Moving from the ukulele to the guitar is a very natural progression. The biggest difference between the instruments being the two extra strings. Many of the ukulele chord shapes are similar to the standard guitar chords.

For children under seven, it's a great idea for them to begin with the ukulele. The small size and the nylon strings make it an easy instrument to get started on.

The ukulele looks like a mini guitar, and can even have a strap fitted.

The skills you learn when you learn to play the ukulele are transferable to playing the guitar.

1.   Timing. As you strum to a recording or song, you are listening to the timing of the music. This helps improve rhythm.

2.   Listening. To hold a rhythm, you need to listen.

3.    Co-ordination. You play with 2 hands, both doing different things at the same time and this develops hand-eye coordination.

4.    Self-discipline. Learning to play requires practice and repetition.

There is a good selection of ukuleles on sale at Crescendo Music and lots of ukulele books.

Crescendo Music is celebrating April with all things guitar and guitary type accessories and books.

There are some tempting Specials on Acoustics right now. Acoustic guitars are great for beginners to learn music on due to their simplicity. No other equipment is needed - just pick one up and start strumming away.

A top quality, expensive instrument will not turn you into a good player. On the other hand, a bad instrument really can hold you back by being difficult to play. In general, buy the best you can afford within your limits and don't go below a certain quality level.

Acoustic or Electro Acoustic?

A good first step is to decide whether you want a guitar fitted with a pickup so that you can play through an acoustic amplifier or PA system. Some players want to plug their guitar in so that they can play with friends, or in a band, or use effect units. It is much cheaper to buy a guitar with a good pickup system fitted when the guitar is made than it is to fit one afterwards.

If you know a few chords, and want to learn a few songs then the 101 Songbooks for Easy Guitar are a good place to start. Impress yourself and your friends when you can strum along to some well known songs. The Little Black Songbooks have a massive selection of songs from the greatest artists of all time. 

You've got a guitar

Standard Guitar Tuning

EADGBE (Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears or Eat All Day Get Big Easily)

• E (6th string), thickest
  
• A (5th string)
  
• D (4th string)
  
• G (3rd string)
  
• B (2nd string)
  
• E (1st string) thinnest
  

Relative Tuning

Relative tuning is when a guitar is in tune with itself but not necessarily with anything else. This is fine for when you are playing on your own.

The 'A' string should be tuned so that when played open (without putting your finger on the fretboard) it is the same note as the bottom 'E' string played at the 5th fret. Or, put another way, fret the bottom 'E' at the 5th fret then play the 'A' without fretting it. Twiddle the 'A' string's tuning peg until it plays the same note as the fretted 'E'. Once they play the same note they are in tune.

Then play the 'A' string at the 5th fret and twiddle the open 'D' string's tuning peg until it matches. Repeat with the 'G' string against the fretted 'D'.

There is a slight change with the 'B' string in that it should be tuned to the fourth fret of the 'G' string rather than the 5th. The top 'E' (the really thin one) should be tuned to the 5th fret of the 'B'.

That's It - You're In Tune

Now the guitar plays in tune, and sounds good. Along comes a friend, who's guitar is also in tune. Then you decide to play together .... the guitars are in tune with themselves, but not each other. That's when you need to tune to concert pitch. The easiest gadget to use when you are jamming and need to stay in tune with each other is a simple to use guitar tuner.

Electronic Tuners

These gadgets save any arguments when it comes to tuning. A tuner will check each string individually and provide a visual representation of the note played and how close it is to the pitch you're aiming for. Then you tune the string until the meter or LEDs indicate that it's in tune. For speed and accuracy, buy an electronic tuner and quickly get your guitar in tune. Clip on tuners attach to the headstock.

When learning to play a musical instrument, the final piece of the jigsaw can be finding a good music book. While music teachers can advise you on the best book for your playing level, it's always good to choose something that you would like to play for fun.

At Crescendo, the books are laid out face-on, so that you can browse the shelves easily.

There are lots of books with Cds so that you can play along with the band.

Pictured below is part of the Clarinet section.

Pictured below is part of the flute section.

Thousands are being inspired to play and re-create Adele's chart topping music. Someone Like You and Rolling in the Deep are songs responsible for young and old wanting to play the piano and keyboard.

After her Grammy Awards success, Adele continues to break records.The album Adele 21 is the longest running number one album in Australia this century. The album has passed the 2 million sales mark on iTunes in the US.

Adele 21 was Crescendo Music's best selling piano, vocal and guitar book this year, followed by her debut album Adele 19. There is a Really Easy Adele for Piano and a Best of Adele for Easy Piano.

The album Adele 21 is currently sitting at the 7th top selling album of all time, and is still climbing. Top selling albums of all time are Queen's Greatest Hits, followed by the Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club and Abba's Gold.

With summer upon us, and weekends away on the agenda - here are some musical instruments that families should consider packing if everyone is going to have some musical fun. If you're camping or heading to the beach, they don't take up much room, and they'll brighten up any social gathering.

Egg Maracas - anyone can join in and make music with these small egg shaped maracas. They fit into the palms of the smallest hands. They come in fun colours and bright metallics at $2.50 each.

If you are camping, and you've forgotten to pack the frying pan, there's always the old banjo to fall back on. Banjos start at $299.00.

Bongos - the great thing about bongos is that they are portable, cheap and fun. Prices start at $50.

Harmonicas - a great addition for making music around the campfire. Bring a bit of Bob Dylan to the party with a harmonica starting at $10.00.

Ukuleles - you can't say the name without hearing the strum. A great instrument to play for simple enjoyment. Maybe now is the time to give the uke a whirl. Our rainbow ukes make playing even more enjoyable.

Little Black Songbook Acoustic Hit Songs - never be stuck for a crowd pleasing favourite song as everyone will know and enjoy some of these 130 songs of rock, pop and folk music. The Little Black Songbooks are compact pocket - sized books with full lyrics and guitar chords by the greatest artists of all time. They feature all the tunes you could ever want to play.

Enjoy the summer, the festivals and the camping trips. Call in to Crescendo Music beforehand and be inspired by the array of music.

Which are the easiest musical instruments to learn to play? Even someone without any musical ability can pick up one of these instruments. Making music is all about having fun, so bring out your creativity and mess around with some of the following instruments and you'll be playing in no time. It's easy as one, two, three...

Kazoo - a fun introduction to playing music. Instead of blowing, you hum into the kazoo or "sing" into it. Cheap as chips and great for playing in a large group.

Strumstick- with only 3 strings, the strumstick is an instrument that has no wrong notes and no talent is required to play! You start with just the bottom string and it has no sharps or flats.

Ukulele -  the ukulele is small and has only 4 strings. Learn a few chords within an hour and you'll be be strumming along in no time.

Melodica - no plugs or batteries needed for this instrument. Play on your lap like a keyboard or blow into the mouthpiece. An ideal compact instrument for travelling.

Tambourine - shake, rattle and roll with this hand held percussion instrument. Strike the drum head or shake the jingles to add rhythm.

Bongos - bongo drums are made up of 2 sections which are attached to one another, one being larger than the other. Place the bongos between your knees and strike the tops with your fingers and palms.

The fuzzy head, the aching liver and the nagging headache and you swear that you will never, ever, ever drink again. Time to escape and dream up some new year's resolutions. Think which musical instrument you're going to learn to play this year. It's on a lot of bucket lists, so start the new year with a bang and get started on your musical dream.

Taking up a new musical instrument is an exciting and potentially life - changing experience. Try a digital piano for all the family to enjoy.

The harmonica is an inexpensive, portable instrument. It is the perfect instrument for multi-tasking. Clamp a harmonica-holder around your neck and suddenly your hands are free to play guitar, play piano or juggle at the same time as you play your harmonica. If you are training to become a one-man-band, this is the instrument to begin with.

Thinking of taking up an another instrument and you can do much worse than buy a drum kit. It's surprisingly easy to learn (if you have an aptitude for it), so you should be able to bang out your favourite songs while your guitar-playing mates are but dreaming of drop-D tuning.

A guitar with nylon strings is far more finger-friendly than an electric guitar or steel-stringed acoustic, and a good way to toughen up the fingertips before slicing them on steel strings. A Classical Guitar Pack is generally cheaper than cheap 'acoustic' or electric guitars as well so a good place to begin.

Get started. Go Practice. Hang a sign on your door ... "Musical Genius in Progress".

If you are unsure what to give that hard to buy for musician, we have lots of ideas to make shopping a breeze. Silly and funny musical instruments like kazoos, hooters and vibraslaps always go down well as music gifts.

Even if you don't have a musical bone in your body, you can buy jingle bells and tambourines. Then there are some musical gadgets that once you have them, you don't know how you managed without. Tuners, metronomes, capos and straps fall into this category.

Another unusual gift is a finger exerciser which will strengthen weak fingers and is good for guitarists, pianists and string players.

A loud metal hooter with a rubber bulb to squeeze that makes the characteristic honk is good for a giggle. For the guitarist who owns everything, there are banjos, mandolins and ukuleles. Guitar straps, banjo straps and ukulele straps make good gifts.

Nothing improves a performance more than practising the right way with the help of a sturdy music stand. Instrument stands will safely store instruments while not being played. Guitar hangers support guitars and ukuleles. Additional accessories like footstools are items that a guitarist wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves.

Bodhran gift packs, tin whistles and panpipes are easy to wrap and don't break the bank.

More gift ideas can be seen at our online store, or come into Crescendo Music, 454 Marmion Street, Myaree only 20 minutes south of Perth.

You should consider some of these useful guitar accessories once you have bought your acoustic guitar. There is no end of little guitar accessories you can buy as possible gifts for the guitarist to enhance his guitar playing experience. We have put together some of the best and most useful guitar extras. These are great presents for a beginner or a more advanced player who doesn't own them already.

Trigger Capo A high quality trigger capo lets you change the overall tuning of the guitar by positioning it at different points along the fretboard. $39.00.

Guitar Gig Bag A padded guitar gig bag provides a means of transporting your guitar whilst protecting it from knocks and bangs. This one has extra pockets for carrying extra gadgets and has back pack type straps as well as a carry handle. $35.00.

More guitar accessories can be found at Crescendo Music.

Related article Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas for Guitarists.