It’s never too late to learn how to play the guitar, and thanks to the marvels of modern technology you don’t even have to leave your home to do so! Learning to play the guitar is not as difficult as it may appear, and all you need to be successful at it is a guitar, an internet connection and some dedication.
Many people benefit from learning on their own, and being able to practice at their own pace can really assist with the whole process. Playing the guitar is a relaxing and rewarding past time enjoyed by countless people all over the world. There are multiple styles of guitar to learn, and becoming proficient and familiar with the various chords will allow you to develop your skills naturally.
The most important thing you need when learning the guitar is patience and dedication, and with both of these you will be able to master this instrument regardless of your natural musical ability.
What You Need
Apart from the drive to want to learn how to play, the only other things you need are an acoustic guitar, a computer and a connection to the internet. First time buyers should look for a reasonably priced guitar and should avoid expensive models. Once you have become confident enough with the finger placing, you can start to think about better pieces of equipment.
There are a large number of websites dedicated to teaching amateurs how to play instruments, and some of these, like Pro Music Tutor, are very efficient in doing so. These sites provide HD videos of professional musicians demonstrating everything from the basics to the more complicated maneuvers.
Playing Your First Chords
Once you have the required equipment you can begin your learning experience. I myself am a self-trained guitarist, and in the early days I found that the best way to practice the various chords I was aware of was by playing along to popular songs I liked. To do this, you must first understand the musical notation known as tablature.
Tablature is a form of writing that the majority of guitarists use to record how their songs are played, and it is very easy to read. Tablature, or tabs as they are generally known, present us with a diagram of the six strings and the frets used in a particular song. The small dots on the page indicate where your fingers should be placed as you strum, and repeating this process over and over is a quick way to help your fingers memorize certain chord formations.
(Here’s a complete guide on guitar tabs, just in case. Two parts: the basis, advanced techniques.)
Evolving Your Style
The great thing about tutor websites such as the one previously mentioned is they contain different guitar players who specialize in different styles. After you have become familiar with the basic chords and are looking to expand your playing style, you may begin to focus on one particular genre of guitar playing over the others.
However, I would strongly advise that you instead embrace a multitude of styles and try to learn as much as you can about guitar playing as a whole. This will be of great benefit to you and will help you to naturally develop your own unique sound as opposed to mastering one of another. As I’ve said before, learning to play guitar takes time and effort, but the rewards of doing so are immeasurable.
Nidia Guerra is a self-trained musician with a special interest in acoustic and electric guitars. Nidia often works with tutor websites and advises them on how to improve their long distance learning packages.
Comments by Carlos
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