In this guide we entitled Guitar 101: where to start, we’re going to give you the basics to get going on guitar.
Simply said, we’re going to be talking about the essentials you need to start playing the world’s most popular instrument: the guitar.
In all honesty, it does not take much to get started. The magic happens once you get started. After you’ve covered the basics, that’s when you can start making progress on a daily basis. After all, learning an instrument is a matter of desire, patience, and practice. In this guide, we take you to the door of the promised land guitar fun, but then you have to walk through it yourself. Here is our guide 101: where to start.
Get a guitar
Sounds basic, right? Yet, there are so many folks who want to learn guitar but don’t have one. There is no replacement for having the actual instrument in your hands so you can practice. No amount of reading, video watching or anything else is a substitute for having a guitar.
Keep in mind that there are different types of guitar. However, if you’re just getting started, any functional guitar will do.
Get Roadie Coach
Roadie Coach is a fantastic tool that easily attaches to your instrument. You can use it with electric, acoustic and classical guitars and it will be a tremendous asset when learning to play. Coach features built-in mics that record everything you play so you can get quick feedback on your performance. It has a vast library of songs to learn on a step-by-step basis, and much more.
Start with basic chords
Once you know how to hold a guitar, the first thing to learn to get started with guitar is basic open chords. Chords are what you will be playing most of the time, so take some time to learn them well. Chords make up one of the main branches of music which is harmony. With practice, you will be able to learn open chords, how to switch from one to the other, and much more.
Even though there are many chords, you will be able to play many songs once you learn just a few.
Strum patterns
Once you have learned one or two chords, you can also start working on strumming patterns. This is what you will be playing on your right hand, while the left hand holds down the chords. Patterns can go from very simple to quite complex. However, most songs feature relatively easy and common strumming patterns. To get started, just strum down with your left hand at every downbeat. As simple as it sounds, this is a pattern that does get used on many songs.
Learn songs
Learning songs gives context to apply chords and patterns. Moreover, it develops musicality, the sense of form, and other essential musical traits needed to play.
Naturally, make sure you start with songs that are easy and that you like. Easy songs typically feature a few open chords, as well as a simple strum pattern and form. Once you have learned a few easy songs, you can move on to more challenging ones.
This guitar 101 guide should prove effective to get you going at the very beginning. Make sure that you dedicate some time for the instrument on a daily basis. Remember to take it slow at first and only move on when you can play the chord or strum pattern at hand well. It is important to build these skills slowly but with a solid foundation. Enjoy the journey and have fun!
