Playing guitar is an excellent way to exercise your fingers, increase dexterity and coordination, and develop musical ability. It’s also a great way to release stress or just have some fun. If you want to get started playing the guitar but don’t know where to start, this article will lead the way!

What kind of Guitar Should You Buy?

There are all sorts of different guitars available on the market, from acoustics and electrics to classical and flamenco. The kind of guitar you should buy depends on what style of music you want to play.

If you’re just starting out, we recommend buying an acoustic guitar. They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to carry around, making them ideal for beginners. Once you’ve mastered the basics on acoustic, you can move on to electric if you’re interested in rock or metal music.

What Brand of Guitar to Get?

There are dozens of different guitar brands out there, from the well-known (Fender, Gibson, Taylor) to the more obscure (Ibanez, Jackson). Again, it really depends on what style of music you want to play as to what brand will be best for you. If you’re not sure, just ask one of our experts and they’ll be happy to help you out.

How Much Should You Spend?

You don’t need to break the bank to buy a good guitar. In fact, we recommend avoiding the temptation to buy an expensive guitar when you’re first starting out. It’s much better to buy a cheap guitar and upgrade later when you have a better idea of what you need. You can always trade in your old guitar towards the purchase of a new one.

What Else Do You Need?

In addition to a guitar, you’ll need a few other things to get started. First, you’ll need some picks. These are small, thin pieces of plastic that help you pluck the strings. You can find picks in any music store.

Second, you’ll need a guitar strap. This helps to hold the guitar in place while you’re playing. Again, you can find these in any music store.

Next, you will want to pickup some strings. Strings are what make the guitar sound, so it’s important to choose the right ones. There are all sorts of different strings available, from nylon to steel. Again, it depends on what style of music you want to play as to what kind of strings you need. If you’re not sure, just ask one of our experts. Overtime strings will deteriorate and will need to be replaced. Learning to change guitar strings is a necessary skill for any guitar player.

Finally, you’ll need a tuner. This is a small device that helps you keep your guitar in tune. You can find these in any music store as well.

Note, if you went with an electric for your first guitar, you will need to add in your budget for an amp.

Now that you have all the gear you need, it’s time to learn how to play!

The Basics of Playing Guitar

In the sections below we will cover the basics of playing guitar, from how to hold you guitar to learning your first chords.

How to Hold the Guitar

The first thing you need to do is learn how to hold the guitar properly. The best way to do this is to sit in a chair with the guitar placed so that the strings are facing you.

Now, place your left hand on the neck of the guitar and position your thumb in the space between the neck and hand. Rest the base of your palm lightly on top of the sound hole. Your right hand should be positioned behind the guitar neck, with your thumb extended past the back edge of the fretboard.

Now, gently place your right hand in the middle of the strings and pluck the string with your index finger. Be sure to use the fleshy part of your finger and not the nail. You can also try plucking the string with your other fingers. Experiment until you find a position and method that is comfortable for you.

Now that you know how to hold the guitar and pluck the strings, it’s time to learn the notes of each string!

Guitar Notes

The lowest note on the guitar is the E string. The next lowest note is the A string. The D string is next, followed by the G string. The B string is next, and finally the highest note is played on the high E string.

Once you know the notes of each string, it’s time to learn your first chords

How to Play Chords

A chord is simply two or more notes played together. When you strum a chord, all of the strings should sound.

There are many different chords, and each one has a different sound. In the beginning, it’s best to start with simple chords and work your way up to more complex ones.

The most important thing to remember when playing chords is to keep your fingers positioned behind the fretboard so that you don’t accidentally touch the strings in between the frets. This will cause a buzzing sound.

To play a chord, simply place your fingers behind the appropriate frets and strum all of the strings at once.

Now that you know how to play chords, it’s time to learn some basic guitar techniques

Guitar Techniques

There are all sorts of different guitar techniques, from simple strumming patterns to more complex finger-picking. In the beginning, it’s best to start with the basics and work your way up.

One of the most important techniques for any guitar player is learning how to change chords quickly and smoothly. This takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to switch between chords without missing a beat.

Another essential technique is learning how to strum. There are many different strumming patterns, and you can use them to add interest to your playing.

Conclusion

As you become more comfortable with the basics, you can start to experiment with different techniques. The sky’s the limit!

Now that you know the basics of playing guitar, it’s time to practice, practice, practice!

The best way to learn is by doing. So get out there and start playing! The more you play, the better you’ll get.

In no time at all, you’ll be impressing your friends with your guitar skills. Who knows, you might even have a future as a rock star!