and adjust from there. Many players find this a good starting point, allowing them to go heavier or lighter as they develop their preferences and playing style.

Ignoring Posture and Playing Technique

This is something that often gets overlooked, but it’s incredibly important! Whether you’re sitting or standing, maintaining the correct posture and playing position is essential. Poor posture can lead to strain, discomfort, aches, and even injuries over time.

You might be wondering, “How can my playing position be wrong?” It’s more common than you think! For example, playing with a curved back, improper hand positioning on the neck, or awkward wrist angles can all cause unnecessary strain. Beyond the physical discomfort, these issues can make playing feel less enjoyable and more challenging.

Using incorrect posture and form can also hinder your progress as a guitarist. Certain grips or positions can slow down your playing speed and make exercises or advanced techniques harder to master.

This is where having an in-person teacher can be invaluable. They can observe your playing and correct any posture or positioning issues you might not even realize you have. Proper form not only prevents strain but also makes learning and playing more efficient and comfortable.

"Practice doesn’t need to be an intense, high-pressure “Whiplash”-style experience. It can be enjoyable and manageable if you plan it out."

Not Practicing or Playing Consistently

We all know this common mistake, but many of us don’t approach it correctly—practice consistently! If you want to improve as a guitarist, regular practice is essential. Having a structured routine is incredibly helpful for making progress. A great approach is to spend a few minutes on one skill, then move to another, and another, before finishing with something fun like improvising or noodling. Creating a simple and easy-to-follow routine can work wonders for your playing!

Practice doesn’t need to be an intense, high-pressure “Whiplash”-style experience, that is another common mistake in itself. It can be enjoyable and manageable if you plan it out. With a clear plan for each session, you’ll find that practicing doesn’t take as much time as you might expect, and it will feel more rewarding.

That said, a steady and structured routine is particularly important for those who are serious about improving—especially for anyone aiming to make a career out of guitar playing. If you’re playing purely as a hobby, your routine can be a bit more relaxed. The key is to find a balance that works for your goals and keeps you motivated.

Common Mistakes - Practice
Make sure you fit in regular practice throughout the week! Time to spend to learn to improve!

Overlooking Basic Music Theory

We’re not saying every guitarist needs to be a music theory expert—far from it! For most guitarists, an in-depth understanding of theory isn’t essential. However, having a basic grasp of music theory can be incredibly helpful in improving your playing. Learning about scales, notes, keys, and perhaps even venturing into modes and sight-reading can open up new possibilities and make you a more versatile musician.

How does music theory help?

By understanding theory, you’ll move beyond relying solely on shapes and patterns. Instead, you’ll start making intentional choices in your playing. You’ll know which notes sound great with specific chords, whether you can use a different scale over a progression, or how to add more complexity and interest to your solos. The more theory you learn, the more naturally these decisions will come to you. A common mistake is to learn the patterns and shapes of a song, but not the notes! Don’t just learn the how, learn the why!

That said, you don’t need to dive into the deep end of theory unless you’re passionate about it or want to specialize in that area. A solid foundational knowledge can go a long way in helping you grow as a guitarist.

Not Performing and playing with others

You don’t realise how much of a difference this one makes until you do it! Playing with other people and musicians makes a huge difference to your playing! Vibing and locking in with other players teaches you so much! From borrowing licks and phrases to learning to focus on the music and loosen up while playing! I didn’t realise how much of a difference it made till I first did it!

A few key points that we find it improves is timing, tempo and locking in! Unless you are playing with a click, a band will naturally fluctuate a songs tempo as you play. This is natural (as long as it isn’t to much), however, it is important that you adjust and stay with it as it happens! This can only really be learnt and practised with a band and other human musicians!

Focusing Solely on Gear Instead of Skills

Common Mistakes - Focus on gear
Remember, gear isn't everything! It can help and assist but don't get to wrapped up in it!

If this sounds like you, don’t worry—you’re not alone! It’s easy to fall into the common mistake of thinking that new gear will make you a better guitarist. Many of us believe that buying that one pedal or piece of equipment will magically improve our playing or tone. The truth is, gear doesn’t make you better; learning to fully utilize the gear you already have does. Most equipment is capable of producing incredible sounds—you just need to take the time to understand and use it properly.

That said, buying new gear isn’t always a bad thing! In a recent interview with Buddy Blues, we discussed how new equipment can sometimes inspire you to play more or approach your instrument in new ways. The key is balance. If new gear motivates and excites you, that’s great! But it becomes a problem if you’re buying gear and not actually playing your guitar.

Ignoring the Importance of a Teacher!

With the wealth of resources available online, from websites to YouTube tutorials, many guitarists today are self-taught. While this is a great way to get started, I strongly believe everyone can benefit from a few sessions with a group or one-on-one teacher. Having someone who is focused entirely on your needs is invaluable. Not spending a bit of time in a 1-2-1 session is a huge common mistake!

Videos and tabs can only take you so far. To truly grow as a guitarist, you need someone to sit down with you, point out mistakes, and show you how to fix them. A teacher’s guidance can help you break bad habits and develop more efficient techniques.

I recently decided to do this myself and even wrote an article about the experience! You can read the full article here. It was a fantastic experience, especially as someone who has been playing for a while and unknowingly developed some bad habits.

If you’re looking for a teacher, start by searching on Google or Facebook. There are plenty of options, so finding someone local and convenient should be easy. If you’re still in school, check to see if they offer guitar tuition—it’s often an excellent and affordable starting point.

Conclusion

If you’ve found yourself making any of these common mistakes, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Every guitarist has been there at some point. The key is to recognize the issue, correct it, learn from it, and move forward. Remember, it’s only music—mistakes are part of the journey, not the end of it.

If you’re struggling with something specific, we highly recommend reaching out to a professional. Whether it’s a guitar setup, tuition, or just general advice, an expert can provide guidance tailored to your needs and help you overcome any hurdles and fix all of these common Mistakes.

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