Tag Archive | "How To Play Guitar"

How Long Does It Take To Learn Guitar?


Ricky Sharples asked:


The age-old question, “how long does it take to learn guitar?”. It’s natural when starting on a course of learning to ask how long it will take. If you are starting to learn guitar you will be undergoing some changes in the way you spend your time, the way your muscles feel and the way you feel about learning how to play guitar. Right at the start of the course the boring and painful bits are making themselves felt and the rewards are not appearing yet. So how long does it take?

To some degree it depends on how old you are when you start to learn guitar. If you start in your late teens, as many people do, it could take some weeks before you are able to play a few chords and begin to play some easy guitar-accompanied songs. At this age you will possibly have friends who can help you with guitar tips if you don’t actually have a teacher. Once you are over the first hump of learning chords you will start to feel that you are developing your own individual understanding of the guitar.

Some people will learn guitar at music school for a couple of years. This will mean taking the guitar a little more seriously and learning a great number of chords and some music theory. You will be learning the guitar from books and DVDs, maybe augmented by some online guitar lessons. You will realize that the guitar is a fairly difficult instrument to learn if you are planning on really mastering it. Playing a few chords for some easy songs is okay but it could take years to get your head around reading sheet music and understanding guitar music theory.

You could speed up your progress by taking advantage f the enormous number of guitar lesson videos and written tutorials available on line. But no matter how much help you have your progress is not going to be rapid. There’s no magic bullet, you will learn guitar at your own pace, whatever that happens to be.

Some people concentrate on learning the notes on the guitar fretboard – where all the notes are located. If you use this approach you could stick with learning where all the natural notes are because once you know those, the sharps and flats will be obvious. Once you have an understanding of the major and minor scales and how their intervals work, you should be able to play in all keys.

You will also learn about barre chords. This is a technically demanding part of your quest to learn guitar and many people tend to shy away from it, but once you get the idea of the basic chord shapes that you can move up and down the fretboard, it will not be so daunting.

For many, many guitar players the minor pentatonic scale is the beginning, middle and end of learning guitar. If you know the root note of your song or chord you can match it with a minor pentatonic scale. So you are using five notes to compose and improvise guitar solos. What this means is that inside of a year you should have a reasonable mastery of the guitar and the question of how long does it take to learn guitar has changed for you because you know that every time you play you learn something new.



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How To Play Guitar


Paul Schmitt asked:


So you have finally decided to learn guitar. You have come to the right place. I will be offering advice and give reviews on good places were you can get guitar lessons. Learning guitar can be fun and easy. You can even learn how to play guitar right in the comfort of your own home. There are so many different programs that help you learn guitar.

Some people learn how to play guitar on their own, however the majority of people are not able to learn guitar on their own without any help. At the top of this site I have posted a link that will take you step by step in learning the guitar. I have found many of my students say the guitar lessons really excelled them in their ability to learn guitar.

In the beginning it is good to have patience. Start out learning a few cords and then practice them. Weather you want to play country or rock knowing simple cords is the key to getting started.

Once you have mastered a few cords keep learning more and more. Then you can begin to use variations of these cords to play songs you know or write new ones. This is some of the steps in learning how to play guitar.

I have had my students try different course programs that help them to learn guitar. One good thing about the courses you can take from home is that you decide when you want to take you guitar lessons. You can also decide how many times you want to repeat a guitar lessons.

This gives you flexibility and now time is on your side and learning guitar fits into any schedule. Most of my new students learn guitar basics and are already playing songs by the end of a weekend. Learning guitar is always easer than the person thinks. People of all ages can achieve many different levels when they decide to learn how to play guitar.

Click on the above link to check out the course. You can learn electric and acoustic guitar with this course. I am will reviewing another course for those people who really want to get the most out of their guitar lessons. For now I have found at least one very good course. I will post the next course in the same place at the top of this page.

So remember you can learn guitar and knowing how to play guitar is easy. Just work on those guitar lessons a few times a week to improve on your skills.

Please visit some of my web sites at Learn Guitar and Guitar Lessons



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Learn Guitar in No Time!


Rajinderpal Singh asked:


Many beginning guitar approach me and ask for advice how to play guitar ‘fast’. I inevitably ask them whether they already play guitar, and just want to be faster on the fretboard, or whether they’re “newbies” who want a fasttrack to basic proficiency.

This got me wondering whether there might be a connection between the two. It seemed far-fetched; but, the more I thought about it, the more parallels I saw between these two seemingly different levels of training.

So, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that:

1. You can learn guitar faster by studying the techniques involved making your overall playing ability ‘faster’, and..

2. You can become a ‘faster’ guitar player by re-focusing your practice sessions on the basic concepts and techniques taught to every beginner.

The reasons for this overlap and can be summed up in a handy acronym: M.O.S.T. — or, “Memorization, Observation and Strength Training.” Let’s cover each one to clarify the point.

Memorization

One of the things that slows down both beginning and intermediate guitar players, no matter how good of an ‘ear’ for music they have, is a failure to memorize:

1. All of the notes on the fretboard

2. Chords and scales for the Major and Minor Keys

It doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting out, or have a few year’s playing experience already. The reality is that ‘hunting and pecking’ for the needed chord or note will slow you down.

You don’t have time in the middle of a song to stop so you can figure out if a Dbminor chord will work in the key of B, and then figure out where that chord is relative to your current position on the fretboard.

If you’re a beginner, then memorizing your fretboard is the place to start. This will make it easier for you to memorize chords and scale patterns, as well as understand the relationship between them in music theory.

If you’re already playing the guitar, then you should focus on increasing your knowledge in both of these areas. You probably have a good part of your fretboard memorized already, but can you jump to any note or chord automatically?

Observation

Your senses of touch, sight and sound are all involved in playing guitar. As you play, you will no doubt feel the development of ‘muscle memory’ as your fingers play across familiar chords and scales. You will see patterns and relationships on the fretboard. You will hear what you’re playing and come to connect it with all of the above.

Memorization is the foundation for observation, and observation is the key to training your mind and hands to work in concert automatically.

If you want the ability to play anything you hear ‘in your head’ the moment your fingers reach the fretboard, then you must wed memorization with observation when you practice.

Strength Training

No, I’m not suggesting you lift weights at the gym! Strength training, which really includes ‘dexterity’ training, is part and parcel of everything we’ve covered so far.

Beginning guitarists often struggle to hold down chords, and to play scales with all four fingers. This is simply a matter of building strength, muscle memory and dexterity through consistent and correct practice.

Intermediate players who want to get faster on the fretboard must realize that the most likely culprit(s) behind issues with ‘speed’ will be a deficiency in strength, dexterity, correct techqnie or all three.

Newbies should focus on strength building exercises and on performing those exercises consistently and perfectly. If you’re given an exercise that requires you to hit a note with your pinky, but you decide to ‘cheat’ by using your ring finger, know that your playing will hit a wall down the line.

Likewise, players who can’t seem to exceed their current speed on the guitar should examine their own technique. Have you stopped working on your strength training because the exercises are boring? Is your technique ‘sloppy’?

There are some things you simply can’t get away with at 160 bmp (beats per minute) the way you can at 120 bmp.

In conclusion, the key to learning guitar faster – as well as playing it faster – rests in following the M.O.S.T. formula. It really is all about getting the basics right from the start!



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Learning Guitar


Robert asked:


s think we would like to play guitar, but thinking about it and actually trying to do it are two very different things. You can choose a guitar to buy, but once you are holding this instrument in your hand it is difficult to know how to play it – or even how to hold it properly. The good news is that there are plenty of resources available to learn how to play guitar, and some don’t even require that you leave the comfort of home to take advantage of them. There are many great websites that will teach you the basics of learning guitar so you can be strumming tunes before you ever even schedule your first private lesson.

The Basics

The first step in learning guitar is to collect all of the necessary supplies. Of course, the guitar is the first component to this process, but you will also need a guitar pick and a willingness to learn this craft. Keep in mind that your fingers will get sore when you first begin, so take a break between sessions and know that the discomfort will go away the more you play. To make the first few lessons a little easier, keep your fingernails trimmed down to make it easier for you play the notes and strum the strings.

The next step will be to learn some basic guitar terms, so that when you go online to take your lessons you will understand what the virtual instructor is talking about. Strings are strung across the guitar, and these are the elements you will use to get sounds out of your instrument. Frets are the small metal bars that divide the neck of the guitar into sections. When you go higher on the frets, you will go higher on the sounds.

Finding an Online Tutor

Once you’ve got the basics down, you can begin to shop for a video tutor that will get you started playing your instrument. The easiest way to find instruction is on the Internet, although you can find instructional DVD’s as well. Some of the websites you find will be free, while others will charge you for the instruction. You will need to decide for yourself whether you can find quality instruction without paying for it.

Many of these websites will also offer you reviews of guitar products that will help you find the best equipment and software for your needs. When you do find the best online tutorial, make sure that you follow the process step by step to ensure that you don’t miss any of the vital information in the early stages. Work at your own pace and make sure you completely master one lesson before you move onto the next. This will ensure your success in your guitar playing endeavor and help you make the most of your new hobby.

Guitar playing can be a fun pastime if you take the time to learn how to do it properly. With the right equipment and a good online tutorial, you will be strumming tunes in no time at all.

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How To Learn To Play Guitar Fast


Jamorama is primarily centered around playing rhythm guitar, so if you would like to learn to play guitar fast, try Jamorama and after try Jamorama Lead Guitar. Bear in mind that this is a more advanced course, and assumes that you already have a good grasp of the material in the first Jamorama course.

Jamorama is a comprehensive guitar learning course produced by Ben Edwards, the former lead guitar player from DegreesK. The technique of teaching used in Jamorama is quite different from what you are probably used to, because it does not rely on repeating tedious technical lessons over and over again.

Jamorama is professionally put together, and I was really impressed by how helpful the instructions were. I used to go to the search engines and seek to find scattered bits of guitar lessons and guides, but ever since I tried out Jamorama, it saved me a load of time and effort.

This course includes free music learning software, free hints, and tips from the experts, helpful advice, and other bonuses you’ll not find elsewhere. You’ve not one thing to lose by buying this program.

Mental visualization uses the same pathways inside your brain other than the fact you’re not performing the activity physically. The 2nd bonus ebook, How to tune your guitar solves the problem with tuning guitars, and introduces the reader to the most efficient way of tuning a guitar.

Jamoramas interactive guitar learning program goes way beyond the boring days (and techniques) of learning how to play guitar fast. The complete Jamorama package is loaded with audio clips, sound files, jam tracks, guitar graphics, music staffs, chord charts, videos, and guitar tab diagrams.

Jamorama is the idea of a former lead guitar player for the New Zealand-based rock band called Degrees K and his name is Ben Edwards. If you’ve been playing the guitar for quite some time now or if you are just a beginner, you’ll surely appreciate this system and the best thing about Jamorama is, you can learn to play guitar fast or rhythm guitar the fun and entertaining way.

Learn to play guitar fast its easy with you want.

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So You Want to Play Guitar Songs? – Take a Look at This!


by Ryse Edwards

There are two important things you should do prior to attempting to play guitar songs. Firstly, you should make sure your guitar is tuned properly as the song you are trying to play will not sound good if its not. Secondly, you will need a basic knowledge of know how to read guitar tabs.

Once you have tuned in your guitar and know how to read guitar tabs, you will need to train your ear when listening to a song in order to be able to play guitar songs. Listen to simple songs to begin with, preferably those songs consisting of three simple chords.
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Whilst listening to the song, pay particular attention to the rhythm and the timing of the chords and strums you hear being played on the guitar. When you have listened to a song a few times, have a go at following along with the song by reading the guitar tab at the same time as the song is being played. Do this a few times and as you do, make a mental note of the rhythm and timing you hear.

When you have heard the song a few times and followed along on the guitar tab, it is time to take up your own guitar and strum along with the song as it is playing. Remember to play your guitar softly so you can still hear the music you are trying to copy in the background.

As you begin to pick up the timing and strumming style, you can start to play the song on your own without the assistance of the music. Don’t worry if you forget the song because you can easily listen to it again if you need to. The songs you practice on your guitar should be played over and over again, one at a time, until you are able to sing along with the song as you play. It will help you if you master one song before moving on to the next.

It’s a great idea to record yourself playing if you can. This affords you the luxury of being able to watch the playback of your performance and correct any mistakes you are making in your technique.

Discovering how to play guitar songs is not as difficult as you may first think. All you need is passion and patience. If it takes a while and you make many errors, don’t worry about it too much as this will only lead to you making more mistakes. If you just can’t seem to get it right and become frustrated put down the guitar for a while and go off and do something else. But remember to pick up your guitar later on and get back to practicing how to play guitar songs until you get it just right.

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Guitar Lessions


Paul Schmitt asked:


So you have finally decided to learn guitar. You have come to the right place. I will be offering advice and give reviews on good places were you can get guitar lessons. Learning guitar can be fun and easy. You can even learn how to play guitar right in the comfort of your own home. There are so many different programs that help you learn guitar.

Some people learn how to play guitar on their own, however the majority of people are not able to learn guitar on their own without any help. At the top of this site I have posted a link that will take you step by step in learning the guitar. I have found many of my students say the guitar lessons really excelled them in their ability to learn guitar.

In the beginning it is good to have patience. Start out learning a few cords and then practice them. Weather you want to play country or rock knowing simple cords is the key to getting started.

Once you have mastered a few cords keep learning more and more. Then you can begin to use variations of these cords to play songs you know or write new ones. This is some of the steps in learning how to play guitar.

I have had my students try different course programs that help them to learn guitar. One good thing about the courses you can take from home is that you decide when you want to take you guitar lessons. You can also decide how many times you want to repeat a guitar lessons.

This gives you flexibility and now time is on your side and learning guitar fits into any schedule. Most of my new students learn guitar basics and are already playing songs by the end of a weekend. Learning guitar is always easer than the person thinks. People of all ages can achieve many different levels when they decide to learn how to play guitar.

Click on the above link to check out the course. You can learn electric and acoustic guitar with this course. I am will reviewing another course for those people who really want to get the most out of their guitar lessons. For now I have found at least one very good course. I will post the next course in the same place at the top of this page.

So remember you can learn guitar and knowing how to play guitar is easy. Just work on those guitar lessons a few times a week to improve on your skills.

Please visit some of my web sites at Learn Guitar and Learning Guitar



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The Flaming Lips: Best Seven Studio Albums


by Jason V. Dobbins

Embryonic, The Flaming Lips 12th album, is coming out this year. It seems like a perfect time to look back at the best albums The Flaming Lips have recorded and released so far. These are their best seven (in chronological order) to date. Will Embryonic replace one of these?

In a Priest Driven Ambulance (1990) – This album took what The Lips were doing in the 1980s and to the next level. In my opinion it’s their first good album (I know some old school Lips fans love their ’80s stuff, but not me.)

Hit to Death in the Future Head (1992) – I personally prefer this one over Priest Driven Ambulance. It’s a crazy album with a lot of really experimental songs.

Transmission from the Satellite Heart (1993) – This is the album that first brought them widespread attention. This is almost entirely because of the song “She Don’t Use Jelly” which is actually one of their least impressive songs in my opinion. Of course, it often works out that way, doesn’t it?

Clouds Taste Metallic (1995) – I think this is the album that works as sort of the encapsulation of the best of the previous three albums. If you are wanting to start digging into the Lips back catalog after first being introduced to the band with their more recent work, this is probably the album to start with.

Zaireeka (1997) – This is the Lips at their most experimental. The album actually consists of four CDs which are meant to be played simultaneously. This creates more of a “music experience” than just simply listening to an album. It’s not for everyone, but for those who get it, it’s a true masterpiece.

The Soft Bulletin (1999) – My favorite Lips album to date. It’s just about as perfect as psychedelic pop rock music can get. It’s experimental yet classic at the same time.

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002) – When this came out it was an entirely new direction for the band and it still stands apart from the rest of their best albums. It’s great, but you shouldn’t let it be the only album by The Flaming Lips that you really check out.

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