(this article has been provided by Allen Brown)
Guitars are the world’s second most popular instrument and for good reason. They are used by musicians in many genres, from rock ‘n’ roll to soul and the blues. However, learning to play the guitar can be extremely difficult, especially if you have no prior musical experience. It can also take a long time. There are a few things that you can do to learn to master the guitar quicker, however.
In this article, you will find a comprehensive guide explaining what those things are and detailing exactly how you can improve your guitar skills:
Find a Genre
If you want to improve your guitar skills and play like a professional, you need to find your genre. Nearly every guitarist has a genre that they specialize in. For most people, their genre is immediately apparent. If you have a more eclectic taste in music and can’t establish which genre you like most at first thought, then you need to do some serious thinking. Listen to different genres and try to find the one that speaks to you the most. Folk music is a genre worth looking at because it’s kind of a middle ground between rock, soul, and the blues.
Attend Classes
If you don’t yet know how to play the guitar, then you should attend classes. Classes can help you to achieve a smooth guitar journey and become a better musician. In addition to attending classes, you can read guides and watch online videos. Some expert musicians go as far as to say that classes are completely unnecessary, considering the wealth of information that’s available on the internet. If you are going to rely on guides and online tutorials, then make sure that you only use those that are authored or hosted by professionals.
Studying Music
In addition to attending classes and reading guides, you need to study music theory. Guides will usually only explain the practical aspects of music to you. Understanding the theoretical aspects of music will make you a more technical and better musician. While reading music is not an essential skill required to become a guitarist [especially if you’re playing pop or rock], it is still a skill that can be beneficial. The ability to read sheet music will make learning to play other instruments, like the piano, much easier. You can buy books or use online resources to study sheet music.
Practising Often
Practicing is absolutely fundamental if you want to become a better guitarist. Unfortunately, lots of people completely overlook the importance of practice. Just by attending classes, reading books, and reading guides alone, you will not become a better musician. You need to apply the tips and techniques that you learn from these classes in order to become a better musician. Expert musicians say that you should practice at least once a day. Others go as far as to say that you should practice two or three times a day. Make sure that you take at least one rest day a week to give your fingers a rest, however.
Listen to Yourself
When you’re practicing, it can be difficult to tell whether you sound good or not. One good way to check your progress and monitor your performance is to record yourself. So, each time that you practice, set up a tape recorder or a mobile phone and let it run. When you have finished, go back over your performance and listen to yourself. Make sure to highlight and save the areas of your performance that you need to improve, so that you know where to start.
Play for People
In addition to recording yourself, you should also let others listen to you. Ideally, the people who you allow to listen to your performances should be expert musicians themselves. With that said, if you don’t know any professional musicians then a relative or friend with a rudimentary knowledge of music should do.
Having somebody to practice in front of is one advantage to having a teacher. While you can find all of the learning resources necessary to become a guitarist online, only an expert can properly critique you and identify the areas that you need to work on.
Join a Band
Joining a band is a good way to improve as a musician because you[MB1] can all work together. You will likely need a basic understanding of how to play the guitar before you join a band unless you are all starting from the ground up.
If you want to learn to play the guitar like a professional, then this article’s guidance is all you need. Make sure to give each suggestion consideration in order to improve your skills.