Embarking on the journey of learning to play the guitar is an incredibly rewarding endeavor. If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken a significant first step! The guitar offers a world of musical expression, personal enjoyment, and countless benefits. You’ve made a fantastic choice, and with the right approach, you’ll be strumming your favorite tunes before you know it.
This guide is designed to equip you with the essential tools and knowledge to navigate the initial stages of learning guitar. We’ll break down the process into manageable steps, helping you avoid common frustrations and experience the joy of making music. Dedication and consistent effort are key, and this article will serve as your roadmap to success. Let’s explore what you need to know to start your guitar playing adventure on the right foot.
My First Guitar: A Story of Learning
Let me share a quick personal story. Growing up, I remember discovering an old acoustic guitar tucked away in our attic. It was my mother’s from years ago, and as a curious 12-year-old fascinated by music, I was instantly captivated.
We retrieved the dusty guitar, and I spent days just holding it, exploring its shape and feel. The guitar felt right in my hands, and I was eager to play, despite having no idea where to begin.
However, my initial excitement soon met with frustration. Pressing down the strings was painful on my fingertips, and I couldn’t tune the guitar, so the sounds I produced were far from musical. I didn’t know any guitar players to ask for guidance, and I quickly realized that if I wanted to truly learn, I needed help.
Back then, resources for learning guitar weren’t as readily available as they are today. I needed someone to point me in the right direction.
Eventually, my parents enrolled me in guitar lessons at a local music store, and it was a game-changer. With guidance from an experienced teacher, everything started to click. I learned that my old guitar wasn’t properly set up, making it much harder to play than necessary. I was taught how to tune it, and suddenly, the sounds I created became music.
Today, aspiring guitarists have access to an incredible wealth of resources. Let’s delve into the essential things you need to understand and the various options available to get you started on your guitar learning journey.
Essential Things to Know Before You Start
Starting guitar is exciting! You envision yourself playing your favorite songs, perhaps even becoming the next guitar hero. While that excitement is crucial, it’s also important to have realistic expectations. Learning guitar, like any worthwhile skill, requires dedication and understanding.
One key thing to realize is that learning guitar takes time. Consistent practice is paramount. When you admire accomplished guitarists, remember that their skill is the result of countless hours of dedicated practice. You don’t see the behind-the-scenes effort, just the polished performance.
So, how much time is needed to become proficient at guitar? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In my years of teaching, I’ve seen students progress at different rates. Some learn faster than others. However, one consistent factor for success is regular daily practice. Students who commit to a daily practice routine consistently show the most significant and ongoing improvement.
Another crucial point is that playing guitar isn’t always easy, especially initially. There are challenges to overcome. Developing hand coordination, building calluses on your fingertips, mastering rhythm – these are all part of the process.
These initial challenges are temporary. With consistent practice and perseverance, they quickly diminish. Don’t let early difficulties discourage you.
Finally, it’s important to know that many beginners quit learning guitar relatively soon after starting.
- Some lose motivation when they realize it requires effort and consistent practice.
- Others believe they lack the time needed to become proficient.
- Still others become overwhelmed and frustrated by not knowing where to begin, leading them to give up.
Fortunately, this guide is designed to address these very challenges. My aim is to minimize frustration and provide you with a clear, straightforward path to start progressing on guitar and, most importantly, to have fun!
Where Should a Beginner Guitarist Start?
Success at the beginning stages of learning guitar hinges on making informed decisions. These decisions don’t need to be daunting; with a little guidance, they’ll set you on the right path.
Don’t worry! These choices are straightforward and will steer you in the direction best suited for your individual needs and circumstances.
The first crucial decision is choosing your learning path. As I mentioned earlier, seeking guidance is essential, and thankfully, there are numerous resources available today. Select the method that resonates most with you. Here are some of the most effective resources to kickstart your guitar journey:
Free Online Videos and Blog Posts
The free route is incredibly popular in today’s digital age. Platforms like YouTube and countless websites offer a vast library of free guitar lessons and tutorials.
This can be an excellent starting point, particularly if you’re just testing the waters to see if guitar is the right instrument for you. There’s a wealth of valuable information available for free. However, there are also drawbacks to relying solely on free resources.
One significant downside is the potential for feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content. When using free resources, you’re essentially self-directing your learning. You can choose to learn anything you want, in any order.
However, many beginners don’t realize that learning guitar is a progressive process, like building a house. You need to establish a solid foundation of fundamental skills before tackling more advanced techniques. This is a primary reason why many beginners get stuck. They try to learn complex things without the necessary foundational knowledge.
Another drawback of the free route is the temptation to jump ahead. When you’re self-assessing your progress, it’s easy to overlook critical foundational elements and move on to more exciting, but premature, topics. Before long, you might find yourself stuck, unsure of why you’re not progressing.
So, how can you maximize the benefits of free online guitar content?
My top tip is to stick with one teacher or source initially. If you find a particular instructor’s video style helpful, explore their other available content.
If they seem to offer a structured path that aligns with your learning goals, commit to their method, at least in the beginning. Their approach might be exactly what you need to build a strong foundation.
Jumping between different teachers and methods can lead to confusion and missed fundamentals. If your chosen free resource eventually plateaus and doesn’t offer further progression, then it’s time to explore other learning paths.
If you do utilize free resources, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Use comment sections below videos or blog posts. Often, instructors or fellow learners will provide helpful answers. If you don’t receive the support you need, again, consider exploring other learning options.
Guitar Lesson Books and DVDs
Guitar books have a long and rich history in music education. For many years, they were the primary resource for learning guitar. Books are still valuable, and I personally learned a great deal from various guitar instruction books. In recent times, video-based learning has gained immense popularity. Many people find visual instruction more effective. Numerous guitar teachers offer instructional DVDs covering a wide range of topics. One limitation of books and DVDs is the lack of direct interaction. If you encounter difficulties or have questions, there’s usually no way to directly contact the instructor for clarification.
In-Person, Private Guitar Lessons
One-on-one private lessons have been the traditional method of guitar instruction for generations. You receive personalized attention from an instructor, and ideally, your teacher has a well-structured method to guide your progress. However, the quality of guitar teachers can vary significantly. Some are highly effective, while others may not be the best fit for you. It’s wise to research a potential instructor’s background and teaching approach before committing to lessons. Private lessons can also be a significant financial investment, potentially exceeding the budget of some beginners.
Small Group Guitar Lessons
A growing trend in guitar education is small group lessons. These offer several advantages. Group lessons are generally more affordable than private lessons. Furthermore, learning alongside peers can reduce pressure for some students. Not being the sole focus of attention throughout the lesson can create a more relaxed and comfortable learning environment for certain individuals. Smaller group sizes tend to be most effective. Large groups can become distracting, and you may not receive the personalized attention needed to get your questions answered adequately.
Online Guitar Lesson Websites
Over the past decade, online guitar lesson platforms have proliferated. These platforms often combine the benefits of video instruction with aspects of personalized learning.
You typically gain access to a structured, step-by-step curriculum designed to take you from beginner to advanced levels.
You also have the flexibility to revisit video lessons as often as needed. Many reputable online lesson sites offer avenues for interaction, allowing you to contact instructors or submit progress videos for feedback. Online platforms are generally very affordable, offering excellent value for those seeking comprehensive and structured guitar education.
Once you’ve considered these options and decided on the learning path that best suits you, if you haven’t already:
It’s Time to Get Your Guitar
The next key decision is what type of guitar you want to learn on. The two main categories are:
- Acoustic Guitars
- Electric Guitars
Acoustic guitars are easily recognizable by their large soundhole beneath the strings. They are hollow-bodied instruments, designed for natural acoustic projection, making them ideal for strumming and vocal accompaniment.
Because of their hollow construction, acoustic guitars amplify sound naturally. This makes them convenient for practice and playing in smaller, unplugged settings. You don’t need any additional equipment like amplifiers to be heard in a typical room.
However, a potential downside for beginners is that acoustic guitar strings tend to be thicker and require more finger strength to press down comfortably. You’ll need to develop finger strength and build calluses on your fingertips. Some beginners opt for nylon-string acoustic guitars (classical guitars) initially. Nylon strings are significantly softer and easier to press down than steel strings found on standard acoustic guitars.
Electric guitars are the other primary type. They are typically constructed from solid wood bodies, lacking the resonant hollow body of acoustic guitars. Consequently, electric guitars don’t amplify sound on their own. An unamplified electric guitar would be barely audible in a normal conversation.
New electric guitar players usually need to purchase a practice amplifier. When you plug an electric guitar into an amp, the guitar’s sound is amplified through the speaker, and you can control the volume and tone using the amplifier’s controls.
Both acoustic and electric guitars come in various sizes. Choosing the right size is important for comfort and playability.
Guitars are commonly available in 1/2, 3/4, and full sizes.
1/2 and 3/4 size guitars are primarily designed for children. They are typically outgrown relatively quickly, with most players transitioning to full-size guitars around ages 11 or 12.
Full-size guitars also vary considerably in dimensions and features. There are guitars with thicker or thinner bodies, wider or narrower necks, and varying weights. Given this wide range, a visit to your local guitar store is highly recommended. Spend time trying out different types of guitars. You’ll quickly develop a sense of what size and style feels most comfortable and suitable for you.
Once you’ve acquired your new guitar, ensure it’s properly set up. This is a crucial step often overlooked, especially by beginners. Many beginner guitars aren’t optimally adjusted at the factory.
Guitars have several adjustable components that can significantly impact playability. For this step, seek assistance. If you know someone locally with guitar knowledge, ask them to check your guitar and see if any adjustments can be made to improve playability.
If you don’t know a guitar-savvy person, take your guitar to a local music store and ask if they can perform a setup. It’s best to do this at the outset so you’re not practicing on a guitar that’s unnecessarily difficult to play.
Sometimes, the strings that come standard on a new guitar can be challenging for beginners. A guitar that’s hard to play is discouraging and not fun. Heavier gauge strings require more finger strength to press down.
Heavy gauge strings are tough to press down and require significant hand strength. There are various string gauges available. For beginners, it’s generally better to start with lighter gauge strings. They are much easier on the fingers. You can always switch to heavier gauges later if desired.
String sets are typically named based on the gauge (thickness) of the thinnest string (the high E string).
For example, light gauge acoustic strings might be labeled as “11s.” This means the high E string is .011 inches in diameter (measured in thousandths of an inch).
Light gauge electric strings might be “9s,” indicating a .009-inch high E string. If you’re unsure about the string gauge on your guitar, take it to a music store and ask them to check.
If your guitar has heavy strings, purchasing a set of light gauge strings and having them installed is a simple solution.
Scheduling Your Guitar Practice
The next critical decision before diving into learning guitar is:
When Will You Practice Guitar?
Consistent practice is fundamental to progress. Without a solid practice routine, learning guitar will be considerably more challenging.
In my teaching method materials, I always include a practice schedule page. This is where students can write down their planned practice times for each day.
If you have regular blocks of time dedicated to activities like watching TV or playing video games, consider repurposing some of that time for guitar practice. Some prefer morning practice, others prefer later in the day. The specific time isn’t as important as establishing a consistent schedule that you can stick to.
I always recommend shorter, daily practice sessions over infrequent, marathon weekend sessions.
Think back to studying for school tests. If you have a week to prepare but cram everything the night before, you might do well on the test, but what happens afterward?
You quickly forget much of what you crammed. You strained your short-term memory to hold the information temporarily. Conversely, consistent daily study, even in smaller increments, promotes long-term retention.
The act of repetition solidifies information in your long-term memory. This is the ideal scenario for guitar learning. We want the skills and knowledge to become ingrained and readily accessible, making playing music enjoyable and stress-free.
Finding Your Practice Space
The final decision to make before starting guitar is:
Where will you practice?
When I first started, I felt more comfortable practicing in a private space, away from others. My bedroom provided a space where I could experiment, make mistakes, and concentrate without self-consciousness.
You might be different. You might feel comfortable practicing in a more communal area of your home, with others around.
The choice is personal. Just identify a dedicated practice space that feels comfortable and conducive to learning for you.
I also strongly recommend getting a guitar stand or wall hanger. Some prefer wall hangers to display their guitars.
Either option is preferable to keeping your guitar stored in its case. Why? Because when the guitar is out of sight, in its case…
It’s easy to forget about it. And when you forget about your guitar, practice often gets overlooked. Plus, guitars are visually appealing! I enjoy having my guitars displayed where I can see them.
These are the four key decisions I advise every beginner guitarist to make before embarking on their learning journey. To summarize:
- Choose your learning method: Free online resources, books, private lessons, group lessons, or online platforms.
- Select your guitar type (acoustic or electric), purchase it, and get it properly set up.
- Determine your daily practice time.
- Establish your dedicated practice space.
Once these decisions are made, you’re ready to begin! Get your guitar, sign up for lessons if you’ve chosen that path, set up your practice area, and dedicate the time you need to get started.
Start practicing and enjoy the journey!
Conclusion
Learning guitar requires guidance, especially when starting out. But that’s perfectly normal and okay. Numerous resources are available to support you. The key is to find a clear, structured path that keeps you progressing without undue frustration. It’s tempting to want to jump ahead and try to play advanced techniques or songs right away. Resist that urge and stick to your learning plan. It won’t be long before you’re ready to start playing the music you love on the guitar.
Any Questions?
If you’re a beginner guitarist with questions, please feel free to reach out.
Leave a comment below or visit my contact page at www.playguitarpodcast.com/contact. I’m happy to help guide you in the right direction.
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