Congratulations! You’ve decided to embark on the exciting journey of learning to play the guitar! By landing on this page, you’re already taking a crucial first step. You have the desire, and now you’re searching for the right path to start. Learning guitar is incredibly rewarding, filled with benefits and joys that await you.
This guide is designed to equip you with the essential tools and knowledge to move forward confidently and experience those joys without unnecessary frustration. With dedication and consistent effort, you will absolutely see progress. But before you dive in, let’s cover some key aspects to ensure you make the most of your learning experience.
A young boy holding an acoustic guitar, looking excited and ready to learn.
My First Guitar Story (and Why Guidance Matters)
Like many aspiring guitarists, my journey began with an old guitar. It was a dusty acoustic, a relic from my mother’s past musical aspirations, found in our attic. As a music-loving 12-year-old, I was instantly captivated.
We retrieved it, and I spent days just holding it, feeling its shape in my hands. It felt right. I was eager to play, despite having no idea how.
However, after a week of clumsy attempts, discouragement crept in. My fingertips ached from pressing the strings, and the sounds I produced were… well, not exactly music. Tuning was a mystery, and I didn’t know any guitarists to ask for help. I quickly realized that if I was serious about playing, I needed direction.
Back then, resources were scarce compared to today’s abundance. What I desperately needed was someone to point me in the right direction.
Eventually, my parents enrolled me in guitar lessons at the local music store, and it was a game-changer. With guidance from someone who understood the beginner’s struggles, everything started to click.
I learned that my guitar wasn’t properly set up, making it unnecessarily hard to play. Tuning became clear, and suddenly, the sounds I created were actually musical!
Today, aspiring guitarists have access to a wealth of resources I could only dream of. Let’s explore what you need to know and the options available to you as a beginner guitarist.
A person holding a guitar, showing a close-up of their hand on the fretboard.
Essential Things to Know Before You Start Learning Guitar
Starting guitar is exciting! You envision yourself playing your favorite songs and experiencing the joy of making music, just like your guitar heroes. However, it’s important to have realistic expectations. Learning guitar, especially initially, requires effort and dedication.
Learning Guitar Takes Time and Consistent Practice. Watching seasoned guitarists, it’s easy to overlook the countless hours of practice that shaped their skills. Mastery isn’t instantaneous.
So, how much time does it take to get good at guitar? There’s no universal answer. In my years of teaching, I’ve witnessed students progress at varying speeds. Some learn faster than others. However, one consistent factor for success is regular, daily practice. Students who commit to a daily routine consistently show significant and ongoing improvement.
Another crucial point to understand is that playing guitar is not inherently easy, especially at first. There are initial hurdles: hand coordination, developing calluses on your fingertips, mastering rhythm, and more.
These challenges, while demanding in the beginning, are temporary if you dedicate time and persevere. They quickly become manageable and eventually fade away as you progress.
Finally, it’s important to acknowledge that many beginners quit learning guitar relatively soon after starting.
- Some are discouraged when they realize the effort involved and decide it’s not for them.
- Others enjoy the idea of playing but underestimate the time commitment required.
- Still others become lost and frustrated due to a lack of direction, leading them to abandon their guitar dreams.
Fortunately, this guide aims to address these very challenges. My goal is to minimize your frustration and provide a clear, straightforward path to start enjoying the guitar and making real progress!
A close-up of an acoustic guitar body and strings, highlighting the instrument's details.
Where to Begin Your Guitar Learning Journey
Early success in learning guitar hinges on making a few key decisions upfront. Don’t worry; these decisions are straightforward with a little guidance and will set you on the right path for your individual situation.
The first crucial decision is choosing your learning path. As mentioned earlier, guidance is vital for beginners, and fortunately, numerous resources are available. Select the method that best suits your learning style and preferences. Here are some of the most effective options to kickstart your guitar journey:
1. Free Online Videos and Blog Posts
The free route is incredibly popular nowadays. Countless free lessons and articles demonstrate everything imaginable on guitar.
This can be an excellent starting point, especially if you’re unsure whether guitar is truly for you. There’s a wealth of valuable information available, but there are also drawbacks to relying solely on free resources.
One significant drawback is the potential to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content. When using free resources, you essentially become your own guide. You have the freedom to choose what to learn, and this is often where beginners stumble.
Learning guitar, much like building a house, requires a solid foundation. Certain fundamental skills must be mastered before progressing to more advanced techniques. This is a primary reason why many beginners get stuck: attempting to learn complex things without the necessary foundational skills.
Another pitfall of the free route is the temptation to jump ahead. When self-assessing your progress, you might unknowingly skip crucial steps and move on prematurely. Before long, you may find yourself stuck, unsure of why you’re not progressing.
So, how can you maximize the benefits of free online guitar learning content?
My top tip is to stick with one teacher or resource initially. If you find a particular instructor’s videos or blog posts helpful and easy to understand, explore their other content.
If they offer a structured series of lessons that aligns with your goals, stick with them. Their teaching method might be precisely what you need to build a solid foundation.
Avoid jumping between different teachers too frequently. This can lead to confusion, missed fundamentals, and a disjointed learning experience. If your chosen resource eventually runs out of content or doesn’t meet your evolving needs, then you can explore other options.
If you utilize free resources, don’t hesitate to ask questions! Use comment sections below videos or blog posts. Reputable creators and fellow learners are often happy to help. If you consistently struggle to get your questions answered, it might be time to consider a more structured learning path.
2. Guitar Lesson Books and DVDs
Guitar books have been a staple learning tool for decades. Historically, they were the primary resource for aspiring guitarists. Books are valuable, and I’ve personally learned a great deal from various guitar instruction books. More recently, video lessons have gained popularity, as visual learners often benefit from seeing techniques demonstrated. Many instructors offer DVDs covering diverse guitar topics. However, a limitation of books and DVDs is the lack of direct interaction and personalized feedback. If you encounter difficulties understanding a concept, there’s typically no way to directly ask the author for clarification.
3. In-Person Private Lessons
One-on-one lessons have been the traditional approach to guitar instruction for as long as the instrument has existed. You receive the instructor’s undivided attention, and ideally, your teacher has a well-structured method to guide your progress. Unfortunately, the quality of guitar teachers varies. Some are highly effective, while others may not be the best fit for your learning style. It’s wise to research a potential instructor thoroughly before committing to lessons. Private lessons can also be a significant financial investment for beginner students.
4. Small Group Lessons
Group lessons have become an increasingly popular option. They offer several advantages. Group lessons are generally more affordable than private instruction. Learning alongside peers can also alleviate pressure for some students. Not being the sole focus of attention throughout the lesson can create a more comfortable and supportive learning environment. Small group sizes tend to be most effective. Large groups can become distracting, and you might not receive the individual attention needed to address your specific questions.
5. Online Guitar Lesson Websites
Over the past decade, online guitar lesson platforms have proliferated. These platforms often combine the benefits of video instruction with elements of personalized guidance, offering a compelling learning experience.
Typically, these sites provide a well-structured curriculum designed to take you from beginner to advanced levels. You benefit from the ability to re-watch video lessons as needed. Many platforms also offer features to contact instructors or submit recordings of your playing for feedback. Online lesson sites are often very affordable and can be an excellent value for students seeking comprehensive and structured instruction.
Once you’ve considered these options and decided on the learning path that resonates with you, and if you haven’t already…
Time to Get Your Guitar!
The next crucial step is purchasing your first guitar. The primary decision is choosing between two main types:
- Acoustic Guitars
- Electric Guitars
Acoustic guitars are easily recognizable by their hollow body and soundhole beneath the strings. Their hollow construction allows them to amplify sound naturally, making them ideal for strumming and playing unplugged.
This self-amplification makes acoustic guitars convenient for practice and portable playing in smaller settings without needing external amplification.
However, a potential downside for beginners is that acoustic guitars often have thicker strings. This means they require more finger strength to press down, and developing calluses on your fingertips can take time and initial discomfort. Some beginners opt for nylon-string acoustic guitars (classical guitars). Nylon strings are significantly softer and easier to press down than steel acoustic guitar strings, making them gentler on beginner fingers.
Electric guitars, in contrast, are typically constructed from solid wood. Due to their solid body, they don’t amplify sound on their own. An electric guitar played without amplification would be very quiet, barely audible in a normal conversation.
Therefore, new electric guitar players usually purchase a small practice amplifier along with the guitar. Plugging the electric guitar into an amplifier allows the guitar’s sound to be projected through the amplifier’s speaker, with controls for adjusting tone and volume.
Both acoustic and electric guitars come in various sizes. Choosing the right size guitar is important for comfort and playability, especially for younger learners.
Guitars are commonly available in 1/2 size, 3/4 size, and full size.
1/2 and 3/4 size guitars are primarily designed for children and younger learners. They are typically outgrown relatively quickly, with most players transitioning to a full-size guitar around ages 11 or 12.
Full-size guitars also vary considerably in dimensions, including body thickness, neck width, overall length, and weight. With such a wide array of options, visiting a local guitar store is highly recommended. Spend time trying out different types of guitars to find the size and style that feels most comfortable in your hands.
After acquiring your new guitar, ensure it’s properly set up. This crucial step is often overlooked, especially with beginner-level instruments. Many manufacturers of entry-level guitars don’t invest the time in fine-tuning their instruments for optimal playability.
Guitars have adjustable components that can significantly improve playing ease. If you’re not familiar with guitar setup, seek assistance. Ask a knowledgeable friend or take your guitar to a local music store and request a setup. Getting this done early on will prevent frustration from practicing on a guitar that’s unnecessarily difficult to play.
Often, the strings that come standard on a new guitar might be too heavy for beginners. Strings that are too thick can be very challenging to press down, making learning uncomfortable and discouraging.
Heavy gauge strings require considerable hand strength. Fortunately, guitar strings are available in various gauges (thicknesses). For beginners, light gauge strings are highly recommended. They are much easier on the fingers, allowing you to practice longer and focus on technique rather than struggling with string pressure. You can always transition to heavier gauge strings later if desired, once your hand strength develops.
String sets are typically identified by the gauge of the thinnest string (the high E string).
For example, light gauge acoustic strings might be labeled as “11s,” indicating that the high E string is .011 inches in diameter (measured in thousandths of an inch).
Light gauge electric guitar strings are often “9s,” meaning the high E string is .009 inches. If you’re unsure about the string gauge on your new guitar, take it to a local music store and ask them to check. If it has heavy strings, purchasing a set of light gauge strings and having them installed is a worthwhile investment in your learning comfort.
Scheduling Your Guitar Practice Time
The next essential decision before embarking on your guitar journey is:
When Will You Practice Guitar?
Consistent practice is paramount for progress. Without a regular practice routine, learning guitar will be significantly more challenging.
In my guitar method books, I always include a practice schedule page. This provides a dedicated space to write down your planned practice time for each day.
If you have established daily routines, such as watching TV or playing video games at a certain time, consider repurposing some of that time for guitar practice. Some prefer practicing in the morning, others later in the day. The specific time isn’t as important as establishing and adhering to a consistent schedule.
I strongly recommend short, daily practice sessions over infrequent, marathon weekend sessions.
Think back to studying for school exams. If you have a week to prepare but cram everything the night before, you might perform adequately on the test. However, the moment you leave the exam room…
You likely forget much of what you crammed. You forced information into short-term memory, but it didn’t have time to solidify. Conversely, consistent daily study, even in small increments, promotes long-term retention.
The act of repetition is key to committing information to long-term memory. This is precisely what we want for guitar playing. We want the skills and knowledge we acquire to be readily accessible at all times, making music enjoyable and freeing you from constant second-guessing.
Finding Your Practice Space
The final decision to make before fully embracing guitar learning is:
Where Will You Practice?
When I started learning, I felt more comfortable practicing in private, away from others. My bedroom became my practice sanctuary, where I could focus, experiment, and have fun without feeling self-conscious.
You might be different. You might feel perfectly comfortable practicing in a more communal space in your home.
The choice is yours. The key is to find a dedicated practice space that feels comfortable and conducive to focused practice.
I also highly recommend getting a guitar stand or a wall hanger. While guitar cases offer protection, keeping your guitar stored away in its case…
Makes it easy to forget about it. Out of sight, out of mind, and practice sessions can easily be skipped. Plus, guitars are visually appealing instruments! I enjoy having my guitars on display, readily accessible and serving as a visual reminder to practice.
So, those are the four key decisions I recommend every beginner guitarist make before diving into lessons. To summarize:
- Choose Your Learning Method: Free online resources, books, in-person lessons, group lessons, or online lesson platforms.
- Select Your Guitar: Acoustic or electric, purchase one, and get it professionally set up.
- Schedule Your Practice Time: Establish a daily practice routine, even if it’s just for short sessions.
- Designate Your Practice Space: Choose a comfortable and distraction-free area to practice regularly.
Once you’ve made these decisions, you’re ready to begin! Get your guitar, sign up for lessons if that’s your chosen path, set up your practice space, and allocate time in your schedule to start playing.
Start Practicing and Enjoy the Journey!
Conclusion
Remember, seeking guidance when starting guitar is perfectly normal and beneficial. Numerous resources are available to support you. The key is to find a structured path that keeps you progressing without unnecessary frustration. It’s tempting to want to immediately play advanced techniques and complex songs. However, stick to your chosen learning plan. With patience and consistent practice, it won’t be long before you’re confidently playing and making music you enjoy!
Any Questions?
If you’re a beginner guitarist with questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Leave a comment below, or contact me through my website at www.playguitarpodcast.com/contact. I’m happy to help point you in the right direction.
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