6 Steps To Start Playing The Guitar
It is a lot of fun to learn how to play the guitar. But, like anything, you must get started somewhere, regardless of your current level. So, we will get started with 6 Steps to Start Playing the Guitar. These guitar tips for beginners are designed for anyone thinking about learning to play the guitar. So if you are ready, let’s get started.
Step 1. If you don’t already have one, buy a guitar. Start with an acoustic guitar if possible. My reasoning here is the fact that the strings on an acoustic guitar are a heavier gauge than an electric guitar. The heavy gauge strings will require that you apply more pressure when pressing down on the strings. Doing this when you first start out will naturally strengthen your fingers and will speed up the learning curve of building strength in your fingers.
Before you started to play guitar, you probably never used the muscles in your fingers and hands the way that you will be using them to play the guitar. Be prepared for cramps in your fingers and hands as you begin to practice and play on a regular basis. But just like any exercise, the repetition of playing the guitar will build your strength and dexterity. It will be difficult at first and there is no way around it. But, over time, it will begin to feel more natural and you won’t feel like you are killing yourself.
The key here is this: how much do you want to learn the guitar? This will be your either your biggest obstacle or your greatest motivator. For me, it was my motivation. As learning the guitar took me out of my everyday life and into a world of creativity, achievement, and expanding myself into different styles, types and the vast array of music that I enjoyed listening to and would be able to play.
Step 2. Get access to either a guitar teacher or some form of quality guitar lessons. If I had to do it all over again, I would have probably have opted for a qualified guitar teacher. I’m not talking about a good guitar player that is looking to make some extra money. I’m talking about a teacher who plays guitar. There is a big difference. Let me explain.
The good guitar player may show you some of his best licks to dazzle you, but may not have a basic program with which to get you started and a practice regimen to keep you on track as you learn. The teacher guitar player will most likely have a basic program in place, a practice plan for each lesson, and he will make you accountable to learn the material and keep you on track.
Also, they should truly care that you are serious about your craft and be dedicated to helping you succeed. There is an old adage “people don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care.” Enough said!
Guitar teachers can be a bit pricey, charging anywhere from $15 to $30 an hour. If this is more than you are willing to spend, you may want to look for either a guitar instructional guide or a multimedia guitar lesson program where you can learn at your own pace. There are a multitude of options available, both online and offline. Whatever you decide on, just make sure to keep yourself accountable to learn the material and stay the course as you won’t have the teacher to report to after each lesson.
