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So you want to learn to play guitar? Maybe you've got an old guitar stashed away in the closet. Perhaps you're considering buying a new one, or you'd like one of your kids to learn. Whatever it is, there are some important things you need to know before you get started.
I'm not going to tell you that learning how to play acoustic guitar is easy, but I do want to inspire you to do it. And also to let you know that it's not as difficult as you may think. But it takes preparation...
This article will give you what you need to get started on the right foot. I don't want you wasting time or giving up in frustration. And if any of the suggestions in this article give you reason for pause, then I'd recommend you not start learning guitar right now. It's like losing weight or quitting smoking... you have to really and truly want it.
This isn't about being the next Eric Clapton. It's about being able to play a few songs and to feel the satisfaction of making music with your own mind and body.
So what do you need to get started learning acoustic guitar? Most importantly you'll need the right guitar. That's not so obvious to many who are beginning. There are some things about guitars you need to know. We're talking about acoustic guitars and there are 2 types of acoustic guitars. One type is the standard American steel string classic "cowboy" style. The other is the "classical" Spanish guitar with nylon strings.
What style of music do you want to play? If it's standard songs like "House of the Rising Sun" or Beatles and classic rock tunes, a steel string is the best choice. If you want to play classical music then get the nylon string guitar.
The next consideration is what size and what price. If the guitar is for a child then you'll need a 3/4 size or even 1/2 size guitar. As an adult, a full size is great. But even the full scale guitars can vary somewhat in the size of the body. When you try guitars out at the store make sure you're comfortable with the size.
If you've already got a guitar in the attic, you'll still need to check it over. If you have a friend who knows about guitars, get them to see if it's playable. If not, you'll need to buy a new one. The good news? Nowadays good acoustic guitars are very affordable. They also usually come with a warranty and a free "set up" within the first year of purchase.
I also suggest getting light gauge strings put on your guitar. A lot of guitars leave the manufacturer with slightly heavier medium gauge strings. When you're beginning to learn acoustic guitar it may hurt your fingers a bit. Light gauge strings could make a big difference between success and failure. Just make certain that you feel comfortable pressing down on the strings. This is crucial. Try out as many guitars as you can. Come back a few days later and try again. Then decide!
OK. Now you're at home. You've got a book with some chord diagrams to look at. You surf online and you're overwhelmed with all the information. I don't blame you! This may well be the most important point of the entire article. For now, I highly recommend learning only a handful of easy guitar chords. These chords are the following: C, A, G, E, D as well as A minor, E minor and D minor. D7 and A7 are also included in this grouping of easy guitar chords.
That's a grand total of 10 chords. Of course as you progress you'll discover other things to learn such as the infamous F chord. But for now, keep you focus on these easy guitar chords and you won't get frustrated.
One important tip that relates to the beginning of this article and the importance of having the right guitar is this. If you find the chords physically demanding, use a capo. The capo is a device that clamps onto the guitar to make the strings shorter. They're usually only a few bucks and it can make a big difference in the beginning. Oh yeah...and keep your nails trimmed.
It's entirely possible to teach yourself from the right books or online resources. Keep it simple for now. 10 easy guitar chords are all you need. Memorize the shapes and names of the chords. Do your best to get them sounding clear. Put the capo at the 2nd or 3rd fret if you need to. Once you have a couple of shapes memorized, try switching back and forth between them.
I know, I know...you have a busy life. Although I recommend keeping your guitar in a case overnight to protect it, a good idea is to get a guitar stand. That way you can leave your guitar out all day within easy reach to play a few chords. It only takes a minute. Also try practicing chords quietly while you unwind watching TV.
There's so much more to know than I can possibly cover in this article, but I'll leave you to make some discoveries on your own. You may even want to get a teacher at some point. Good luck, and I hope to follow this article up with another one that goes into a little more detail about how and what to practice. Hopefully I've inspired you to begin learning acoustic guitar on the right foot!
David Yeager has taught many thousands of guitar lessons over the past 15 years in his hometown of Toronto. This includes a lot of beginners!
He's also performed extensively as a rock guitarist, singer/songwriter and jazz guitarist. He graduated with an honors degree from the highly acclaimed Humber Jazz Program in Toronto and has several certificates from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
These days he really gets a kick out of being able to inspire others with guitar playing and working from home all day. 2 years ago he did a video guitar lesson for fun on YouTube that went viral. This inspired him to create his guitar lesson website http://www.free-guitar-lessons-online.com/.
Dave lives in Toronto with his scintillating wife and cat. He also enjoys fitness and the simple life.
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