For many people, the guitar is a hobby that stays with them for years and years. Whether you have been playing for a few months or you are looking to get started on this cool instrument, there are some tricks to the trade that can make your guitar-playing life much easier. In this article, we outline five tips that will help beginner guitarists get going on their new hobby
1. What Kind of Guitar Should I Get?
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a guitar as a beginner. Firstly, you will want to decide whether you would like an acoustic or electric guitar. Acoustic guitars are typically played unplugged, without amplification, and are well-suited for beginners. Electric guitars require an amplifier to be heard properly and can be played with a variety of different genres of music.
Once you have decided on the type of guitar you would like, you will need to select the right size. Guitars come in a variety of sizes, from small travel guitars to large-bodied instruments. The size of the guitar body will affect both the sound and the comfort level when playing. If you are unsure which size is right for you, it is best to try out a few different options in person before making a purchase.
Finally, you will need to decide on your budget. Guitars range in price from around $100 to several thousand dollars. While it is tempting to save money by purchasing an inexpensive guitar, it is important to remember that quality matters when it comes to musical instruments.
A better quality guitar will be easier to play and stay in tune, making it more enjoyable overall. With that said, there are plenty of great affordable options available for beginners, so do not feel like you have to break the bank in order to get started playing.
2. Learning Your Chords
If you’re a beginner who wants to start playing guitar, one of the first things you’ll need to do is learn your chords. This can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually not that difficult if you take it one step at a time.
There are a few basic chords that all guitarists need to know, and once you’ve learned those, you can start branching out and learning more complex chords. The best way to learn your chords is to practice them regularly. If you can work them into your daily routine, that’s even better.
One helpful tip is to practice your chords while watching TV or movies. This way, you can keep your hands busy without getting too distracted. Just be sure to mute the sound so you can focus on your playing!
With a little bit of practice, you’ll be playing your favorite songs in no time. Just remember to take it slow and have patience; Rome wasn’t built in a day!
3. Tabs or Books?
There are two main schools of thought when it comes to learning guitar: using tabs or using books. Each has its own set of pros and cons, so it’s ultimately up to the individual player to decide which method is best for them. Here’s a closer look at each option:
Tabs
Pros: Tabs are a great way to learn the basic structure of a song quickly and easily. They’re also easy to find online for free, so you can save money on buying music books.
Cons: Tabs can be daunting for beginners because they often include a lot of numbers and symbols. They can also be inaccurate, so it’s important to cross-check them against other sources.
Books
Pros: Books provide a more in-depth look at how to start playing guitar, with theory lessons and exercises as well as songs to learn. They’re also usually written by experienced guitarists, so you can be sure the information is accurate.
Cons: Books can be expensive, and they can take up a lot of space if you’re not careful. They can also be challenging for beginners who might get overwhelmed by all the information contained within them.
4. Learning to Play by Ear
One of the best things about starting to play guitar is that you can learn to play by ear. This means that you can listen to a song and then figure out how to play it on your guitar. This is a great skill to have because it allows you to be creative and come up with your own versions of songs.
There are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you are learning to play by ear. The first is that you need to be able to identify the different parts of the song. The second is that you need to be able to hear the relationships between those parts. And the third is that you need to be able to translate what you are hearing into something that you can play on your guitar.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Listen carefully to the song and try to identify the different parts. What is the melody? What is the harmony? What is the rhythm?
- Listen for the relationships between those parts. How does the melody relate to the harmony? How does the rhythm relate to the melody?
- Try playing along with the song, using your own version of the chords or melodies. Be creative!
- If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to ask a friend or teacher for help. They can often give you some good suggestions on how to proceed.
5. Tips for Sounding Good
If you want to start playing guitar and sounding good, there are a few things you can do.
- First, practice regularly, the more you play, the better you’ll sound.
- Second, listen to music. Not only will this help you better understand how to play guitar, but it will also give you a feel for what sounds good.
- Third, find a guitar teacher. A good teacher can teach you the basics, help you develop your skills, and give you feedback on your playing. fourth, get a good guitar.
A quality instrument will make a big difference in how easy it is to play and how good you sound. fifth, Don’t be afraid to experiment. Trying new things is the best way to learn and improve your playing.