From One Beginner to Another

Back to Guitar Playing

Okay I think it's quite a different thing taking up an instrument with a teacher and without, and even then if you have a bad teacher they may be next to useless (or detrimental)... so here are some things that you will only find out when you start playing, just so you know that others have gone through these experiences before so you aren't alone :)

Sore Fingers

This is probalby THE most common hurdle to get over before you can actually start to enjoy playing the guitar, but there are a few things you can do to make this hurdle smaller. However don't get me wrong, it will still hurt, sometimes quite a bit :)

• Use Lighter Gauge Strings

You probably (or should already) know that strings come in various gauges and that thicker strings (heavier gauges) can have a nicer tone. However they also have higher tension and therefore are more difficult to push down to meet the frets to make them ring, this extra force needed will make your fingers hurt and reduce your playing time. If this is an issue, use lighter gauge strings. Note, you will have to have your intonation adjusted to suit the lighter gauge of string..

• Don't Stop - Although Don't Be Silly

At the very beginning your fingers may be sore even after only a couple of minutes of playing, don't worry ... put the guitar down and try again (hopefully very soon), just keep putting up with it. The more you play the faster your callouses will develop and thats when you can really start to enjoy playing guitar! Remember don't push it until they bleed (which is possible) but don't be a wuss... and whatever you do, keep playing.

Personally I played in bits and pieces perhaps 4 times a day for first 5 min then 10min and before you know it (2 weeks or a month) you'll have built up to playing for quite extended periods. After 6 months I can play for many hours without problems ... so keep at it :)

Sore Forearms

I actually got sore forearms when I was in the very early stages. Again, as above I stopped and then picked it up in a couple of hours. I found that if I picked it up after a couple of minutes I could last only a minute or so but if I left it a couple of hours it was like my arms were as good as new. I guess it will be horses for courses, but if you get sore forearms, it's normal I guess :)

Barre Chords

Unlike normal chords, barre chords essentially use one finger as a bar (or capo if your familiar with it) and then you place other fingers on the strings to form the rest of the chord. They're popular in rock/metal/etc where they use what are usually called power chords (a form of barres). They are however notoriously difficult to get the hang of, much less master :)

• Practice

Get a song that uses a couple or majority barre chords and just play it ... it WILL sound bad at first (and for quite some time probably) but practice will build up the necessary muscles in your hand and finger as well as the somewhat awkward form that is required. If you want to play somthing faster, just make sure you can play it PERFECTLY slowly first, then try to ramp up the speed. Theres (nearly) no point in playing something wrong and fast.

Honing your skills

People get different things out of their guitars. Whether it's just having a quiet jam after work or as a social thing, impressing your significant other, or making a career out of it. As a beginner, if you're happy to keep playing as you do now, more power to you! But keep in mind there's a whole world of enjoyment you can get from an instrument as you learn it and enhance your skills. So challenge yourself! Learn a bit of picking or learn some of those complex chords. Write some songs. Learn how to play your favourite ones. Most importantly, have fun along the way!

Chairs and Sitting

The best chair to sit on is an armless chair (obviously...), but for the best comfort, make sure you have something to support your legs, like a small stool. You may also (even if you play worse) try to play standing up when you get started, that way you get used to it if you ever need to play on stage.