1. Pay attention to the body for damage and scratches.

The very first thing you should do is make sure there are no glaring problems with the guitar and that it looks well-used but not worn out.

2. Query the seller

When was the guitar bought? How long has the seller owned the guitar for? Were there any issues with the guitar? A proper seller should answer all of your questions and give an honest representation of what they are selling.

3. Test it.

If you are able to you should try playing the guitar. It is the best way to find a guitar which is perfect for you. If the strings are missing or broken, buy some and set it up properly.

4. Compare Models

A guitar is a big investment, shop around before choosing the one you want. The best way to look is at guitar shops or on line sites such as eBay. Forums are another good place to learn about different guitar traits. A friend may also be able to give you advice.

If you are just starting to learn to play the guitar, the best investment you can make is to buy a well used and cared for guitar. The best place to look for these are sites such as eBay where you are able to find many major brands that are sold at cheap prices. Guitar manufacturers such as Takamine, Gibson, Martin and Taylor are all available on sites like eBay. When you decide on the model you want to buy make sure that the seller has good feedback and is trustworthy.

The best place to buy Used Acoustic Guitar on line. Choose from a huge selection of Used Acoustic Guitars for sale. There are plenty of different guitars to choose, many models from Takimine to Gibson

In the last article/mini guitar lesson you learned how to move the pentatonic pattern 1 around the neck. In this lesson we will expand on that to bring a technique called the \”hammer on\”.

For example let\’s take pattern 1 at the 5th fret (Am).

OK, to play the \”hammer on\” you need to hold down the 6th string at the 5th fret and then pluck it. Then bring down your 4th finger hard onto the 8th fret with enough force to allow the string to ring out as though you had plucked it!

In order to master thus technique you need to practice. Practice playing the hammer on on all the strings in the scale pattern… This is known as \”hammering on\”!!!

Once you are able to play the \”hammer on\” quickly you will build up your speed over time and find that you will be able to play notes quickly without having to pick the strings individually. This will speed up your overall playing ability…

All great guitarists have practiced. Try to pick up your guitar EVERY day even if just for a few short minutes, it\’s better than not playing at all and eventually you will find your fingers become on autopilot without you realising…

To add to the \”hammer on\” we will now have a go at a technique called the \”pull off\” and is the next killer technique you must try to master on your road to becoming a great player!

We will start off again using pentatonic pattern one at the 5th fret (Am). Hold down the 8th fret with your 4th finger and also the 5th fret with your first finger on the 6th string.

Now pick the string sounding the note at the 8th fret (C)

Here\’s the great part: Pluck the string while the note is still ringing with your 4th finger (pull off) to sound the note at the 5th fret (A), do not use your pick at all whilst doing this.

Make sure you practice this on all the strings up and down pattern 1.

Using \”hammer on\’s\” and \”pull off\”s\” is a much used feature in great sounding solos.

You need to practice these techniques over and over until your fingers start to bleed! Only joking!

About The Author – Mike Jones: Mike has been teaching and playing guitar as a pro for over two decades. He has created a unique guitar tutoring course geared to using his very own unique speed learning techniques to get the beginner through to accomplished player in the shortest possible time. For more information and receive some super FREE tips and tricks why not go to his website at: Learn Guitar Quickly

I am now going to show you a couple of mini guitar lessons in this article that you really should know to help get your guitar soloing of to a great start and stop you from sounding shall we say mediocre!

OK, let\’s get going…

In this weeks mini guitar lesson I will show you how to use the pentatonic pattern #1 scale for both major and minor solo\’s.

The first thing we need to consider is that every pentatonic pattern can be used for both major and minor scales.

The following are known as relative major and minors. That is, pattern #1 at the fifth fret produces two keys, A minor (Am) and C major (C).

Therefore to get a real cool bluesy rock sound and knowing that we can use this pattern for BOTH minor and major keys, Am and C maj, we simply play the Am pattern over a backing track written in A major!

Now here\’s the good bit…

Keeping with this pattern, move the whole pattern down the neck towards the tuning pegs by just 3 frets. Now, when we play this same pattern here we will now be playing in A major that produces a very melodic, tuneful soloing sound!!!

This next little mini guitar lesson staying with the theme of moving the pentatonic pattern 1 around the neck creating killer solo\’s.

In the key of A, play pentatonic pattern #1 at the 5th fret (Am) you will create a great bluesy rock solo.

Now here\’s the best part… Try moving the whole pentatonic pattern #1 shape up the neck to the 7th fret which will be Em and continue playing! You will find this produces a fantastic melodic sound using the exact same pattern only at a different part of the neck, try it for yourself. You\’ll find many, many guitarists use this simple little trick to enhance their sound.

Remember to make a place on your hard drive for all the mini guitar lessons I will be giving you in articles over the coming weeks and make sure you practice them regularly. You will eventually have a fantastic bag of tricks that when used together in a solo will produce a pro sound. Your friends will be amazed at you new found skill!

All these mini guitar lessons i will be giving you are just a very small fraction of material contained in the Killer Guitar Tips home study course but even so are invaluable in your journey to be come a great player.

About The Author – Mike Jones: Mike is a Professional Guitar Tutor and has been playing and teaching guitar for over two decades. He has created a unique guitar tutoring program geared to using his very own amazing speed learning techniques to get the beginner through to great player in the shortest possible time. To find out more and receive some super FREE tips and tricks why not go to his website at: Learn Guitar