Posts about Playing the Guitar

The Best Technique of Playing the Guitar

August 31st, 2008
Learning how to play the guitar

Learning how to play the guitar

Learning how to play the guitar in years past and now isn’t that different. The first thing needed is to obtain one; if there is already an instrument available then learning can begin. If one needs to purchase one, then going to the music store with somebody who is familiar with guitars will really helping the selection

The most important thing to know before playing any musical instrument was learning how to read the notes, but today this is not considered to be enough. The person needs to listen as he is playing to know whether or not he is producing the correct notes.

In the past, an instructor had to be found before lessons could begin; but now a person can simply start by learning from friends and then practicing. After some time, the assistance of a professional can help advance your knowledge of playing the guitar.
There are also books that teach a person how to play the guitar. By reading and studying the latest techniques of the popular musicians, one will be able to learn a trick or two when playing.

The internet can also help improve one’s skill with the guitar. There are many websites available that give tips from a beginner’s stage to the more advanced lessons.

Instructional videos are also available. Some were produced by rock stars and each of these individuals have or use a different technique.

The best technique that can be used to check your progress is by playing the guitar at the same time as the same song is playing in the background. That way, if you are playing “off key”, adjustments can be made until it is perfected.

Technology and the publication of books have really helped change the way people can learn how to play the guitar. With the many options available, anyone who has the desire can start at any age and at any time. But learning the basics first before moving on to other things is essential.
The Best Technique of Playing the Guitar Video

Learning How to Play the Guitar: Tuning the Guitar

August 23rd, 2008
Tuning the guitar

Tuning the guitar

The very first necessary part of learning how to play the guitar is to know its parts. Right-handed players use their right hand for strumming and the left for picking and holding the guitar’s neck. The body of the guitar must sit comfortably on the right thigh as if following the player’s own body. The frets are the pieces of metal that are located along the guitar’s neck. This is where the strings are attached and they are the main source of the instrument’s sound. The strings vibrate when strummed, but only true sound can come out if the strings are pressed on the fret board.

The music that comes out of the guitar is based on the western or modern scale of twelve tones. The scales are actually easy to remember because the letters A to G symbolize them. And like other musical instruments you also have the “natural”, “flat”, and the “sharp.” The tones are read as A, A#, B, B#, C, C#, etc. Believe it or not, music is like math; there is an equivalent sound for every sound wave that travels in the air.

As for the strings, there are six on ordinary guitars but as many as 12 strings on some. If the guitar is resting on the lap, the lowest part of it is placed on top of the thigh. Pressing the frets on the fret board creates different notes.

Tuning the guitar is easy. One can listen to a piano or pitch pipe for matching notes; or for those who have keen ears, all they do is listen to the notes the string create. Press the E string on the fifth fret to tune A. The exact sound of the note can be achieved with the help of turning the string pegs. Except for tuning the G and B strings, the same procedure is done to tune other notes.

Tuning the Guitar Video

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