The Thrill Of Playing Guitar: A Comprehensive Guide.
For as long as man has existed, music has been a part of our lives. The earliest instruments date back thousands of years, and long since then we have explored and honed our craft. Nowhere is this seen more than in guitar playing. One thing has remained the same, however, throughout all this time: the sheer joy that comes from playing the guitar.
To the uninitiated, guitar playing can seem daunting. The mere thought of so many complex chords, riffs, and melodies may leave them feeling apprehensive. Yet, the fear is often unfounded, as the basics of playing guitar can be picked up relatively quickly. Below we undertake to provide a comprehensive guide to the thrill of playing guitar.
Getting Started With Guitar
One of the first things to consider when beginning to learn the guitar is which type of instrument you are interested in. Generally, the most popular choice is the original acoustic guitar, which is portable, relatively inexpensive, and great for beginners. Those seeking a more modern sound may opt for an electric guitar and accompanying amp.
Once you have an instrument, the next step is to learn the basics of guitar playing. It is important to spend as much time as you can early on mastering the correct technique, as this will prove invaluable in the future. Notably, playing the guitar involves two distinct parts: using your fretting hand to press strings against the fretboard, and using your pick-hand to strum the strings.
The first step to developing your skill is becoming familiar with the basics of music theory. This encompasses understanding chords, scales, and notes. Such knowledge will come in handy when it comes to learning new songs, or even creating your own! After this has been mastered, it is time to start playing.
Songs
The excitement of guitar playing comes from learning and playing your favourite songs. After all, this is an area where the guitar really shines: a simple chord progression plus a catchy tune equals a great song. To play your desired songs on a guitar, you will need to learn the notes on a fretboard and the chords used in the song.
The best advice when tackling a new song is to rise to your skill level. Trying to play something that is beyond your current skill set will only frustrate and discourage you. Focus on mastering each song for a few days before progressing to the next one – this will help you become more familiar with the notes and chords. After this, you can work on perfecting the timing and dynamics.
A great way to practice your songs is by using tablature, better known as tab. This is a simplified way of notating how to play a song. The numbers on the string correspond to which fret you need to press down and how the strings are strummed. Not only is the process easy to understand, but you can also find tabs of whatever song you are looking to play.
Improvisation
A great thing about guitar playing is the ability to improvise. It is here that your creativity can come to the fore, as improvisation requires you to craft solos that are unique to your playing style. Many guitarists live for improvisation, as it enables them to explore a broader range of melodies.
In its most basic form, improvisation requires you to pick and play certain notes, rather than a strict predefined solo. To do this, you will need to develop your knowledge of concepts such as scale patterns and arpeggios, as well as techniques such as string bending and tapping. Indeed, it is only by mastered these that you will have a comprehensive understanding of improvisation.
Often, the best way to practice improvisation is to simply jam, allowing yourself to create music in the moment. This will enable you to explore different ideas and discover solos that are right for you. Additionally, learning a few basic licks can be useful when you are first starting, as it will provide you with the skeleton of a solo and give you a basis to work from.
Conclusion
There is nothing quite like the thrill of playing guitar. It is an instrument that has entertained and inspired people for centuries, allowing them to express themselves in ways unable to be done using words. Ultimately, it is the combination of practice and creativity that will take you from being a novice to a master of the instrument.
Now that you have read this piece and understand the basics, it is time to pick up your guitar and get playing. The thrill and joy that comes from playing guitar is only something that can be experienced by actually doing it. So, plug in your instrument and let the magic begin!