Patrick Hampton asked:




I guess before you start learning to play guitar, you need a few basic things to know. Playing guitar is awesome. I personally play guitar for over 17 years now and it just doesn’t get boring. It is an extremely rewarding hobby in addition. For me the guitar makes me feel free when I play it.

Nevertheless learning to play guitar is not that easy. Of course you will learn your first song after a week, but only if it’s an easy song with only a few chords. But it comes to much more than just to twitch the strings.

Before you start learning to play the guitar you should know how to strumm a guitar and of course how the chords work. The problem is just that you won’t learn how the chords sound if you just read how they work. You need to know how they sound like. That’s the point where I suggest a video lesson for guitars. Videos are great because the teacher shows you how you have to play the chords and how they have to sound.

A further thing which I strongly recommend is to ask a few friends which guitar you should buy. I’ve seen so many people who started to learn guitar with a completely wrong instrument.

Last but not least – Never give up! I know that learning to play this instrument can be extremely hard. But the time will come where you finally learn your song and believe me, it is an amazing feeling!

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Steve Murray asked:




Learning any instrument takes time and practice, however, it is a great way to express your creativity. If you are looking to learn to play guitar, there are many ways to receive lessons both online and in person. It is important to know that if you are going to learn to play guitar, it will require effort, especially as your skills develop. It is not something that will come quickly and as you reach more complicated songs, it is important to keep with it and practice as often as possible.

Some of the most important things to learn when learning to play the guitar are finger movements and technique. If you are first starting out, it may be difficult to get your fingers to move over the strings. Before you actual learn to play the guitar, you will want to do a little research about the instrument in order to produce the best possible sound. You will want look where the sound is coming from as well as all the possible ways to play a chord. Once you have learned the basic mechanics, it will be easier to learn to play guitar.

In order to play guitar, it is necessary to have a love of music and devotion to learning. Although it may sound odd, one of the best ways of learning to play guitar is to create calluses on your fingertips. Before even playing, you should press down on the strings as though you are. This will be painful at first, of course, but once you actually begin to start playing, you will no longer feel this pain. Playing the guitar can actually get demanding so you will want to build up muscles in your hand by squeezing a small, hard object a few times a day.

Getting lessons in person to learn to play guitar may benefit you more than getting lessons online because your teacher will be able to assess your ability. However, if you do not have the money for private lessons, you can still learn online. It is important however, that you make sure the website is legitimate and will teach you based on your individual talents. The website should be able to walk through lessons and keep up with your progression.

If you learn to play the guitar, it is a good idea to play with other people who are skilled. You will be able to learn from them and improve your own skills. Once you learn the basics, you may want to begin playing with actual songs as practice. No matter what you do to improve your skills, practice is the only way to learn to play guitar. It is recommended that you practice at least five days and for up to half an hour.

If you learn to play guitar, do not get discouraged by complicated songs or chords. It will be difficult at times, but you will never learn if you give up.

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Evalina asked:


I want to start learning to play guitar on the side from my university studies, since I’ve always wanted to know how to play. I’m strongly left-handed though, and I was wondering if I should get a left-handed guitar or if I should just try to learn by using a regular right handed one? Will it be hard for me to get lessons? Is it limiting at all? Do you have any advice?

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Evalina asked:


I want to start learning to play guitar on the side from my university studies, since I’ve always wanted to know how to play. I’m strongly left-handed though, and I was wondering if I should get a left-handed guitar or if I should just try to learn by using a regular right handed one? Will it be hard for me to get lessons? Is it limiting at all? Do you have any advice?

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Cody John asked:




There are lots of different approaches to learning the guitar but the quickest way to learn to play is on an acoustic guitar. You get the benefit of not having to plug in as you do with an electric guitar. You can hear easily all your chords and strumming clearly. This means that you can make adjustments and play better faster.

The first week of learning to play guitar

To learn to play guitar fast you should start with learning chords for the left hand and simple strumming for the right hand. Depending on how you get on in the first week or so you can add more colour to your right hand with simple arpeggios and plucking techniques. For the left hand just keep on learning as many chords as you can. to learn really fast that will be enough for your left hand.

How to practice the acoustic guitar

You should play your guitar at least once every single day. For complete beginners trying to learn fast you should be playing 2 to 3 times daily. By playing the guitar this often your first lessons will become knowledge that you do not have to re learn each time you decide to have a practice session. You should also keep your guitar to hand in your main living room at home. Do not store it in a guitar case. The guitar case is a transportation device. Your guitar should be out of the case and ready to play at all times.

Develop a repertoire of easy acoustic guitar songs

As you learn to play over the first few weeks you should collect the songs you play into a file. Just words and chords are enough to remind you of the songs. When you practice you should simply play through you growing repertoire. You will find that you gain an affinity for certain songs and start playing them very well. After a month you should aim to have about 20 songs you can play through. The final thing you can do is to learn the songs off by heart.

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Michael Fletcher asked:




Learning to play guitar can be very challenging. Especially, for an absolute beginner. The guitar might seem a bit intimidating at first. However, it’s important to approach the guitar with a positive attitude. Remember, the guitar is nothing more than wood and steel. It has no brain. It can’t think. Further, the guitar cannot control you. In fact, it is you who can and must control the guitar.

For most, learning to play guitar chords is the first step in learning how to play the guitar. By the way, learning to hold a guitar pick should occur simultaneously with learning to play guitar chords. The question for many beginning guitarists is, which guitar chords should they learn first. The answer depends upon many different factors.

The younger guitar enthusiasts (8-11 years old), would probably benefit the most from learning a few basic triads (three-part chords). For example, learn how to play an open C major chord, an A minor chord, and an E Major chord. Also, learn how to play a G major chord, a D major chord, etc. These are the easiest guitar chords to learn as a beginner. They’re fun to play, and many songs employ these basic guitar chords. Keep-in-mind, this is only the beginning. Once you master a few simple chords, you’ll soon be advancing to more difficult and sophisticated guitar chords.

A solid foundation is essential. Learning to play guitar chords will strengthen the fingers, hand and wrist. Eventually, this strength will be needed in order to progress as a guitarist. Further, learning and playing guitar chords will help to coordinate the picking hand with the hand that is voicing the guitar chords. This is all very important in building a solid foundation.

In the beginning, take the time to have fun learning how to play the guitar. Fun includes the satisfaction in conquering a new guitar chord, learning how to play your first song. Learning how to play your first guitar scale and jamming with others of like competency. These are the fun years, enjoy them.

Let me offer you some very humble experience. As a professional guitarist, I can honestly tell you that my early years of learning how to play the guitar will never be forgotten. Nothing can compare to that early desire and my passion for the guitar. My thirst for knowledge, could only be surpassed by the necessity to share my progress with others. Over forty years have passed, since those early days of foundation. My passion for the guitar, however, lives on.

Are these suggestions for the beginner etched in stone? Of course not. Each individual is different. These days, there are many ten-year-olds who start out with tapping techniques and sweeping techniques. Many can out-play guitarists that have years of experience under their belts. It all depends upon the desire of the beginner.

Guitar scales, guitar chords, music theory, and guitar lessons are all valuable resources and tools that one should have, as he/she progresses as a guitar player. Whatever your age or goal, make sure that you strive to become well-rounded as a guitarist. Sooner or later, your skill will catch up with your desire.

A great guitar instructor can make all the difference in the world for the true beginner. What makes a great guitar instructor? Honor, duty, and his/her necessity to truly help and educate others. In other words, seek out a guitar instructor that comes highly recommended by other guitarists and students. Don’t be fooled by someone who can temporarily dazzle you with a few hot licks. Look for substance and depth. Accept nothing less.

Learning to play the guitar is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge. It takes a lot of practice, devotion, and desire on your part. Remember, the very best guitarist in the world had a starting point; just like you. It’s what that particular individual did after the beginning stages that really determined his/her destiny as an accomplished guitarist.

The longest journey always begins with the first step. If you’ve been thinking about learning how to play the guitar, I recommend that you start today. If you’ve already commenced your study of the guitar, I recommend that you continue.

Remember to practice, practice, practice.

2008 Michael E. Fletcher.

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Scott G Morgan
asked:




With the advent of the internet it’s now possible to learn how to play the guitar online. What you need to ask yourself though, is whether an online course is suitable for you. A lot depends on the individual, however an online course can be an excellent way to begin learning to play guitar for the majority of beginners.

There are many good reasons to choose an online guitar course. For a start you can learn in the comfort of your own home and if you so wish, in total privacy. However, the prefered reason for many is that you can learn at your own pace, after all everyone is different and many people get put off by guitar classes as they worry that they will be left behind by more capable beginners

You’re not stuck for choice when it comes to online guitar courses either; there are literally dozens to choose from. Some are basic beginner’s courses for people who have never picked up a guitar before, while other courses are specialised, offering training in areas such as playing lead guitar or teaching how to play Spanish guitar.

The majority of these lessons are taught using written material and video, so you’ll find them very comprehensive. You’ll find many courses priced at around forty dollars, which is excellent value when you consider what they include. One of the benefits that most people are drawn to is the fact that you can download a course immediately, and be learning the guitar five minutes later.

If you do decide to learn how to play the guitar online don’t think it’s an easier option than guitar tuition or classes, as you’ll still need to be dedicated and put in the effort in order to master this fine instrument. Remember to do your research and find a program that meets your needs and is priced so as to give you value for money.

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Ricky Sharples asked:




Learning to play guitar is a serious business that you should take lightly. Once you have a little physical hands-on experience with the guitar you can relax and make choices about what style of music you want to learn and how you want to learn it. Once you have learnt the basic chord shapes and how they can be moved up and down the fretboard, you can experiment with strumming patterns if you get bored with that, you can start on learning a few finger picking patterns. You must never lose sight of the goal of personal satisfaction behind your musical efforts.

Part of learning to play guitar is, unfortunately, the wondering. “Which way of learning to play guitar is the best for me?” “How many ways of learning are there?” Are books the best source of guitar learning information? Or is it better to pick some of my favorite songs and concentrate on learning how to play them?

What makes learning guitar more confusing is the fact that everybody who learns seems quite happy to have taken the path that they took and, in hindsight, would not have done anything different. Anyway, maybe talking to friends who already have been through the learning journey would probably be a good start. Did they learn to play by starting on chords? Or scales? How do people feel about their abilities as a guitar player after a few years of fooling around in a non-disciplined way?

Many guitarists have made their way by watching and talking to friends and making use of the free tabs on the internet. Choosing tabs should be a fairly stress-free job if you are guided by your personal musical tastes but there could be a problem with learning from friends. If you have a bunch of friends or family members who think they know a thing or two about playing the guitar, you are talking to someone who may or may not be aware of their own limitations.

A guitar playing friend can show you how to play a chord or a riff but they will have only limited ability to provide you with the guidance you need to chart your own guitar learning path and to judge your own progress.

If you do take the unstructured route for learning guitar, you can always take a lesson or two from a professional teacher just to make sure you haven’t acquired too many bad habits and to help with charting a course for your guitar music progress.

One experience you could do well to share with a guitar teacher is learning from a printed guitar tutor. If you choose one of good guitar lesson books you already have a structured learning program and sharing the learning with an experienced guitarist who can add his own perspective to the info in the book.



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