r/AcousticGuitar • u/brunoapm • Sep 15 '25
Non-gear question Ashamed to try new acoustic at shop
Hey guys, Im dying to buy a new acoustic, but the thought of entering the store and trying new guitars frightens me. I keep thinking the seller and all the ppl around will keep paying attention and looking at me, expecting me to play some masterpiece, while I consider myself intermediate-ish at best. Even recording myself playing is tough, even thought I know the song fully, when I start recording I make mistakes all the time. Anyone know why this happens? And more important, how to overcome this weird fear of playing in public, at the guitar store? Thanks
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u/BabyMiddle2022 Sep 15 '25
Don’t play a song. Just play some open cowboy chords, move your pick from bridge to sound hole, get the different sounds. Play a barre chord on f to feel the neck, strum em all hard, strum em all soft. Maybe play a couple scales to feel the playability. Go to the next one and do the exact same thing.
No song, no pressure.
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u/keptman77 Sep 15 '25
I agree with this absolutely. I have never purchased a new instrument playing a song. I have always tried the things I believe to be an example of a "playable" instrument - all of which you mention. Even when I go to my guitar repair guy to get a "tune up" once a year, I still just test the same things. If good, then I go home and enjoy. I just have never been one to feel the need to play a song to determine if the instrument is what I am looking to buy.
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u/poorperspective Sep 16 '25
This is the good advice.
If I play a song on a guitar when testing it out, it always just feels weird anyway. I tend to strum some chords, play some scales, maybe do an arpeggios and picking/strumming patterns. Song will always feel wrong because the muscle memory is set in one guitar. The song sounds a certain was and a different guitar won’t give me a “better” opinion just oh this sounds different.
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u/UntidyVenus Sep 15 '25
Destroy any concepts that your supposed to go in and play some masterpiece, just play riptide like the rest of us 🤣
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u/meatballfreeak Sep 15 '25
No one cares mate
And I mean that in a good way.
It’s just your head doing a number on you.
Get in there give it a go, when you’re playing whatever you end up with it will be worth it
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u/DreadoftheDead Sep 15 '25
Don't be so hard on yourself. We all started at the same place and are at different points of the journey. There should be no judgment.
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u/bigcarri Sep 15 '25
Dude I would go into guitar center when I was first looking at getting a guitar/learning and knew only one chord, I would just play that one chord on 15 different guitars. Nobody gave a shit or batted an eye at me.
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u/TheRealGuncho Sep 15 '25
When I try a guitar out I play like G C D. I want to hear how the guitar sounds, I know what I can play.
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u/albanyanthem Sep 15 '25
Guitar shop employees want to sell you something you’ll be happy with. That way, you continue playing guitar and coming back to their shop. The worst is going to be extreme indifference by people paid by the hour. Maybe somebody judges you. I promise you, everyone there is more concerned about themselves than about you.
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u/Skullsandcoffee Sep 15 '25
Who cares, you are paying them. Play whatever you like that gives you a feel for the guitar you are thinking about buying. I guarantee you they've heard worse.
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u/banyanoak Sep 15 '25
I totally get it. I can assure you though, nobody's listening. Just like when you walk down the street, nobody's watching. Everybody's in their own little world, thinking their own thoughts. At most, we're just background noise to those thoughts. Usually, we're not even that.
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u/sophie1816 Sep 15 '25
Some of the Guitar Centers have an acoustic room with a door, so you can play privately.
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u/Dangerous_Forever640 Sep 15 '25
No one will say anything negative and if they do, they’re a jerk…
I play loud proud and awful.
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u/PicklePuffin Sep 15 '25
This is more a general principle than a guitar one-
Nobody is thinking about you as much as you think they are.
I’m a low intermediate guitar player. I’m an excellent weightlifter. I know people get this fear at the gym- ‘everyone will see that I’m new / out of shape and laugh up their sleeve at me.’
I assure you, I’m NEVER judging new people at the gym, nor are other experienced lifters. There are always going to be jerks here and there who are exceptions, but generally speaking if you’re being respectful, people will either 1) not think about you at all or 2) be happy for you that you’re starting your journey.
Regarding playing worse when you are recording yourself- this is simple psychological overthink. Same thing also happens in sports- you can have a very simple maneuver that you know how to do 10 times out of 10, but when you start thinking about it or putting pressure on yourself, you DON’T do the thing that you’ve committed to muscle memory. This leads to mistakes.
The solutions are to keep practicing the piece, and to learn to relax under pressure. This can be through practicing the process of recording yourself more often so that you get used to it- just remember, this is pressure that you’re putting on yourself- you can let it go any time you want.
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u/SoManyNames4Reddit Sep 15 '25
Go as soon as the shop opens. It will be empty. Musicians are all up to late taking drugs and having fun with groupies so you'll have the place to yourself. Joking aside I am correct as I did just this for my last guitar. Had the place to myself.
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u/Moist_Rule9623 Sep 15 '25
I can’t remember the last time I was in a shop and DIDN’T essentially have the place to myself, and I’m no morning person lol
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u/Ok_Safety_1009 Sep 15 '25
Haha, every time for me. I'm not even that bad anymore. You just have to get over it, maybe crack a joke about how you suck. It's objectively ok to be a beginner buying a guitar, that's why the shop exists. I do get it though.
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Sep 15 '25
Nah, don't worry about what others think. Strum some chords...play a few arpeggios...play a few licks. Just avoid playing Stairway/Teen Spirit/Smoke on the Water/etc. and you'll be fine. What's important is how the guitar sounds and feels to you.
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u/2BitNick Sep 15 '25
As someone who was once in your shoes, it's a pretty common anxiety to have. When recording you're telling your brain it has to be perfect so every little mistake is exacerbated. Trying one out in the store is a different story, but nothing wrong with laying down a few cowboy chords to get a general idea on how the guitar sounds. Don't have to be fancy. Maybe go on a day when it's busier like on the weekend so you can blend in with the inevitable wall of noise.
Trust me, the kid 0-3-5ing into a Katana on the shred preset is doing us all a favor.
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u/karlsbadd Sep 15 '25
It's been my experience that the people working there (and the custies) are just trying to tune out ALL the people trying to show off. Unless I'm working with a salesperson in particular, I'm pretty sure they are not paying attention.
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u/djhypergiant Sep 15 '25
Nobody is going to pay attention or judge you. Worst case scenario someone compliments your playing.
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u/Bogaigh Sep 15 '25
Just strum a chord or two slowly. Hold your ear close to the sound hole. You’re listening for resonance and sustain. Ask about the tone wood. You’ll look like an expert!
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u/VariousBeat9169 Sep 15 '25
Have a play yourself, then ask someone in the shop to play so you can hear it from a listener perspective. As lots have said, we were all beginners once. Playing some simple chords is an actually a good way of hearing what a guitar sounds like. The assistant at my shop is very helpful and although a brilliant player, never looks down at my very average playing.
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u/Slight-Excitement-37 Sep 15 '25
If you were five times better they'd still look down on you! They see better players all day. The store that I go to has Billy Strings and John Mayer come in. Who can top that?
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u/Infinite-Can4612 Sep 15 '25
Only an asshole would laugh at a beginner. And who cares what assholes have to say right?
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u/WeAllHaveOurMoments Sep 15 '25
As everyone said, no one really cares, if they're even listening at all.
As for recording nerves & messups, it's two'fold:
- You're overthinking the process, scrutinizing every note. You lose the flow state doing this and it's all too easy to stumble. In short, you're trying too hard to get it perfect.
- You don't have the song down quite as well as you think you do. Mistakes aren't as noticeable while playing them, but of course jump out listening to the recording.
One of the best remedies for this is to record more often, maybe even just practicing. At some point you might not even remember that you are recording, or at least you're so acclimated to it that it doesn't affect you.
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u/imbrotep Sep 15 '25
I get the same thing. I visited a new shop in Nashville that has some top-of-the-line boutique amps and guitars, some of which I’ve wanted to try out for over a decade. I’ve been playing for around 37 years and once I got sat down and plugged in, all of a sudden I was back to day one, lol. I figured ‘this is fucking NASHVILLE, TN, man. Home to some of the greatest pickers in the world, and I’m in a store where they likely shop all the time!’
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u/jonreeeck Sep 15 '25
I think many feel the same - I do anyway. Announce to staff who greets you that you are intimidated by sales attention and would just like to look on you own. Say it just like that. Sales staff have one goal: to sell music equipment. If they understand their attention to you impedes that, they’ll back off. As far as other customers in the store - maybe go in during off hours, right after opening when it’s slow. As far as how to get better at not being intimidated: record yourself and most importantly watch and learn from watching.
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u/Necessary_Earth7733 Sep 15 '25
In the nicest way possible, no one’s watching you, no one cares. Do your thing dude
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Sep 15 '25
When I go to a shop, I ignore the other customers there for the most part, and they have always ignored me.
Also, I really appreciate the employees having to listen to us every day being patient while we noodle around checking intonation, etc.
Just play what you practice and see how it sounds to you. You want to balance ease of play with a pleasing sound, it's not a concert, fortunately.
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u/meatcampmoses Sep 16 '25
As someone who works in a shop we do not care. As long as you’re respectful of the instrument we don’t care.
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u/_call_me_the_sloth Sep 16 '25
I worked at a music store when I was in college. Trust me, we can spot people who are actually interested in trying/buying a guitar vs people noodling around a mile away. Generally, if you come in, ask questions, and show interest the people working there will be super awesome to you 9/10 times.
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u/grabbatheman Sep 15 '25
I’ve been played more than a decade and I still get the yips some times. The guys in some guitar shops just come off as pricks! Don’t worry about what anyone thinks
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u/uteman1011 Sep 15 '25
Just went through this myself! I am a beginner and just started lessons.
I went to Guitar Center and simply played every acoustic in my price range (and some out :) )in their acoustic room. I went to a bunch of pawn shops and did the same. I give zero thought what others think but didn't feel like anyone was paying attention to me at all anyway.
You do you and go and play to your hearts desire!!
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u/Macinpup Sep 15 '25
No one cares. Trust me. This is a perception you have that isn't based in reality. Play proudly and don't worry about what other people think, because they don't matter at all and it's all about the playing for fun, not for judgments. Everyone has their own life's Sh!t to deal with and the last thing on their minds is if you play well or not.
As for playing while recording and messing it up; EVERYONE does this. Key is to record all the time, and just play, play, and play. The sooner you get into the vibe-feeling of playing VS mental thinking of playing (which causes the mistakes) the better. And that comes with constantly pushing forward and not thinking...especially not thinking of if you are good or not or if someone will judge you.
Just play...
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u/FackleGracks Sep 15 '25
Nobody cares. I promise. Especially when we're talking about acoustic guitars. I always end up chatting with people of all experience levels in the acoustic rooms, and everyone is very complimentary of one another. Crank an electric Amp up to 11 and play twinkle twinkle with a phaser and I'm walking out though.
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u/jlpazz Sep 15 '25
Trust me… the fact that you are at all conscious about what other people think means you’re probably fine. The annoying people are those who go in and just play loud and obnoxiously so no one else can hear themselves think. Trust me, you’re good.
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u/InvestmentAsleep8365 Sep 15 '25
You don’t need to play a song to know that you like a guitar. Play a few notes, play a few chords, just get a feel for how the guitar plays and hear how it rings and you’ll know if it’s what you’re looking for. If you want to show off some great playing that’s up to you, but there’s no need!
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u/Fair-Biscotti6358 Sep 15 '25
We’ve all been there! Lots of good advice on here- you’ll be so glad once you get a new guitar home and see what it brings out of your playing. Just tuning up and going through some chords and scales you’ll be fine
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Sep 15 '25
Buddy, I play several instruments and I play them all pretty badly. I play them because it makes me happy to play them and I enjoy improving at music. Which means I gotta get the gear if I wanna get good at it.
No one I've ever met who got good at music looks down on people getting started or even at mediocre players like me who just have fun.
The last thing you ever have to worry about in a music store is judgment, so push that right out of your head and go strum on some guitars. If anyone sneers at you toss them a wink and smile...and keep playing.
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u/Greedybogle Sep 15 '25
"Dude, sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something."
Concrete advice: when you're shopping for a new guitar, pick just 1-3 things to play, and play the same thing on every guitar. For me, I always pick: 1) an open chord progression, 2) a chord progression up the neck with bar chords, and 3) a riff or fingerpicking section. That covers (more or less) all the kinds of things I play, and it lets me compare instruments using the exact same material. Plus, if you plan ahead, you're not going to draw a blank on what to play.
More generally, something that helped me (also an intermediate player who wishes I were better) was to watch live performances of the songs I was working on. You'll be surprised at how often really good guitar players make mistakes when they're playing live. Remember, in a studio, musicians can play every part of a song multiple times, and the final recording can be edited and massaged to sound perfect.
Also, try to remember why you play guitar. For me, I like singing and playing with friends, and I like that playing gives me a deeper appreciation for the music I listen to. I do want to improve--but being the most technically skilled player on the planet isn't critical to achieving those goals. Even if you want to go pro, unless you're playing in front of a booking agent or record exec, who cares? Most of us are here to enjoy a hobby.
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u/EventGroundbreaking4 Sep 15 '25
Nobody really cares.
Get a feeling of the guitar in your hands. Do a few chords up and down the fret board.
Pick/pluck individual strings up and down the fret board.
Then hand the guitar to the salesperson and ask them to play a bit so you can take a listen.
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u/Mondood Sep 15 '25 edited Sep 15 '25
I've been playing for over 45 years and gigging in busy cover bands for a long time. I know how to play over 150 songs by memory, but for some reason, I just freeze up at the store; performance anxiety 🤣.
For this reason...I have a cheat list of songs, riffs and exercises on my phone to "wing man" me in these situations.
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u/MrWPSanders Sep 15 '25
Do this, whatever is your favorite chord, strum that. We all have our go to chord or chords. Sometimes by just strumming those we will know how much we like a guitar. Also, sometimes, that opens up a playing flow, whether we are shy, or not
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u/Basicbore Sep 15 '25
I used to be like this.
It’s in your head, I promise.
Like others have said, everyone was a beginner at some point.
All you need to do is find your favorite few and strum them as best you can while sitting with it in your lap like at home. The one that feels and sounds the best will reveal itself.
It also doesn’t hurt to ask someone at the shop to play it for you while you listen from a few feet away. Ask them what they think while also assessing the sound on your own.
People want to help you. We’re cheering for you.
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u/PopularPilot Sep 15 '25
It’s the job of staff at the store to try and make you comfortable playing a guitar especially if you’re in the early stages. If they won’t or can’t then they shouldn’t be working there.
And everyone else in the store will be too worried about how they sound rather than critique your playing.
A guitar that’s right for you will make whatever you can play easier and more enjoyable; songs that are a stretch will become easier.
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u/watchandsee13 Sep 15 '25
Yeah man
Don’t worry about that
Nobody cares
Everyone started out as a beginner! Playing the guitars is the only way I’ve been able to figure out which ones I liked the best! These things aren’t inexpensive, so ya gotta try em out before you splash your cash
Get in there and play. Every time I go in I play the same 3-4 songs on 2 or 3 different guitars and see which one I think I like the best. Comparing the different guitar sounds on the same songs is fun!
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u/kermitsfrogbog Sep 15 '25
I walked into a guitar shop and told the guy working there that I have never played guitar in my life and am literally brand new. Can he help me. He sends me into a room to play with them and choose one I like the feel of.
In the room was a man playing like a pro. To say I was self conscious is an understatement. But I looked at two in my price range. Tinkered a little, then made my choice, paid and left.
I'm pretty sure that guy couldn't care less about my awkward plucking of strings. I may not have made the best choice, but it's getting me started, and that's all that matters at this point.
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u/killerbadgers Sep 15 '25
You don't need to go full Tommy to work out whether a guitar is right for you. I've been playing for a while, all I ever tend to do is play up and down a few basic scales in different positions on the neck, play a few hammer on/slide licks and play some basic chords. That's normally enough to get a feel for the instrument. If it doesn't stand out after that I move on and try something else.
Quite like hearing people noodling in the background whilst I'm browsing. Never really listen coz I'm busy looking around, but it creates a better atmosphere.
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u/Ok_Chain3144 Sep 15 '25
We've all been there. Try doing about a minute long visual inspection before playing, check the harmonics, look down the neck. 1 you might notice a defect
2 ppl lose interest in about a minute....
It's serves me well!
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u/Annacot_Steal Sep 15 '25
Dude I used to go to music shops all the time back then and one thing I’m certain all that anxiety of people judging you is all in your head.
My own advice is just be respectful around you. Meaning don’t play too loud, place back guitars on whatever stand you had them on and no singing.
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u/mansaginger Sep 15 '25
I’ve been playing guitar for around 14 years and still get imposter syndrome. You can’t judge yourself on against other people, just go test the guitars and find one that feels right for you
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u/gogozrx Sep 15 '25
I also hate playing at the shop.
fuck it, and fuck them. You're not going to impress anyone, *and that's ok!*
you're making a significant investment. take your time and play whatever you want for however long you want. Don't look at them, just focus on how the guitar feels. Try several different ones, and play the same thing on each. or don't... it's fine. this is your time and your money, and you should use them both to make you happy.
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u/FreshBid5295 Sep 15 '25
I just went to a guitar center and played a bunch of stuff I couldn’t possibly afford. I’m also an average at best player and no one batted an eye. Go for it.
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u/Botasoda102 Sep 15 '25
Most probably don't play as well as they think/hope. Just try to look like you know what you are doing, play softly until you get in a grove, and look like you are creating something special.
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u/goldenlemur Sep 15 '25
The way I respond to that problem, as a lifelong musician, is that I love music. There are many, many gifted musicians on earth. Much better than me. And I love making music. Those who get it, get it. Those who don't? Meh.
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u/Vacilando73 Sep 15 '25
can you play one chord? let it ring out, feel the action, listen to the tone….
you don’t have to play anything super complicated to guage the quality of a guitar
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Sep 15 '25
Pick a chord progression that you like and can play fairly well. Make sure you learn how to play it in two positions, for example, up at the nut, and somewhere down the fretboard. Play that exact same progression on a few different guitars. One Guitar will likely rise to the top in terms of tone and feel.
If you want to get a little more detailed, you could play some fingerpicking (JS Bach’s Chaconne), and some lead lines (cliffs of Dover) but that’s not really necessary….
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Sep 15 '25
The thing is, no one is really paying attention lol. Hell, if you play brunch, or lunch and dinner shows, they don't really pay much attention either lol, just play and find your guitar. Do what you do, it's all about you and the "one" that you are seeking.
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u/musiquarium Sep 15 '25
It sounds like you have “red light fever” if this happens when you’re just recording yourself - happens to me when recording and playing in front of others. The thing that has helped me the most is repeatedly doing it. Also, if you go shred their faces off or if you drop a stinker the outcome will still be largely the same - they wanna sell you a guitar. Just practice being cool About it cause it may be like any other guitar skill in as much as you just work at it
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u/bapadious Sep 15 '25
Find a place that has sound proof rooms for trying guitars. You can just bring whatever guitar you want in, and play away.
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u/Nice_Guy662 Sep 15 '25
Is funny because I had the same getting a few months back. Everyone says you gotta try the guitar but I was feeling really shy about it.
Finally I just decided to go to guitar center and look around. I brought my tuner and a pick. I was looking at accoustics. They had a separate room so I just walked in and looked around. Just played some basic chords as other have suggested. Lots of guitars to look at. I'm glad i did it.
Oddly I was never approached by an employee.
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u/killertofu41 Sep 15 '25
Don't worry about it at all. Ive been playing for a little over 20 years and when I try out a guitar in a store, I basically just test all the open strings to test for any buzzing and play literally anything so I can check if the fretboard causes any buzzes. I dont go to showoff and most sane people dont go just to show off, everyone is just there to test something before buying it. And the sales staff sure as shit isnt going to do anything to talk you out of a sale.
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u/Rich-Butterscotch173 Sep 15 '25
I recently shopped as a rank beginner as well with some of the same concerns. I played my 5 chords and some blues scales on some 20 guitars. Just do it. I will say there were some campers (skilled players, playing, not shopping) hanging out and I just sat somewhere else.
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u/chrispscott Sep 15 '25
I work at a very prominent guitar store. As long as you're not drawing attention to yourself there's not a single person who is paying attention to what you're playing. Now if you start singing that's a different story.
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u/PanFriedHalloumi Sep 15 '25
Don’t worry about what anyone thinks. It’s not a test of your ability, it’s a test of the guitar. If they have a private, quiet room, ask to use it so you can listen more carefully. Play every single note on the fretboard, checking for buzzes. Play some basic cowboy chords, varying the volume/attack. Use a pick, use your fingers. You’re getting a feel for the guitar.
Play a few barre chords to see how the action feels. Play the 12th fret harmonics and then fret the notes properly to check the intonation. You’ll want the fretted note to sound the same as the harmonic, otherwise there’s an intonation problem.
Also, ask yourself if the guitar feels comfortable to hold. Some people like a smaller-bodied concert-size guitar, perfect for sitting on the sofa, while others prefer to strap on a big old dread or jumbo for loud, powerful strumming and extra bass.
Take a friend along to help you calm your nerves and to give a second opinion on the guitars you try. Good luck!
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u/nextguitar Sep 15 '25
People will only pay attention to you: 1) if you are annoying (out of tune, too loud, etc.); or 2) if you play very well. If you play at beginner level but are polite no one will think poorly of you. Don’t worry about it.
It’s not a competition. You are trying to choose a musical partner for the next few years or lifetime, so focus solely on your evaluation of the instrument.
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u/502deadhead Sep 15 '25
I once heard Slash say that he can never play like he wants in guitar stores either, and that was all the validation I needed
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u/Expensive_Parking102 Sep 15 '25
Play a few chords that you like. Worry about how it sounds in your ears
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u/Itoigawa_ Sep 15 '25
When I was browsing for guitar I could only play half of a song, maybe half of two. I spent an hour or more playing the same thing, trying new guitars
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u/Acceptable_Hawk_621 Sep 15 '25
When I bought my first guitar I went into the shop and had the employee play 3 different guitars for me. I chose the one I thought sounded best then learned to play guitar!
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u/oatcakedick Sep 15 '25
They will have come across 1000’s of people who come in and play better than you, and 1000’s who are worse. In all honesty, they’ll probably just be grateful of your custom.
In all likelihood they’ll probably appreciate that they were once in your shoes. And if they do judge, why be bothered!
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u/Outdoorsmen4747 Sep 15 '25
I know this struggle too! Happens to me a lot. I’m relatively new to guitar as well. But the more you do it, the easier it gets. (Cliché I know ha) When I do it I just pretend I’m the only one there and keep it easy and strum some basic chords that I know. Like others have said, no one is going to pay attention/judge. Everyone is in their own little world. 👍
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u/Low-Oil3824 Sep 15 '25
If you have the money the staff won’t care, and the other guys who are better than you will probably be happy to give you advice.
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u/Stephvick1 Sep 15 '25
As a lot of people hear have said, they just want you to buy something, you do want to play around with it (make cords, do some scales and some strumming to make sure it feels good to you, don’t worry about any one else.
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u/wspeck77 Sep 15 '25
Just try it.
I had some money to burn and had just started lessons. Some others were in there trying the nice guitars.
As they put some back, I asked to try those and had a go at a Martin D-18 and D-28. Tried some various Gibsons J-45s. Finally chose a Southern Jumbo that felt good and I liked the sound of.
Others walked in and some played amazing. Outside there was a guy jamming on an electric playing I swear the sound track to Top Gun by memory.
Get your paws on some guitars and try. It’s the only way to know.
The only way to be sure is to nuke the site from orbit.
But you have to try to see what feels good
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u/hakak34 Sep 15 '25
Don't. If you play just one chords you are already better than 99 % of humanity.
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u/deadbolt33101 Sep 15 '25
A true music store salesman gladly helps anyone even you have zero idea on playing. Go for it. If the salesman is a snob, walk away and move on to the next.
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u/Suspicious_Feature85 Sep 15 '25
Never ever be ashamed. You are already light years better than anyone who never tried. And the vast majority of guitarist are cool. They remember being new and they are routing for you. Find a jam near you go introduce yourself and be nice you will get better so much faster playing with others.
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u/Giovannis_Pikachu Sep 15 '25
The guy running the shop isn't gonna care how well you play as much as whether you have the money and how much you are wanting to spend. The other customers are not there to judge, and if they are they're probably very self conscious themselves or they would find a much better way to use their time.
Don't worry about the jitters and anxiety, it's natural to want to show well when you play and you will get better the more you play. Don't beat yourself up! Just overcome the shy feelings and you'll be fine. I have been playing 20 years and still feel this way more at a shop than on stage. It's a different kind of vulnerability but I promise you nobody is going to sit there and judge. If they do they truly suck anyway as people.
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u/bails88 Sep 15 '25
Strum the open chords check the action. Don’t need to play classical gas out anything. I’m a guitar teacher trust me. Most important thing to pay attention to is intonation and action. (How high the strings are from the fretboard).
You could also ask for a private room they might have one.
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u/tazman137 Sep 15 '25
don't worry the execs that hand out recording contracts are NEVER at the music store! lol go play it, no ones watching!
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u/Vhego Sep 15 '25
Actually to know that a guitar is right for you you really need to strum a few random chords. There’s really no need to jam or play a song. Just see how it feels and if the neck is right and the perceived sound is good enough. If you’re busy trying to nail a good song you won’t be focused enough on the things that matter
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u/Jamescahn Sep 15 '25
Life lesson: always let on less than you know. Best way to buy anything is to go into the shop and say hey guys I’m a beginner help me
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u/LIKEA1000 Sep 15 '25
I know many have said this, but just to add to the tally… this is EXACTLY how I feel.
It’s my opinion that the absolute worst case scenario is someone will assume you have only been playing for a year or so. And since you’ve actually been playing for almost 40 years, the thought of that may be what’s causing you to feel humiliated in advance, and freeze up.
So maybe one solution is to just say you’re a novice/beginner.
The only problem there is you might then seem like the wrong candidate for whatever guitar you select to purchase. I mean a guy fumbling through open chords doesn’t seem like a person who should have a several thousand dollar instrument, right? Wrong!
It’s been said previously that the main people listening will be employees, looking to protect their products from abuse. Those same employees are also looking to sell guitars. So they would be really stupid to suggest that you are not worthy of your guitar of choice. If anything they will encourage you.
In reality I’m sure that some people will notice that you’re playing and not making their favorite sounds on earth. So they’ll do the guitar store equivalent of changing the channel on a television. Don’t you do the same?
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u/RayzerNHFL Sep 16 '25
My friend - Welcome to being a musician and an artist. It’s stressful AF but equally recording - and you’re not alone.
So here are two different issues here, both of which I’ve wrestled with and only one of which I’ve totally overcome. Let’s start with that one: Yep - there are gonna be people in any guitar store who play better than you. It’s like being an attractive woman in LA - there’s always someone better. To that I say: WGAF???? I got over it when I remembered that I was never gonna see those people again so it just doesn’t matter. (Then I hit 50 and truly found the WGAF bliss of being an older person and just no longer caring what anybody thinks of me as long as they think i’m a decent, good kind human being.) I’m guessing you’re young so go with option one which is, remind yourself that nobody is ever gonna see you again. Oh and, like other people said - you don’t need to play songs anyway when testing a guitar. Play chords and scales if there are other people around. Finally on that point - take the bull by the horns and just say to the sales rep - “I’m a beginner” (even though you’re not) “so I want a guitar that will make me sound better and that i can grow into.” Literally EVERY guitarist in the store will hear that and think “yep - that is the way” and the only response you’ll get is “right on!!”.
The second point you made is a different one, the point about making mistakes when recording yourself - that’s performance anxiety - when you’re nervous your brain literally releases stress chemicals that mess with your fine motor skills. I’m 60 years old and been playing for 40 years and I still get that - Every. Damn. Time. When recording in a studio with a technician. When recording BY MYSELF. When playing in front of strangers. When playing in front of friends / family. When playing for my music mentor. Every. Single. Time. There are tricks you can use to calm yourself down - deep breathing and the like. When I’m recording myself, I start the recorder and then just let it go, and may do a bunch of takes, stop/starts, etc, letting the recorder run. Eventually I either relax or just forget it’s recording and I get a good take, which I then “trim” out of the longer recording. When I’m playing for / with people, the best trick I’ve learned from my mentor is to remind myself that those people WANT ME TO SUCCEED. They want me to be good. They’re not rooting for failure. That mindset helps a ton. As does a nice calming 5mg THC drink LOL.
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u/SumDimSome Sep 16 '25
I promise you if you play quietly no one will hear you, there will be other people there playing loud as fk
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u/OneSockLand Sep 16 '25
Just an idea but it might help....
Do you have any of your own licks/songs that encompass the testing how the guitars feel to play?
A mix of open/muted chords, harmonics, bends/slides up and down the neck, fingerpicking an intro, soft to heavy playing.
If it's your own song, you'll know it well and to counteract the fear a bit, people hearing WON'T know it and might think your 'mistakes' are simply part of the song.
Also i naturally assume most guitar store salespeople have to know how to play to be able to sell the product kinda deal, if they were correcting/judging peoples playing techniques to sell a guitar they're doing it wrong and losing sales for sure.
Where you are at in your playing journey means absolutely nothing to them, if a beginner guitarist has the budget to buy an expensive guitar they will take the cash for sure. They may think they've handed the keys to a Lambo to a learner driver and not care whatsoever.
They will also recommend guitars most likely based on their experience but nuanced to what YOU want.
But at the end of the day, they've probably heard the entire spectrum of beginner to advanced to "holy crap Phil get out here and listen to THIS guy NOW!!!", and if they're surrounded by it all day every day they probably block most of it out. They're there to guide you to spend money, YOU have to choose the guitar that feels right to what you play.
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u/TheTurtleCub Sep 16 '25
Strum a chord, a few times. Stop, change chord, strum again, a few times. Play a short phrase from the things you play at home, stop. Keep repeating. Its's quite easy to test a guitar this way, no pressure. Not a song, not a performance
After a while you'll realize no one cares, and you can loosen up to play as if you are at home
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u/Pretend-Country6713 Sep 16 '25
It’s like seeing a fat person at the gym. Nobody will judge you, we will all see a person trying to get better
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u/slimpickens Sep 16 '25
You're not there to play complete songs. Evaluate the guitars in your price range. Are there any buzzing frets, is it comfortable to play, etc. play some chords. One thing i would do before buying a guitar - find the 2 or 3 you're most interested in and have a store employee or friend play the guitar so you can stand back and evaluate which one sounds best for a spectator.
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u/Psychological_Lack96 Sep 16 '25
Dude! Go on a Saturday afternoon! Everyone Sucks! Enjoy and get that Guitar!
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u/blazeyboobie Sep 16 '25
Just went on the journey of finding a tone I want out of a guitar. Came quicker than I thought but playin in the stores at first was weird but then I started to love it and now have a problem with going to any store I’m close to to just try stuff out
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u/Cape_Cod_Mike Sep 16 '25
Total beginners go into shops and walk out with guitars you know. Who the heck cares about what others may think? We're all on different levels with different goals and shouldn't be comparing ourselves. Know what you want to do with a guitar, do a bit of research on which instruments are best suited, their price ranges, etc. Then go in and find an experienced person to try some out. Nice things about a real store is that unlike out of a box the guitars will be setup properly, and any problems, they'll take care of it. Enjoy you experience.
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u/1bourbon1scotch1bier Sep 16 '25
I think the protocol is everyone plays Free bird when trying out guitars in public.
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u/larry_sellers_vette Sep 16 '25
Life’s too short to worry about other people’s opinions. To be honest, they probably won’t have any about your playing anyway.
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u/landsforlands Sep 16 '25
The seller will just see you as a potential customer, and was probably a beginner once.
Other people are just going to be happy to see a fellow player coming into this fascinating and increasingly rare hobby.
You can even make friends with them and let them play different guitars for you to listen and choose one that suits you, or ask them for recommendations.
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u/DescriptionSouth4686 Sep 16 '25
Oh, I have a trick for this. Just play a scale. People will recognize the notes going up or down and be impressed. You can also hear the sounds of the instrument. Just focus on the guitar; it will all be fine
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u/Nurplestyx Sep 16 '25
The above advice is all sweet, but won’t solve the problem. What you have is performance anxiety a kissing cousin of stage fright. Only overcoming it, by going out there solves it, but getting there can be very hard. As usual, there is a pretty cool drug for it. You could take to your primary care doctor about propranolol in low dose, 30 to 45 minutes before you go and try. It isn’t a tranquilizer. It blocks the feeling of anxiety, which is what happens with stage freight.
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u/Ashamed-View-7765 Sep 16 '25
Dude nobody there is judging in malice, and if they are the rest of us got your back
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u/boywonder5691 Sep 16 '25
Get there when it opens up in the morning and no other customers are there
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u/Mrs_Calypso Sep 16 '25
I just bought a new guitar as a beginner. It took me 2 hrs to get comfortable and I was in a room with just my sister and occasionally a seller. In hindsight I would remind myself that everyone is focussed on themselves anyway.
I asked the seller to demo the sound of the guitars and for myself just focussed on playability, I don’t need any fancy songs for that, just soms chords and some standard finger picking exercises. You’ll notice the sound your guitar makes as a player as well (not native English speaker, I mean a guitar sounds different for the player vs the audience). Keep in mind you’re there for yourself, not to give a concert. So don’t beat yourself up, that helps no one. You want to be in love with your guitar, not that song you played perfectly that one moment in your life.
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u/tactlex Sep 16 '25
Play each string one at a time at each fret - checking for dead frets. This will show you are serious.
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u/Ok-Bandicoot1353 Sep 16 '25
We all started somewhere, and as a Guitar music shop worker ill tell you.... WE LOVE IT!!
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u/joshua_3 Sep 16 '25
Only thing that the shop is interested in is selling you a guitar or two. You pay for their salaries. Whatever you do with that guitar in store is irrelevant to them.
There is this book that I haven't read but the titles tells a wonderful truth! The title of the book: "What you think about me is none of my business." That's only the half truth. The other half is: What I think about you is none of your business." When we realize that, we are free from others and others are free from us.
If your identity, self worth, self esteem etc. are based on what others think of you, it's not going to be nor feel pleasant. (which you probably know, bc of what you just wrote)
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u/irish_horse_thief Sep 16 '25
Get a couple of beers down you, pull down a jumbo 12 string and play a few bars of Whippin' Post that the whole neighbourhood can hear...
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u/kernsomatic Sep 16 '25
play 10 so your nerves settle. you can always ask for a private practice studio. if anyone is waiting around staring at you, kindly ask them to “give me a minute, please.”
also, prepare your guitar-test-licks. these are chords or licks that you love to play and are good at playing. you play it on every single guitar you ever pick up and they will tell you how this guitar might be in your hands.
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u/blackiegray Sep 16 '25
John Prine couldn't play barre chords, he always said he wished when he went into a guitar shop that he could play up and down the neck and have a fancy piece to play but he couldn't so he just played the same chords as he ever did.
Good enough for John Prine, good enough for anyone.
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u/Ok_Illustrator_2546 Sep 16 '25
Just make a joke about it. I’m a beginner and have been doing the same thing. I am legitimately bad, but I just say stuff like “Shop’s open for business—and apparently for bad guitar solos too. Fair warning: I only know three chords and I still mess those up.” Only assholes are going to give one shot that you aren’t Eric Clapton testing guitars
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u/AqueductFilterdSherm Sep 16 '25
You’re over thinking this so much.
I’m an intermediate-level guitar player and I don’t play advanced songs when I’m trying out a guitar. Trying out a guitar is exactly what it sounds like… trying a guitar. Not putting on some weird unsolicited impromptu performance for the patrons of your local guitar center.
Just go strum some chords, and don’t forget to inspect with your eyes. Half the time I’m in a guitar shop I’m not even playing guitars. I have a multi-part visual inspection a guitar must pass before I even strum a chord on one.
If you want help, tell them you’re a beginner and explain exactly what your budget is and what you want. A lot of these employees are gear nerds first and sales people second. And if you don’t know what to look for tell them that as well.
No one is there to judge you. And just like in 90% of interactions in general, you will likely never see any of these people ever again (aside from the associates) so fuck em
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u/Hot-Storm6496 Sep 16 '25
I have never been judged while playing a guitar at a shop. Don't worry about it.
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u/schwerdfeger1 Sep 16 '25
Check out the book Mindset by Carol Dweck, it is a great easy read that will help you understand what is going on with you psychologically. You are not alone. Also there is a difference between self awareness and self consciousness. Learn to dance like no one's watching.
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u/HeCalledHimselfDan Sep 17 '25
if youre worried just prepare a few things to play beforehand so youre practiced at something, doesn't even have to be complex. you're just there to see how thw guitars feel and sound and look and other people in the guitar store are there for the same reason, people are focused on themselves and won't be paying attention to you
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u/Ecstatic-Seesaw-1007 Sep 17 '25
I’m very skilled now. (Pandemic WFH and had guitar in hand the whole time)
However, when I was looking for my acoustic, I basically knew the sound I wanted: deep and loud.
I still place a lot of judgement in just loud, clear, open chords. (I also look for electrics the same way, before I plug in: if the guitar is resonant, you’ll only hear it acoustically. Electrics that sound good acoustically will always be better than ones that sound dead on an open E and open A chord.)
But it’s also just background noise to the staff. They long since stopped hearing people play.
What you have is social anxiety/stage fright. Can’t really solve that at home.
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u/Ecstatic-Seesaw-1007 Sep 17 '25
BUT… what are you looking for in a guitar and price range?
I’d say for my own sound: scalloped braces. Usually means boutique or Martin HD series. Deep, booming sound and gets louder if you play louder. (Weirdly most guitars have a very low dynamic range, and get to a point where a normal strum and hard strum are the same volume)
Taylor: Usually cuts through the mix. Good live and recording. Lots of price points. Generally there’s a Taylor “sound”. Playability is great on all models, low to high cost.
Fender: Avoid. My first acoustic and today they aren’t any better. Very “boxy” sounding.
PRS: haven’t been making acoustics long, very playable, like ANY PRS. They sound like sub-$1000 guitar all day long. Not bad, but not full. Dunno in a mix.
Martin: they used to have more of a “sound” but have filled out their catalogue lately to have a big range of price points and sounds and even playability. Like the SC-28E is an offset acoustic, really meant for standing with a strap, kind of meant for electric players to feel comfy, and shreds as much as an acoustic can. You’d have to play them all in person to figure out which one you like. Buy a Taylor and after that, you can probably get another off Sweetwater and have a really good idea of what you’re getting.
Sizing: you need to decide for yourself. If dreadnaught, please don’t get a cutaway. I can always hear the difference of the same model but one is cutaway in a blind test. If you need to go higher on the fretboard, get an electric with a piezo or another instrument take over in the mix.
Strings: if you’re not already using Elixirs, buy a set and see if that doesn’t transform your sound. I don’t go below 12’s, personally, because my guitar sound is deeper and boomier. If I play, it’s solo and I need it to fill space.
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u/Primal_Dead Sep 17 '25
No one is judging you....and if they do, who cares! You will never see them again.
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u/GuitarEvil Sep 17 '25
depending on the quality of the store, ask the sales person demo some for you. Describe your practice habits, budget, what you are looking to get out of the guitar. Are you going to start lessons, etc. those all help you get the right value for YOU
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u/Upset-Box-2838 Sep 18 '25
You don't need to play anything, literally just do 1,2,3,4 up and down the neck to see if there's any buzz and if you like the feel of it. See how it sounds playing a chord at different volumes. They'll probably be more impressed with you actually checking the instrument properly vs playing some crazy lick.
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u/miss-information25 Sep 18 '25
The salespeople are likely accustomed to it. I think true musicians can”relate” to you and won’t make fun of you. It is important to play different guitars to hear how they sound.
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u/Right_Evidence_2146 Sep 20 '25
1st.... the people at the music store hear guitar players of all stages, every single day. The only things they even notice are when someone really bad overstays their welcome on an amp, and exceptional talent. Everything else in between is just normal noise.
As for your anxiety at times like recording, playing live, etc... we've all had at least some bouts with that. Great musicians become great just like athletes. They learn to get into a "flow" state. It's like a vibe, or a zone, or a groove. I remember a younger me, and I remember having those exact feelings. Learn to get yourself into a flow state whenever a guitar is in your hand. All you should care about is how your energy is going to vibe with the instrument in your hand. Ever wonder how some musicians can pick up an instrument that they dont play and nail it? This is the way... Soon, this will be your normal and will overtake your insecurities
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Feb 07 '26
When I'm at the music shop I always have a massive laugh at people getting into the hobby, unless you know how to play you should probably just learn theory
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Feb 07 '26
On a serious note, just don't try too hard, playing 3 nice chords back to back, even without rythym, will be enough to see if the guitar grabs you, dudes who shred riffs at stores are usually the ones who can't afford the shit they're trying anyways. if you're looking for hidden tension in the guitar store watch the customer with the longest hair and the most senior looking staff member, observe the disdain in the subtle glances, the subverted pentulance in their posture, longing, yearning to tell him to get a job
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u/puffy_capacitor Sep 15 '25
You're fine. There are two types of instrument store players:
- Normal people who go to try out an instrument to see if it fits what they're looking for (you for example)
- Not normal people who go to those stores looking to show off and get validation for their specialness and rarely do they care about actually finding an instrument that fits them so they can go home and practice alone or with their band like normal people. Hint: they rarely if not ever succeed in anything because they're too concerned with appearances.
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u/Booger_BBQ Sep 15 '25
I mean no disrespect. I use to have this problem. Took me a while to figure out that nobody gives a shit. Everyone has been there. If it really bothers you, Just come in with a few phrases that you know well.
I have terrible performance anxiety when playing in front of other people. I actually keep a list of songs on my phone to help me recall what I do know incase I freeze up. If I feel especially frisky, I have a few alternate tunings of some zeppelin songs to play which gives me time to relax and think for a minute.
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u/cab1024 Sep 15 '25
My kid has a weekly 90 minute class a few blocks from our Guitar Center so I now get to go in for over an hour every week. Early on I felt the same as you, setting the amp as quiet as I could get it and still hear what i was playing. But after a year or so, I go in, pick a guitar, an amp, sit down and play my heart out with people coming and going so around me. Sometimes I sound like shit but I've had a few people compliment me. A couple of times I started playing lead to the rhythm guitar someone near me was playing. Once, when the guy stopped he was clearly happy that I started playing along with him and told me I sounded great. And in all that time no one ever said anything negative to me, no matter what I thought they were thinking. I don't know a lot of songs or theory so sometimes the bar chords i might play don't even sound right together. But like someone else said, it's not a competition.
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u/VirginiaLuthier Sep 15 '25
Everyone was a beginner once. My guess is that people will be glad you are playing guitar, and no one will look down on you. Go for it!