Guitar instruction

I can still clearly remember learning to play my first song on a guitar. It was the song titled "Nothing else matters" from Metallica. I must admit I didn't know it would be so "difficult". You know, the beginning is quite deceiving :-)

Today, of course I'd learn such a song in a few hours if I really wanted to learn it. I'd even be able to "skin" it from a recording, but to get to this level it takes time and energy...

There is no easy way to the learn guitar but some prove better then others. I will now take you though what I think is the best way to learn to play guitar. Some may disagree but there is only one way to find out and that is to try it for your self.

Below are some tips and tricks that will give you good head start but by far the best way to learn to play guitar is to always practice and never give up.

--> Preparation <--

Always make sure your equipment is in good order and you guitar is tuned properly there is no point in trying to play guitar when you do every thing right and it still sounds wrong. Also try and find a space that is quite and free from distraction and noise if you do not concentrate it will make it a lot harder then it should be.

Make sure you stretch your fingers a bit before you play. Just make a fist a couple of times and open your hand as much as you can. Be careful not to injure yourself!

--> Know your guitar <--

Try to learn everything you can about your guitar. Find out what every thing is called and be able to find it quickly. One of the best ways to learn to play guitar is to know your guitar. Guitars are not all the same and each one sounds different, you will find this out as your experience grows and hopefully your enjoyment and appreciation of them does too.

Scales make for a great warm up. Playing scales also improves your motor abilities in fingers. Later on, when you're better you can also "invent" your own warm-up techniques.

--> Know your skill level <--

Be careful you don’t start too high you do not want to frustrate your self on the first day. Pick something easy to begin with, a lot of music books start you off with some simple strumming patterns and old songs. The best way to learn to play guitar is to start small and work your way up until you feel confident to progress to something harder and more entertaining.

If you're anything like me, you know deep down that anything is possible. I had this mentality and that's why my guitar playing improved very quickly. I was able to play a single "reef" for hours until I got it just right. Plus in the process I learned and invented my own reefs.

--> Stick with what you know <--

By now I would hope you have the basics sorted out and are ready to move on to something harder. Try to find and artist you like and are familiar with and try and replicate parts of there songs. Sheet music for most bands are wildly available and I think is the most rewarding and the best way to learn to play guitar, because you are making a song you know and like.

--> Gain confidence <--

When you feel like your ready to progress try to focus all you time on one song and when you have it burnt it your memory organize a small group of friend or family to listen to you play. The best way to learn to play guitar is to have confidence in your self because the guitar is meant to be enjoyed by everyone. It is not much fun sitting in a dark room playing to your self. Although I must admit I was very guilty of just this. I'd usually start playing at about seven PM and played up until 1 AM the next day. That's 6 hours a day.

I remember my parents calling me "our little guitarist in the dark" :-)

I hope you learned something from this list and continue to play for a very long time, because the best way to learn to play guitar is to have fun and share it with other people. Don't be afraid to get some guitar lessons (books, videos) or even a guitar instruction.