How to Start Learning Guitar...

Do you want to learn how to play guitar? Then YOU Should Read These 10 Points...

1. Make sure you really want to. Learning guitar isn't easy and if you're not committed you'll give up halfway and will have wasted your money and time.
2. Make sure you buy a good guitar. This is a good investment. A good guitar can last you for decades but if you only buy a cheap or "beginner" guitar, you'll end up having to buy another one later as these are not good quality and won't sound good for very long.
3. Find someone in the yellow pages who can tutor you on playing guitar. If you can't find someone you like then find out who of your friends can play guitar and will be willing to teach you.
4. Buy some good guitar instruction books. A good book has illustrations of chords which you can then use to practice your chords with.
5. Make sure your tutor knows what they're doing. If they teach you incorrect techniques, it will be very difficult to get rid of these bad habits.
6. Decide whether you want to play lead or rhythm guitar and tell your tutor that you want to focus on that specific style. It's better to be very good at either rhythm or lead than to be mediocre at both.
7. Get some instruction videos to watch at home.
8. Practice, practice, practice!
9. Don't become discouraged if you struggle to get certain things right. Most professional guitarists you hear on the radio had to work at their playing for years and years before even being slightly good.
10. Always make sure your guitar is tuned otherwise it will sound horrible. If you can't tune it by ear, get an electronic tuning device (ask for it at your local music store).

Buying Your First Guitar

Buying a guitar can be very exciting, especially if you've done your homework before hitting the stores. Here are some tips to guide you on buying your first guitar.

Acoustic or Electric Guitar

Determine whether you need an acoustic or electric guitar. Note that I mentioned "need" and not "want". Your decision would be greatly based on what type of music you wish to learn. If you lean towards rock music, an electric guitar is advisable. If your interest is on classical or folk, then an acoustic guitar would be best. Generally, acoustic guitars are more suited for beginners, it is also less expensive and portable than an electric guitar.

New or Used

The answer to this will rely on your budget and the quality of the guitar you wish to purchase. The advantages of buying a new guitar is that you are assured you are the first owner and thus you can expect the instrument to perform well. You are also covered by a warranty which is very reassuring for first time guitar buyer's. The downside of buying a new guitar is that it is more expensive. On the other hand, buying a used guitar would certainly be less expensive but be sure to inspect the instrument closely for any damages. Better yet, bring along an expert guitar player to test the instrument. The disadvantage of buying a used guitar is that you may not get any warranty, although I've been told there are stores who do give warranties on second-hand guitars. Also, there is always the fear that the instrument wouldn't last long.

Brands and Models

There are many brands and models of guitars available in the market and you must do your research well before choosing a particular guitar. Again, your budget would be the main determining factor, next would be the age of the player. If you're an adult, certainly a full size guitar is advisable. For children, there are half size and 3/4 size guitars. You can do your research online, check out music stores, ask the store clerk questions or seek the advise of an expert guitar player or music teacher. The keyword here is research. Electric guitars have a variety of body styles, pickups, bridge and neck joint to choose from. Guitars are also made up of different types of wood.

Feel and Performance

Ask the clerk or seller if you can try out the instrument. Often you can tell a lot about the quality of a guitar by its feel and performance. Sense if you are comfortable playing it, if it handles and sounds well. Of course if you're a beginner this would be difficult to perceive that's why I encourage you to bring along someone you know whose been playing the guitar for a while. A low action acoustic guitar is advisable as it would be easier on the hands.

Guitar Accessories

1. Strings - An acoustic guitar may either have a steel string or a nylon string. Steel strings are often played by picking the strings or strumming. It can be used to play various musical styles. Nylon strings are used to play finger-style techniques and such musical styles as jazz, flamenco and classical. For children, nylon strings are advisable as it is easier on their fingers.

2. Case - To place your instrument inside and keep it protected. Very important especially if you have to travel to take lessons.

3. Amplifier - This is needed for electric guitars to generate sound.

4. Guitar Cable - Also for electric guitars, to connect the guitar to the amplifier.

5. Other Accessories- Guitar strap and pick, to make playing the guitar more comfortable.

Guitar..

The guitar is the most common and most important musical instrument though it is complicated and hard to learn how to play. It is an instrument worth investing time and money on. People are interested in the guitar for different reasons.

Some people want to make a career in playing the guitar while others want to learn the guitar for the fun of it. Some need guitar experiences in the choir or singing groups just to add more strength to their singing.

Regardless of your intentions of learning the guitar, the guitar is

-Convenient: This instrument is light and easily handled. You can carry the instrument with you where ever you go and make music where ever you are. It can be tuned much more easily than a piano and the process is far less expensive. Transportation is not a risky as that of a piano.

-Affordable: Guitars have been designed to meet up with the economic capabilities of the average man. Both very cheap and expensive guitars can be seen in the guitar shops as well as both left and right handed guitars. This is to make things easier for both the poor and the rich or left and right handed people to buy and play according to their economic power or strength of their arms.

-Maintainable: The cost of maintaining a guitar is far less than that of a piano or drums.

*Guitars have the best influence in the sound of music. The presence of the sound of a guitar in music gives it the final touch the ears want to here.