Guitar for the Absolute Beginner
If you want to learn how to play the guitar then there are lots of e-products and books in the marketplace that will assist you in any learn how to play the guitar quest. However there are several issues you will need to consider before you even begin to learn to play the guitar. What Guitar to choose? Well, what do you want to do with a guitar? If you want to play electric lead guitar then that's a long road of learning and practice. Basic chord shapes would be the best starting point for any prospective guitar player. Lead guitar is a lonely place whereas the chords are quickly learnt to 'sing-along' songs. (I am told it attracts the opposite/same sex if you can bash out American pie and the like. Ok I admit that you can get free drinks too. That's 6 chords to success!) If you really want to be a lead guitarist then it will not hurt to start with chords. I will move on in future articles to an easy method for learning the position of each note on the guitar fret board. It's a simple system which is easily remembered and applied. If you are serious about wanting to learn to play the guitar I would suggest an initial spend of between $180 and $250. An acoustic guitar would be my advice on a first purchase but keep the price low so that if you do get so annoyed that you smash said guitar on the nearest effigy of John Lennon it will not hurt your pocket too much. Take advice from a shop if you are an absolute beginner. Get something basic with reasonable craftsmanship so that when you do learn how to play the guitar and want to purchase something better you can trade your old guitar in exchange. Either way if you want to learn how to play guitar then the secret is to stay cheap and cheerful. You will also need a decent guitar tuner as a must purchase. Wanting to learn how to play the guitar is one thing but keeping it in tune is another. Spend no more than $40, remember it's a basic tuner you need, not a cool device that tells the time in Singapore. Go for steel strings as the nylon ones are Spanish/classical guitar fodder. The guitar should be pre-tuned for you as a beginner and the sales person will hopefully be helpful if you just explain that you want to learn to play the guitar using basic chords. Get them to show you how to tune the guitar with a tuner and buy a very light plectrum (strumming pick). In relation to second hand guitar purchases, my advice would be to only buy these from a shop. The reason for this is that an old guitar can warp and have damage which is not obvious until played properly. At least with a guitar/music shop the guitar should have been tested or checked and in any case you should get a full refund if there is a problem with it. I learnt this lesson the hard way and wasted money on guitar junk. Learn how to Play the Guitar. Take your guitar home and using a learn how to play the guitar book with basic chords [any will do] begin with the following chords: 'A' 'D' 'E'. A reasonable version of every rock and roll song written can be played with these three chords. Make sure the book you choose starts with these and before moving on make sure you can play at least one guitar song. If you don't follow this order, you will more than likely give up and "your learn to play the guitar dream" will come to an end and yet another cheap guitar will hit the e-bay listings. So until next time remember, like everything
LEAVE A COMMENT