Learning How to Play the Guitar: Getting Started

As I was growing up, I watched a lot of MTV (back when they actually played music videos!). Watching great musicians like Slash, Kurt Cobain, And Eric Clapton tear it up on the guitar was the catalyst for my passion for playing the guitar! Have you ever thought to yourself, "Man, I wish I could play the guitar like that dude!", but you never really did anything about it? Well, its not too late to pick up a guitar and learn now! Here are some helpful bits of info to get you on your way:

Guitars

Obviously, the first step would be get yourself a guitar if you really want to learn how to play. Choosing the right guitar can be extremely difficult and intimidating for a true novice, so here are a few tips to bear in mind when searching for the perfect guitar.

Type of Wood - Be sure to pay close attention to the type of wood used for your guitar"s body and neck. Heavier woods, like mahogany, allow for more sustain than varieties like alder or ash. There is, however, a downside to playing a guitar made of such a heavy wood and that is the weight factor. Heavier woods indeed equal heavy guitars, and this can take a toll on your back in the long run.
Frets. - Also, make sure you pay close attention to the number of frets a prospective guitar has. Some come with either 21, 22 or 24 frets. Guitars with 21 frets are more stable than the guitars with 24 frets, but if you dream of soloing on your guitar then 24 frets are more useful.
Strings. Consider the kind of strings that you need to use on your new guitar. If you like to play in low or "dropped" tunings, then you'll have to use heavy gauge strings so that the strings don't become too loose. If you plan on soloing a lot, then you're going to need to use lighter gauge strings like "9's", so that string bending is a lot easier.

Songs

Now that you've picked out that perfect guitar, let's get started on picking out the perfect song for you to learn how to play on your guitar! You should choose a song that you are very familiar with and that you really love. And don't start off with something that has 10 different chords... Pick something easy with only 3-4 chords and ideally has a slower beat. This is very important when just starting to learn songs on the guitar, and it will help keep you motivated and inspired.

Instructional Materials

So let's recap: You've got your guitar in hand and you've picked out the perfect song. Now what? Well, you need to head down to your local music store and pick up what's called a "chord reference" book. Chords are simply a series of notes played in unison, and this "chord reference" book will show you the finger placements for all the chords you'll need to use while playing your song. There are also many videos on the internet that can show you how to position your fingers to play all the different chord variations. Practice

Ok, this is actually the hardest part of all of this. The old adage "practice makes perfect" is so true! You really need to be disciplined when it comes to this and make sure to set aside time to practice every week. You should be getting 30 minutes of practice at 3-5 days a week when just beginning. Practicing on a regular basis will ensure that your fingers stay in shape for playing the guitar, and it will also train your ears. Practice also builds muscle memory in your hands, and before you know it your hands will take over without you even thinking about it!

Hope you enjoyed this article on Learning How to Play the Guitar: Getting Started! If you would like more great tips and tricks check out my FREE GUITAR LESSONS blog!

Thanks,

JB

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