There are some things that you are going to need, and some other things that will make your life a little easier. In this lesson I want to give you a little bit of advice regarding all these things. It is recommended that you sort these out at some point but you don't need to get them all before you start, all you really need is a guitar and some picks.

Video Lesson

Essential Shopping List

There are some things that are pretty much essential that you want to get before you think about starting out on the course...

Picks
You will need to buy a few picks. To start with you will need a few very thin picks (get as thin as you can find). These thin picks will help you learn to strum well. It is also worth getting a couple of Medium thickness too - there are better for playing notes individually (like when you play scales).
Justin Recommends: Dunlop Nylon (I use these when I am strumming acoustic)

Spare strings
Don't make the mistake of not having spare strings. Order some next time you buy some other stuff, and have at least two spare sets at home. There are vids on String Changing if you need to learn to change them... What gauge strings I hear you ask? Most beginners play 009 gauge for electric and 010 gauge for acoustics. The thicker the strings the more they hurt your fingers, but they sound better. Although "treated" Extra Life strings are a little more expensive, they don't rust and are better for people who don't change their strings very often! They keep sounding better for longer and are less likely to break!
Justin Recommends: DR Extra-life Strings (I endorse DR, because I think they are awesome)

Metronome
This one is important. You will use your metronome a lot. Any metronome will do, but I recommend getting an electric one, not one of the old tick tock ones. The one linked below has some additional features that will be useful later and most of my students have this metronome and it is well made and long lasting...
Justin Recommends: Korg MA-30 (I still use one of these)

Tuner
Another really important thing is to be in tune. You should learn to tune up yourself without needing a tuner, but they are usually a lot more accurate, and when you are starting out, it is better to be in tune and having your guitar sound nice than trying to learn how to tune and messing it up and having your guitar sound horrible. Have mercy on those that will listen to you learn and buy yourself a tuner right away!!
Justin Recommends: Korg GA-30 (I use Peterson Tuners, but they are too expensive for beginners!)

Display Folder (or ring binder)
It really helps you learn fast if you keep your notes organised. I recommend buying a clear display folder or a ring binder to keep all your notes in and keep them organised. It really will help. It somehow keeps your head tidy if your notes are tidy. They are not expensive, so give it a go and it will help keep your journey smooth easy sailing.
Justin Recommends: Snowpake Display Folder

Capo
A capo is a really cool device that you place on the guitar neck and it changes the pitch of the open strings. They are used to change the key of a song, and will enable you to play along with records that you would be very hard to do without one. If you sing, they are also great to change the key of a song quickly to help you find your key. A very useful (though not 100% necessary) accessory.

Music Stand
A music stand can save your back. If you have any posture problems, get a stand now! Many people sit on the bed or the sofa with sheet music next to them and twist around to see it, and also craning their neck to look at their fingers - this is a sure fire track to expensive chiropractic bill. Just get a stand, they are not expensive and make your practice time more comfortable.
Justin Recommends: Some kinda wire music stand

Strap
Getting a strap is a very good idea. It helps keep the guitar stable and trains you up for when you want to go unleash your skills on the world. Don't worry too much about what type to get - just one that you like. If you bought a heavy guitar (like a Gibson Les Paul) you might want to get a padded strap so you don't hurt your shoulder!
Justin Recommends: Any Strap!

Strap Locks
If you plan to stand up and use a strap on your guitar then please buy some strap locks. These can range from plastic discs that cost only a couple of bucks, to big metal catches that you fix to your strap and cost more. I have seen too many beginners without strap locks and seen guitars drop to the floor. I have actually seen 3 guitars snap necks because of no strap locks. The cheap ones work, so there is no excuse not to have these.
Justin Recommends: Schaller Strap Locks (around £20/$35) or Jim Dunlop Lok Strap (about £3/$5)

Recorder or jam buddy or looper
One of the best things you can do when you are learning is have a jam buddy that learns with you, a friend about the same level that you can practice and learn with. It is also a massive advantage when it comes to learning to improvise because one person can play chords while the other learns to take a solo, and then swap. If you don't have this option I recommend getting a small recorder, so you can record yourself playing and then jam along with that. It is also a very good thing to hear yourself back, so a recorder is a great thing to have even if you have a jam buddy. Another alternative is to buy a looper pedal, but for a beginner this would be a little over the top, and another thing to learn.
Justin Recommends: Find a friend :)

There is some more info on specific products from this range that I recommend at RE-020 • Recommended Products For Beginners

HELP!!!!

If you need to ask a question about this lesson - there is a topic set up specifically to help you with this lesson. To help you find it easily you can click the following link and it will take you right the topic. You'll be able to see questions that other people had and ask your own questions! Hopefully one of the very helpful members of our community will be there to help you soon, I do go there and answer stuff too - but there are just too many questions for me to answer alone! So click this link to get help with this lesson!

Justin's Beginner Guitar Method DVD

Could this be the most comprehensive and complete beginners course ever made? I'd like to think so and now you can have it at home on the big screen on this super cool 4 DVD set. Over 8 hours of quality instruction to help you learn guitar quickly and easily, and enjoy your guitar journey! Included are all the videos from the whole Beginners Guitar Method as well as all the mp3 files for the JUSTIN Method, exclusive bloopers, and one minute changes coaching session and the taster lessons from other DVD's and a Jam Blues track. Details here or click the image