String bends on the electric guitar: pulling strings like a pro
Bending is an essential technique for rock and blues. Learn how to pull the strings on the electric guitar. Plus: 6 tips for improving your technique.
Guitar teacher
You want to learn guitar but aren’t sure which accessories you actually need? Especially in the beginning, the sheer number of available items can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry – in this guide, you’ll find out which guitar accessories for beginners are truly useful, what to look out for, and how to start playing in a relaxed and motivated way. Whether you own an electric guitar, a steel-string acoustic (western) guitar, or a classical guitar – here you’ll find all the essential tips!
Table of contents
Essential: A tuner, plectrum (pick), gig bag or guitar stand are part of the basic kit for every beginner. Without these essentials, learning can quickly become frustrating.
Important: Spare strings and a metronome help you stay in time and avoid downtime. For electric guitars, an amplifier and cable are also a must.
Tip: Start with simple, lightweight gear and only expand your range of accessories once you feel more confident playing. This saves money and helps you discover what you truly need.
If you not only want the right gear but also want to know how to learn guitar, you can read our magazine article that takes you through ten steps – from your first chords to proper guitar care.
Not every guitar requires the same accessories. Whether you play an electric guitar, a acoustic guitar, or a classical guitar will determine which equipment is most important for you.
Accessory | Classical guitar | Acoustic steel-string guitars | Electric Guitar |
Tuner |
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Guitar bag / case |
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Guitar stand |
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Guitar strap |
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Footstool / guitar support |
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Music stand |
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Pick (plectrum) |
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Metronome |
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Capo |
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Spare strings |
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Amplifier & cable |
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Effects pedals |
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For beginners, having the right basic equipment is crucial to ensure a comfortable and motivating playing experience. Professional gear can be added later, once you become more confident.
A tuner is absolutely essential. A guitar that isn’t in tune can quickly ruin the joy of playing and does nothing to help develop your musical ear. Temperature changes, humidity, or frequent playing can affect the strings – so you should tune your guitar regularly.
For beginners, clip-on tuners are ideal e.g. Thomann CTG-10 Clip Tuner.. These small devices attach to the headstock of the guitar and display whether each string is too high or too low in pitch.
Standard handheld tuners e.g. Korg CA-50 Chromatic Tuner are slightly larger, but they also offer a jack input for electrically amplified guitars and a clearer display.
There are also pedal tuners designed for pedalboards e.g. Boss TU-3. These mute the signal while tuning, making them a practical choice for live performances.
Whether for guitar lessons, rehearsals, or gigs, your guitar needs protection. A guitar bag or case is a must-have when transporting your instrument. Make sure you choose the correct size – acoustic, classical, and electric guitars differ in shape and dimensions.
Gigbags (soft cases) are lightweight, often have shoulder straps, and feature small compartments for accessories. For everyday use, a well-padded gigbag is usually sufficient.
Hard cases provide better protection but are heavier and more expensive. If you travel frequently or own an expensive guitar, a sturdy hard case is worth the investment.
To keep your guitar safe from damage and give it a secure place to rest, a sturdy and reliable guitar stand is an important investment.
There are different types available:
Simple floor stands
Wall mounts
Stands with safety bars
For beginners, a simple folding stand is usually sufficient.
A good stand not only protects your instrument but also motivates you: a guitar that’s out in the open is more likely to be played!
If you plan to play standing up (especially when performing with a band), you’ll need a guitar strap. It ensures your guitar hangs securely and comfortably against your body.
Even when practising, a strap can be useful – particularly for heavier electric guitars or if you have posture issues.
A footstool raises your leg (usually the left) slightly to bring the guitar into an optimal playing position.
Even beginners who practise mostly while sitting can benefit from this: it makes your posture more relaxed, the guitar rests better against your body, and it can help reduce back strain.
Alternatives to the traditional footstool are:
Support cushion e.g. Hopf Dynarette
Guitar support e.g. Ergoplay Professional
Even though reading music is not usually one of the most popular exercises for guitar beginners, a music stand can still be very helpful during practice. It allows you to place song lyrics, tabs or sheet music at eye level – whether you are sitting or standing – so you can read them comfortably and without strain.
A plectrum (also called a pick) is a small piece of plastic used to strike the strings. Playing with a plectrum is particularly common for electric and acoustic steel-string guitars, while in classical guitar playing it is generally not used.
Especially for beginners, using a plectrum can be helpful – it protects your fingers and gives you more control when playing. Plectrums come in various sizes, materials and shapes – just try out what feels best for you.
A metronome is a device that produces a regular clicking sound at an adjustable tempo, measured in beats per minute (BPM).
Good timing is the foundation of any music – whether you play guitar, piano or drums. The metronome helps you keep in time and develop rhythmic precision.
By practising regularly with a metronome, you will develop a stronger sense of steady beats – even when you eventually play without one.
A capo allows you to change the pitch of your guitar without having to learn new chord shapes. You simply clamp the capo onto a specific fret, and your song will sound higher without altering the fingering patterns.
For beginners, it can also be used to avoid difficult-to-play chords. Capos are available in different sizes and designs for all types of guitars.
Tip: The music2me fretboard stickers are an excellent learning aid for beginners, helping you to find your way around the fretboard more quickly. They are applied directly to the fretboard and show the names of the notes on each fret. The stickers can be removed without leaving any residue and will not damage the guitar’s finish or wood.
Guitar strings should be replaced regularly, especially as they can break more frequently in the early stages, particularly on electric guitars. The ideal string gauge depends on your style of playing and musical genre. In our guide Changing Guitar Strings, you can learn step-by-step how to replace strings on both acoustic and electric guitars with confidence.
For beginners on a steel-string acoustic guitar, we recommend lighter strings (.010 or .011 sets), which are easier on the fingers, such as the Martin MA-175 Acoustic Set.
For classical guitar, go for standard nylon strings like Augustine Nylon Strings.
For electric guitar, choose lighter gauges similar to those for acoustic, such as .009s, for example Ernie Ball Super Slinky.
Tip: A string winder makes changing strings at the tuning pegs much quicker and easier. After fitting new strings, trim the excess ends – a small side cutter is particularly useful for this.
For electric guitar players, there are some additional tools that can significantly improve your playing and sound. While beginners should mainly focus on the basic essentials, it’s worth getting to know these extras early on.
An amplifier is necessary if you play an electric guitar or an electro-acoustic guitar. As a beginner, an amp helps you make your guitar sound audible at all – without one, an electric guitar is almost silent. You can also use an amplifier to adjust tone and volume and try out your first effects. For home practice, a small practice amp is more than enough.
Tip: If you want to connect your electric guitar to an amplifier, you will need a cable – the standard is a 6.3 mm mono jack cable, such as the Cordial 3 m cable or the Pro Snake 6 m cable.
Perhaps not essential in the first few weeks – but exciting and fun: effect pedals. These are mainly of interest for electric guitars and offer a wide range of sounds.
From distortion to delay to reverb – pedals creatively shape your guitar tone.
For beginners, an affordable multi-effects unit is a good starting point, allowing you to try different sounds without buying multiple individual pedals.
With the right guitar accessories for beginners, you can start playing guitar motivated, comfortably, and with plenty of enjoyment. The most important items at first are the basics: a tuner, a protective gig bag or case, spare strings, and a guitar stand. These essentials ensure your guitar sounds good, is protected, and is always ready to play.
Everything else – such as a metronome, capo, guitar strap, or picks – can enhance comfort and enjoyment but isn’t strictly necessary for your very first day. Special equipment such as amplifiers, effect pedals, or professional accessories can be added step by step later, once you’ve developed your own playing style.
The key is to simply get started and not get lost in the variety of available gear. Begin with the essentials, practise regularly, and discover along the way which accessories truly help you progress. This way, your collection will grow naturally with your skills – and that’s what will keep you motivated in the long run.
Are you looking for a flexible yet effective way to learn the guitar?
Then music2me is the right place for you. With our online course, you can learn guitar at your own pace - whether you're a beginner or an advanced student.
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