Guitar: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners.
Are you ready to start your musical journey?
Playing the guitar is something that many people aspire to, regardless of whether they’re hoping to become the next Jimi Hendrix or just want to have some fun strumming around the campfire. While it’s not the easiest instrument to learn, it’s one of the most rewarding. If you’re willing to put the effort in and dedicate yourself to improving your playing, the guitar can give you endless rewards.
In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know to begin your guitar journey. You’ll learn about the different types of guitars available, the right equipment you’ll need to practice and how to get started learning chords and scales. We’ll also explore ways of developing your technique, creating your own music and finding the motivation to keep improving your playing. So, grab your guitar, let’s get started!
Choosing Your Guitar
Before you can begin playing, you need to choose the right guitar for you. There are a lot of different kinds of guitars, from acoustic to electric, so it’s important to take your time and make sure you select the best one for your needs.
The most common type of guitar is the acoustic guitar. Acoustic guitars produce sound with their steel strings being plucked or strummed, and because of this, it’s a great choice for those just starting out. It’s also relatively easy to transport, so if you’re looking for a guitar you can take round to friends’ houses or on holidays then an acoustic could be a great choice.
Electric guitars offer a lot of versatility, and allow you to plug into an amplifier to increase the sound output. However, electric guitars can be more expensive than acoustic models and are a bit harder to transport. If you’re looking for something that you can easily take around with you, electric guitars might not be for you.
If you’re going for an acoustic guitar, it’s important to look at how you’re going to use it. Are you planning to strum a lot, or would you prefer something more suited to fingerpicking? Different sizes and shapes of acoustic guitars can produce different types of sound, so it’s a good idea to do a little research and read reviews before settling on a purchase.
Guitar Equipment
Once you’ve got your guitar, you’ll need to sort out the right equipment if you’re going to practice effectively. Stocking up on strings, a tuner, straps, a capo and a pick are all good places to start.
Strings are an essential for any guitarist. They come in a variety of gauges and you should select ones that feel comfortable when you play. It’s also important to change your strings regularly – not only will this help keep your guitar in good condition, but it’ll also help improve your sound.
Another important piece of equipment is a tuner. These come in clip-on form that attach to the headstock of your guitar, or pedal forms. Whichever kind you choose, it’s absolutely essential to tune up before you start playing. If you’re playing live, or want to jam along with other musicians, being in tune becomes even more important.
If you want to tackle some tricky songs, or just improve your accuracy, a capo can be a great tool. This is basically a small “clamp” that attaches to your guitar neck, enabling you to raise the pitch of each string.
Finally, a guitar pick is usually essential. It’s free plastic device that makes it easier to strum or pick strings, and they’re one of the least expensive pieces of guitar gear out there.
Learning the Basics
Once you’ve got your guitar and equipment sorted, you can start learning some basics. One of the first things it’s important to getting familiar with are musical notes. These are the building blocks for all music, so if you understand them properly you’ll have a much better chance of learning new songs quickly.
It’s also worth learning about standard notation, which is the system for writing down what notes to play. If you’ve ever seen the letter ‘X’ flashed up on a music video or a guitar tab book, this indicates the note should be muted. Notation may seem intimidating at first, but don’t be put off because it’s something that you’ll soon get the hang of.
At the same time, it’s best to start learning some of the basics of chords. Chords are two or more notes that you play together to create a sound. They’re best learnt one at a time, and when you’re familiar with the different shapes they can create you can start combining them together.
It can be quite difficult to remember different combinations of notes, so the best way to practice is to play slowly and accurately. This will help you to develop accuracy and muscle memory, and eventually you’ll be able to play chords without having to think too much about it.
Scales are another important area for guitarists. In a nutshell, a scale is just an organised series of notes, and learning scales and different ways of playing them will help improve your technique and broaden your musical knowledge. The most commonly used scale is the major scale, and once you’ve figured out one scale in a given key, it’s easier to learn the minor and diminished versions.
The Blues Scale is a popular scale used in rock and blues, and most guitarists learn it at some point. It’s usually a good idea to get to grips with the 12 bar blues first, before then progressing onto the Pentatonic and Natural Minor scales.
Developing Your Technique
Once you’ve mastered the basics, there are lots of ways to develop your technique. It’s an ongoing process, and the important thing is to focus on the areas where you struggle most.
Improving your dexterity is essential for all guitarists, and this will help you move between notes and chords quicker and with more accuracy. It’s worth trying to increase the speed of your playing gradually to avoid injury, and also to build up a level of familiarity with the more complex songs and solos.
Playing along with songs that you love is also a great way of developing your technique. Listening to the songs you’re playing and attempting to play along with them can help you to pick up new ideas and create improvisations. It’s best to start slow and gradually speed up to build up your accuracy and confidence.
Listening to other guitarists can also be invaluable in helping you to develop your own technique. You don’t have to just focus on the guitarists you love listening to the most – listening to different styles and different players will open your ears up to a completely new world of music.
Organising regular practice sessions is also a great way to keep yourself motivated. If you’re a beginner, 20 minutes a day is a great starting point. As you progress you can increase it to 30 or 40 minutes, and try to make sure you’re practicing new things in each session. That way, you’ll keep your skills varied and start to really progress.
Always Aim for Improvement
Practising and playing the guitar should be a never ending journey of knowledge and growth.
Exploring your different musical genres, any new techniques you come across, and trying to get better each time you play should be your main focus.
You don’t necessarily have to focus on the technical aspects of guitar playing, as creating music can be just as rewarding. Think about the different emotions you can evoke with just a few notes, and how you can build on this to create something that’s truly special.
Above all, don’t be afraid to make mistakes when you’re playing. Playing the guitar is a skill, and like any skill it takes time, practice and dedication. If you’re willing to put these three things in, you will eventually start to feel the rewards. So put in the work, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and the result will be a much more confident and competent guitarist.
Guitar: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners. Ready to Start Your Musical Journey?