So, you want to learn guitar? Awesome! Many people think learning guitar is super hard, a long and frustrating journey. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be. In fact, getting started and playing songs you love can be much easier and faster than you might imagine. This guide is all about showing you the Easiest Way To Learn Guitar and get you strumming your favorite tunes in no time.
Let’s dive into some practical tips to get your guitar journey off to a smooth start:
- Develop Your Strumming Hand Touch
Getting a good feel in your strumming hand is key, and it’s all about practice and repetition. Don’t expect to master it in just a few hours; it takes time to develop finesse. Think about the subtlety you’re using to hit the strings. Explore techniques like palm muting and other useful strumming patterns. If it sounds a bit rough at first, that’s perfectly normal. Your fingers and wrist will gradually adapt. The main goal is to focus on producing quality sounds from your guitar right from the beginning. Consistent practice is the easiest way to improve your strumming.
- Optimize Your Fretting Hand Technique
With your left hand (or right hand, if you’re left-handed), make sure to fret the strings as close to the frets as possible. This simple adjustment minimizes buzzing and makes your chords sound much clearer. Think of pressing just behind the metal fret for the cleanest sound.
- Apply Firm and Accurate Finger Pressure
You need to press the strings down firmly enough to ensure they ring out clearly. One of the common challenges for beginners is avoiding “muting” strings that shouldn’t be muted (tip originally shared by Natasha from DressHead at www.dresshead.com). These subtle nuances become ingrained in your fingers with practice. Don’t get discouraged if it’s tricky at first. Just concentrate on getting the best possible sound from each chord and note you play. This focused approach is the easiest way to develop good habits early on.
- Embrace the Finger Pain – It’s Temporary!
Yes, your fingertips will probably hurt initially. Don’t worry too much about it; this is a rite of passage for almost every guitarist. Your fingers are building calluses, which will actually make playing more comfortable over time. Think of it as your fingers getting stronger and tougher, making it easier to play in the long run.
- Expect Initial Awkwardness
It’s going to feel strange and unfamiliar for the first few days or even weeks. This is completely normal. At first, even a simple G chord might feel like it was designed to cause wrist cramps. But stick with it! After just a month of consistent playing, picking up your guitar will feel like coming home. This is when the initial discomfort fades, and the joy of playing truly begins.
Songs You Can Play Quickly: Your First Hour Milestones
To keep you motivated and show you how quickly you can progress, here are some songs you can start playing along with very early in your guitar journey, possibly within your first hour:
Easy Starting Songs:
- “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan: Uses just a few simple chords (G, D, Am, C).
- “Love Me Do” – The Beatles: Another classic with easy chords (G, C, D).
- “Three Little Birds” – Bob Marley: Positive vibes and simple chord progression (A, D, E).
Slightly Faster Pace Songs (Aim for within a week or so):
- “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison: A bit quicker rhythm, but still uses beginner-friendly chords (G, C, D, Em).
- “Horse with No Name” – America: Distinct acoustic sound and manageable chords (Em, D, A).
- “Wonderwall” – Oasis: A 90s anthem with a chord progression that’s great for practice (Em, G, D, A7sus4).
Beyond the First 10 Hours: Expanding Your Guitar Skills
Okay, so you’ve put in your initial practice, maybe even mastered a few songs, and now you’re ready for more. What’s the next step in your easiest way to learn guitar journey?
- Explore Tablature Websites for Your Favorite Songs
Start searching popular tablature websites to find the music for songs you love. Simply Google “[your song name] + tab.” Tablature (or “tabs”) is a user-friendly notation system that shows you exactly where to place your fingers on the fretboard to play chords and melodies. It’s a fantastic resource for self-learners and the easiest way to start playing specific songs quickly.
- Learn Chords and Tabs for Strumming and Solos
Decide what you want to learn for a particular song. If you just want to strum along and sing, search for “[song name] + chords.” If you’re keen to learn the guitar solos and riffs as well, then search for “[song name] + tab.” Using both chords and tabs will give you a comprehensive understanding of how to play your favorite music.
- Dive into Your Favorite Artist’s Catalog
Consider learning to play a range of songs by your favorite artists. Explore tablature sites for their songs and jam along with them on YouTube. Guitar-driven artists are excellent to learn from. Think about artists like Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Lucinda Williams, John Mayer – musicians known for their guitar work. Learning songs you genuinely enjoy is the easiest way to stay motivated and engaged.
Alt text: Focused guitarist using tablature on a tablet to learn new songs, showcasing a modern easy way to learn guitar.
- Embrace Enjoyment-Based Learning
The easiest way to progress and stick with learning guitar is to focus on what you enjoy. By learning songs you love from your favorite artists, you’ll naturally be driven to deepen your knowledge and explore more advanced techniques, like scales and music theory, when you’re ready. Let your passion guide your learning.
- Guitar is a Hackable Instrument
The guitar is incredibly versatile and adaptable, and you’ll discover countless “hacks” and shortcuts as you spend more time playing. As you progress on your guitar journey, you’ll find many fun and efficient ways to learn faster. Often, these methods are not taught in traditional guitar lessons. So, trust your instincts, experiment, and learn from guitarists who inspire you and demonstrate the skills you aspire to achieve. The easiest way to improve is often through personalized discovery and enjoyment.
Have fun with your guitar journey! And if you need more guidance, keep exploring resources and don’t hesitate to seek further help.
*Update: Frequently Asked Questions for Beginner Guitarists*
It’s amazing to see how many people have found this guide helpful in starting their guitar journey! It’s been read by millions of aspiring guitarists, which is incredible. And no, I’m not selling anything related to guitar lessons here. My goal in writing this was simply to show that learning guitar is often made to sound much harder than it actually is. It’s truly accessible to everyone.
Many people have successfully started playing guitar using this straightforward approach, and it’s fantastic to know this guide has helped so many more.
A lot has changed since I first wrote this, but my guitar is still a constant companion. Like riding a bike, once you learn, you have it for life.
I wanted to address some of the most common questions I get from beginners:
Question: “My fingers are really hurting! What can I do?”
Answer: Unfortunately, finger pain is a common experience. But know that you’re in good company – every guitarist has gone through it! It’s a right of passage. The best solution is consistent practice. As you play more, your fingers will develop calluses, and the pain will definitely subside. Guaranteed!
Question: “I have small hands, and chords are hard. Any advice?”
Having smaller hands is rarely the real issue. Most beginners experience awkwardness in the first week or two, and mistakenly attribute it to hand size. Learning guitar involves training your hands to perform very unfamiliar movements. Think of it like starting advanced yoga without ever stretching – it will feel awkward and challenging initially.
Even with larger hands, the first ten hours of playing can be tough. However, if you’re still concerned, consider a 3/4 scale guitar.
These “baby” guitars are designed for kids or travel, but many adults find them comfortable and slightly easier to play due to the shorter scale length. I even own one myself because they are fun and convenient, especially in smaller spaces. So, while hand size is rarely the primary problem, a 3/4 scale guitar can be a helpful option.
Question: “Acoustic or electric guitar for beginners?”
It honestly doesn’t matter too much which you start with. The most important thing is choosing a guitar that inspires you to play. Consider the type of music you want to play. When I started, I wanted to play Dave Matthews songs, so an acoustic guitar was the obvious choice.
Electric guitars can be slightly easier to play initially because the strings are often thinner and require less pressure to fret. However, this difference is minor. The best guitar to start with is simply the one you’ll be most excited to pick up and play regularly. Eventually, many guitarists end up owning both types anyway!
Question: “What’s the best beginner guitar to buy?”
This is a common question, and the simplest answer is: use whatever guitar you can get your hands on initially. My first guitar was a cheap $50 model, and it was perfectly fine for learning the basics. However, very cheap guitars can sometimes be poorly made and harder to play.
If you’re looking to buy a good quality beginner guitar that you can also grow with, I have some recommendations in the mid-price range. These guitars are affordable but good enough to play in a band or perform in front of an audience, and they won’t feel inadequate as your skills improve.
Acoustic Guitar Recommendation: I highly recommend a Yamaha solid top acoustic guitar. These guitars offer exceptional quality for the price and play as well as many guitars costing hundreds more. Yamaha manages to produce high-quality acoustics at reasonable prices, largely due to their solid top construction, which is crucial for sound quality. I even gave my first Yamaha to a friend, and when I moved to a new city, I bought the exact same model again – that’s how much I recommend it. If you want an acoustic, the Yamaha is an excellent choice.
3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar Recommendation: For a smaller, more portable option, I recommend a 3/4 Scale Guitar. They’re perfect for practicing around the house. I bought one recently, and while some might see them as “kids’ guitars,” they’re great for adults too, especially if you want a comfortable and easy-to-handle instrument.
Electric Guitar Recommendation: The world of electric guitars is vast and varied, with different styles and technologies. Remember, with an electric guitar, you’ll also need to buy an amplifier. For beginners, I recommend sticking with classic, versatile models.
For me, the coolest electric guitars are the classic Fender Standard Telecaster (the one I play in the video above) or the Fender Standard Stratocaster.
Alt text: Iconic Fender Telecaster electric guitar in sunburst finish, a recommended easy to play guitar for beginners and pros.
These guitars are timeless classics – no unnecessary frills, just pure quality and versatility. Think a Telecaster can’t rock? Johnny Greenwood would disagree. Want bluesy slide? Check out Bonnie Raitt on a Strat. For high-energy playing, listen to SRV tear it up on his Strat. Or for funk, how about Prince’s legendary Telecaster solo, considered by many as the greatest ever?
However, Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters can be pricey, especially for beginners. But remember, these are guitars you could own and play for your entire life.
If these are too expensive right now, Fender’s “entry-level” brand, Squier, is a great alternative. While Squier guitars used to be considered lower quality, they’ve improved significantly in recent years. Fender even offers a Squier beginner’s pack.
This pack is a solid and affordable starting point. The only potential downside is that you might feel the limitations of this setup if you progress very quickly. But it’s an excellent, budget-friendly way to start.
You might wonder why I haven’t recommended brands like Gibson. Guitar choice is really a matter of personal preference, often influenced by the music you play and the artists you admire. For me, Fender guitars represent the ideal in quality and feel. Many Gibson-style guitars have thicker necks, larger frets, and can feel heavier and sound “muddy” to me. In contrast, the feel of a Stratocaster – light, slender, and classic – feels fast, plays fast, and looks fast! 🙂
Learning guitar is an incredibly rewarding journey. Start with these easy steps, find a guitar that excites you, and most importantly, have fun playing!
