There are many iconic guitar brands, but I still recommend a Fender as a first guitar. It’s not just because Hendrix, Clapton, and Buddy Guy all played Fenders; it’s because a Mexican-made Fender or Korean-made Fender Squier is affordable, sounds great, and holds its value. If you buy a used Fender and don’t treat it like crap, you can probably sell it for what you paid for it. The four most iconic models are the Stratocaster ($230), Telecaster, Precision Bass ($480), and Jazz Bass ($230).
The Basics
These are the first gizmos and gadgets you’ll want to snag.
Metronome
Practicing with a metronome (the ticky-tacky-sounding thing you might recognize from atop your grandma’s piano) helps you develop muscle memory and keep your pace consistent through a piece of music. Mechanical metronomes ($17) work fine, and so do free smartphone apps, but my favorite is the Soundbrenner Core ($229). You attach a buzzer to your arms or legs during practice. Instead of hearing the beat, you feel it! It also comes with a built-in tuner and a decibel meter to warn you when things are too loud.
Tuner
You can use a phone app, but many people prefer the reliability of a real tuner. For stringed instruments, I like the Snark Super Tight ($14), which is the industry standard in clip-on tuners. For wind instruments, I like the KLIQ MetroPitch ($28), which also has a built-in metronome.
Music Stand/iPad Stand
You can use a desk or any other flat surface to hold tools while you practice, but once you learn how to read music properly, you need a music stand to read as you play. I like this one from Gleam ($26), which comes with two spring-loaded arms to hold open books or keep your music on the stand on a windy day. You might also want an iPad attachment ($32), if you’re reading sheet music off an app.
Playback Equipment
Headphones
A pair of cheap earbuds is OK to start with, but it’s worth getting a decent pair of wireless over-ear headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT ($230) if you’re serious about your tunes. They sound great for listening, have a Bluetooth connection for modern smartphones, and also double as excellent studio headphones for at-home recording.
Practice Amp
You probably won’t be ripping up the stage anytime soon, so the best amplifier to buy for your electric guitar, keyboard, or bass is one that won’t wake the neighbors. There are cheaper options I like, but I recommend the Roland Micro Cube ($165). It can be powered by batteries when out and about (great for backyard practicing), and it’s even got a few built-in effects if you start thinking about guitar pedals. If you’re a bass player or keyboard player, the Roland Cube will also work until you decided to get something a bit fancier.
Earplugs
Don’t hurt your ears! Music can be really loud. Anything over 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing damage. Either practice at normal volumes or use a pair of earplugs. There are many that claim to cut all frequencies evenly (so that your music sounds the same). None of them totally nail the sound of listening without plugs in, but my favorites are Earasers ($40), which come with little clear-plastic pulls that make them really easy to take out, as well as a case that you can attach to your keys.
For Electronic Music and Recording
Interested in playing music digitally? Here are some basic tools to get started making and recording tunes.
Digital Recording Software
One of the longest-standing nerd debates is about which recording software is best. Studio people will tell you Avid’s Pro Tools is best because it’s the industry standard. Home producers will tell you Apple’s Logic Pro or Presonus’ Studio One are better because of their drag-and-drop interfaces. Beatmakers will tell you Ableton Live is the only way to go. Honestly? These days you can’t go wrong. All well-known digital recording software is pretty fantastic. I suggest trying some of the brands listed above, all of which have free software samples so you can test the waters before you buy.
Laptop or Computer