No matter how much natural talent you were born with, learning to play guitar is no piece of cake. Our Tampa music teachers know it takes hard work, dedication, and a passion for the instrument (not to mention lots of frustration and raw fingers) just to master the basics! But for those who are inspired by music and are naturally drawn to the guitar, you’ll soon realize that it’s all part of the process. Check out the tips below that will help you get started on this musical journey.
Purchase the Right Guitar
Rule #1 – Guitars are not all created equal! One of the most important aspects of learning to play guitar is finding the right one for you. There are many things to consider like your body type, age, and price point. Buyer beware, most lower priced guitars have strings that are too far from the fret board. What this means is that you will have to apply a lot of pressure with your fingers to get a clean sound. This also means super sore fingers right from the get go! Considering the substantial cost of a guitar, it is wise to do your research first before making the investment.
First Learn the Basics
It is important to understand that you are not going to be Jimi Hendrix right off the bat. Before that can happen, you’ve got to learn and understand the basic fundamentals of playing the guitar. Sure, you can produce a decent song after learning a few basic cords, but in order to become a GOOD guitar player, you must spend time learning how to read music and the basics of music theory. Believe it or not, but this will actually speed up the learning process, and before you know it, you’ll be the guitarist you always dreamed of!
Use Your Wrist, Not Your Arms
A common rookie mistake is to use your entire arm to strum the guitar, when instead you should be moving only your wrist and your forearm. While, there is effort involved in playing a guitar, it shouldn’t require a huge amount of physical energy, nor should your arm ache from strumming. Not to mention, by using your wrist and forearm to strum, you’ll find it much easier to keep the beat.
Practice, Practice, Practice
To become a proficient guitar player, you’ve got to practice! Our guitar music teachers suggest you spend 30 minutes practicing every day, because the more you practice, the more your fingers will remember where they should go. Once your fingers start going auto-pilot on the guitar, you will start to play more naturally and be able to concentrate more on rhythm and tone.
Are you interested in learning how to play guitar? At the Barrett School of Music, we are here to help you realize your talents and to fulfill your dreams of learning to play an instrument! Our at-home, private guitar lessons are great for students of all ages. For more information on our class offerings or in-home lessons in Tampa Bay or Miami, please contact our main office at 813-293-4594.
