Thursday, June 9, 2011
A Secret To Learn To Play Guitar Fast
You can play many different types of music on your guitar: rock, pop, jazz, country, and even classical. Your tastes will probably change over the years and that's where a guitar is so adaptable. The basics you learn will carry you through every style of music. So, let's give you a few tips to get you started so that you can soon learn guitar songs.
Playing Position - (these tips are based on right-handed playing, so if you are a lefty, just base them on the left hand)
Proper playing position is important, as it will help your technique flow without strain, and also avoid back problems. Sit to play your guitar for classical or casual. The classical position simply means that you sit with your guitar resting on your left leg. In the casual position, you rest your guitar on your right leg.
Standing requires you use a guitar strap. Pick one that has a nice width so it won't cut into your shoulder and cause pain. Use your fingering hand to gently support the guitar neck, while resting your right hand over the bridge. Try to keep a focus on keeping a relaxed feel, whichever position you are in. Being relaxed will help you learn guitar fast.
Your Hand Positions
Your hand positions are a critical part of learning to play fast. Your wrists and hands must always be relaxed, otherwise this can lead to injuries, requiring time off. So it's vital to develop proper habits from the beginning. Never, ever, press your thumb onto the back of the guitar neck, as this causes strain to your wrist and thumb.
How to Tune Your Guitar
To get the best sound, it's important you tune correctly. Each string is tuned relative to the other strings. Start by making sure your 6th string, E (the lowest sounding and thickest string) is in tune. Follow this with all the other strings, from A onwards. This is the accepted, standard way to tune, especially for a 6 string guitar.
In the beginning, you may want to use an electronic “guitar tuner” to help you with accuracy. As you progress, you will develop an "ear" for tuning, and be able to just hear the correct intervals. And, you will learn to use harmonics to tune, produced by lightly touching plucked strings in specific places to produce different, higher tones. As you become more experienced, you can try different tunings to create a unique chord sound to make your music more personal.
Learn guitar chords and scales
Once you have finished tuning, you are ready start with a few basic chords and scales suitable for beginners. You play them repetitively, drilling yourself until you master them one by one. Play your chords many, many times, moving from one to the other.
This is the secret of how to learn to play your guitar fast - daily, repetitive drilling of the basics. Repetition! That is the secret for you to learn fast. Let your passion for the guitar fuel the discipline for your daily sessions of practice. Don't cheat yourself by moving to the next lesson until you have totally mastered your current task. Repetition trains your brain and hand to become one. The more time you put in each day drilling, the more it shortens your time until you are making the music you dream of. Build solid bricks in your foundation. The fastest way to become a great guitarist is to practice, practice, practice!
Imagine how great you will feel to learn guitar fast! Click here to find out about guitar lessons online and soon you'll be jammin'.