Don't spend a lot of money right away. The industry changes constantly and what's considered the best today will be outdated in a year or two. Start with a mid-range option and you'll be happy.

Borrow before you buy. The library has way more than books — CDs, DVDs, even some equipment. Try things out for free first. No reason to drop a lot of money before you know whether you'll stick with it.

Mainstream isn't always best. Some of my favorite stuff never got famous. Dig past the top 40 and the big releases — the underground and indie scene has hidden gems that the casual fan never finds. That's half the fun.

Don't be afraid to buy used. eBay and Half.com have tons of stuff for a fraction of retail. Pawn shops too. I've gotten some of my favorite stuff secondhand. As long as it works, who cares if it's not brand new in the box?

Honestly just dive in. You learn this stuff by doing it, not by researching it forever. I spent months reading about getting started instead of actually starting. Looking back I wasted a lot of time being scared to begin.