Hello Guitar Students,
With recitals just around the corner, I wanted to reach out to discuss how you can ensure your guitar is in top-performing shape.
As a professional performing musician, these are the guidelines I follow in my own gigging life. For those who don’t know me, I’ve been playing professionally around Alberta for the last seven years and have backed up some outstanding artists. The list includes ARDN (signed to the prestigious Capitol Records), Lily Monaghan, whom I accompanied on the Main Stage at Folk Fest to an audience of 25,000, Ricci Paolo, and many more. Below are some “rules” I’ve adjusted to fit the average student’s experience.
Strings:
If your strings are older than three months, it’s time for new ones!
Over time, guitar strings lose their elasticity and begin to sound dull. Dirt and debris can also accumulate, which impacts the tone. Three months is a very conservative interval between string changes—I change mine every month! Changing your strings at least a week before a performance guarantees that your guitar will sound great, and the strings will be broken-in enough to stay in tune during the show. DO NOT change your strings within a day or two of a performance unless you plan to get in some serious playing!
Remember to wipe down your strings with a paper towel or cloth after every practice session. If you haven’t tried this, give it a go – it’s surprisingly effective (and sometimes pretty gross!). Sweat, dirt, and debris crystallize on the strings, especially underneath. Wiping your strings down will extend their tonal life.
We offer strings at our front desk to save you a trip into Edmonton—check in with us during your next visit, and we’ll set you up with a set that works for you. All our guitar instructors are capable of showing you how to change the strings on your guitar. If you’d rather not risk it yourself, we also offer string changes at a very reasonable rate.
Set Up:
If you’ve never had your guitar set up, chances are the strings are too far from the fretboard. This makes you press much harder than necessary. As you probably know, good guitar technique requires light pressure, so you can play fast, flashy passages with ease. A setup involves adjusting the truss rod in the neck and the bridge, so your strings sit at the ideal height for proper technique. Setups usually need to be done only once or twice a year. I tend to set my guitars up once in the cold months and once when it warms up, as the wood shifts with climate changes. While we don’t offer setups, there are many online resources to help you do it yourself, or you could ask your instructor for a recommended luthier.
Maintenance/Cleaning:
If you’re anything like me, there’s a good chance your guitar is covered in fingerprints. On a clear-coated finish, these fingerprints will show up vividly under stage lights—like fireflies in a dark forest! To avoid this, make sure you wipe your guitar down thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. Guitar-specific cleaner sprays can help remove stubborn marks, but remember to spray onto the cloth, not directly onto the guitar. Never use water or regular cleaning solutions, as these can damage your guitar’s finish. Always use a guitar-specific cleaning solution as directed.
Don’t forget to wipe down the headstock, bridge (on electrics), and pickguard. Electric guitars often gather debris near the pickups, which can also benefit from a quick wipe.
When changing strings, be sure to clean the fretboard. Sweat and debris often pile up between the frets. For an extra touch, you can use a fretboard oil (often lemon oil) to hydrate and seal your fretboard. This should only be done once or twice a year and pairs well with a setup.
Humidity Control: For acoustic guitars especially, maintaining a stable humidity level is crucial. Sudden changes in humidity can cause wood to warp or crack, affecting the guitar’s tone and playability. If possible, keep your guitar in a room with stable humidity (around 40-50%) or use a guitar humidifier in your case during dry season.
Check for Loose Screws and Parts: Every so often, check for any loose screws on the tuning machines, pickguard, or strap buttons. Loose parts can cause unwanted vibrations or even fall off during a performance. It’s also wise to periodically check the input jack on electric guitars.
These are just a few tips I’d strongly recommend following as you prepare for the recitals! You’ve been working so hard on your music, so let’s make sure your guitar is working hard for you.
Cheers,
Tiegen Costa
Director of WeJamTM & Guitar