Choosing an Electric Guitar
Useful accessories

Sometimes you may notice your fingers catching a little bit on the strings of a guitar that has been newly strung or that has not been played in a while. The reason why is simple: the strings have dried out. The strings of a guitar that is played often play smoothly because the oil from the guitarist's fingers acts as a natural lubricant to some degree. If you find your fingers catching on your strings and find it difficult to play smoothly, you should consider using Finger-ease, a lubricant that reduces the friction between the strings and your fingers.

The most popular type of Finger-ease comes in a spray can, but nowadays these products are also available in a variety of forms such as those that can be used like wet wipes or roll-on products. The two leftmost items shown in the photo below are spray type products. This type is very easy to use. Simply spray the guitar down-even when it is strapped on. It can be used during rehearsal or even when on stage. One thing to keep in mind is that Finger-ease will also get on the fingerboard when sprayed. Although this poses little problem for electric guitars with maple or other coated fingerboards, if sprayed on uncoated fingerboards such as rosewood, Finger-ease could soak into the wood. It is therefore a good idea to wipe the fingerboard immediately after spraying.

Wet wipe type products allow you to wipe each string with a sheet that has been soaked in solution. There is no risk of damaging the fingerboard since the solution is applied only to the strings. Finally, there are even roll-on type products. First rub the stick directly on the strings, then use the included soft cloth to lightly wipe the strings. Although it takes a little more time to apply, this type of product comes recommended as it allows for a truly even application.

Although you can certainly practice electric guitar at home without plugging into an amplifier, it is just not the same. Without a strong sound you will be unable to check for detailed nuances with your own ears. Having said that, it can be inconvenient to set up an amplifier and plug in your guitar at times. In this case a headphone amplifier comes strongly recommended. These handy devices can even be used when warming up backstage before a show.

Ebow is a special tool for guitar playing that was created in the U.S. Ebow resembles a round stapler. When it is brought near a string, an electromagnetic force causes the string to vibrate automatically-without having to even touch the string. In other words, the device will keep playing the note with no action required on your part.
Ebow is often used to give guitars a phrasing and timbre more like that of a violin. It is held instead of a pick, so it is generally used as a one-shot tool.