Picking Your Instrumental Voice

     When performing, you breath your music. Whether you're singing a song that is personally touching and you close your eyes, or you feel the beat and begin to dance, feeling the music is what makes a good performer. That is a matter of stage presence and confidence, but also that you are comfortable with your performance as well as how you are carrying out that performance.
      Whether that means you are playing a piano and you don't like the feel of the keys, or singing and the microphone seems too loud, it will affect how you feel and present yourself on stage. That is why it is important to be comfortable in what you are performing.
      A way to be comfortable with the guitar is to make sure you have one you really enjoy, and that you believe best suits your voice. Here are ways to find your perfect match:

      Experiment with the strings. There are two different types of string patterns on acoustic guitars: all metal, or three metal and three plastic.

The metal strings will give you more of a sharp, country-style sound:

These strings are also beaded, which also may benefit your sound and provide more of a hollow sound.

The plastic and metal strings will give you more of a dull, hollow sound:

These strings are also tied, which is mainly a personal preference, I don't notice much of a different from the beaded strings.

Although music is all sound and experience, the fact that you enjoy how you appear to others is important. If you like the size of the guitar's neck, or the wood that is used, it can make you more confident.

Here are different examples of patterns:

Those images also feature the brand of the guitars, if you take a liking to either instrument.

How you feel on stage greatly affects your performance. Pick a guitar that reflects your personality, and that you feel comfortable in.  Eventually, you could even have a guitar for every different performance setting.

Here's my guitar collection, and a few of my favorite records. Happy music making!