How to Play the Guitar

Sadly, playing the guitar is becoming a lost art today. Computers have ousted musical instruments. The younger generation is not interested in learning to play musical instruments. Our world has become so fast-paced and busy that there is no time even to learn a simple skill.

However, anyone can learn how to play the guitar, and with additional practice, anyone can become an accomplished player. However, you must not give up at the first failure. Do not expect to learn how to play the guitar on your first try. Be persistent. Set small and realistic goals, and your skills will improve without your realizing it.

If you really want to learn to play the guitar well, the first thing you must understand is how communication takes place between the muscles of your hand and the brain. If you understand this, your practice will be productive.

Prepare your body for practice. Practice only when you are relaxed. Ensure that your body is free of any tension, stiffness, discomfort, or pain. Stiff muscles can become even stiffer while practicing, which can limit the full range of motion required. Do some stretching and warming up before playing, to stay loose. Begin practicing with easy and slow sessions to prepare your hands for more demanding practice. Practice in a cool and comfortable place where you will not be disturbed.

Guitar playing involves muscles that you have never used before, so naturally they will become sore. Do not give up. Doing drills is not fun. It takes a lot of commitment. Again, do not give up. Through repetition and practice you will develop muscle strength and eventually muscle memory, which is very important in guitar playing. But as you practice with finger drills using the metronome, you will gradually develops coordination, strength, and speed.

One good beginner's tip is to use a chromatic scale to develop finger strength. Take your four fingers and play the notes at fret 1234 with the same fingers (1st finger 1st fret, 2nd finger 2nd fret, 3rd finger 3rd fret, and 4th finger 4th fret). Start at the low E string, and then finish the sequence and repeat on the rest of the strings. After reaching the high E, move up one fret and go back. Repeat all the way up to the neck up to the 12th fret and then come back down the neck.

Assign a specific time of the day for daily practice. See that your practice sessions are short, but more frequent and specific. Keep practicing with a metronome. For each part of a song, scale, or exercise, find the fastest metronome speed that you are able to play without erring. Practice it for a day at 25% to 30% of that tempo, and then the next day at 50% of the maximum and then the next day at 75% of the maximum; then increase to your maximum speed. Although it sounds slow and painful, it will eventually pay off. Therefore, don't give up.

If you are learning a chord, play it slowly. If you are doing finger drills, do them slowly. Practicing slowly and methodically in time with the metronome will permanently burn in that finger muscle memory that you need.

When you train to play at a uniform tempo, you will sound better and more professional. Tune the instrument before every session of practice. Assess the speed with which you can practice. Learn to master one thing at a time. Practice small portions of a song at each session. Emphasize the areas that you are deficient in. Practice on the problem areas. Select your favorite song at the end of every practice session and try playing it.

Happy guitar playing!

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