Acoustic Guitar
Player
 Learn
To Play Acoustic Guitars
I love playing guitar and, although
electric instruments certainly have their place, there is
just something about the non-electric models that sets them
apart for serious music. One known fact is that acoustic
guitars are wonderful instruments and are just plain fun to
play. They can be used in almost any style of music, and
help accomplish almost any type of musical sound desired.
Many people want to play the acoustic
guitar, but often give up during the learning process. If
you really want to play the guitar or any instrument, it's
going to take lots of practice and perseverance. Here are 10
steps to being a success with your newfound
hobby.
1. Learn How Acoustic Guitars
Work
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.
You can learn using several methods:
1. Hire a music teacher. 2. Learn with a home study course.
3. Take interactive beginner guitar lessons
online.
2. Toughen Your
Fingers
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.
But the good news is this doesn't last
very long. As you practice, you'll notice them hurting less
and less. If they are really sore, give it a break for a
day, but don't take too many breaks from practice.
Practice makes
perfect... and much practice will cause calluses on
your fingers so they won't hurt any longer.
3. Practice Playing Acoustic Guitar
without Looking
Sit and practice changing chords and
hand positions silently while looking away from your hand.
Try to memorize where each chord is located and switch from
chord to chord without looking until you can play without
looking at your hands.
This will allow you to read music or
words to a song while playing without missing a note. Hint:
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.
4. Build Hand
Strength
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.
5. Practice Your Acoustic Guitar
Playing Skills One at a Time
You might be tempted to learn all
acoustic guitar skills at once, but try practicing only one
aspect of playing, one chord, or one song at a time until
you master it. If not, you'll end up very frustrated with
it all by trying to busy yourself
with 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.
6. Music CD
Lifesavers
Use your favorite songs on CD for
practice. Try playing along with the songs you like and
rewind and repeat parts of the songs until you master a
particular song. It's a fun way to learn your favorite songs
if you plan to play by ear.
7. Work on Your
Singing
Whether you plan to play with a band,
solo, or in church, you'll be more versatile if you learn to
sing along with your playing. You can take singing lessons
through an instructor or even online if you want to maximize
your skills.
8. Use Guitar Picks Instead of
Fingers
Some guitar players 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 many spare
picks can be stored in your guitar case!
Hint: If you insist on using
fingers instead of guitar picks, go to your local nail salon
and have some tough fake nails applied. I have a lead guitar
player friend who does just that. He's a guy but he always
sees other guy guitarists waiting in line at the salon. No
need to have your own fingernails in the quick. This could
set you back from playing acoustic guitar while in a healing
process.
9. Get a Capo
-
A capo can help you switch to other
chords for singing purposes on any song even if you only
know how to play the song in one chord. The capo shouldn't
be used as a cop-out for learning new chords - it should be
used, however, for emergencies when you need to switch keys
at the last minute.
10. Add Your Own Musical
Flavor
Don't be afraid to experiment with
your acoustic guitar playing. Add your own style and be
creative in how you play the notes and chords. You don't
have to do everything exactly as someone else.
You've probably noticed how ten
different guitar players will play the same chord ten
different ways. That's because musical ability is meant to
stir the creative side of your mind - so let your
imagination run freely and enjoy the music!
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