Starting guitar is exciting, but walking into a music shop for the first time can be overwhelming. There are picks, tuners, capos, stands, strings and countless other accessories. How do you know what you actually need?

The good news is that you don't need a room full of gear to get started. A few basic accessories can make learning easier, protect your guitar and keep you ready to play.

Here are Eight worth having as a beginner.

1. Picks

If you're learning steel-string acoustic or electric guitar, you'll probably want a selection of picks. Picks come in different shapes, materials and thicknesses. A light-to-medium pick, around 0.60–0.73 mm, is a good starting point, offering enough flexibility for strumming while still giving you control

Beginner tip: Buy a variety pack and try different thicknesses to find what feels comfortable. Keep a few handy because picks are easy to lose. Classical guitarists generally play with their fingers, so picks aren't usually necessary.

2. A Reliable Tuner

An out-of-tune guitar can make even correctly played chords sound wrong. A tuner makes it quick and easy to keep your guitar sounding its best. A clip-on chromatic tuner is a great choice for beginners. It's affordable, portable and simple to use. Some guitars also have built-in tuners.

Beginner tip: Tune your guitar before every practice session. It's a small habit that will quickly become second nature.

3. Spare Strings

Eventually, most guitarists will break a string. Having a spare set means you can replace it and get back to playing instead of making an unexpected trip to the music shop. Make sure you buy the right strings for your guitar. Steel-string acoustic, electric and classical guitars all use different types of strings.

Beginner tip: Keep a spare set somewhere dry, preferably with your other guitar accessories.

4. A Guitar Stand

A stand keeps your guitar safely supported and makes it easy to reach. Having your guitar visible and ready to play can also encourage you to practise more often. A simple A-frame stand is an affordable option for many guitars.

Safety is important, so place your stand somewhere stable and away from busy areas, children and pets. If you're transporting your guitar or storing it somewhere vulnerable, use a suitable case or gig bag.

Beginner tip: Keep your guitar accessible, but make sure it won't easily get knocked over.

5. A Capo

A capo clamps across the guitar neck and raises the pitch of the open strings. It lets you play some songs in different keys while using familiar chord shapes. A capo isn't essential when you're first learning, but it becomes very useful once you start playing songs.

Important: Acoustic and electric guitars with steel strings generally use standard guitar capos. Classical guitars have wider, flatter necks and require a capo designed specifically for classical guitar.

Beginner tip: If you're following a chord chart, check whether it calls for a capo and which fret to use.

6. A String Winder

A string winder isn't essential, but it makes changing strings much quicker and easier. It fits over the tuning pegs and lets you turn them faster than you can by hand. They're inexpensive and easy to keep with your other accessories. Some maintenance tools also combine a string winder with a string cutter.

Beginner tip: Store your string winder with your spare strings so everything is together when you need it.

7. A Gig Bag

A gig bag protects your guitar from scratches, dust and minor bumps when you're carrying or storing it. It's especially useful if you're taking your guitar to lessons, rehearsals or a friend's house. Look for a bag that fits your guitar properly and has comfortable straps and enough padding for your needs.

Beginner tip: Keep your tuner, picks, spare strings and other small accessories in the gig bag pockets so everything you need is ready to go.

8. A Guitar Strap

A guitar strap gives you support and stability when playing while standing. It's especially useful for electric guitarists and anyone who wants to practise playing outside of a seated position. Choose a strap that's comfortable, adjustable and wide enough to distribute the guitar's weight comfortably.

Beginner tip: Get used to playing both sitting and standing. A comfortable strap makes it easier to practise your songs in either position.

Get Started With a Beginner Pack

You don't necessarily need to buy every accessory separately. Artist Guitars' beginner ranges include guitar bundles with useful accessories included, making it easier to get everything you need to start playing at a great overall price.

There are beginner options across electric, acoustic, acoustic-electric and classical guitars, so you can choose a pack suited to the type of guitar you want to learn. Buying a bundle is a simple way to get set up without having to work out which accessories to buy individually.

You don't need expensive equipment to start learning guitar. Get the basics, keep your guitar tuned and ready to play, and focus on the most important part—enjoying making music.

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