How to learn to play the guitar: A guide for beginners

Choose a good quality guitar

Before you start playing the guitar, you have to choose a model. You will find dozens of different types on the market. Some are more expensive, others are cheaper. In general, however, guitars fall into several basic categories:

• classical guitars,
• acoustic guitars,
• electric guitars.

Classical guitars

Classical guitars are also known as Spanish. This name is related to what they are used for. Artists usually use them to play classical music or flamenco. Classical models are suitable for both professionals and beginners. Nylon strings make it easier for beginners to work with.

You play classical guitars with fingers, not picks. Nylon strings do not cut the fingers and are pleasant to touch. In addition, this musical instrument is characterized by a slightly more massive body in comparison with an electric guitar, for example.

Classical guitars can be found in several sizes on the market. This way they can adapt to your needs.

Acoustic guitars

Acoustic guitars are the exact opposite of classical ones. The biggest difference is that they are specialized in certain areas. Musicians use them most often in rock music, country, folk, pop or blues. Since guitars have metal strings, you strum on them with a pick.

You can find acoustic guitars in stores in several designs, such as Jumbo. They are characterized by having a rounded and narrower fingerboard compared to classical models.

Expert’s advice
If you want to elevate your guitar playing skills, go for electroacoustic guitars. They have a special sensor and can also be connected to an amp.

Electric guitars

Electric guitars look different at first glance. They are usually not so robust and have different shapes. You can connect them to something and then play on them. You can play on them even without plugging them in, but the connection with an amp is their main purpose.

Amplifier doesn’t have to be too large. At home, a smaller home set will be enough. Thanks to it, you will hear the real and full sound of your musical instrument.

Electric guitars are usually more expensive than acoustic and classical ones. Musicians use them, for instance, for metal and rock music, but it is safe to say that their use is universal.

Check the parameters and don't forget the price

When choosing a guitar, you should focus on the main parameters, such as wood quality and its processing. The type of wood has an impact on not only how long the instrument lasts, but also how it sounds.

Manufacturers use spruce wood on the front part of acoustic guitars. More expensive models are made of cedar wood, which resonates better and provides a more pleasant sound. The backs can be made of maple or mahogany.

Remember that it is not recommended to cheap out on a guitar. Premium pieces provide comfort while playing and deliver the best sound. Although a cheaper model may be enough for you in the beginning, you will need something of better quality after a short time. It is therefore worth considering whether you will invest in a more expensive guitar right at the beginning.

Try it first

If you are not sure you want to play the guitar, but you're tempted to try it. You can do this, for example, at a friend’s who owns one or at a nearby store. You don’t have to buy it right away. All you have to do is touch it and find out how it feels in your hands. Some people even borrow guitars to get a little familiar with them before buying.

Trying out a guitar will help you with one more thing, which is type selection. If you don’t know exactly what you want to play and whether you would prefer classical or acoustic guitar, check it out. Find a place to play on it.

Of course, this step is only optional and not mandatory. If you don’t have a guitar to try, you can choose one based on the individual parameters. But don’t forget that you have to think carefully about the purchase in order to choose the best piece.

How to start playing the guitar: First, answer the basic questions

There are usually a lot of questions at the beginning. In addition to starting to play the guitar, you should ask other questions as a beginner. Based on them, you will choose the best model of the instrument. So what do you need to know before you buy?

• What kind of music do you want to play? Choose the type of guitar based on the music. You can use the acoustic guitar for country, folk, blues or pop. Classical ones are especially for classical music, but their use is quite wide. Electric ones are characterized by versatility. You can play almost anything with them.
• How much are you willing to spend? The guitar market is divided into several price categories, with the cheapest models costing up to 100 – 150 euro. If you want something of better quality which will give you a perfect playing experience, reach for the category up to 250 – 300 euro.
• What brands to consider? If you want first-class quality and don’t want to limit yourself, reach for brands like Fender, Gibson or Ibanez. Manufacturers such as Martin, Yamaha, and Takamine are also well-regarded.

Expert’s advice
For beginners, learning with a good quality and more expensive guitar will be much faster and easier. If you are fascinated by guitars and you know that you will spend a lot of time learning, it’s a no-brainer.

How to learn to play the guitar: Step by step instructions

If you already have a guitar, you can move on to the next step, which is the playing itself. The question of how to learn to play the guitar is quite broad and there are several answers. We have a practical and simple guide for you, which you can handle even without a teacher.

Step no. 1: Get familiar with the guitar

If you are learning how to play the guitar, it means you have probably never held the guitar before. And even if you held it, you may have never thought about what its parts were called and what it was made of. But now you have to learn these things. On the guitar you will find:

• Bridge – this is the part you will not use very often. It becomes important only when you are changing the strings. You will find it in the widest part of the guitar body. The bridge has a rectangular shape.
• Strings – strings make sound and you strum on them with your fingers or a pick. They run from the bridge to the head.
• Soundhole – this is where all the sound comes from. It is a circular hole in the musical instrument.
• Fingerboard – the long part of the guitar that you will hold while playing. In addition, you will also play chords on it.
• Fret – represents the "columns" on the fingerboard.
• Tuning machines – you will find the tuning on the top of the guitar, more precisely on the head. Use it to tune your guitar.

Step no. 2: Get to know the chords

You know the guitar, but you still don’t know how to learn to play it? You will get closer with the second step. In it, you will find out how chords work and how to understand them.

A chord is a harmony of tones that should make musical sense and sound good. You need two fingers to play a chord. You have to remember the chords just like the alphabet or a poem.

The other hand, the one picking the strings, will tell you whether you hold the individual strings correctly on the fingerboard. If the sound doesn’t seem good, let go of the strings and place your fingers on them again. After you position your fingers, you can hit each string individually or all at once.

Step no. 3: Alternate the chords

There are many chords (like chord d, chord a, etc.) and they are all based on the basic ones. When playing them, you must not focus on either hand. Take the process as a whole and try to achieve harmony. It will seem impossible at first, but you will see that over time you will get used to it.

Once you know the chords, you will be able to alternate them easily. For example, Wonderwall by Oasis will help you practice. It is a song used probably by all beginners. Listen to it and try to find out what its rhythm is. The guitar notes for beginners will help you learn as well.

Fun fact
How to learn to play the guitar at home? Many ask how to learn to play the guitar online and if it works at all. The answer is yes. At home, you can learn not only the basics, but also other advanced tasks. All you need is the right instructions. Tutorials and educational videos or a special guitar app will also make the whole process easier.

Step no. 4: Practice, practice, practice

You know the chords and you’ve already become familiar with the guitar. Now comes the longest step, which is practice. With every single practice, you will get better at playing the guitar. Initially, give it at least an hour every day. Later, when you improve, you will do it automatically without thinking about it.

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When you know how to learn to play the guitar

There are many online tutorials on how to play the guitar. That's why there's no chance that if you enjoy this musical instrument, you wouldn't be able to learn to play it.

Once you know the basics, it's good to take your hobby to another level. For example, you can do so with high-quality accessories, of which there are more than enough. You can choose from:

• Pick – it is useful for a classical guitar as well, when you play often and don't want to scratch your fingertips. In addition to the standard one-coloured, you can also choose from different colour combinations and interesting patterns.
• Guitar combo – this is usually a combination of a guitar amplifier and a speaker in one device. You will need this handy helper when you get an electric guitar. The device is small, does not take up much space, and you can use it at home.
• Guitar effects – you can use them to change the sound of your guitar and create something completely new.
• Guitar strings – after a while, the strings on the guitar may break, or you may need to replace them. So the question is how to choose guitar strings. You will find different types of strings on the market, which you select according to the type of guitar.
• Covers and cases – for the first few weeks or months, you'll probably only stay at home with your guitar. Later, when you improve, you will definitely go out. Therefore, get a practical cover with handles in which you will move the guitar very easily from place to place.
• Stands – where do you put the guitar when you finish playing? Do not place it on the floor or on a shelf where it can fall down. Reach for a functional stand that does not have to be too large. A smaller model is enough.
• Guitar straps – if you want to play the guitar while standing, you'll need a strap. Some types are cheaper, such as nylon. Others are more expensive, such as leather.

Video: Find out how to learn to play the guitar in a few steps

The guitar looks like a challenging musical instrument at first glance. However, the truth is that when you devote enough time and energy to it, the whole process is much easier. Use our tutorial and find out not only how to learn to play the electric guitar, but also how to play the classical or acoustic type. Play for your friends or start your career and enjoy every single progress you make. Beginnings with an electric or a classical guitar are so much fun after all. If you get to like playing, you can gradually build a home studio.