Tip For Learning the Guitar
Four tips for learning to play the guitar
No matter how much natural talent you were born with, learning to play guitar is no piece of cake. David Joel, a Philadelphia Guitar Teacher knows it takes hard work, dedication, and a passion for the instrument 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
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 fretboard. 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 player, you must spend time learning how to read music and the basics of music theory. Believe it or not, 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 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! David Joel suggests 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 autopilot 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 David Joel Guitar Studio, we are here to help you realize your talents and to fulfill your dreams of learning to play the guitar! Our private guitar lessons are great for students of all ages.