Playing Guitar For Dummies

By: Anna Peacocks Click author's name for more of his/her articles

The guitar is a versatile musical stringed instrument which is generally equipped with six strings. There a few types of guitars available and they are electric guitar, classical guitar and the acoustic guitar. They have been designed with a combination of different woods and strung with either nylon or even steel strings. Most common brand names that carry high quality and well known guitars are Yamaha, Taylor, Gibson, Dean and many others. As noted above, it can be used in a variety of music styles from heavy metal to pop or country and everything that falls in between. It is also more accessible than many other musical instruments. You just need to pick up a few basics that will be outlined below.

1. Tuning

Before you play the guitar you have to tune it so it will help make better sounds. At the same time, you will be able to get familiar with the strings and combination that correspond with the different notes available. To start, purchase a 'tuner' at your nearest music store which guitars are sold. What it does basically is to detect the pitch of notes being played. The strings are arranged in such a way as follows:

E - A - D - G - B - E (low to High).

You have to remember and get used to the sound of each of the chords.

2. Learning Musical Notes

In this case, you have to learn to read the guitar tabs. This system is called a guitar tablature. In order to understand better, look at the tab from the way you are looking at it.

E--------------------------------------|| (high)
B--------------------------------------||
G--------------------------------------||
D--------------------------------------||
A--------------------------------------||
E--------------------------------------|| (low)

Each of the number will tell you which note (or frets) to hold down when you are plucking the string, example is given as below:

E-------5-7-----7-|-8-----8-2-----2-|-0---------0-----|-----------------|
B-----5-----5-----|---5-------3-----|---1---1-----1---|-0-1-1-----------|
G---5---------5---|-----5-------2---|-----2---------2-|-0-2-2-----------|
D-7-------6-------|-5-------4-------|-3---------------|-----------------|
A-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-2-0-0---0--/8-7-|
E-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|

3. Positioning

When you hold the guitar, you must place your fingers properly on the frets. Fret is actually the raised portion at the neck of the guitar. This would be the metal strip which is located at the fingerboard. If you are right handed, guitar players will use their left hand to fret and the other for picking (strumming). You must press your finger between the metal strips. Hold the string so it will only vibrate between your finger and strumming hand. To be on the safe side, please clip your fingernails as not to damage the fret board. To create the best sound you must put your fingers as near as possible to the fret.

4. Strumming

This means to brush one's fingers over the guitar's strings. It has a certain rhythm and pattern to it. You shouldn't be putting so much pressure on the strings while strumming the guitar at the beginning so you can get the hold of playing the guitar. You can strum by using your own fingers or with a pick, which is a device made of plastic or metal designed to be played on the guitar. For a beginner, please search for a thin pick. You have to hold it between your thumb and the side of your index finger.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

If you are at this step, you would like to try playing all the group of notes together. Practice the chords and get comfortable with it so you are able to get your rhythm.
There are many chords used but the most commons ones are C Major, A Major, G Major, E Major and D Major.
You can find how to play for each of this chord with a step by step instruction on the internet.

6. Experiment

Now, you can start with some easy to play songs which has simple chord arrangements. Listen to the song properly so you will be able to get the rhythm. Once you master the song you can move on to more difficult pieces.

7. Enjoy!
Have fun playing the guitar.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: Anna has been writing articles online for almost 3 years now. Not only does this author has lots of music instrument tips to share, you can also check out her latest website on acoustic duitar tuner for how to tune a guitar.