Learning the Guitar?
Tools For Beginners!
Have you always dreamed of learning to play that incredible six-string instrument, whether it’s to shred some wild solos like Van Halen or Jimmy Page or to take a more relaxed approach, singing alone or with friends around a campfire like Bob Dylan? (Yes, I’ve never actually seen Bob Dylan play around a campfire, but let’s imagine.)
However, the process can seem daunting: between expensive lessons, uncertainty about which equipment to buy, and the fear of feeling overwhelmed if you’ve never studied music theory, it’s easy to hesitate before getting started.
Considering learning on your own can also be overwhelming with the vast array of resources available.
Don’t worry, here are some practical tips to guide you.
Let’s Begin !
Starting Guitar without Music Theory: The Tablature System
This isn’t a practical tip but rather a debunking of a common myth: the idea that music theory is a must for learning music.
Regarding the guitar, I have good news for you: there is a way to learn to play the guitar using a system called “tablature.” It’s a system that allows you to decipher a song simply and quickly.
The principle: You have a set of 6 lines representing the guitar strings, and numbers are placed on these lines indicating the “frets” to press as the song progresses.
This system is fantastic if you want to quickly learn your favorite songs by ear.
From my personal experience, I would say that learning music theory offers many advantages as it is a universal language that, once learned, can be applied to any instrument.
However, it shouldn’t be a barrier if you want to start learning. That’s why the tablature system can be a great way to approach the practice more directly.
I would also add that if you catch the music fever, chances are you’ll end up learning some basics of music theory, but it will then be easier to understand and incorporate it into what you’ve already learned through practice.
Free Resources
The digital age we live in offers multiple learning resources. The best platform for finding streaming content? YouTube! Undeniably.
I’m not telling you anything new as YouTube has become the reference platform for multimedia content and is a goldmine if you’re looking for learning content through numerous tutorials.
First, I advise you to tailor your keywords. If you’re starting from scratch, try “Guitar for beginners,” “free guitar lessons,” “chords for beginners guitar,” or “easy guitar song,” and you will already find many resources that I encourage you to explore.
If you want to decipher a song, you can also type the name of your song followed by “how to play – title of the song – guitar.”
There are many YouTubers who offer similar content related to learning guitar. I recommend browsing a few of them to find the style and method that suits you best.
Later, you’ll see that there are numerous backing tracks available that allow you to play along with your favorite bands or musicians and improvise to various styles.
Don’t hesitate to also browse musician groups on Facebook and ask for advice or opinions.
Slow and Steady
Without wanting to sound discouraging, the truth about learning an instrument is that it will require some time, discipline, and dedication.
But after all, as the saying goes: “Chi va piano va sano.”
To get straight to the point, here’s my best advice for quick progress: play a little every day, say 20 minutes a day. To do this, plan a small moment just for you and your guitar and stay consistent as much as possible.
Then, give yourself time to absorb what you’re learning. Approaching music learning as a marathon rather than a sprint is key.
Do the same when deciphering a piece. Break it down very slowly, even if it’s tempting to rush through your favorite passages and songs.
Again and Again
The last piece of advice to keep in mind during your learning process is to repeat the same sequences of notes or chords over and over again.
Approach the instrument methodically, break down what you’re learning very slowly, assess if what you’re learning is within your reach because deciphering Hendrix as a complete beginner can be very frustrating and time-consuming, and then go over those passages repeatedly.
You’ll quickly see that difficulties often arise in key moments; focus on these more challenging transitions and give them your full attention.
To Conclude
Learning an instrument can seem like a daunting journey, but remember that you will get out of it what you put into it.
What I mean by this is that to learn something, whether it’s an instrument, playing tennis, or becoming fluent in Italian, you’ll need to dedicate some time to it.
The most essential thing for me is to approach the subject with a good method and avoid “working in a vacuum,” and without forgetting the fundamental reason we’re here: to have fun.
Thanks for reading!