Have you ever considered learning guitar, but have held back because you couldn’t afford lessons or didn’t have the time?
Well, technology is making it easier and easier to learn how to play guitar right from the comfort of your home at your own pace without spending a huge amount of money.
If you’re interested in learning the guitar using online resources, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Find the right instrument
One of the first decisions you’re going to have to make is choosing between an acoustic, electric, or bass guitar. The type of guitar you’ll want will depend on what type of music you’re hoping to play.
Acoustic guitars are ideal for beginners that want to play folk, rock, blues, or country. Acoustic guitars are usually made of wood, are hollow, and come with either 6 or 12 strings. They can either be strummed or fingerpicked.
Electric guitars are good for players who want to play rock, heavy metal, or jazz. Electric guitars only work when paired with an amplifier and create powerful sounds. They’re also easy to customize.
Bass guitars are for those that are more interested in accompanying other instruments in a band. Bass guitars can be used to create rhythm, but they’re not meant for solo artists.
Start with online videos
Once you have chosen a type of guitar, it is time to get learning! The first lessons you’ll need to learn is how to tune your guitar, how to hold it, and what the basic chords are.
If you’ve never held a guitar before, learning these things by yourself is challenging. However, there are free online videos on sites such as YouTube (News - Alert) that can help you master the basics.
Instead of spending money on a teacher, grab your guitar and find a video. It might take several videos, but you can eventually master the basics this way. There are even online videos that go over more advanced guitar skills, such as how to play a complex song.
Listen to others play
Even after you’ve mastered the basics and have started to play songs, don’t give up watching online videos. Many people create videos of themselves playing song covers or playing original songs.
Even if these videos aren’t marketed as tutorials, there are still lessons to be had from them. Watch to see how people handle their guitar, how they strum, and what their posture looks like. Watching other people can help you improve your skills, as well as provide you with inspiration on what songs to play.
People put videos of themselves up because they love music and want to share their love with others; use these videos to your advantage and learn from them!
Find chord charts online
As you continue to progress, eventually you’re going to need to find the chords for various songs. There are many websites out there that are dedicated to helping musicians find the right guitar chords. Most websites rank chords according to difficulty, allowing beginners to find chords that are within their skill set.
Many sites will also offer a wide range of chords from all genres. Just because you’re a beginner doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to nursery rhymes.
Once you’ve mastered the basic chords, you’re ready to start experimenting with different songs. Never be able to try a song, even if it seems challenging. Instead, keep practicing and keep learning how to read more complex chords.
Don’t forget about apps
If you’re working primarily from your phone, research the apps out there that are for musicians. Apps are designed to make our lives easier, so use them!
For example, some apps can help you tune your guitar. The app will listen to you strum your guitar, then tell you what adjustments need to be made.
Other apps have digitized copies of sheet music readily available. Not only is this easier than tracking down a physical book, but digital copies can also be shared amongst multiple devices.
So if you’re working within a band, you can write notes in the margin of your sheet music, and then share that same sheet music with your band members.
In summary
If you’re interested in learning how to play the guitar, but aren’t able to find the time or money to devote to hiring a music tutor, you can use online resources to help you learn how to play! After you purchase your guitar, look for online videos, websites, and apps that can help you learn to play.
