“Learning Guitar: How to Start From Scratch”
Learning to play the guitar is an incredibly gratifying endeavor that can open up new worlds of possibility for your musicality. Whether you’re finally getting around to picking up the instrument or you’re coming back to the guitar after a long hiatus, there’s no better time to explore the basics of guitar playing than right now.
The guitar, a fretted and stringed instrument, is one of the most versatile instruments around. Players of all skill levels, from novice to expert, can use the guitar to achieve a wide range of tones and sounds, from gentle acoustic melodies to powerful and aggressive electric rock riffs. As such, learning to play guitar appeals to musicians of all types and styles.
If you’re getting started with the guitar, there’s plenty of information to take in. This guide is designed to help you understand the basics of guitar playing, from the hardware to the music notation, the major progressions, strum patterns, and much more. Follow these fundamental steps to begin your journey as a guitar player.
1. Choose Your Instrument
The most important step to becoming a guitarist is choosing the right instrument. Deciding on a guitar should take into account budget, type of music you want to play, and comfort.
Acoustic or Electric? The most basic decision when selecting a guitar is to choose whether you want to go with an acoustic or an electric. Acoustic guitars are the traditional choice and make use of the natural vibrations of strings to create sound. Electric guitars rely on an amplifier and a pickup to create sound.
Size Matters. Another important consideration is the size of the guitar. A full-sized guitar may be too large for a youngster or someone with a small frame. Smaller-scale guitars are traditionally briefer in scale length and are generally easier to play.
Price Point. It’s important to remember that you don’t need to break the bank for a great guitar. While the sound quality of a more expensive instrument can be noticeable, it’s not essential for the beginner. That being said, you should be sure to do research and invest in the best possible instrument within your particular budget.
2. Learn Proper Technique
It’s important to familiarize yourself with proper technique before you begin strumming away. You want your guitar playing to be as efficient and clean as possible, so learning the basics—from good posture to finger placement—will be hugely beneficial.
The right posture. When playing guitar, it’s important to be comfortable and relaxed. Sit up straight, with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Your right arm should be curved around the body of the guitar, while your left arm should be in a slightly bent position. This positioning allows your arms and hands to move freely while protecting them from fatigue.
Finger positions. As you’re learning to play, you’ll also want to become comfortable with the finger positions. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the numbers for each finger: 1 for the index finger, 2 for the middle finger, 3 for the ring finger, and 4 for the pinky. These numbers correspond with certain string chords that you’ll be playing.
Strum patterns. Strum patterns are the rhythmic patterns that you’ll be playing with your right hand. Start by strumming up and down in 4/4 time (four beats per measure) with the index finger. As you become more comfortable, try varying the strum pattern by using different combinations of fingers and various speeds. You’ll also want to practice strumming with a metronome so that you can keep consistent and precise tempo.
3. Practice Your Chords
Chords are the building blocks of any song, so it’s important to practice your chords regularly. Begin with the basic open chords and eventually branch out to barre chords.
Open chords. These are the fundamental chords needed to play most songs. The most common open chords are A, C, D, E, G, and Em. Start off slowly and focus on accuracy, playing each chord slowly and cleanly.
Barre chords. Barre chords involve using one finger to press down all the strings of a given fret. At first, barre chords may be tricky, but as you practice more, it will become second nature.
4. Learn Music Theory
Learning music theory is essential for all guitarists, especially those in the early stages of development. While the basics may seem overwhelming at first, you’ll be glad you started with this step once you begin playing more complex songs.
Learning music notation. Music notation is essentially a written language that communicates how to play guitar, as well as rhythm and expression. Beginner guitarists should aim to understand the basics of notation, including how to read and understand a guitar tablature.
Understand chords and scales. You’ll also want to learn the basics of chords and scales, which will help you better understand how songs are structured. These are essential to being able to play with others in jam sessions or live performances.
5. Add Effect Pedals
As you become more comfortable as a guitar player, you may find that you want to add to your sound with effect pedals. An effect pedal is an electronic device that alters the sound of an electric guitar by manipulating frequencies. Common effects include distortion, delay, reverb, chorus, wah, and flange. While not necessary to sound good, they can be great fun and add a unique texture to your guitar playing.
6. Analyze Records and Songs
The best way to learn the guitar and understand its various elements is to listen to records and songs regularly. Listen to great recordings of different styles and genres in order to become familiar with different ways of playing and producing an overall sound. As you listen, pay attention to guitar parts and the overall structure of the song. Most importantly, listen and learn.
7. Join a Band
The best way to truly learn and hone your guitar playing skills is to get together with other musicians and join a band. Playing in a band teaches you about working with others as well as how to better utilize your own playing in a group setting. It’s a great way to become a more well-rounded musician.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great guitarist. Have patience and know that it will take time and dedication to reach your goals. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun while you’re at it. Good luck and happy strumming!
“Learning Guitar: How to Start From Scratch”.