Guitar lessons are expensive and you don't have a lot of cash - what should you do? There's a simple solution that won't cost you a cent. Believe it or not you can learn the basic guitar techniques and skills on a budget.
Here are two ways that you can learn how to play the guitar on the cheap. The first way is really a no brainer - ask someone who knows the basics to teach you what they know. Be sure that the person you are asking is reliable and knows how to really play the guitar. It could be a friend, relative or other acquaintance. Make sure this person has enough patience to work with you - especially if you have a limited knowledge of music basics. If your teacher isn't patient, you won't learn very much. If your friend isn't sure what to teach you, suggest that he or she start with basic tips and fingering techniques. Of course, this free method isn't an option if you don't know anyone who plays the guitar and would be willing to teach you.
Another great way to learn how to play the guitar is to take free lessons online. The Internet can be a wonderful tool for the novice guitarist, as there are tons of instructional videos available that will help you improve your skills. In some ways an Internet-based instructor is better than a real person because you can pick and choose what lessons to learn and in what order. You can take breaks - you can put the lesson on pause! Even better, you can take extra time to practice a hard lesson without worrying about taking too long. But best of all, you wouldn't feel like someone was hovering over you, criticizing you for every wrong note. You would be the boss and could take things at your own pace.
Here are 5 tips to help get you on the road to playing the guitar:
Tip #1: You will obviously need a guitar - you can buy one, borrow one or sometimes even rent one - just make sure you also have a guitar pick, a comfortable stool or chair and of course, a lot of patience and a willingness to learn. You will of course need to know the various parts of the guitar, starting with where you need to put your fingers to create the notes and strum or pick the strings.
Tip #2: Be sure to warm-up and exercise your fingers. If you are too tense you won't be able to maneuver some of the harder chords and notes. Wiggle them around and stretch them out before playing. Just relax and let them learn the positions naturally. Don't get frustrated or you'll never be able to make the notes properly. A good guitarist can move between notes and chords along the strings quickly so that they can blend in with the song seamlessly to form the melody. You should practice the basic notes and chords repeatedly in order to increase your agility and improve your overall finger strength.
Tip #3: You definitely need to learn the chords by heart. Start with the most basic ones and move into the advanced chords. Don't even think about trying the chords that use all five fingers or use a bar when you are getting started. Stick to smaller two and three finger chords until you build your basic skills and confidence. The easiest chords to learn when you are getting started are the A chords (A and A minor), the C chords (C and C minor), the D chords (D and D minor), the E chords (E and E minor), the F chords (F and F minor) and of course the G chords (G and G minor).
Tip #4: Practice your strumming patterns diligently. If you listen to the song you want to learn first, it will be easy to figure out the strumming patterns and learn the melody more easily. You should never try to play something advanced without learning the basics first. Instead of inspiring you to want to learn more you will likely get frustrated and quit because chances are it won't sound very good. A lot of beginners start out with strumming rather than picking, because picking techniques can be rather challenging to learn. When you are just starting to learn notes and chords, a simple up down, up down strum will be easier to coordinate and remember.
Tip #5: Above all you must practice. Practice, practice, practice. And just when you think you can't do it again - practice a little bit more. Learning how to play the guitar is definitely one of those times when practice can make perfect. Well, perfect may be stretching it, as perfection comes after years of practice, but your diligence will definitely pay off. You should always remember to enjoy playing the guitar and have fun with it. Just relax and take your time. Take a break if your fingers start to blister and your hands get sore - you don't want to over do it. Play for the sheer enjoyment of it, don't turn it into a chore.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3974619
