Easy as A C E - A guitar joke
Beginning to enjoy guitar can be an exciting journey filled with endless possibilities. If you're eager to start playing, here are 8 great ways to get you strumming and picking in no time.
Maybe more then 8 but they are short tips that pay big.
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Invest in a good quality guitar: A well-made instrument will make learning easier and more enjoyable. Don't go overboard! Just don't get bottom of the line gear. Used is good. If you're small get a smaller guitar. Make sure to get a guitar strap and in most cases a guitar stand is great. A simple stand will do unless you have pets and kids who are likely to not "see it". If you buy an electric get a good cable to plug into your amp. Even a small amp can be awesome and you can plug headphones in so people can go about their day without earplugs in.
Looks: Make sure it looks good so you feel like a star.
$erious: Don't buy guitar Pedals the first few months or year into your journey. The result of buying early. Look at your guitar stores used music gear. You already know why they have so many pedals on display.
Pic: Try a few but a softer pic in the beginning can work better. Later you may prefer the thick pic.
String Theory: Softer strings in the beginning are easier on the finger tips. They are easier to bend and play the blues too. A lower guage like 8s 9s 10s.
No Pain - Smart Brain: Learn basic stretches.
Before every practice session, dedicate a few minutes to stretch your fingers, shoulders and wrists. This will help improve flexibility, circulation and prevent muscle strain. Gentle and easy stretches get you ready to play.
Clean Strings: I mean, don't play till you bleed. If you have cuts on your finger tips you won't want to play until they heal. They hurt! Practice smart and play well. Ignore the legendary tale of shredding your finger tips and you will one day shred your guitar. Do clean your hands before you start playing if you can. Rinse them off to keep hand oils off the strings so your sweet new string sounds lasts longer. The last thing a new player wants is to change strings. Unless you're the happy player who has a family member who already knows how to change strings.
Set Em Up: After you have your guitar for a few days you will know that the strings are to high or too low, at least, for your beginning style and strength. If your guitar shop offered a set up with your guitar make sure to take them up on it. They will also straighten the Neck of the guitar to an appropriate angle. I bought a acoustic guitar and the strings were so high I almost got carpal Tunnel. The store I bought it from never mentioned setting it up and the coaches I hired ignored my issues when I brought it up. When I had the set up it was suddenly so easy and not as physical to play. I found out about it at a meteor shower gathering when I met two guitarists strumming Perseid songs one August. You never know when you will meet great people.
Essential scales: At least get good at them. It's just your first year. Scales are the building blocks of music. (Chords are super important too if you want to play a whole song and sing to it). Start with the major and minor scales, as they will lay the foundation for your playing. Practice them regularly to enhance your finger dexterity and build a foundation for more advanced techniques.
After, go at the blues and pentatonic scales perhaps.
Whaaaat: Your strumming hand keeps time, your fretting hand makes music. Keep time with your strumming hand and you will move easily through songs.
Split Time:
Practice should have some finger warm up drills like a scale or a fun intro from your fav song. To keep practice fun and elevate your brain, split the practice into sections. Some finger warmups, some scales or a slowed version of a fun song. Ex: Day Tripper or Chasing Cars, played slow can be more exciting then just a scale for a few minutes. Some rhythm. Some new stuff. Some fav song. That's a small list of elements.
Practice simple songs: Start with easy songs that use basic chords. Ask Google and choose one you like.
Choose beginner-friendly songs and learn to play them. Start with popular tunes that use simple chord progressions, as this will help you develop your rhythm and strumming skills. You should find something you like and learn to play it slow. You will build speed soon. There are a lot of apps that slow the song so you can play it easier.
Working Theories: Playing covers helps you develop rhythm, finger coordination, and build your repertoire. It can be exciting too! If you plan on writing songs, learning how other artists Choose chords, play their chords and what they did for their hooks will be invaluable when you apply this knowledge.
Time to rock: Use a metronome at least part of your practice. Later, record your metronome work and see if it sounds 'on'. Just wait a few weeks into your journey to try the playback.
It's a good idea to do some work with no metronome. Sometimes that clicking adds stress. If you are doing exercises for finger independence, go ahead and do some with no torture clicking on. Later use a drum beat to play to and slow it to what you need for comfort, this is so refreshing. You can take this from a song you love as a sample or find a beat on an app or on Youtube.
At some point in your proficiency slow a great song down and play with them. It feels amazing. As you gain cleanness in rhythm and transitions, raise the tempo higher. You're
building techniques and muscle memory and proficiency, so remember to start slow. I know you don't want to but it will work.
Focus on technical exercises: Incorporating exercises like fingerpicking, alternate picking, and chord transitions into your practice routine will enhance your technique and speed. Set your metronome or beat track to around, 60 BPM and change chords to it. Just do 2 chords at first. Back and forth. And again and etc.
Pay attention to correct hand positioning, posture, and finger placement. Practice makes permanent so, yeah, get it right at first. Relax everything.
I Am Iron Man! Strengthening your fingers: is crucial for playing efficiently. Utilize finger exercises, such as practicing chords, fretting and picking exercises to build up strength and endurance. They may turn to fingers of iron.
We don't need no stinking teacher!
There is a lot of online instruction and some is great. Don't believe people who say you can't learn on the web. They're usually coaches.
Having guidance in your learning journey can greatly accelerate your progress. Look for experienced in person instructors if you learn better that way or online resources that suit your learning style.
Take advantage of the numerous online guitar tutorials, instructional videos, and mobile apps available to guide your learning
Join a beginner's group or jam sessions. Playing with others allows you to learn from peers, gain confidence, and have fun exploring different musical styles. Ask co-workers or fellow students who are more advanced for advice on techniques and knowledge.
My mentors: I met some supermarket employees who were more advanced on the guitar where I shopped and got a ton of advice from them. I had a few coaches who all got fired.
Jamplay, Fender are good. Justin guitar is great!
To submit your original music to numerous online stores and receive royalties for it, use district kid from this link I get a small stipend
Enjoy your side hustle
Explore various musical genres like rock, blues, or classical. This will expose you to different techniques and help you discover your personal playing style.
Look No Hands: Be patient and consistent:
Learning an instrument takes time, so give yourself the space to grow. Regular practice, even in shorter sessions, will yield steady improvement. Remember, the key is to enjoy the process and have fun while learning. So grab that guitar, embrace the challenge, and let the music begin! You got this!
Wow Tip: Leave your guitar out. An object seen is a object handled. If you can get to your guitar easy, you will play it more.
Reframe It: Don't Practice regularly, play regularly.
Consistency is key. Dedicate regular time slots for guitar play, even if it's just 10 minutes a day. Or a few 10 minutes sessions a day. Try something different at each session but make sure one of those sessions is just fun. Like learning that new song or at least one part of it. Regular play (Practice) will help you progress steadily and build confidence. Remember, learning to play guitar takes time and patience.
Bring: Sense of humor, Curiosity. Eagerness.
Enjoy the process and have fun.
A good tip $$
I started recording coaching tips into my cell and put it on loop. During practice you would hear, "Relax those finger, You got this, play clean, Watch your posture". Try it, record whatever reminders you want to focus on and let it loop through your practice. Even praise yourself. It works!
Journey of a thousand songs starts with a single chord. Maybe 2.
About the Author. Andy is a NW resident and an outdoor enthusiast. Hiker, Photographer and independent Musician with a love for sharing and Tree Hugging and with lots of new original music and lyrics on the way. Be sure to follow him on Social Media or Subscribe to his You Tube channel.
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All Photos Copyright Andy Land 2023. This article is for entertainment. Be sure you are healthy and consult a Doctor before starting any new exercise. guitar can be dangerous and there is no promise that you won't fall. You are responsible for your personal and gear safety.
(This essay has been written for inspiration.) Some corporate links provided are affiliate links.
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