Learning to play the guitar can be lots of fun and very rewarding but it takes practice, patience, persistence and good instruction.
The Internet and your computer are great ways to learn to play guitar in the privacy of your home and at your own pace.
Fortunately there are some terrific online lessons available for learning to play, even if you’ve never owned a guitar before.
You should think about how you like to learn.
Some people benefit from both written and audio material. Others learn solely from written material.
Whatever your method, one of courses below will be right for you.
Contents
Best Online Guitar Lessons – Our Picks
1.Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Complete Edition: Books & CD’s 1, 2 and 3
2.9 Hours Guitar Lessons – Learn How to Play Guitar – 4 DVD Combo Set
3.Fender Presents: Getting Started on Acoustic Guitar — A Guide for Beginners
10 Reasons You Should Consider Learn To Play Guitar
Learning to play an acoustic guitar is not only fun, but opens up a world of possibilities.
If you’ve been thinking about picking up an acoustic (or haven’t and are just reading this post for the hell of it) here are 10 reasons you should consider picking up an acoustic guitar!
1. It’s awesome!
OK – so everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but playing acoustic guitar can be awesome! If you like any of the following reasons you should consider playing an acoustic, you’ll understand why I say it’s awesome!
2. There’s the possibility of becoming one of the greatest players
Chet Atkins and Richard Thompson were two of the greatest acoustic guitars players of all time. No, they didn’t achieve that status over night, but they became great by picking up an acoustic and practicing everyday. You can too, with enough practice of your own. How would it feel to be known as one of the greats?
3. You can go solo
Learning to play the acoustic gives you the option to go solo. You can travel to world, playing in all of the legendary venues you’ve always dreamed of.
4. Build up the strength in your fingers
If you play the electric or any string instrument for that matter, you’ll know the strain that can be put on your fingers at first. Playing the acoustic guitar will put a greater strain on your fingers, building on their strength and granting you the ability to play chords that you couldn’t play before.
5. You can learn a new instrument
Do you play the drums, bass, flute or possibly even the triangle? Picking up an acoustic will give you the opportunity to learn a new instrument, which is always a good thing, that is, if you want to broaden your musical abilities.
6. Express yourself
Playing the acoustic guitar will allow you to express yourself through not only your instrument, but also your voice. You have the opportunity to become a great guitar player and vocalist!
7. You open a window of opportunity
Learning to play the acoustic can open up a world of opportunity. Maybe you’ll form a band; maybe someone will want you to join their band; maybe you’ll be able to play on stage with someone you’ve always idolized. The possibilities are endless..
8. You can play anywhere you choose
Unlike playing an electric, you don’t need an amplifier to play the acoustic guitar. Of course, you can opt for an amp if you really want one, but you can pretty much take an acoustic anywhere you’d like. There’s no strings attached.. other than your guitar strings.
9. You can play acoustic sets
Remember the ‘MTV Unplugged‘ episodes where your favorite bands would play live acoustic sets, unplugged? You can do the same with your band.
10. Become an authority figure
As I said before – learning to play the acoustic guitar opens a lot of great opportunities. Becoming knowledgeable with an instrument can position you as an authority, opening up many windows.
Tips for Playing Your Guitar
Finger guitar picking is an art in itself and not as many people do it. It’s easier to use a pick so your fingers don’t get calloused or start to hurt.
But, you do start to get used to it when you practice all the time without using a pick. It really depends on the person how they will end up doing their guitar picking.
Each person will develop their own guitar picking pattern that helps distinguish them from all the other musicians in the world.
Picking, strumming, playing and sliding are all ways you can play your guitar and achieve some different effects.
It’s wise to use a pick because it can help you do many different things with your instrument that you couldn’t do otherwise.
Guitar Picking Techniques
Once you have been playing the guitar for awhile, you will more than likely want to experiment with various picking and strumming methods to produce different tone to your playing.
Downstroke Picking
Downstroke picking is the most frequently used method of playing your guitar.
Downstroking produces the intended musical sound. To Downstroke, you pick a string in the direction from the lowest string towards the highest or towards the floor.
Downstroking is the “normal” way of picking and works well for playing all styles of music.
Upstroke Picking
Upstroking is used to provide a different tone or character to the musical note you’re playing.
When using the upstroke method, you do exactly the same thing as in downstroking, except that you do it in the opposite direction. You start from the higher (or top) string side and pick toward the lower string side (towards the ceiling).
Pick Sliding
Pick sliding is yet another way you can add character to your guitar playing.
Use this technique if you are more experienced and have been playing the guitar for awhile. If you do not know how to perform sliding correctly, your guitar will make a horrible noise. So, you’ll need to practice this form of picking.
Tip: Get the edge of the pick against the coils on your string and slide upwards towards your lower frets.
Sliding is also difficult, but if you keep practicing, you will get better and better and the effect is worth the work.
Pick Sweeping
Sweeping in another way you can pick your guitar. But, only the most experienced should try this way of playing due to its advanced technique. Just like the name implies…you “sweep” the strings like you would a broom. This creates a multi-dimensional sound.
Tip:
- Always make sure that you keep your wrist loose…this is key to doing this technique.
- Keep a firm grip on your pick.
- Slightly bend your finger to let your pick slide better across the strings. Sweep picking is a single motion of picking.
You have to get your timing, and string contact precise or your sound will be off.
Reminder
It’s important to have a spare pick around when you are playing. If you break a pick or lose it, you’ll want to have another handy so you can keep playing
Why Use a Guitar Fingering Chart
A guitar fingering chart helps put the ease back into learning how to play this great instrument. You will learn how to read a music note, music chord, chord chart and guitar chord chart with ease through this fantastic invention.
Choosing a Chord Fingering Chart For a Guitar
If you are not sure where to buy a electric guitar chord fingering chart or an acoustic guitar chord fingering chart, Click here. You can buy this great product online and enjoy the convenience of having it delivered right to your door.
So, you might be wondering what exactly this guitar chord chart is – especially if you’re new to guitar. Well, if you don’t already know, a guitar chord chart shows you exactly how to position your fingers when you’re playing the guitar.
You can see the positions you should place your hands in with ease and the music note and music chord positions will become clearer to you as a result.
Learning to play the guitar and read a music note and a music chord has never been easier thanks to the invention of the chord fingering chart. If you need help with your guitar playing, the chord chart is the perfect way to help hone your skill.
When you are choosing a chord fingering chart for a guitar, make sure you find the one that will work well for you. You will probably have to look at quite a few samples before you find the one that you like the best.
Then, you will continuously be able to access a chord chart so you can learn a new music note or music chord.
The key to becoming a great musician lies in practicing and always learning something new. So,check out a chord chart today so you can stay ahead of the game.