Music is certainly a valve for every one of us to vent. Leaving aside personal tastes, some more, some less we all listen to it… and then turn it into a real passion, deciding to learn how to play an instrument.
The guitar is the instrument par excellence, suitable for everyone: children, teenagers and adults.
At the beginning, like all things, it might seem difficult, but with a minimum of constancy and commitment the results will be seen right away.
Here are 10 simple tricks to start playing the guitar from scratch:
1. LISTEN TO A LOT OF MUSIC, FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON THE SOUND OF THE GUITAR
That sounds obvious, but you’ll get your ear used to it.
Learn about the greatest guitarists in history, and always cover all genres, from Jimi Hendrix to Clapton, Van Halen, Jimmy Page and so on.
Few people are lucky enough to have an ear, but all good musicians can easily recognize notes or chords simply by listening to a song.
It will be very useful for you to play a song you like or to compose your own piece.
2. BUY A NOT TOO EXPENSIVE GUITAR
For a start, a beginner’s guitar is great, even a second-hand one.
With time and experience you will understand which instrument you like and is suitable for you, for the moment do not invest in something that is still new and of which you are not yet sure.
3. BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE TOOL
It is important to know your tool to make the most of it.
Distinguish the various parts of the guitar: body, keyboard, nut, mechanics and so on. Learn how to tune the instrument and then start playing the first chords, i.e. the major, minor and seventh chords.
The major chords are all formed in the same way, that is, starting from the scale, you play the notes that are in the first, third and fifth position.
Once you understand these and the concept of tone and semitone, it will not be difficult to understand the difference with the minor ones. Only by learning the C turn (C major, A minor, D minor, G seventh), can you already start playing some songs.
4. BOOK LESSONS
You can go to a music school, or call a private teacher, or more simply see tutorials on the internet; there are very well done sites you can follow right from the start, and youtube is full of video tutorials and artist covers.
Surely the experience and advice of a person who already knows the trade can be of great help to you.
5. PAY ATTENTION TO POSTURE
This is the most common mistake that almost everyone makes, with the risk of encountering tensions or stiffening that may penalise us. Relax your neck and shoulders but always keep your back straight; you can use a footrest.
6. PREPARES THE TECHNIQUE
To be able to play any instrument well, it is essential to know the basics and the main techniques. Do a lot of right and left hand exercises, starting with scales or arpeggios and ending with more complex techniques such as pull off, fingerpicking, bending or tapping.
Even if they seem boring or useless to you, it is the only way to strengthen your fingers, to have greater strength and precision.
The metronome can help you, so you don’t have to risk going out of time.
You only need 30 minutes a day, but always train.
7. FIND YOUR MUSIC GENRE
Depending on the type of music you like there is a suitable guitar, you just have to understand your needs.
The two guitars that have had the most influence in the history of music are basically the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul.
Both are important guitars but with very different characteristics. Let’s see which ones together.
The sound of a Les Paul is warmer and more full-bodied than that of a Stratocaster, which is more loud and dynamic. You can’t recommend one in particular, it all depends on your personal taste and the kind of music you want to play.
Obviously there are many other models, brands and subbrands not to be underestimated.
– If you like the Blues without a doubt the Stratocaster is for you, used by all the greatest blustmen, including Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
For this genre is also fine a Gibson SE 335 used instead by the king of blues B.B King, and the Telecaster always by Fender.
– If you like jazz here is also recommended a Gibson 335 or an Ibanez GB.
– If you like Rock the perfect guitar is Les Paul.
The major guitarists who prefer and use this guitar are Slash, Jimmy Page, Joe Perry, Pete Townshend and Zakk Wylde.
But in this field you can also use the Stratocaster, used by Ritchie Blackmore, Jimy Hendrix, Mark Knopfler and David Gilmour.
– If you like Metal and therefore need to have heavier sounds, the names Ibanez and Jackson come into the picture; the Rr3 model of the latter is used, for example, by the frontman of Megadeth, Dave Mustaine.
8. PLAYS IN A GROUP
Looking for people to play together is very important for your training as a musician. In fact, playing in a group has many advantages;
You learn to listen to your teammates, you learn coordination and collaboration, and above all we are always driven to improve.
So this is a decisive point for your growth both as a musician and as a person.
9. SO MUCH TACTIC
It always sounds when you can, every minute you’re free.
Never be discouraged, it takes a lot of patience and hard work, but the satisfaction you will have in the future will reward you for every effort made.
It’s very easy to fall into despair and frustration because things don’t come to us as we would like, or our fingers aren’t as fast as we hoped, or the sound isn’t clean to perfection. The path is certainly long and winding, but you must never give up, with much patience and dedication you will see that you will get the desired results.
The Beatles were also discarded by the record company Decca Recording Studios, which judged them as a group “without a commercial future”, but still today they are considered the mass phenomenon that has revolutionized and marked an era in the history of music, costume and pop art, with about 600 million copies sold between albums, singles and cassette tapes.
10. FUN
Whether it’s a serious project or just a hobby, have fun, that’s what matters.
Making music promotes creativity and personal expression, and also helps to relate and define oneself as a person.
So play, make a mess and have fun!