Have you heard of guitarists who play by ear?
What about guitarists who can't read music?
Indeed, there are musicians among us who are gifted with the talent of being able to learn songs by ear, and others who are able to create songs despite not being able to read sheet music. If you are blessed with this innate talent, congratulations! You may be well on your way to becoming a great guitarist.
Not having such a talent does not mean you cannot become the best at playing the guitar, however. Many other famous guitarists have made their name through sheer practice and discipline, while having also applied learning methods that worked best for them. Today we'd like to share with you our top three methods for learning to play guitar effectively and efficiently.
1. Teach yourself to play guitar
You may be familiar with famous local musicians Muzza and Zee Avi, but did you know that they are both self-taught guitarists?
Learning to play guitar on your own works best for those who are mainly independent when it comes to learning something new. A strong determination is another key ingredient because you'll likely spend most of your time alone with your guitar, relying only on instructional videos or books.
As such, you may not get the full support you need if you teach yourself to play guitar. If you've never seen or held a guitar before, you'll likely need answers to technical knowledge questions that not all books and videos can provide you with. It may also be difficult to seek out practice advice for playing the guitar in ways that work for you.
Nonetheless, one of the biggest advantages of teaching yourself to play guitar is that you are in control of your own time and energy - be it fast or slow, you can learn guitar at your own pace. With more instructional content being shared online, it only takes a quick search to gain access to resources for self-taught learners. Here are a couple of YouTube channels to look out for if you'd like to learn guitar on your own:
Marty Music
With over 2,000 instructional videos, it'll be easier for you to search "Beginner" beside Marty Music to find guitar tutorials for your level of learning! This channel will walk you through songs from rock to pop to country - even if you are still a beginner. It's not just how to become good at playing the guitar: learn also about the must-have guitar gear, how to take care of your guitar, and various styles of playing the guitar.
Guitar Goddess
This is a channel recommended for those who are learning to play guitar at the beginner to intermediate level. Find guitar tutorials on minor and major guitar chords, guitar lessons for beginners, and even videos on how to play an electric guitar - their relaxed style of teaching makes it easy to follow every guitar lesson. You can also learn covers of your favourite songs while picking up tips on staying motivated to learn guitar.
2. Learn guitar from a friend
What about picking up guitar-playing skills from someone you know?
With this method of learning to play guitar from a friend, some benefits include:
- Communicating your needs and concerns is easy because you're already acquainted.
- They are honest and will not hesitate to point out areas that you can improve on.
- You could ask to borrow their guitar (if they don't mind) when you cannot afford one just yet.
- You can negotiate with them to pay an affordable tutoring fee (or your friend might even offer to teach you for free!).
The best thing about learning to play guitar from a person you are familiar with, be it a friend or family member, is that they will likely know what elements you need to become a successful guitar player while providing you with the emotional support you need. Mastering key guitar basics like stepping stone chords and the universal strumming pattern becomes more enjoyable with a friend!
Take note, however, that if your friend is not a certified guitar instructor, it is wise to not expect them to provide you with the answers to all your technical questions. Even if they are a professional, it is likely they will still teach you to play guitar from what they know and give you advice from the viewpoint of a friend. Such advice may not work if it is based purely on practical knowledge, and not theory.
If you do decide to learn with a friend, be sure to set some healthy boundaries during your guitar lesson. This could mean keeping your guitar classes focused on playing the guitar, and less on the drama that is going on in your friend group. Sticking to your lesson times and following a fixed practice routine with your friend can also help establish that teacher-student relationship.
You can also opt for this next method to experience a complete introduction to the guitar.
3. Take guitar classes with a professional
Notice that learning to play guitar requires tons of patience, finger and hand dexterity, and solid knowledge of the guitar itself. By taking guitar classes from a licensed instructor, you can learn guitar through a proven step-by-step method while picking up the essential skills you need to grow as a guitarist.
To truly reap the benefits of playing the guitar at any age, remember to note what you've learned from your guitar tutorials and practise these skills further at home. This could be as little as 15 minutes every day. Do jot down any questions or thoughts you have for your instructor too, as this will not only help them better understand your learning needs, but allow you to track your progress as well.
So if you'd really like to play guitar like a pro, the smartest thing to do is learn guitar from an expert. Look no further than Superprof, home to various musical instructors, including expert guitar players and teachers: learn from any of our trained guitar teachers who range from the beginner to the professional level.
But where will you learn if you decide to go with a Superprof tutor?
Did you know that your Superprof guitar instructor can teach you from the comfort of your own home? Be it asking your instructor to come to your area or having guitar tutorials via webcam, you can make the option that best suits your learning needs. While there are no extra tutoring charges for online lessons, you may need to pay an additional fee if you'd like your tutor to head over to your area for a guitar lesson.
Some things to take note of when choosing your Superprof guitar instructor include their hourly rate, tutor response time, and student reviews. Be sure to read through the "About the Tutor" and "About the Lesson" sections too as this will give you some insight as to how your tutor usually conducts their guitar classes. Find out whether their teaching methodology fits your ideal learning requirements.
What is the best way to learn guitar?
To be frank, the best way to learn guitar really depends on the type of learner you are. Some may learn exceptionally well on their own while it is completely normal for others to need a little more assistance. Nothing can stop you from becoming a world-famous guitarist. Either way, you're going to need these last few strategies to ensure a successful learning journey:
Get curious about your guitar
Learn everything there is to know about your guitar: remember your guitar string order, the notes on your guitar, and how to play each chord on your guitar. You should also learn how to tune your guitar as free guitar tuners are widely available online. When you know how to take care of your musical instrument, you'll come to cherish it more, too.
Create your ideal environment
What kind of environment makes you want to play guitar? Ensure your practice room has optimal ventilation and lighting as you would want to feel comfortable but still be able to look at your instrument as you play. You can even decorate your space with plants or paintings that inspire you to learn guitar. Of course, your environment should be quiet enough that you can concentrate during practice.
Practise regularly
This is a sure way to improve as a guitarist! Try to practise at a regular time every day and record yourself whenever possible, giving you the chance to review your guitar playing and check for any improvements. Be sure to warm up first by playing a few scales and doing finger exercises - it's also important to take care of yourself so you can keep up this passion!
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