Learning to play the guitar can be a daunting task at the beginning. Learning basic music theory, making some physical adjustments, and dealing graciously with that one SOMEONE that asks you to play “Stairway” no matter what your chosen style can make any beginning guitarists life decidedly unmusical at first. There is hope for you, however. Here are some tips for the beginning guitarist, picked over 10 years of playing, to guide you along the path.
Use the Buddy System
All beginning guitarists can benefit from a buddy-whether it’s a mentor, music teacher, a friend that plays, or even just emulating Jack Johnson or Tom Petty or Mississippi John Hurt. The competition to learn to sound ‘that’ good, paired with the one on one instruction you can get from a music teacher or friend is invaluable. There is nothing better than getting your first barre cord to ring, except getting it sooner because your friend showed you how to get it ‘just so’, saving you from days of trying to decode guitar tab.
Find a Style
The guitar is an amazingly versatile instrument, capable of singing, crying, screaming, or lilting-but it depends on your choice of music. There are some guitarists that can literally play anything you put in front of them, but for most of us, focusing on a few styles is usually more beneficial. You get the added benefit of being able to find music to model your playing after AND being able to play something recognizable for your growing number of fans
Join a Club
Nothing helps learning better than association. There are many online forums dedicated to guitar playing and chatting about the non-playing aspect of the instrument such as history or construction. The Acoustic Guitar Forum (www.acousticguitarforum.com) is one such community, the user forums at HarmonyCentral.com are another. These venues are full of people from a wide range of playing styles and levels of accomplishment and are happy to help both the budding plectrum artist and the seasoned professional front man with instrument recommendations, stylistic interpretation, physical musicality and finger care, and performance flair.
Spare little Expense
Get the best guitar you can afford. Nothing tanks a new player faster than having to fight with their instrument. Have you guitar set up by the music store you buy it from at purchase, based on the results of a Q/A with the person setting it up. What style will you play? Do you strum or use your fingers? Are you new or an experienced player? These questions and others help the luthier to better adjust the instrument to your particular playing style and physical limitations, if any. If you have an instrument that isn’t a pain to play, you will want to play more, and in time you will progress faster because of it.
Learning to play the guitar is a great social activity, and it’s an instrument that can be configured in such a way that almost anyone from any musical background can play in a short amount of time with some practice. Keep these tips in mind as you journey forward and your playing will get better and you’ll learn to love your instrument that much more because if it. See at Open Mic Night!
