So, you’ve decided to pick up a guitar and are ready to embark on a musical journey. Learning can be tough, at times frustrating and it might even feel intimidating. You might wonder if you’ll be good at guitar, and expect to learn it in a few tries. But, don’t worry. Here are a few tips that are going to help you through the process of learning.
Buy a Good Guitar
To start learning how to play you are going to need an instrument. If you’re invested in this learning process, a responsive and user-friendly guitar will make your learning easier. Whether you’re learning to play an acoustic or electric, finding the right instrument is essential. It’s important to know what kind of music you’d like to play because different models have varying levels of playability.
Pick the correct size for you, because these instruments are not one-size-fits-all. You need to be comfortable while playing, because if you’re not then you will most likely have less motivation to pick it up and learn. Don’t rush the process and take your time trying out different guitars to find the one that feels comfortable and produces the tone you deserve.
Start with the Basics
Is guitar hard at first? You might be tempted to start learning your favourite song, but don’t do it. The first steps of learning are always the boat difficult. Every aspiring player has started with the basics such as learning how to set up the instrument, using a tuner and understanding how different parts work before you start playing. Learn how to remember the string order and the names which will help you identify notes and tones.
Other important things you need to learn first are how to play said notes, how to hold the guitar pick and how to strum. You might find this boring at the beginning, but no one has learned how to play a full song on their first few tries, so stick to the basics first and then you’ll build up to a whole play session.
Practise Slow
Don’t try to learn everything on the first try. Practise slow and do it right. When you start playing, do it slowly and correctly and as you get comfortable with the song, speed it up a little bit at a time. You need to get the right rhythm before you play it to speed. You don’t have to rush through learning a new song or skill. Take your time and master each step before moving on to the next one.
Learn Your Chords
Understanding chords and chordal harmony is an important part of being a well-rounded musician. Chords are the building blocks of music and are essential for any guitarist. Start by learning the basic open chords and then practise transitioning between chords smoothly. Be mindful of where you place your finger as well as your strumming technique. If you don’t learn them, you will always be missing a piece of the puzzle.
Play Every Day
You’re not going to get better if you don’t work hard. Just like anything, guitar playing also requires hard work and dedication, and if it were easy everyone would be able to play. One of the biggest rewards of learning how to play this instrument is knowing that if you stick with it, you’ll be able to get the hang of it quickly. It’s a skill and it requires daily practice to move forward.
Don’t let your guitar collect dust in the corner of your room, and pick it up. The faster you can go through the initial state of learning the basics the sooner you will be jamming to your favourite songs. But, don’t go hard on yourself. You will have good and not-so-good days, and chances are that you will hit a few sour notes but, that’s okay. As long as you stay persistent your hard work will pay off.
Create an Ideal Environment
It might sound silly, but being in a comfortable and relaxed environment will ease your learning process. Find a place that’s quiet so that you can practise without any distractions. Ensure proper lighting so that you’re able to see your fretboard clearly, and proper seating to encourage good posture and prevent strain and discomfort while playing.
Pick a chair that’s without arms, so that it won’t get in the way of your arms while strumming. The room where you’ll be playing should be at a comfortable temperature to create a pleasant environment and keeping a consistent temperature in your practice room can also help the guitar in tune.
Find a Good Teacher
While there are countless online sources for learning guitar, nothing beats the guidance of a skilled teacher. Working with a teacher will keep you on the right track and achieve your goals faster. They can tailor plans for you individually, give feedback en encouragement in a private lesson setting and offer valuable insights and techniques that you may not discover on your own.
Learning to play the guitar is a journey filled with challenges and rewards. Remember to stay patient, stay persistent, and commit to regular practice and you’ll be on your way to mastering this versatile instrument and fun instrument. Happy strumming.
