By: Robert Barnard

When learning guitar chords, you must bear in mind that the guitar chord is considered as the most common and simplest way of playing the guitar. It is said that if you already know at least three or four chords, then you can play around fifty songs without having to learn anything else.

So, now I am assuming you are wondering what are the first three or four chords are? Well, there are plenty to choose from but the easiest ones to memorize and also the easiest ones to practice with, are G, A, E and D. These four chords are considered the simplest and most basic. When
learning guitar chords, you should practice with these four chords, and memorize them first of all, it is advisable to practice with them and become comfortable with them so that you can learn the best fingering patterns that work for you.

Try giving your brain three different patterns to memorize in varying orders; this is because you establish the paths in your mind so when it comes to remembering the chord, your brain is able to bring up the information a lot faster and easier. This will also help you to keep your eye away from the guitar while you are playing it, you will look silly if you need to pause and look at your guitar every time you need to change the chord.
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I would be very interested to know how many guitars are purchased everyday that will get toyed with for a few days… maybe even a few weeks and then never see the light of day again.

Sound Familiar…?

Almost everyone can think of at least one person who has a guitar, piano, or some other musical instrument which functions only as a permanent dust collector.

Over the years, I have heard many different reasons (or excuses) as to why people have given up on learning the guitar, but there always seems to be a few common themes.
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By Phillip Chambley

One of the biggest problems of learning any musical instrument is just staying with it year after year and not giving up! This is not as tough as it sounds! I was a guitar instructor for 14 years in my younger days! Unfortunately, because of arthritis in my left wrist, I don’t teach anymore, but I still play occaisionally.

When I was 12 years old my parents decided they wanted one of their children to learn how to play guitar. Because I had the highest grades, I was the chosen one! They chose a really good guitar instructor, who I stayed with for years and years, eventually I became a professional and traveled on the road with different bands as a “TOP 40″ guitarist and vocalist.

I remember the first thing my guitar instructor told me was if you really love music, listen to it as much as possible and try to picture in your mind how you would play this song on your guitar. Some people back in the seventies called this “Air Guitar” just go crazy and “wild” listening to the music. Feel it, let it become a part of your body and emotions. Always remember, “The love one feels for music is normally what keeps them coming back to their instrument”

These are some steps that I would suggest that will actually help you stay with your guitar or any other musical instrument year after year.

Step 1. Go to a music store (NOT THE INTERNET) try out different guitars and see which one actually feels the best to you. I would recommend something cheaper to begin with, simply because you may just give it up later on down the road and it may just end up in your closet. Unfortunately, musical instruments do not have very much re-sale value, unless of course you have purchased a “classic vintage” instrument. Also, some people have really tender finger tips, especially females, so you may want to purchase a “Classical guitar” which has nylon strings, which is not as painful as metal strings. You will still learn the same methods of playing. There are lots of “Rock” stars that play and record rock music on a classical guitar! Read the rest of this entry »

It’s hard not to notice the great big banner to the right of this article advertising Learn and Master Guitar. You may have quietly wondered to yourself if that banner was just arbitrarily placed there or was there some thought behind placing an ad for specifically Learn and Master Guitar… well, as it turns out, I did put a little thought into actually placing an ad there.

If you are looking to find a guitar method, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the vast array of methods available. One of the most highly recommended methods on the market today is Learn and Master Guitar by Steve Krenz. Having heard a lot of positive comments about Learn and Master Guitar, I thought I would take a look at it myself. Here’s what I discovered…

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By Alan Crookham

So you’re thinking about learning guitar? Maybe your in your first few days and can’t quite get your fingers to reach all the strings at the same time. Perhaps you are having trouble getting the rhythm you want. Well in this article I am going to give you a few key tips for beginning guitar players that will hopefully help you.

Playing guitar is something that most people would like to be able to do. Just about everyone likes the sound and anyone who can play, instantly becomes popular simply because of that. Now, there are some people who are naturally gifted musicians and can pick up any instrument and learn it. However there is hope even for those of us who are not! Anyone can learn guitar with a little bit of discipline and practice. Which is tip number one: Practice every day!

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by Paul Stylikus
If you want to learn to play lead guitar then you already know it is a combination of theory, technique, and natural talent. Everyone wants to be the best lead guitarist they can be. Everyone knows that you have to address the basics such as reading music and listening to music but most don’t think about the really important things that will set you apart from other people who want to also learn.There are six important tips that you will want to remember.

- Technique - Position - Hand Position - Attitude - Discipline - Leadership Skills Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you are determined to become the next Jimi Hendrix, or you just want to sit down and strum out a few tunes, there are three things you should consider before you ever pick up a guitar. These three very simple ideas have come from years of playing and teaching guitar, and will most definitely save you from an a lot of frustration and headaches down the road. Read the rest of this entry »

In recent years, would-be guitarists have been bombarded with all types of the “latest and greatest” guitar methods, most of which are suitable only to line your cat’s litter box. I have found it increasingly more difficult to sift through all the methods available and find a quality guitar method.

There are, however, some basic fundamentals inherent to all good guitar methods. Here are a few things to look at when evaluating a new guitar method. Read the rest of this entry »

By Andre Sanchez

So you want to learn to play guitar. Learning guitar is not difficult, and it is not easy, and is basically a matter of degree: how good do you want to be? The higher your goals then the more work you have to do and the more difficult it becomes.

But even then it is not difficult as such, but more a matter of understanding your instrument. Its capabilities and how to use it to its maximum potential. And then there is your own attitude, and how you approach learning guitar and whether or not you commit yourself to learning to play guitar properly with the correct mental approach and learning how to use a guitar to its maximum capability as a tool for producing music.

In order to exemplify what is meant by that, here are some tips on how to become a good guitarist, split into two sections of 5. I say ‘good’, because I am not sure that ‘great’ guitarists can be taught to be great. Good guitarists can be taught, and become even better with practice, but ‘great’? Well . . . Read the rest of this entry »

Anybody Can Teach Themselves Guitar

By Daniel Thomas

Ever listen to your favorite musician or band, and say to yourself,

“Man! I wish I could play the guitar like that, or even play anything at all!”

Well that was me, 8 years ago. I was growing into a young adult and was a huge lover of everything music. Unfortunately before then, I never took the time to actually learn how to play any instruments. One day, I was inspired by a co-worker who had been jamming on his guitar at a get together. He was around my age, and he himself had recently learned how to play. I always thought that it was something you had to learn when you were younger, and it was too late for me to pick up on it. But through this new found inspiration, I forced myself to go out and buy a cheap guitar and attempted to teach myself to play. It took me awhile in the beginning, but that was mainly do to frustration. Hey, I just wanted to rip into it and jam out like I was Eddie Van Halen. Like everything else, I found out it takes practice. Although not as much practice as some would think.

The following are some great tips and techniques that will help you on your way to get started playing guitar. You don’t need to pay for a fancy guitar teacher. Not to learn the basics. Read the rest of this entry »