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5 Things Beginners Need to Know
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Here are some tips for beginners that may make your learning process easier.
1. Have a realistic outlook on the material that you try to learn.
- Often, I see beginners taking on material that is way too hard. Your teacher knows best!
Work on the stuff they give you and you're guaranteed to have the chops to pull of that song you really want to play. If you're not leaning what you want, your teacher may be waiting for you to finish an assignment before moving on. Remember, each week the teacher can tell how much (or how little) you have practiced.
2. Practice all of your parts slow.
- I always see students practicing way to fast. If you have a lick or a scale you want to get it right 10 times out of 10. When you practice too fast and don't get it right every time you teach your fingers how to make mistakes. It will always sound imperfect if you rush and don't take your time. Speed WILL come!!
3. Play along with the songs you are trying to learn.
- This teaches you proper rhythm and timing. It will also teach you how to listen and play at the same time. This is critical and often overlooked. If you are not doing this, chances are it will be more of a challenge when you try to play with a band.
4. Break down songs.
- I see many students take a new song and then try and play it from start to finish before they can play all of the parts correctly. Break the song into different parts and get them worked out separately. Then work on moving from part to part over and over. Then, play the song from start to finish.
5. Make sure that your guitar is in tune and set up correctly.
- I always run into beginners trying to play on guitars that are out of tune and hard to play. Bring your guitar to Little Rock Jams and have Bryon Knight check it out. Many times he can make adjustments that will make playing the guitar easier on your fingers.
Here are some tips for beginners that may make your learning process easier.
1. Have a realistic outlook on the material that you try to learn.
- Often, I see beginners taking on material that is way too hard. Your teacher knows best!
Work on the stuff they give you and you're guaranteed to have the chops to pull of that song you really want to play. If you're not leaning what you want, your teacher may be waiting for you to finish an assignment before moving on. Remember, each week the teacher can tell how much (or how little) you have practiced.
2. Practice all of your parts slow.
- I always see students practicing way to fast. If you have a lick or a scale you want to get it right 10 times out of 10. When you practice too fast and don't get it right every time you teach your fingers how to make mistakes. It will always sound imperfect if you rush and don't take your time. Speed WILL come!!
3. Play along with the songs you are trying to learn.
- This teaches you proper rhythm and timing. It will also teach you how to listen and play at the same time. This is critical and often overlooked. If you are not doing this, chances are it will be more of a challenge when you try to play with a band.
4. Break down songs.
- I see many students take a new song and then try and play it from start to finish before they can play all of the parts correctly. Break the song into different parts and get them worked out separately. Then work on moving from part to part over and over. Then, play the song from start to finish.
5. Make sure that your guitar is in tune and set up correctly.
- I always run into beginners trying to play on guitars that are out of tune and hard to play. Bring your guitar to Little Rock Jams and have Bryon Knight check it out. Many times he can make adjustments that will make playing the guitar easier on your fingers.
Excellent advice all around. Especially tuning. Nearly every guitar player I've ever seen could use better tuning habits.
I'm currently putting together a new blog for my teaching ideas. I get tons of inspiration from this site. Keep up the good work!
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your advice of learning guitar is marvelous, and i appreciate the way you have mentioned everything is perfect for the beginner to learn.
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Thanks!nice posting
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You're welcome guys! Let me know if there's anything you want me to write about. - Brian
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Hey,
Really great stuff! Slowing down now ALWAYS leads to playing fast later!
One thing I do with students is something I call "Coffee Talk Chords." I teach them in super slow motion the most efficient way to switch between two chords. Then, I have them play it at such a slow speed that they don't even have to think about it.
While they switch at this speed, I have a conversation with them - we have coffee talk
If you'd like to see some of my other techniques for learning guitar, visit my blog at http://www.visionaryjammers.com/wordpress
David Tendrich
Visionary Jammers School of Music
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I've followed everything except No.1
I played the bass guitar for only one year and I'm trying to play You Can't Hold No Groove by Victor Wooten
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Good tips and guidelines shared to help the beginners learn guitar music more effectively and easily.
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