So you wanna learn how to play guitar?
Alright, we’ve established that you’re ambitious enough to pick up
an instrument and that’s really exciting you actually want to learn how
to play it. But before you choose an instructor ask yourself,
what exactly inspired you to pick up the instrument and what are your
goals with your axe?
Now that you’ve decided to become a rock star let me help you out.
There are some key ingredients that will help you get started.
Learn to tune. There are about 5 different ways you can learn to tune,
and once you learn to match pitches you’re set. You can tune using a
chromatic tuner or a pitch pipe that will get you started.
Dexterity control. Off the bat your hand won’t want to make even the
most simple of chords, let alone changing between them. Learn the
chromatic scale to help widen the tendons in your left hand.
Right
hand rhythm. You’ll have a pretty tough time trying to jam if you don’t
know how to groove. With your right hand picking or strumming, imagine
a 4 count in your head to get started. 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2
and 3 and 4 and is your basic 1/8 note count.
Efficient practice
habits. Trying to rock under one format of learning (such as online
tab) will only crutch and frustrate your progress. Here are a couple
other options to keep you from getting bored:
- Put on your favorite
album, if it’s Hedrix try and match guitar chops with him using only
your ear. - Read guitar magazines, these are great for inspiration
and the music in them is formated professionally. - Read chord
charts, these are simple black dots on a grid. Put your fingers where
the black dots are. - Understand the dreaded notes on a 5 line staff.
They are commonly attached to tab anyway so just make a glance and
correlate the two. - Do it cause you wanna do it, you have the
drive to take lessons now is the time to put your passion to the test.
These are the basics that will help take you wherever it is you
wanna go. I’ll be ready as soon as you have a question, so don’t
hesitate to ask. Have a great week, and rock!
Jason
“Jason is absolutely amazing! My son Joe has been taking lessons from
Jason since January 28th and I am amazed at how much he has learned!
Joe has ADD and learning disabilities and Jason is very patient and
teaches Joe with awesome methods! Joe really likes Jason and looks
forward to his lesson every week! He is practicing hard and is so
enthusiastic about becoming a good guitarist! Thank you, Jason, for
giving my son an amazing experience!”
Jason M.