If you are interested in how to learn to play the guitar, then here are a few tips that may be of use to you. Don't put any pressure on yourself and make sure that your practice involves both fun and enjoyment. You can play all sorts of music on a guitar from classical to rock to country and western and then back to its routes in blues and jazz. The guitar, a musical instrument that has strings and usually classed under stringed instruments. Guitar playing appears to be one of the most popular hobbies world-wide, probably because it can be easy and enjoyable and the guitar can be taken with you very easily. There are many ways you can play the guitar, by picking notes as a lead guitarist would do, or by strumming chords as a rhythm guitarist.
Let's have a look at Strumming, which can be a great place to start.
The two playing positions would be standing and sitting. Getting your positions right when you begin to learn can lead to good habits down the track. This can help you avoid back problems, finger problems and even hand problems. With sitting positions you can use the classical or the casual position. With classical you sit with the guitar resting on the left leg as opposed to the casual position where the guitar rests on the right leg.
When standing you will use a guitar strap, which can be placed over the shoulder with the left hand supporting the neck and your right hand over the strings on the bridge. Make sure where the guitar and your hands sit, are in the most comfortable position and as you learn these can be adjusted to suite. Of course, if you are left-handed all of the above would be reversed.
Ensure that your hands and wrists are relaxed to avoid tension and injuries. Hand position can be very important, in how fast you learn to play and also on how easy it can be to have the chords sounding correct. If you can get this right at the start, then you can ensure good playing habits. Pressing the thumb into the back of the guitar can cause strain to the wrist and thumb. Use left hand fingers to press down the strings on the fret board (fretting), while using the right hand to strum the strings at the bridge end of the guitar. When using a pick, position it between the thumb and index finger.
Tuning a guitar involves a method where each string can be tuned to another string on the guitar. You can learn guitar fast by creating good quality sound out of your instrument. You start by having your sixth string, the low E, in tune. Then follow through each string, i.e. A, D, G, B then high E. You start by pressing the 5th fret on the low E and striking the A string, they should sound the same when in tune. Repeat this method down the strings i.e. the 5th fret on the string above - G is an exception where you use the 4th fret instead. This method works for a six string guitar and appears be a very popular method. You can also purchase a guitar tuner and they are many and varied, speak with your local music store as to what requirements you may have. When you progress with your playing there are different tuning methods, which don't need to be touched on here.
Now that you have tuned your guitar you can start to learn to strum. Strumming uses chords and scales. The chords consist of a number of notes normally 3 or more that are played simultaneously. Chords involve using multiple strings at the same time while using up or down strokes with your pick. Some strings are omitted from the chord, for example in the 'C' chord. When looking at chord charts the strings to be strummed have an "O" marked at the top of the diagram and the ones not strummed are identified by an "X". You can use different chords to create riffs that can be used in creating songs. Most scales use the same chords and you can normally tell the key of the piece by the chords. Scales are a group of musical notes collected in ascending or descending order and are played one after another. These scales are good practice for your fingers and can be used later on if you wish to investigate lead playing. Chords are played several times, moving from chord to chord and usually repeat a pattern throughout the song.
Strumming styles vary and some very easy ones can be: Down Down Up Down - this can be done on the four/four time signature or you can do Down Up Down Down - you just need to experiment and find what feels comfortable or pleasing to you. You can also do a combination of styles, to create more interest in the song.
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