Five Tips for New Guitar Players
Learning to play the guitar can seem daunting at first. Between guitar anatomy, technique, music theory, and more, there’s a lot to take in when you’re just starting out. However, with the right guidance and focused practice, anyone can get over the beginner hurdles. In this article, we’ll share five key tips to set you on the path to guitar success.
1. Choose the Right Initial Guitar
Your first guitar will play a huge role in your learning and motivational experience. As a beginner, avoid the temptation to purchase a fancy, expensive guitar right away. You want to find an affordable, beginner-friendly model to learn on.
Look for a guitar sized appropriately for your body and hands. Many manufacturers offer 3/4 and 1/2 size acoustic guitars perfect for smaller frames or children. The slim neck profile and shorter scale length of these models make learning chords much easier.
Additionally, examine the string action, or height of strings from the fretboard. Very high action requires pressing down hard to fret notes, which can be painful and frustrating. Seek out guitars with low, buzz-free action for easier playability.
Lastly, evaluate sound. The guitar should sound reasonably resonant and free of rattles. While you shouldn’t expect studio quality tone yet, ensure it sounds decent to keep you inspired as you learn.
2. Establish Good Practice Habits
Consistent, focused practice is crucial to effectively and efficiently build your skills. Set aside at least 30 minutes daily to work on guitar, even if it’s just reviewing chord changes or strumming patterns.
Create a comfortable practice zone free of distractions. Have all your materials - guitar, picks, tuner, etc. readily accessible to maximize time playing versus preparing.
Vary your practice to keep it engaging. Switch between learning new material and reinforcing fundamentals. Change up guitar position - play seated for technique focus and standing for ergonomics.
Maintain good posture and form during practice. Your wrist, fretting hand, and pick hand positioning matter. Bad habits early on can hinder progression later.
Most importantly, stay patient and positive. Recognize plateaus as normal parts of the journey. Celebrate small wins daily to stay motivated.
3. Master Guitar Fundamentals
Before diving into songs, first build a solid base of guitar fundamentals. These core competencies provide the tools you’ll utilize in all future playing.
Start by memorizing the parts of the guitar, including strings, frets, tuning pegs, bridge, and more. Understanding these elements demystifies the instrument.
Next, learn how to tune the guitar properly using both electronic tuners and your ear. Master tuning so it becomes second nature.
Focus heavily on fretboard note memorization. Know the note name associated with each string and fret without hesitation. This facilitates reading music and tabs.
Work on your pick handling. Alternate between up and down strokes while keeping the pick at a 45 degree angle to the strings. Strive for a fluid, economical motion.
Lastly, build dexterity and strength safely through exercises like chromatics, scales, and fingering drills. But remember to rest at the first sign of pain - no sore practice!
4. Learn Essential Open Chords
Chords are the building blocks for the vast majority of songs. Start with open chords requiring minimal finger movement. The big three - E minor, G major, and C major - will appear in countless tunes.
Memorize chord shapes visually and physically. Look at chord diagrams, but also pay attention to how your fingers feel forming each one. Say chord names aloud as you switch between them.
Use “anchor fingers” for consistency. For example, your index finger retains its position relative to the capo or guitar neck across many open chords.
Strum each chord slowly until you can switch cleanly between them. Speed and precision will come over time. Avoid tension in your shoulders, wrist, and hands.
Vary the strumming patterns. Downstrokes, upstrokes, arpeggios - apply different rhythmic feels to keep progressing.
5. Supplement Learning with Resources
While self-teaching has its place, don’t be afraid to utilize the many resources available online and in-person. This can enhance the learning process significantly.
For personalized feedback, consider taking local in-person lessons, especially as a beginner. The instructor can correct form issues you may overlook on your own.
Use tab sites like Ultimate Guitar to access a huge library of songs. Slow down and loop tricky sections. Watch YouTube tutorials on techniques you want to learn.
Join online guitar forums to connect with other players, ask questions, and share progress. Learning together builds motivation.
Read guitar blogs and magazines for inspiration and tips. Immerse yourself in the guitar community.
Consider investing in instructional DVDs/books to add more structure to self-learning. Products dedicated to beginners teach concepts step-by-step.
With the right guitar, practice approach, fundamental knowledge, chord repertoire and supplemental help from various resources, you’ll be on your way to playing guitar in no time. Stay positive, be patient with yourself, and relish the incremental wins whenever they happen. You got this!