Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Guitar Playing Tips - 5 Tips in Mastering the Guitar



If you love to look at your guitar idol on stage strumming and plucking on those strings as he moves to the music, you may be itching to learn those master guitar playing tips. You can actually learn these guitar-playing techniques easy and fast by learning also some simple formula on how to make your learning easy and fun as well.

Here are 5 guitar playing tips that might help you master the guitar and become a great guitar player as well.

1. Memorize and master your chords. You can start with the simplest to the complicated ones. Although there may be a lot of chords to memorize and master, keep in mind that there is a pattern in learning chords. Start by finding a song that has simple chords and practice them over and over.

2. Learn the guitar scales. One of the things that can make you master the guitar is by learning the guitar scales and mastering it. Indeed, learning the guitar scales allow you to play good sound with a combination of notes and this will also help you play fast, good music.

3. Practice with guitar buddies who are better than you when it comes to playing the guitar. If you want to master the guitar, you have to expose yourself to guitar players and buddies who are better than you are. Of course, this can be a great motivation for you and a good avenue to learn more guitar playing tips to play better guitar as well.

4. Learn how to read the tablature. One of the simplest and easiest ways to learn the instrument is the tablature or commonly referred to as the guitar tab. The tablature is like a music sheet for guitar that uses abbreviations, numbers as well as symbols to help you on where to place your fingers, which string you need to pluck. This is also one of the fastest ways to learn how to play your favorite song on the guitar.

5. Practice makes perfect. Like any other sport or undertaking, practice is an essential part in mastering the guitar and in fact, this is one of the most important guitar playing tips that you have to always keep in mind to help yourself become a good player. Regular practice can indeed make things possible, but of course you have to also make sure that you are practicing right and not just multiplying errors.

Keep in mind though that these tips are just few of the things that you can do to make you a master guitar player. Learn more, learn from experts and practice with friends who plays better guitar that you do. This will also motivate you to learn more and to even surpass your friend's guitar skills.

You can also get good resources that can teach you on how to play the guitar. From videos to online tutorials to eBooks, you can indeed find a lot of resources that will truly help you and guide you to become a guitar master.

Monday, July 30, 2012

How to Learn the Guitar Online?



How to learn the guitar online? This is the question most frequently asked by the beginner. When I started to learn the guitar, I paid thousands of dollars to my guitar teacher. However, when I researched the internet, I discovered that I could have the opportunity learn to play the guitar online for less than hundreds of dollars or even for free.

When I discovered how to learn the guitar online, I was very frustrated because it is so inexpensive. I have been taking lessons twice per week in guitar learning centers such as Yamaha, at an hourly rate of about $30 per hour for basic lessons like guitar tabulators, basic guitar chords, how to strum, and how to play classical music with a few simple fingering methods. However, you can learn the guitar online for free or complete a more advanced guitar course without spending several thousand dollars a year.

Learn to play the guitar online is easier than learning from a private teacher. Online guitar lessons include graphics, animated images, video tutorials and demo sounds to make it easier for you to learn. They will help you to start playing a song on your guitar within a short period by enhancing your learning process with tutorials that utilize your senses of sight, sound, and touch.

Most people learn the guitar not to become a superstar or to play like a pro. They just want to play a few songs that can be performed in front of crowds, and they want to start playing songs as soon as possible. Online guitar training can suit their needs. A person can start playing songs within a week by following the online step-by-step video tutorials and, with practice, will soon play like a pro.

How to learn the guitar online can also be attractive because of the "hear and play" techniques. It is very important to train yourself to be sensitive to music, especially guitar songs. Learning online will provide you with more details on how to play a song after listening to it. This is a high-level technique that uses your senses, subliminal mind and imagination, and it's more easily learned online than from a private teacher.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/427350

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Guitar Online Lessons - Learn to Play the Guitar Online



Learning guitar can be very rewarding and is quite easy to understand. Most beginners will find themselves strumming familiar tunes in no time at all, if they are dedicated and passionate about it.

Guitar is also one of the most convenient musical instruments. It can be carried anywhere and played even without amplifier or electricity. Most students of guitar lessons will experience a burning sensation in their fingers and it can be painful.

This is quite normal. But with time, and when the fingers have developed calluses, the pain goes away and you can play the guitar in ease.

There are many online guitar lessons over the internet and most students will find it easy to use and understand. Examples are Ben Edwards's Jamorama guitar courses that provides videos and software to help you learn to play the guitar faster.

Basics are well covered and most sites even include instructional video that students can follow at their own pace by simply playing and replaying segments at their convenience.

Advanced guitar online lessons are also available and again, most would include instructional video. Some are paid sites, while others are free. Most free sites are sponsored by guitar enthusiasts who want to share their love and passion of guitar playing.

Others may offer an e-book format guide in guitar playing, but these are commonly sold for quite cheap prices. The best would be to try free guitar online lessons first, and if you feel that you need more then sign up for paid online lessons or attend classes near your area.

However, most beginners attest that online lessons are very helpful and that they have learned playing simple tunes using these services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1952148

Saturday, July 28, 2012

The Guitar For Beginners - How to Start Playing Guitar



First things first - you need a guitar.

But make sure you get the right guitar. You should start by learning on an acoustic guitar and any respectable music store will have a good beginners guitar for around £100. Better still borrow one from a friend while you get started then you can invest in a better guitar once you know that your guitar playing isn't a new year resolution fad. You should start with an acoustic guitar because you can hear the strings clearly and you will know when you are playing the chords well. With an electric guitar you can sound good without actually playing accurately. On a classical guitar the notes always sound dead and lifeless in the hands of a beginner.

Secondly you need lessons

Well to be precise you need to learn a few chords and strumming patterns. Then while you are doing this you should follow a beginners guitar course. Doing these 2 activities together will introduce you to the wonderful world of guitar playing. The great thing about learning to play the guitar is that no one can ever take it away from you. You can pick up any guitar and just play. If you have an ounce of creativity you will be writing songs and making your own music just because you can play the guitar. To get to this point should only take a few months.

Thirdly - find someone else to practice with

Learning with someone else will make you learn a lot faster. You will have different strengths to your partner and will both improve by being a little competitive in learning new chords. If you know someone who can play well you could ask them for some tips. There is always something new to learn.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1898333

Friday, July 27, 2012

The Benefits of How to Play the Guitar



The guitar has always been one of the most, if not, the most popular musical instruments. This is due to the fact that the guitar is a very versatile instrument. It could be used in a lot of musical genres such as acoustic, jazz, country, rock, pop; actually, it could blend into virtually any kind of genre. The late hip hop star Tupac Shakur even rapped to the strums of the guitar in his hit song 'Thugs Mansion,' which only serves as further proof of the guitar's flexibility as an instrument.

Unlike some instruments, like the piano or the drums, the guitar is portable. You can manually carry it to your own gigs or you can just clutch onto it and take it anywhere you go so that you'll be able to have an impromptu jam session whenever you feel like it. Or you could just hold on to it and show off to your friends.

Because of the many good qualities of this musical instrument, a lot of people want to know how to play the guitar.

Learning how to play the guitar has a lot of benefits. But the most important thing you can get out of knowing how to play the guitar is that learning how to play this instrument enables you to learn about other musical instruments a lot easier.

The first step in the learning process is knowing the instrument.

The basic guitar has six strings, each representing a specific note value. The thinnest string is the called the 1st string and it represents an E note. It produces the highest sound. The string next to it is called 2nd string and it is a B note. The 3rd string is a G note, the 4th is a D, the 5th is an A and finally, the thickest string is the 6th and it is also an E note. This string makes the lowest sound.

Next are the frets, or the space between the metal strips that line the neck of the guitar.

It is easy to make sounds with the guitar. One strum can create sounds. But before you call yourself a rock god, you must first learn how to actually be able to play notes.

Familiarize yourself with the specific sounds that each string makes. Pluck each string and take note of the sounds. Next, pin down a string on the fret with the tip of your index finger. Holding the tip of your finger on the first fret, pluck the same string and listen to the sound you produce. You just played a note. Then move the tip of your finger to the next fret and pluck the same string. The sound must be different than the first. Try this with each fret and each string until you become familiar with the notes.

Now that you know how to play individual notes, you have to learn playing chords next. Chords are groups of notes that create fuller and more exquisite sounds than the ones that individual notes make.

After that, practice the chords until you learn them by heart. There's nothing worse than the sound of broken chords.

But when you don't get all the notes right the first time, don't fret (no pun intended) just yet. Just have fun and surely, you'll be on your way to rock god status in no time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2173977

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Prepare Your Fingers Properly For Playing the Guitar



Without the correct preparation the fingers are likely become rigid and sore when playing the guitar. The fingers have to be flexible and capable of bending into unusual shapes in order to play certain notes and chords. The stiffer they become, we continue to force them to play, getting tenser as we go along which in turn affects our fingers. So is there anything we can do about this problem?

The answer to this question is yes. We need to ensure our fingers are properly prepared before we begin. An ideal way to do this is to perform finger exercises which will add strength to our fingers even whilst we are not actually playing the guitar. Normally quite difficult chords will be so much easier to play simply by using a soft rubber ball to carry out squeezing exercises to stop our fingers becoming stiff.

As well as strength, fingers need to be supple too and exercises such as typing or playing games using the keys of your computer keyboard will keep them moving. It is important to give the third finger more exercise as traditionally it is the weakest of them all. You will see proof of this fact when you place your hand palm downwards on a level surface and try to lift the third finger without moving any of the others. This weakness can be overcome by practicing using your third finger for tasks where you would normally use your index finger.

When you are watching TV make a point of wiggling your fingers by way of exercise. Let your fingers do the walking up and down the chair arm, put your hands into tight fists and then release each finger stretching it as you go. Take a few minutes to stretch your arms above your head and then allow them to drop by your side. With loose fingers shake your hands and feel the tightness fade away.

Just before you start playing your guitar, give your hands a good shake to get rid of any tension, then warm up by doing some scales. Start slowly at first, then speed up as you continue playing. If your hands or fingers are cold you should get them to the right temperature before you begin. You can do this by soaking them in a dish of warm water.

If blisters are a common occurrence after you have been playing your guitar, you should let them heal before plucking or strumming the strings again. There are plenty of other things you can be getting on with while you are waiting for your blisters to disappear such as brushing up on the theory of music. This means you will not waste your "out of action" time. Of course, you can avoid blisters by playing your guitar a little at a time to start with. Your fingers will harden eventually and you should have no problems in the future. You can always tap your fingertips on a hard surface whenever you get the opportunity as this will also help them to become firm along with exercising your fingers at the same time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1157219

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

What to Avoid When Learning to Play the Guitar and How to Succeed With Jamorama



If you are anything like I am, you like to succeed in the things that you do. Learning to play the guitar is just one challenge you are currently facing at the moment, or it is something you are contemplating to start, and you don't want the task of learning the guitar to beat you. I don't blame you! It's not easy, especially without any help.

Learning to play the guitar requires time, money, effort, skill and determination... or does it?

I believe you can succeed at learning how to play the guitar is you have determination and are smart about how you approach it. Sure, you can go to the local music store and grab a copy of a book about how to learn the guitar but I can almost guarantee that if you have done this, that book is now sitting on the bookshelf collecting dust. How do I know this? Because I currently have 4 of them.

The reason for this is that learning how to do a physical skill such as learning the guitar cannot be done by reading alone. Yes, this is a great method to understand how to start and learn the basics, but in order to become a great guitar player, or even just to enjoy what you do, you must be shown, be taught and enjoy it. Luckily, Jamorama covers all 3.

Not only will you receive a tonne of categorized, sorted and meaningful guides, but you are also provided with countless videos, demonstrations and even software to install on your computer which combined, show you strum by strum what to do to succeed with your guitar playing abilities.

Yes, I have used Jamorama and I want to invite you to share my story with you about how it has helped me, how it frustrated me, and the overall look and feel of how the course is presented.

If you have the urge to learn to play the guitar and want to check out a Jamorama Review [http://www.jamoramacoursereview.com] - I have put together a website that covers off on my story that I am constantly updating.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2205374

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Quick Tips On Learning To Play The Guitar



Learning to play the guitar will require a great deal of discipline, patience and time, plus a real passion for playing this instrument. Playing the guitar can be a very fulfilling experience and could provide an outlet for different feelings. Most people are taking advantage of resources such as the videos lessons which are available nowadays to play the electric guitar. Continue reading this article to learn more about this instrument and also you can learn how to play it.

First and foremost, you need to how to tune your guitar in order play it. If the guitar is not tuned properly it will not produce good quality music.

Tuning your guitar

Prior to tuning the guitar, ensure that it is not out of tune. You can get help from an expert to tune it or use of the digital or electronic tuners. Remember that tuning will be a very important aspect, so you have to know how to do this properly if you want to become a good musician.

Guitar chord chart

You should have one of these printed charts handy during your learning stage. This is really important because you won't be able to remember all the chords right away.

Select a song

When you are learning to play the guitar it is best to select simple a song for your practice sessions. You should opt for:

•Acoustic song, instead of noisy metal rock, because this will be clean and it will be easier for you to identify the guitar sounds from other musical instruments

•Strummed pattern, since it is the simplest starting point whenever you are learning to play the guitar

•Slow tempo, because the fast tempos have means faster switching chords

•Easier chord patterns such as A, C, D, E or G, absolutely no F or B chords, since these will be difficult in the beginning.

Try to listen to the song as often as possible

You have to listen to the practice song as frequently as possible and then try to grasp the details. This will help to improve your ability to identify tones and ultimately play your guitar by ear. Additionally, this can help you to get the correct strumming patterns and tempo.

Some interesting facts

The acoustic guitar is the most traditional types. In fact, the closest comparative is the electric guitar, which was created during the 1930's. Basically, the acoustic guitar that we know nowadays has been around from about 1779. There are other close comparatives to the acoustic guitars like the lute and oud, which have been in existence for considerably longer, possibly even 1000's of years. When you learn to play the acoustic guitar this will certainly put you in superior company.

Guitar is easily the most versatile musical instrument created to date, because it can play any kind of music ranging from rock to country. Furthermore, guitar players are generally the lead singers in nearly all bands.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6177512

Monday, July 23, 2012

Do You Know The Best Way to Learn How to Play the Guitar?



Everyone is always trying to find the best way to learn how to play the guitar.

To determine what is the best way for you to learn how to play the guitar, you need to have a clear understanding of what you wish to accomplish. Is having the ability to strum along with pals after lessons enough? Or maybe are you hoping to be selected for a part with a performing band? It is important to be clear about what you would like to achieve because that will help you figure out the amount of time you should commit plus the route to take.

Different Kinds of Guitar Classes

Formal guitar instruction is split into different types base upon skill levels and you'll be able to look for one which fits your skills level. Going to music school such as these are generally the most preferred means of learning how to play the guitar.

You have to learn more details about just how these particular structured courses are done because they differ from school to school.

Typically, you can find the communal guitar players. This group play simply for social and fun motives. This group of community players usually play chords of commonly known songs and generally only songs which they like. Acoustic guitar instead of electric powered guitars are far better for guitar players who are learning purely for fun purposes. This is because it can be much more ideal for novices specially when understanding the best way to string, tips on how to tune, and also play the common chords.

If you would like something over and above informal playing, you can consider a school for semi-professionals. They are generally individuals who have basic understanding of guitar or even music on the whole and are into certain style or variety of music for instance metal, hip hop and country. Consequently, should you decide to perform solo or together with a band, you can take up a proper study class by becoming a member of this class.

Next, there is the group of professional guitarists who do not possess music degrees. Many that enroll in this specific group tend to be earning money by playing the guitar. Usually, students in this group already are relatively good guitar players but simply have no paper qualifications. The objective of this specific group is pretty much to get the right coaching in techniques as well as paper accreditation to propel their careers as performing guitar players.

The professional musicians' group is taught the more complicated types as well as styles. At the end of the program, this group of students will aim to go on world tours, be a composer as well as recording guitarists and make a respectable living from their guitar talents.

DIY Music Training vs Qualified Music Training

If budget or work schedule are a worry, nothing at all is to stop you from learning guitar on the web. Online guitar instructions tend to be a lot more reasonably priced plus they can fit very easily into your schedule. Nonetheless, the opportunity to attend a proper music institution is still the most proven step to be successful if you plan to pursue it to a semi-professional or perhaps professional level. The standard system of going to music institution provided you can find the money for it is still by far the most endorsed. A physical instructor can demonstrate the proper positioning of your hands in order to strum the strings, help you recognize the chords and the scales by addressing your specific doubts, and others.

Guitar private lessons are very expensive it is therefore a good idea to do a thorough research for a good and reasonably priced instructor. There are a lot of available options to suit your needs while you find the best way to learn how to play the guitar!

Visit Quickest Way to Learn Guitar [http://bestonlineguitarinstruction.com/quickest-way-to-learn-guitar] today to give yourself the best start to mastering guitar playing.

Many people have Learn to Play Guitar at Home [http://bestonlineguitarinstruction.com/learn-to-play-guitar-at-home/], so there is no reason why you cannot. Click on the learn to find out how to do it correctly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5339080

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Basics in Playing the Guitar



Many have been playing the guitar for ages now. Perhaps this is the most popular instrument for many because of how simple the aesthetics are. In addition, this is the easiest that can be learned even with a child. To date, there are many guitarists just around the corner and who made it really big in the music and recording industry.

Perhaps you come across this page because you have that interest in playing the guitar. I too had that certain spark years before and until now that made me fall in love with this. Thus, let me give you some basics on how you can jumpstart the said instrument. I am sure you will be amazed how fast you can play it.

In order to set the disparity, we must know first the two types of guitar. First we have the acoustic guitar. What we commonly see is an acoustic guitar. You need to play the strings and vibrate it in order to produce that certain sound. The other type of guitar is the electric one. This type of guitar uses electricity in order to produce sounds. It has magnetic pickup vibrations that in turn translate to a specific note. However, you need to know how to play an acoustic guitar first before jumping to an electric one.

Another thing that must be taken into consideration in order to know how to play guitar is to know its parts. A guitar commonly consists of six strings. The higher strings are normally thicker than the lower ones. The hand extending usually on the left side are the fret areas. It is prearranged actually especially with their spacing with an algorithm thus enabling to make different sounds and hit notes. It has been noted that a fret is lower if it is open compared to when you press it.

An important thing that aspiring guitarist must do is to exercise their fingers on the different music letters. Hence I recommend a music book and preferably guitar ones in helping you with your guitar journey. Normally your fingers have a specific number as to which fret and which string you should place and press it in. Depending on the musical letter, there are also strings that must not be touched.

Plucking and strumming are two different ways in playing with the strings. Strumming is moving your fingers and vibrating all or a few of the strings. Plucking on the other hand is picking a string and picking another string transitionally. What you need here in order to master the techniques is to really exercise. Soon enough your fingers both left and right will get a hold of it. After all playing the guitar is actually easy if you have the dedication and the heart to learn it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3757438

Saturday, July 21, 2012

How to Play Songs on the Guitar


So you've made up your mind to play songs on the guitar. Let me tell you about how I learned and how you can avoid making some common mistakes made by many other guitar players. One thing far too many beginners attempt to do is play entire songs before they've even learned the basics. Choosing a song you'd like to know how to play will motivate you to learn and force you to learn the basics-that's if you go about it the right way.

There can be a number of reasons why you'd like to learn how to play songs on the guitar. One may be just to play songs for yourself while you hide out in your bedroom. Another may be to play in front of your friends, just to impress them. Perhaps, you'd like to play for customers in a local coffee shop. You may even have dreams of becoming a rock star and playing in front of thousands of people. It doesn't really matter why. As long as you're absolutely serious about it let's get started.

Now I'd like to think of playing songs on guitar like playing basketball. Learning to play guitar songs is easier than a beginner may think. But learning guitar takes lots and lots of practice. It's very important that you practice, practice, practice. This is because once you start playing basketball you're not very skilled at it. Have you ever tried it? I have a neighbor who is only 12 years old and he can shoot baskets like a pro. That's far better than how I shoot. You may say he has some natural talent, maybe a little, but he spends hours practicing day and night on the hoop in his parents' driveway. You can become good at playing guitar if you practice it like he practiced basketball. It's all a matter of perseverance and repetition.

So how do you start out playing songs on guitar? Simply start out by buying a cheap guitar, or even borrowing one. Some guitars sell for $150 new which include a practice amp, pick, strap, and an extra pair of strings. This guitar set would be perfect for beginners if they could afford it. Still, I would not recommend that someone spend a great deal of money on a high-classed guitar, especially when starting out. You can do like I did, pick up a used guitar at a garage sale. My first guitar was a Delta Acoustic with nylon strings and it only cost me $10. But if you're really broke and can't find a cheap guitar, chances are you know someone who already has one that you can borrow. If they use it frequently, you'll have to work out some kind of deal with them, like washing their car. If they never use it, most likely they'll be more than happy to loan it to you, knowing it'll get some use.

Now that you've got a guitar to practice on, most likely you've looked it over and tried playing it. You've strummed it several times but the sounds you produced sounded nothing like music whatsoever. So now you ask yourself: "How are you supposed to play this thing?" You looked over the guitar and noticed it has six strings that extend down its neck, and the neck is filled with several frets. You think playing guitar songs on this thing must be really complicated. How can anyone really do that?

When learning how to play songs on the guitar you start out small. Become acquainted with all six strings by striking each one by one. Start out at the lowest string and work your way down to the highest one. Learn to distinguish between the lowest string (E) and the highest string (e). Why did the inventor of the guitar use a string called "E" and another, "e". Was he just trying to confuse us? Who knows? Anyway the notes go in the following order starting from the top string to the bottom: first is the "E" (the lowest note) proceeded by "A", "D", "G", "B", then "e" (the highest note). To memorize these notes in sequence from the lowest note (thickest wire) to the highest (thinnest wire) just remember an acronym created by Eddie Van Halen: "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie!"

Start out by mastering the open strings on the guitar. When you're ready, upgrade to playing regular notes. Let your left hand be your guide. Remember that the guitar neck contains a great number of frets. The first fret is the furthest from the body of the guitar. Small metal bars divide the frets. A string striking exercise helps one become familiar with the guitar. Though this exercise may seem cumbersome, it's still important so don't skip it. When playing a certain note your finger should press down on the string as close to the vertical metal bar as possible without touching the bar. Simply strum the string. A clear note should sound without the string vibrating. If the string should vibrate either you're not pressing down hard enough on the string or your finger is touching the vertical metal fret bar.

You may also wonder: "How could I play guitar songs if I can't read music?" One way is to use guitar tabs to learn particular songs instead. Guitar tabs are the easiest way to play songs on the guitar. A guitar tab will display the six strings and coexisting string numbers. So if the first number on a tab is a "2" on the "A" (second string from the top) you'd then place your finger on the second fret on the second string and strike that string.

Continue playing the riff in order of the guitar tab and soon you'll be able to play a guitar song.

Also, if you see a guitar tab with numbers stacked one upon another that means you're about to play a chord. A chord is when you strike more than string at once. In the case of a "3", "5", "3" stacked on top of each other on the "A", "D", "G" strings, this means that you should play the "A", "D", "G" strings at the same time with the corresponding tab. In this case, the third fret for A, fifth fret for D, and the third fret for G. A "0" label on the tabs means you play the string open (without pressing down on the string).

Lots of great resources exist for learning how to play guitar songs. One outstanding resource is Learn and Master Guitar. The lessons here start out rather easy then work their way up to the more advanced material.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3135427

Friday, July 20, 2012

Tips in Learning How to Play the Guitar


The guitar is probably one of the most popular musical instruments we have seen for centuries - from rock bands to solo artists, Beatles, Aerosmith, Sheryl Crow, Jason Mraz...and the American Idols strumming their guitar all the way to stardom. They seem to be so cool playing the guitar.

If there is one musical instrument that most people would want to learn, it would probably be the guitar. Indeed, we have seen famous celebrities strumming those notes easily. Oh, how we wanted to play that instrument and sing our favorite acoustic songs.

If you are one of those who are learning how to play the guitar, here are some things you need to have and do to make your dream come true.

* Know the instrument.

Learn what frets are for, what represents the strings. When you get to learn higher techniques of guitar playing like plucking, you will be reading tablatures and knowing the basics will help you to master it easily.

* Know how to hold the instrument properly.

Some beginners tend to hold the guitar slightly face up because they want to see what their fingers are pressing. Although you can do it in the first few practice, but make sure you don't get used to it.

* Know the chords and the hand positions.

You will be doing a lot of this thing throughout your guitar practice session. It is important that you have a guide in mastering the hand positions and the chords. A friend can guide you through this but of course, he cannot be with you the whole time you are learning how to play the guitar. There are books that provide good illustrations on the different hand positions and the chords, so you can actually get one of those and self-study.

* Mastering the chords.

You might have wondered how these guitar masters switch their hands so easily on the frets without even looking. Memorize the chords, then practice shifting from chord to chord without looking. One way to master the hand position is to learn one chord, for instance, learning the C chord then try to shift to C minor, or C7 chord. You will find it easy, as it will only need you to take out a finger on one string or press an additional string. Learning the flats and sharps could also be mastered easily as it is just moving one fret forward or backwards from its original position.

* Practice and more practice.

Shifting your fingers in the frets could be a very awkward thing at first. You may find some chords that are quite difficult to reach and difficult to produce a good sound, but nobody learned the guitar at an instant. Constant practice is the key to your goal to be a rocker. At some point you may find it painful to press those strings over and over, but when your fingers eventually develop calluses, it will slowly disappear. If you are really interested in learning how to play the guitar, you will need to commit a time daily to practice.

* Play a song.

If you have mastered the chords and hand positions, you can pick a song that is quite slow so you can practice the shifting of your fingers from chord to chord. When you get to master the slow ones, you can move on to faster songs.

In learning how to play the guitar, it is normal to feel frustration at some point, but when you can eventually play an entire song, you will love to learn more advance techniques in playing the guitar.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2496840

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Guitar Basics - Learn the Basic Parts of the Guitar


If you are willing to put in the time to practice and don't mind getting calluses, you can learn to play the guitar. That's right YOU! I'm going to inform you of the basics that every guitar player needs to get you on the right path.

First thing's first...you need a guitar! There are four main parts of the guitar. Let's go through some to get you started.

HEADSTOCK
The head is found at the edge of the guitar. It is used for adjusting the pitch of the guitar. The headstock is where all of the tuning pegs are contained.

NECK
The guitar neck's is where a lot of the guitar parts are located. The fretboard, frets, tuners, headstock, etc. are housed on a long wooden panel.

FRETBOARD
The fretboard is the bread and butter of the guitar. It is where you will strum your little heart away. It is made up of hardwood and lies on the neck of the guitar. The fretboard can also be called the fingerboard.

BODY
The body of the guitar is a big factor in determining the overall sound that is produced. There are four parts of the body of the guitar. The four parts are the upper bout, bridge pins, sound hole, and the bridge.

You are now armed with the basics of the guitar. Now it's up to you to go out and strum your life away!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2470224

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Best Way to Learn Guitar - Learn to Play the Guitar the Right Way Today!



It's hard to find a gift that comes with no strings attached.   At last there is a gift that has strings attached that will enrich your life, allow you to express your creative side, and make new friends.   You can learn to play the guitar at any age and one of the best ways to learn guitar in this day and age is the internet.

Do you live in a snow belt?   Do high gas prices keep you closer to home?   Have you and your family cut back on your entertainment budget?   Now is a perfect time to learn to play the guitar and you can learn to be your own instructor.   I have played and taught guitar for years and I am amazed by the tools that are available today.   Learning to take care of your guitar, how to tune your guitar, how to maintain and replace strings, and learning chords and scales has never been more convenient.   Think about getting yourself an acoustic guitar and dive into the musical waters.   Concentrate on three simple cords and strumming before you worry too much about picking out separate notes.   Once you start having fun actually performing songs that people recognize, you will find yourself more excited and motivated to keep improving your skills.

The most important commitment you can make and the best way to learn guitar is to focus on your technique.   Concentrate on the proper way to hold your guitar, the correct strumming and chord techniques.   Both good and bad habits will tend to become part of anything new you are learning from the very first day.   Ensure that you discipline yourself to employ only the correct procedures to develop your skills.   Many people will recommend that you take lessons from a live instructor.   For some students it may take the physical presence of an instructor to keep them motivated and on track much like some people having the need for an exercise partner to keep them in the gym.   I believe you can be much more successful by exercising your desire to learn and you can do it in your home or office.  

It may turn out to be the best way for you to learn guitar is to take advantage of an easy and comprehensive online guitar program.    An online program is like having your guitar instructor inside your computer where you can constantly refer back to what is being taught.   You have the ability to access instructions and techniques as many times as needed. Everyone learns differently and it's important to find out what works for you.   I am impressed with the online programs available and the extensive and detailed instruction that is easily conveyed to a beginner.   Consider giving yourself the gift of music and being a guitar player. It is one of those times when you don't mind a gift with strings attached. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2045897

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

So You Want to Learn to Play the Guitar



With the craze of Guitar Hero and other games, more and more people want to learn how to play the guitar for real, but where do you start? Do you take lessons, learn on your own, what is the right choice? Well, the first thing that you need to do is to make the commitment that you are going to learn the guitar. Decide right here and now that you will not be deterred form this goal. Learning to play the guitar will take some time and determination, but the payoff will pay for the rest of your life.

Now the first thing you need to do is find yourself a guitar, it doesn't have to be a new one or even an electric. Visit your local pawnshop and see what is in stock for an acoustic guitar. That way you can play anywhere and won't have to worry about getting an amp and cords. Also, if you learn how to play on and acoustic guitar, the transition to an electric will be much easier. Acoustic guitars have thicker strings and are a little more difficult to press, but this is good when you're learning. By playing on an acoustic, you will gain finger strength much faster and you can more easily hear if you're not holding down the strings correctly.

Next you will need to decide your method of learning. If you have the time and the extra money, you can get personal lessons, but for most this is not a viable option. Another option is to purchase guitar cord book, study the chords and then practice. The problem there is that you can't see anybody doing it and you have no way of knowing if you're strumming correctly or holding you hand in the right position. Not to mention the strumming pattern, how to tune the guitar or any of the other important tasks. The third option is to purchase an interactive guitar learning system that will show you all of the necessary techniques and guide you through as you learn the guitar. This option is the most cost effective and will get you playing the guitar in no time.

Now there are many guitar learning systems [http://guitarlessonsandmore.com/] out there today and only a few are actually worth you time and money. You need to be careful when purchasing these systems as they will be the foundation to the rest of your guitar-playing career. If the basics are not understood and applied well in the beginning, the continuing road will be difficult.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/901881

Monday, July 16, 2012

Learn Basic Guitar - Tips to Learn the Guitar Online



To learn basic guitar is to join in one of the most popular skills of our age. Almost all of popular music uses guitar as the main instrument, and on top of that, the guitar is a pretty simple instrument to begin to learn. And during these tough economic times, it is also one of the most economical musical instruments to play. So what does it take to learn basic guitar? Just about anybody with a little bit of will power can get started playing, but it will take a lot of practice, and determination to master this beloved classic instrument.

In order to learn basic guitar you are going to have to get a few things. The first would have to be the guitar itself. The most common type to learn on has to be the acoustic guitar, either in standard steel strings, or nylon for the classical type of sound. I would strongly suggest nylon strings for the beginner, because they are easier on the fingers, and that allows you to practice more often. Any experienced guitar player will tell you that until your fingers get used to playing the guitar, there is a little discomfort, and this has discouraged many aspiring guitar players. Nylon strings are easier to play, and feel similar to the strings of the other most common type of guitar, the electric guitar. However, in order to hear the playing on the electric guitar an amplifier is going to be needed to allow the sound to resonate, and that will cost a little extra. Once you have the guitar, you need a few inexpensive accessories to get started.

To learn the art of strumming a guitar you are going to need a pick. This is a small piece of plastic that is about the size of a quarter that will assist in the strumming process. A guitar strap can be used to help keep the guitar close to your body and allow you to stand up if you would like. With these basic things you are ready to learn basic guitar.

The best place to find the information you need to learn basic guitar is going to be the Internet. The Internet has all kinds of online video courses for those needing to know the basics. You can find videos covering everything from stringing your guitar, to learning the basic scales. Eventually, however, you will want to join one of the video tutorial courses that will help you learn basic guitar through an organized, and motivating series of videos that will accelerate your guitar skills. The great thing about using the Internet is that you can learn on your own timetable. This gives you the flexibility to learn basic guitar skills on your own time, as fast, or slow as you desire, without having to keep scheduled training sessions.

To close, remember that to learn basic guitar you are going to need to have the essential pieces in place:

- A strong desire and commitment to learn

- An acoustic or electric guitar

- Make sure to have the accessories needed (i.e. picks, straps, strings etc.)

- An online connection for access to tutorial videos

- Practice as much as possible, and keep it fun.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3392906

Sunday, July 15, 2012

How to Learn to Play the Guitar - Four Powerful Tips to Getting Better Every Day



Once you have learned how to play a few chords and probably, a song or two, you might find yourself asking where your guitar playing abilities are heading. The only way to answer that is to keep on practicing what you have learned and trying to improve how you sound. Playing the guitar is a lifetime learning process. You can never run out of chances to exceed what you have previously accomplished. Here are a few tips on how to make every session worthwhile.

o It is true that you don't need to spend the whole day with your guitar but as much as possible try to practice on a daily basis for at least half an hour. You have to force your brain and your muscles to work simultaneously. This can only happen through constant practice. It will then develop your ear for notes, pitch and intonation. With practice, you get to hone your reflexes, strum-hand and fret-hand coordination and proper positioning and handling of the guitar. In the long run, you will find it more comfortable to play with all the body parts working.

o Develop your fret-hand muscle memory by practicing chords and hand position anywhere. Try to position your fingers to form the chords in the air while watching TV or talking to someone. This will train your muscles for proper fretting and switching chords.

o Press down the strings as hard as you can while playing. I know it hurts but it is the best way for you to build up calluses on your fingertips. Once your fingers are hard enough for guitar strings, you'll be able to play any song without feeling a thing.

o Try to focus on the different facets of guitar playing one at a time. Allot half an hour on a single aspect such as recognizing chords by ear; speed and smoothness of transition from one chord to another; accuracy; strumming and plucking patterns and so on. By developing the techniques one by one, you will find your overall guitar playing skill improve with every practice.

As a last note, always be reminded that guitar playing entails dedication and passion for the music. It means that you should not settle for being a mediocre. Much like in any other skill, it is expected that a guitarist should evolve.

A good tutor will teach you all this and more. However, good guitarists will generally charge a lot for sessions with them and it will also burn into your daily schedule. As an alternative, and a very effective one at that, you can opt for online guitar lessons [http://www.guitarhotness.com] that you can buy for a one-time cost of $40 - $50 that will teach you everything about going from being a novice to being a competent guitarist in the form of video lessons. Read some reviews of online guitar lessons [http://www.guitarhotness.com] and choose the best out of them and get on-track towards making the transition from dreaming to living the dream. These online guitar lessons will hold your hand and definitely help you in a big way in realizing your dreams.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2300760

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Guitar Music - Learn to Play the Guitar Online



We all know how popular guitars are. The guitar is a very versatile musical instrument that there is practically no end to the wonderful music that can be played with it.

Guitar music has gone way beyond the simple strumming and country music-type beat. The advent of electric guitars made it possible for musicians to pour more of their creative juices.

Add to this the gadgets that can be used to make the music better and more distorted based on preference. Your interest may be in the different genres of music. It may be country, jazz, folk rock, modern rock, acoustic, bald, and others. A guitar will just do as long as you know how to play and you play it in right place with the right mood. With a guitar with you, you can even right your own piece of music in the long run.

What You Will Need

Of course, before you begin your journey to playing the guitar, you will need a few essentials. You need to be armed with enough materials to make sure that you maximize your learning.

First off, you need a six-string guitar. It is unwise to practice with a twelve-string guitar I you have not mastered the six-string guitar yet. Next, you will need a guitar pick to play guitar music smoothly.

For beginners, it is always said that thinner guitar picks are better for easier control when strumming. You also need a guitar chord chart so you have a reference whenever you forget a chord. Lastly, you need a music book that contains music lyrics and the guitar chord corresponding to the tune. There are two other intangible things that you will need. You need patience to learn how to play the guitar and you also need a deep passion for music. Without these two, you will never be successful in learning how to play the guitar.

A Few Tips Before Starting

If you want to learn how to play guitar music, you should realize that there are a few things you need to keep in mind. The first thing is that you need to keep your fingernails trimmed.

With long fingernails, you will not be able to press the strings well and this will result to a bad sound. You can produce better sound with trimmed fingernails since the tips of your fingers will be free to press the strings. Next, remember that your fingers will hurt as you progress in playing. You will also develop calluses as a result of pressing the strings. This can be painful but you need to keep on.

This is only one of the few sacrifices you will have to make if you want to learn how to play the guitar. Lastly, you need to ensure that you have already learned your first lesson before moving on to the next one. It is not wise that you move to the next lesson without sort of mastering the previous one because you will not be able to remember it by heart.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2160857

Friday, July 13, 2012

Learning the Guitar Advice



For some people, the idea of learning the guitar is scary one. It seems as though there is more to learn than anyone could ever find the time for. Technique, theory, chords, scales, it's a lot to take in and, unfortunately, some people are put off altogether by what they see as an insurmountable challenge. The truth is however, that with the right guidance, learning the guitar isn't nearly as difficult as some people think. Here I'll address some of the most common problems people may face when learning the guitar and, hopefully show you, that it's really not that hard.

People learn the guitar for a number of different reasons. Some people want to make it as a pro, and have a long and successful career. Some people want compose their own music and record their own records. Others simply want to be able to play their favourite songs at home. Regardless of your reasons though, I can assure you that you will enjoy the challenge of learning the guitar, and if you're willing to put in the effort, you'll reap the rewards of becoming a great player. Before you start leaning the guitar, you'll first have to decide which type of guitar you want to play: acoustic or electric.

Your decision will be mostly based on what sort of music you want to play, although there are no strict rules. Electric guitars can be a bit easier to play than acoustics due to their lighter strings, but they do require additional equipment, like leads and an amp. Acoustics have the advantage of being able to be played, and heard anywhere. Once you've got a guitar, you can either get lessons from a professional teacher, or teach yourself using books, videos, or other resources. Getting a tutor will give help you by showing you exactly how to do things, and offering advice and constructive criticism of your playing and progress, but it will cost money. Teaching yourself is cheaper, and can be great if you can stay disciplines, but it easy to develop bad habits, and incorrect playing techniques when learning this way.

Whichever route you deicide to take, you'll most probably start off by learning some chords. A chord is two or more notes played at the same time, and a lot of guitar music is just strumming chords. Once you get the hag of changing chords, and strumming in time, you'll be amazed how quickly you can learn new songs, and how great you sound. The key to becoming a good guitar player is, of course, practise. But there's more to practice than meets the eye. If you practise incorrectly you can end up wasting a lot of time, whereas correct, effective, and efficient practice can drastically reduce your leaning time. You should always aim to play and practise things as cleanly and as accurately as possible. Take care to play each note or chord evenly, and in time. You should always us a metronome for this. That concludes this article. I hope you've found it informative, and maybe it's inspired you to get practising. Good Luck! For more info...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1939035

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Learn the Guitar Fast - More Information About It



The fast learning program will introduce you to the basic skills you need when playing the guitar. This will include different strumming patterns, a study of the tonic scale and some music theory. As you learn to play the guitar, you may be involved in the practical part but the ABC lies in the music theory. Ease of playing the instrument is set in your dedication to practice. Different music styles as applied to the guitar should be downloadable from the internet sites in MP3 format. Coupled with instructional manuals, you should make good progress into your guitar skills.

Detailed programs that offer the guitar lessons in stages will assist you in the gradual development of the musical skill. As you learn to play the guitar with a relaxed mood, your receptivity makes a joyous experience out of the lessons. Tailoring your practice sessions such that you have week-long exercises through your training sessions should make a good musician out of you. The fundamentals set up a foundation for strumming and finger picking as a source of fun. Thus the simplest songs will come to your mastery within your first weeks of playing. The more colorful strumming patterns come in to add rhythm into your music.

You can try out different playing styles along the way. For example, applying an Afro-Jazz sound to a folk song may well make a new melody out of an old tune. With Flamenco, you will learn a whole new way of playing your guitar.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3605930

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Learn to Play the Guitar - How to Sound Completely Different and Write Your Own Songs



Everybody knows the guitar is a versatile instrument, not just for the convenience of being able to take it with you almost anywhere (unlike a drum kit) but due to the many styles in which it can be played. In spite of this, when you find a style that you enjoy the most, you tend to stick to it and pretty soon, you know what you're going to sound like when you pick up the guitar and mess around. There's one way to give yourself a new lease of life when you feel things are going stale, no matter what your favoured playing style is and it's great for when you're in the creative mood and writing your own songs.

Experimenting with new chords is really exciting but just when you think you've learned more or less every chord that will blow you away, you can regain the excitement of being a beginner guitar player discovering that you can play simple guitar chords all over again by retuning your guitar strings. You may have become familiar with your own techniques but that's about to go out of the window for a while.

If you have mainly played the guitar in standard tuning, E-A-D-G-B-A, you have several untapped tuning configurations which will transform how you sound.

First of all, try out G tuning, G-G-D-G-B-D, and see how by simply playing A minor as a bar chord up at the 12th fret for one strum, the next strum with just your index finger making a bar, you have the first two chords to Brown Sugar and it sounds exactly like Keith Richards. This is mind blowing yet simple and makes you sound completely different.

Alternatively, with this same tuning you could plat the first two chords to She Talks To Angels by Black Crowes by strumming the open chord, followed by the same chord shape as A Min 7 but in this tuning, you get the perfect sound, exactly the way that Rich Robinson plays it.

Go and check out videos of the Rolling Stones and Black Crowes and you will start to recognize the songs that are in this tuning. You will need to learn to play the guitar again in this style, but because you can already play, it's all of the pleasure of learning and none of the pain. You will stumble across new chords and find that you are writing your own riffs in no time.

Check out this summary of online guitar courses which will help you play play famous songs quickly. I've looked at a lot of sites and these are the main competitors on the market

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2881553

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Learn To Master The Guitar Easily



Do you often find yourself awestruck whenever you see your favorite artist play the guitar so good? Do you feel inspired to play like your favorite star? If you are, then look no further, you came to the right place. Follow the steps that are outline below and you will be certainly the best guitarist you can ever be in no time. They're all so easy anybody can do it!

1. Own a guitar. You have to have your own guitar.

2. Start with the basics. Whenever we know the elements of music by heart like:

* Timing. Always consider the duration and tempo of your notes to keep you from playing a premature or a late chord.

* Volume. Pay attention about the loudness of your music! Even though how good you are, if it's inappropriately loud or it's too soft, it won't be appreciated.

* Range, pitch and tone; melody, and harmony. Do your best to play your chords precisely. It is very crucial to get this right.

3. Choose a genre. Since music is a broad subject, you need to train your ear and accustom yourself to a particular style. Some of a few suggested these genres for beginners are as follows:

* Rock

* Acoustic

* Jazz and;

* Country

4. Choose a learning method. You can

* either: Hire a music teacher. Hiring a teacher usually helps you to keep motivated and focused. Your schedule is more regular and you are mentored in real time. The best part is that you can directly ask any inquiry without delay.

* Self-help books and instructional videos. The advantage of these is that they are cheap and you can learn at your own pace without pressure. They are also always available in contrast to a teacher.

* combination of both. If you have a lot of time and really determined to learn as quickly as you can, then you can complement your training with each other.

5. Observe the fundamentals. Now that you are knowledgeable on the concept of music and guitar, you should now direct your attention on the mechanical basics of playing the guitar. Always watch and try to visualize in your mind what you learned from your instructor or have watched from the videos.

* Strumming. Many people who play the guitar (or never learned to play one) claim that this might be the most challenging task in learning a guitar. Be mindful of how you strum according to timing and tempo. Relax your shoulders and be sure that your strum is hinged at your wrist, not your elbows.

* Good posture and form. To minimize strain on the neck, back, and shoulders. This helps to keep you practicing longer and better.

* Memorize the basic chords. No, there is no way you can skip this step if you want to play the guitar like a pro. Start with the basic chords like A, B, C, D, and G. If you think you've mastered these, memorize more chords. The more you know, the faster your exercises will be.

* Start with an easy piece. You really want to play a piece because it is your favorite, but you often find yourself in hindered progress. If this frequently happens to you, it would be better if you played simpler songs instead to produce more satisfactory results.

* Practice. As the common meme goes: genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. Never give up just because it gets harder; instead, use the challenge as an inspiration to grow and improve. There are really few things you couldn't do if you put your mind on it and learning to play a guitar is not one of them.

Lastly, be patient with your drills and remember to always stay positive and the rest will follow.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6177726

Monday, July 9, 2012

Learn to Play the Guitar - Important Tips for Beginners



Have you decided that you are determined to learn to play the guitar, but you don't know where to start? I have been there and done that. As a matter of fact, I actually owned a guitar for about 6 months before I even decided to do anything about it. It can be frustrating because the first avenue that you try to take is to seek out a guitar teacher, and lessons can be very expensive. After seeing the price of lessons, I was almost ready to give up, I was NOT about to spend such a large amount of money on something that I wanted to do as a hobby. I had no intention of making a career out of music. I unfortunately tried to learn using tabs and by doing that, I developed a lot of bad habits which really made it difficult for me to play correctly. I was able to play songs in a way that if you knew what I was playing, you could kind of guess what the song was, but it sounded terrible. I tested it out by playing random songs that I learned from tabs for my friends and telling them to guess what it was without me singing (not that I would be able to sing and play at the same time anyway). They never guessed any of them! If you are ready to get started, here are a few tips to help you on your journey to learn to play the guitar (these are all based on my personal experience, I was truly terrible at first and did all the wrong things).

1. Technique is key! When most people decide to learn to play the guitar, they are in such a hurry to start playing their favorite songs that they look up the tabs and start playing. This is a BAD idea. Like I said earlier, that worked out horribly for me. I didn't realize that their was so much to proper technique until I did online lessons. From the way you sit, to the way your hand wraps around the neck of the guitar, they way you hold the pick and strum, timing, etc. All these elements are important in the execution of proper playing. If you do not learn these elements, you will struggle mightily, I promise you.

2. Don't be in such a hurry! We all feel the need to play are favorite songs right away, that is the reason we decided to learn to play the guitar in the first place! Those songs are going to sound terrible unless we learn the basics of guitar playing first. Doing exercises to learn to switch quickly from different chords will make your life a lot easier when it is time to learn to play those songs. Like the old saying goes, practice makes perfect, and with learning to play the guitar, the saying definitely applies. If you are expecting to play the songs right away, you will get frustrated and are more likely to give up playing altogether. Once again, a life experience of mine. After only about 2 weeks of trying to play using tabs, I put my guitar into my closet and never saw it again until a few months later when I became motivated again.

3. Don't kill yourself! As much as practice is important, you do not want to overdo it. In the beginning stages of playing, the tips of your fingers which are holding the strings are going to hurt, that is a fact. The reasoning behind this is that if you've never played before, the fingertips are relatively soft and flimsy. Once you start playing regularly (or trying to play) you will develop calluses on your finger tips which will make it more manageable to hold down the strings. This is why it is important to pace yourself, start with short practice times and work your way up. If you are practicing too much and your fingers really start, this may discourage you and cause you to quit.I suggest starting with 15 minutes a day and increasing by 5 minutes every few days.

4. Save the singing for last! Yes, we all want to be rock stars and sing along to the songs we are playing, but you will never learn to play the songs properly if you try to sing while learning to play them. Focus on holding the chords or notes and strumming properly with the right strum pattern and timing. Practice the songs this way for a while. Once you are playing the song with ease, then it is time to incorporate the singing. Singing along with the playing is tough, but don't get discouraged and quit. I've noticed when I was learning to play that once I had the song down on the guitar perfectly, I would still struggle to sing along, then all of a sudden, it would just click, it would go from horrible to perfect. Hopefully this will happen with you too, you just catch on. In my opinion, when you learn to play the guitar, singing along is one of the hardest parts so don't let it get you down if you can't do it right away.

5. Experience is priceless! While most of us may have trouble affording one on one lessons with an instructor, it can be a great tool if you don't mind spending that kind of money on lessons. If you are like me and don't want to spend a ton of money on one on one lessons, you can utilize online lessons which are extremely inexpensive and because it is not in person, some of the online instructors are legendary teachers who have worked with professional musicians. I find it better to learn from someone who knows rather than trying to be your own teacher. Another good thing to do is after you've taken the online lessons since there might not be feedback on your playing, ask a family member or friend who has been playing for a while to watch you and tell you what you might be doing wrong. Listen to the instructors and don't try to speed ahead of them. This is the method I took, I have many friends and family members who have been playing for years, and after i did the online lessons, I told them to be brutally honest with me and they were! This feedback helped me tremendously!

Good luck on your journey to learn to play the guitar! Just remember to take your time and learn the correct way to play and have fun! After all, isn't that what a hobby is all about? Stick to it and you'll officially be a good musician and have the ability to impress the people around you (or just yourself)!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5199453

Sunday, July 8, 2012

The Basics of How to Play the Guitar



Before you know how to play the guitar, you should know the basics like the type of guitar that you want to play and the materials needed to play the instrument.

Guitar is one of the easiest musical instruments to learn. Different age groups can also play this instrument because it can play different genres of music like jazz, country, alternative, pop, and folk.

For acoustic guitar, there are nylon-stringed and steel-stringed guitars. Nylon-stringed guitars are easier to play especially when you are a beginner. This is because you don't have to put much pressure on the strings to be able to play it.

Learning to play the instrument needs a lot of patience before you really master playing it. You need to practice and practice especially when you are a beginner.

The basics on how to play the guitar include knowing the parts of the instrument. The headstock of the guitar is the topmost part. You can see the tuning pegs located here. The nut is the material after the headstock (usually color white) that guides the strings because it has carvings where the strings are inserted. The tuning pegs can be turned to tune the strings of the guitar. The neck of the instrument is the long and skinny part where the strings are located. The frets are also located here. The frets are the metal strips in the neck. The body is the largest part of the instrument that is bulky depending on the design of the guitar. This contains the hole where the vibrations are created in order to make a sound when the strings are plucked or strummed. The bridge is the part where the strings are attached at the other end of the instrument. This can be found in the body.

The strings of the guitar corresponds to some major chords: E, A, D, G, B, E. They are numbered as six down to one correspondingly. The sixth string is the thickest and the first string is the thinnest. The frets are used to play the guitar chords. The numbers in the chord book corresponds to the fret number where the finger will be placed. The fingers to be used are index to pinky fingers. The thumb is used to hold the back of the neck and sometimes used in advanced guitar chords.

The two conventional ways of playing the guitar are through strumming and plucking. When you play through strumming, you need guitar chords but when you play through plucking, you need guitar tabs. Chords are sort of general notes while tabs are specific notes like when you play a piano.

You can play the guitar using a guitar pick. This is advisable for beginners but you can also play using your fingers alone.

As a warning, your fingers will hurt when you start playing the instrument. This is normal especially when you are a beginner. As time goes by, callus will be formed in your fingertips. With this formation, the pain will be lessened and you can play longer than without it.

So grab your instrument and learn how to play the guitar. You can study on your own or you can ask someone to teach you the techniques.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2173792

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Beginner Guitar Songs - Discover 3 Super Simple Guitar Songs Any Beginner of the Guitar Can Play



Learning to play the guitar can sometimes be very frustrating. Many consider the guitar one of the hardest musical instruments you could choose to learn, however, don't let this discourage you. A common problem many new guitar learners suffer from is not knowing what the best beginner guitar songs are. If you aren't able to play a few songs even at beginner level, you can quickly become disinterested and give up since you don't feel as though you are making any progress. How do you know which songs are easy enough for a beginner to learn and play but also are not too simple and boring? The good news is that there are several songs beginners can quickly and easily learn provided you have the basic guitar techniques and skills down pat.

Eric Clapton - Sunshine of Your Love

This is possibly the most famous guitar riff in history. Just why is this song a good one for beginners? Because it is played on the minor pentatonic blues scale, and that means not only will you be enjoying and making great music, but you'll also be studying theory at the same time. This song will especially help you to focus in on and improve the following areas of guitar playing: power chords, string bending and the minor pentatonic scale.

Oasis - Wonderwall

You'll love this song if you are a fan of the acoustic guitar and strumming. You can start playing this song once you have mastered a few very simple and easy chords and a lot of nice strumming. This is another great song for beginners because you'll improve the following areas of guitar playing: strumming skills and chord library.

Ben E. King - Stand by Me

Who doesn't know this song? Another simple song for beginners because it only requires you to learn a few bar chords, as you will just be using A and E bar chords in a progression. Another good song because you'll learn how to improve the following guitar playing areas: barre chords, chord progressions, treble and bass line guitar picking.

It is easy to understand why beginner guitar players might feel frustrated sometimes. The best way to learn the guitar is to make sure you have mastered the basic skills before learning some beginner songs like the ones mentioned above. This will ensure that you have mastered the correct techniques that will allow you to go on and learn many more advanced songs and become an excellent guitarist.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3528671

Friday, July 6, 2012

How Do You Play The Guitar - For Beginners



Learning how to play guitar for beginners and your current workbook or lesson sheet just isn't doing it for you? Don't worry-perhaps all you need is the right tools and materials to help you master the guitar in no time! Just how do you play the guitar? No matter-whether you can only pluck or do chords, the right guitar lessons for beginners can help you get better at your playing skills gradually so that you will be able to strum to or play all your favorite songs with ease.

What makes a good set of guitar lessons for beginners anyway? There are a lot of online guitar courses on the World Wide Web right now, but not all of them offer the right kind of material and the right pacing that will help a guitar greenhorn master all the basics of the instrument. It is important that when learning how to play guitar for beginners, you are able to grab hold of a workbook or a course that teaches all the fundamentals of guitar, as these will serve as your foundation for playing well. How do you play the guitar right now? If you are just trying to employ your own methods to be able to reach the right chords with your fingers, then you need to be re-educated as to how to position your fingers properly on the instrument so that you can smoothly transition to the next chord without your fingers flying all over the place.

Also, a great set of guitar lessons for beginners should teach you how to read tabs and master strumming techniques. Tabs are unique to this type of instrument so learning how to read them will enable you to quickly play new songs as if you've been playing them forever. Strumming is equally important-if you ask yourself "How do you play the guitar?" and your answer is "I just go with the flow", then you are in need of a good course that teaches how to play guitar for beginners. Chord changes and progressions are also important as these are the heart and soul of your melody. Learn the different chords and you'll be able to play so many different songs and even create new ones with them, if you are an aspiring or budding songwriter.

Finally, guitar lessons for beginners should allow musicians to learn at a reasonable pace. Unfortunately, a lot of courses that teach how to play guitar for beginners out there are not able to do this as they pre-package the course in such a way that is cheap yet does not guarantee quality learning. Make sure you enlist in an online course whose lesson plans you have read-so that you know exactly what you will get out of it. So-how do you play the guitar? Do you need guitar lessons? There's no reason to wait it out-invest in an online guitar course now and become a guitar pro in no time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5456821

Thursday, July 5, 2012

How To Start Playing The Guitar



Ok, so you want to learn to play the guitar. The guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world and with some daily practice you will be rocking out before you know it. Before you can rock Madison Square Garden, you need walk before you can run. This article will teach you how to begin the first steps to playing the guitar.

First, you need to learn how to hold the guitar, now I am speaking to all you right handed players out there. Place the guitar in your lap with the neck of the guitar toward your left hand. Your left hand will be the hand you use to press the strings and frets which will create the notes you looking to play. Now place your right hand over the body of the guitar and rest at the strings for now, this hand will perform the strumming action.

Second, you will need to take your left hand and wrap it around the neck of the guitar with your fingertips at just about a 90 degree angle to the strings. This is the correct way to push the strings on the neck of the guitar to play the notes you will learn later, your thumb of your left hand will be directly on the back of the guitar neck, not on the side of the neck. one very common mistake is to allow the fingers of the left hand to lay on or across the strings of the guitar neck, this is not correct.

Third, with your right hand you can begin to strum the strings with your fingers or with a pick. Both are correct. You can choose to use a pick in which case when you strum the pick is used to hit the string on the pointed end of the pick which is held between your thumb and first or pointer finger. The pick will land on the next string down. If you choose to use your fingers then you would pluck the strings.

In closing, take the time to practice holding the guitar correctly, and placing your hands in the correct positions, and try both the pick and using your fingers for strumming, you will figure out which will be more comfortable for you.

Jeffrey Sharp has been playing and teaching the guitar for 10 years. Get instant access to Jeffrey Sharp's tricks of the trade!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5809819

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Learn to Play the Guitar Properly - Strumming Shocker Makes a Real Difference



When you learn to play the guitar properly and find out the basic parts, such as the neck, tuning heads, bridge and strings, you'll normally be given a few simple guitar chords as a test. A majority of the attention is on the your chord playing hand (normally the left) and the attention to the strumming is much less evident in guitar courses.

This could lead you to think that the strumming side of modern guitar play is fairly inconsequential but it is just as important to work on getting this right from day one. It's a real shocker to me when someone is playing their guitar and they play all six strings for more or less every chord, making no attempt to mute any wrong notes. Even if the chord hand is doing perfect work, this can all be undone by the strumming. Some hints to make your guitar work more polished would include changing the way you play certain chords.

As an example, when playing C, there is generally no need to play the 6th string or E string and there are 3 methods you can use to achieve this.

    For C chord, mute the 6th string with the thumb of your chord hand by bringing it over the top of the neck to lightly rest on it
    Change from 0-1-0-2-3-x to 0-1-0-2-3-3 using your 3rd finger on the 6th string and your little finger on the 5th
    Strum more accurately, being sure to start from the 5th string in this example

There are many other chords where these unwanted noises creep in, but as a rule of thumb, the root note of the chord is the 'name' of the chord. In this case, C is best played by muting with the thumb, so that the first not e of the chord is C. When playing 'A',  the first note of the chord should be 'A'.

You can learn to play the guitar properly using online lessons but you just need to become your own critic in order to stamp this kind of thing out. This attention to detail will make all the difference.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2881487

Blog Archive

 
Copyright Strum the guitar 2009. Powered by Blogger.Designed by Ezwpthemes .
Converted To Blogger Template by Anshul .