For a "deep guide," avoid the cheap toys ($10-$15) found in gift shops. They leak air and are nearly impossible to bend. Invest in a professional-grade instrument that will last.

While you will eventually need multiple keys, your first purchase should be in the .

To play the blues, the essential choice is a . This specific type is the backbone of the genre because its layout allows for "note bending," the soul-searching technique that creates that classic, crying blues sound. 1. Start with the Key of C