Guitar: A Passion That Refuses to be Strummed Out.
For some the guitar has the power to evoke emotion, for some it is merely a means to an end, and for others it is a multifaceted instrument that opens creative pathways for self-expression. Whatever the guitar means to you, it is without doubt that the simple six-stringed instrument has been praised and championed throughout music history by some of the most iconic musicians that our culture has ever seen. For such a simple instrument, the guitar is surprisingly versatile and can lend its haunting tones to many different music styles and genres, ranging from folk and blues right through to heavy metal and jazz.
Whatever style of music you are into, if you have a love of the guitar, then you will no doubt be able to relate to its unique charm and wide array of sounds. Of course, for those who are more serious about their craft, the guitar can be viewed as more than simply an instrument it can be an obsession and a passion. This is especially true for those who look to take the craft of learning to play the guitar to a professional level. For anyone looking to take their guitar playing to the next level and make a career out of it, the journey could be a long and windy one, with many technical and creative obstacles to overcome along the way.
But that doesn’t mean it is impossible. In fact, with the right amount of dedication and hard work, it is certainly achievable to become a professional musician and make a living out of playing the guitar. On the other hand, there are also plenty of passionate guitarists out there who never take their craft further than the bedroom or the local bar and play simply for the sheer joy that music can bring. For both types of musicians, the following blog post will take a look at the guitar and provide plenty of tips, insights and advice for those looking to pursue a career in music as well as those simply looking to explore their creative passions.
The Start
Before we jump into the craft of playing, it is important to understand the instrument itself. The guitar is, essentially, a wooden box with strings stretched across it and tuned at certain notes. The strings are strummed using a pick, and the fretboard (the piece of wood between the strings and the body) is what players press down on in order to change the pitch of the string that they are strumming.
The guitar is one of the most popular instruments, and in its own way can be seen as a gateway to many other kinds of music. For anyone just starting out, it is a great instrument to learn, as its relatively simple construction ensures that the beginner player can learn the basics with relative ease. Of course, becoming a serious player is an entirely different ballgame, and will require an immense amount of practice and dedication to hone the craft.
The basics
So, what are the basics? The most basic skill to learn when playing any instrument, but especially the guitar, is reading music notation. This basically entails learning how to read and understand the traditional notation that is seen on many sheet music and tablature. This can seem daunting at first, but with the right support, guidance and dedication it can be learned relatively easily.
The next skill to tackle is learning how to actually play the guitar. For starters, it is important to ensure the guitar is properly tuned (something which can be done using a tuner, or by using a simple diatonic scale to determine which string should be tuned to what note). When the guitar is in tune, the next step is to learn how to strum, and become comfortable with moving between different chords. Learning how to pick individual notes and arppegiate chords is also a great way to take your guitar playing to the next level.
Developing Technique
Once you have a basic understanding down, it is important to keep practising and take your technical ability to the next level. This means paying close attention to your hand and finger position, as well as learning various techniques such as fingerpicking and bending strings. Developing your techniques can be trickier than many people realise, as it requires detailed understanding of the guitar and its range of sounds.
To really hone your technique, consider taking some guitar courses or lessons from a professional teacher. While there is nothing wrong with teaching yourself, a teacher can be invaluable in helping you to understand the subtleties of the instrument and ensure that you are playing correctly in order to develop your skills.
Soloing
Soloing on the guitar requires understanding both the technical and creative abilities of the instrument. Being able to develop fluidity between chords and scales is the key here, as it allows the player to create interesting melodies and express themselves in a more creative way.
It’s also worth noting that learning to solo doesn’t have to be a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Instead, many players like to develop their own individual techniques or ‘licks’ that can be used to differentiate their playing. Learning different techniques and skills as varied as blues and jazz scales, to arpeggios and pentatonic licks, will help you to become more comfortable with playing on the guitar.
Expanding your style
Once you have a good understanding of the basics and have developed a good technique, you can start to look at expanding your musical style. Learning the various musical genres, from country to metal to classical, is a great way to make sure that you are familiar with different sounds and styles.
Listening is also key here, as it is by listening to as much different music as you can that you are able to expand your musical knowledge and develop your own unique style. It is also a great way to get ideas for soloing and songwriting, so be sure to listento as many different styles of music as you can.
Final Thoughts
The guitar is an incredibly versatile instrument and can be used to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. With the right amount of dedication and practice, it is possible to take your playing to a professional level. No matter what level you are at, the guitar is a great instrument to learn and is sure to bring pleasure for years to come.