Knowing how to change guitar strings is an important skill for any guitar player to have. At first, it can seem like a daunting task if you've never done it before. However, once you know all there is to it, you will see it is not so difficult. Let's get started!
To change your guitar strings, you will need to get the correct strings that are appropriate for your guitar and personal preference. If you have an electric guitar, you will need to get a package of strings specifically for that (it will say on the package), and the same for acoustic. There are also different types of strings such as nylon and steel. Different types of strings make different types of sounds. When you go to the music store to pick out your strings, ask to hear how the different types sound and choose the one you like. You will also need to buy a string winder, wire/string clippers, and a battery powered guitar tuner.
Once you have all the things you need, you can start changing your strings! First, lay your guitar flat on a table or counter, for easy access. Take your string winder and put it on the low E string (thickest string) tuning peg and loosen the tension. Then do the same thing for the A string (second thickest string) tuning peg. Do this until both strings are very loose. Take your wire/string clippers and cut the low E and A strings above the sound hole. Next, unwind the low E string from its machine head and pull it off, and then do the same for the A string. Pull out the excess strings from the bottom of the bridge.
Now that you've successfully removed those strings, you can start putting the new ones in! Take out the correct strings you need from the new box of strings, in this case, the low E string and the A string (the package should have a key to tell you which string is which). Pull the low E string through the bottom of the bridge. Do the same for the A string. Take the low E string and pull it so it is parallel to the neck. Then, take your wire/string cutters and cut the low E string where the string lays past one and a half machine heads. Now, put the string through the proper machine head hole, just enough so you can see the string coming out the other side. Take your string winder and tighten the low E string tuning peg, making sure the string on the machine head doesn't overlap as it's wrapping. Do the same thing for the A string. Afterward, do everything you did for the low E and A strings, to the D and G strings. Then again, for the B and high E strings.
Next, we need to tune the guitar. Take your battery powered guitar tuner and make sure to read the instructions. Usually, the tuner will show a green light when the string is at the correct pitch and red if it is not. While tuning your guitar to the correct pitch, make sure to turn the tuning pegs little-by-little with your hand. Once you do this, you can start playing! Have fun!
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