Acoustic Guitar
Players Abound - But Real Talent Is Another
Matter
Acoustic Guitars
Player
First, my favorite online
source for information, Wikipedia, explains the
acoustic guitar as ...
"a guitar that uses only
acoustic methods to project the sound produced by
its strings. The term is a retronym, coined after
the advent of electric guitars, which depend on
electronic amplification to make their sound
audible."
I describe it as a melow
sounding instrument with a rich history which is
why I am proud to be an acoustic guitar player.
After you learn how, strumming an acoustic guitar
can be really fun.
There has been a long love
affair between players and the acoustic guitar,
ever since its evolution from the lute of the
Middle Ages.
Classical guitar music from
maestros, such as Andres Segovia and Julian Bream,
has enthralled audiences. Jazz guitar too has many
fans, as exemplified by Herb Ellis and Charlie
Christian. It is rock and pop music that has
produced the most feted heroes however.
This six string musical
instrument can be used in almost any style of
music, and to accomplish almost any type of sound
you want to hear.
Many musicians want to play
the strings, but often give up during the learning
period. If you really want to play this classical
guitar or any instrument, it's going to take
commitment and practice. Here are ten key questions
in order to hope for success with your newfound
hobby.
Where Did Acoustic Guitars
Come From and How do You Play Them?
There is a large repertoire
of music in classical guitar, demanding a high
ability of playing from the guitarist. Performers
such as John Williams and Julian Bream have
captivated audiences with their fluency on the
instrument.
When playing any instrument,
first learn how it works to make the sounds and
music. Study the names of the parts of the guitar
and the functions of each part. Learn how various
notes are blended to form chords and which chords
go together.
Also, study how music is
written and the main keys of the songs you love.
Even if you plan to play guitar by ear, you'll
still need to be able to recognize keys and chords
for songs. Or, you might desire to read classical
guitar sheet music, which will likely require
lessons.
Here are three possible
methods used in learning to play:
- Hire your own
private music teacher.
- Take a home study
guitar course.
- Get beginner guitar
tutorials online.
Get Your Fingers
Ready
Hurting fingers is one of the
main excuses new guitar players give when quitting
their lessons. Yes, it does hurt the fingers and
cause them to become very tender when you first
start playing.
You'll be relieved to know
this won't last very long. As you play more, you
will notice less and less pain. If your fingers are
really sore, give it a break for a day, but don't
take too many breaks from practice. Practice makes
perfect... your fingers will get used to it and
pretty soon won't bother you at all.
Does a Professional
Acoustic Guitar Player Look at His / Her
Strings?
Start early and learn how to
change musical chords and hand positions silently
while looking away from your hand. It's best to
memorize where each chord is located on the neck of
the guitar and to switch finger positions without
looking until you can play by feel.
This will allow you to read
music or words to a song while playing without
missing a note.
Though you're not actually
playing during these exercises, still press the
strings down as hard as you would while playing to
help callous your fingers.
Your Hands Need To Be
Strong To Play Guitar
Exercise your fret hand (the
hand that holds down the strings) daily by
squeezing a tennis ball or other similar object for
at least five minutes several times a day. This
will help build muscles in your fret hand so you
can play those difficult barre chords.
Learn to Play Your Acoustic
Guitar One Step at a Time
You might be tempted to learn
all the skills necessary for playing acoustic
guitars but try practicing only one aspect of
playing, one chord, or one song at a time until you
are very comfortable with it.
Studying can be boring but
remember, you want to play like a pro which takes
some time to master. Get each part right before you
try it fast.
If you leave out this part,
you might end up very frustrated with the lessons
all by trying to learn too many things at once.
Learn a chord and learn it well. Then add another
chord with it and switch between the two until you
master that. Add another task only after you've
mastered the one at hand.
Play Along with Your
Favorite Guitarist
Learn from those who are
where you want to be. Get out your acoustic guitar
and play right along with your favorite CDs for
practice. Find the ones you like and rewind and
repeat parts of the songs until you master a
particular song or musical run. This is a fun
way to learn your favorite songs, especially if you
plan to play by ear.
Should You Use Your
Fingers or Guitar Picks?
Some classical guitarists
choose to use their fingers and nails to play, but
using a guitar pick will help you play louder and
you won’t have depend solely on your nails for
playing. Nails can break and cannot be replaced on
the spur of the moment whereas you can store almost
unlimited spare picks right inside your guitar
case!
Using a
Capo
The capo is basically a bar
that tightens across the strings of an accoustic
guitar right below any fret.
It is meant to help you
transpose music to other chords for singing
purposes on any song even
if you only know how to play the song in one key.
Note To Newbie Acoustic
Guitarists: The capo should not
be used as a crutch for learning new
chords!! It should only be a helpful tool for
emergencies when you need to change keys at the
last minute. It is also great when you want to use
open chords for a different sound.
Experiment As An Acoustic
Guitar Player
Don't be afraid to take a
chance and experiment with your playing. Add your
own creative style in how you play the notes and
chords. This way, you'll become your own musician
instead of mimicking other guitarists and the
enjoyment will mount as you develop a sound of your
own.
Use your imagination and
become the best guitar player you can be. Now,
listen to the music you are making by becoming an
acoustic guitar player !!
|
