5-Easy-Guitar-Lessons

If You Want to Teach Yourself Guitar, Is It Best to Start on an Electric or an Acoustic Guitar?

2010-09-30T02:36:00.002-03:00

Are you thinking you'd like to teach yourself guitar but are unsure if you should get started on an electric or an acoustic?

Maybe you're not even sure of the difference.

The problem is since you have no experience (as of yet!) it's difficult to know how to get off to a good start.

In fact, there was at time when I and every other guitar player was exactly where you are right now.

Now if you want to teach yourself guitar I have one of my easy guitar lessons tips as well as suggestions that will help get started.

First of all, there are two general types of acoustic guitars; steel string and classical (nylon string). Acoustic guitars are the guitars that have a hollow body and usually a round sound hole under the strings.

The other basic style of guitar is the electric. Electric guitars are intended to be plugged into an amplifier.

Unsure which one is best for you?

I have a simple technique to help you conclude which of guitar you should get.

The problem is, you'll find people on the Internet or in person advising that you should start to teach yourself guitar on an acoustic guitar first since it'll toughen up your fingers.

I've also seen people advise that the best guitar is the classical because the strings are easier on the fingers since the thin strings are nylon and won't cut into your fingertips.

And others suggest beginning on an electric because the strings are thinner and they are easier to press.

Who's right? Which of these so called easy guitar lessons tips should you believe.

Well, what if you felt strongly that you really wanted to teach yourself guitar using an electric but you were forced to learn on an acoustic? The reality of you playing an acoustic wouldn't be in line with your vision of you playing an electric guitar.

Now here's the secret. Close your eyes and see yourself playing the guitar of your choice.

Is it an acoustic, a classical, or an electric?

You see it's only you who can determine the ideal guitar to learn on. It is the guitar that you see yourself playing in your vision. If you enjoy playing your guitar you'll practice more often.

They are all the same instrument. All chords, all strumming, all scales are the same. The main difference is how they sound.

If you can play and electric, you can play a steel string acoustic. If you can play a classical you can you can play an electric.

The instruments feel different and sound different but they are tuned the same and all of the finger positions are the same.

Now let me add this though. If you really want to teach yourself guitar and you presently have an acoustic that plays fine but your vision is to learn on an electric, start now with what you have. Learn what you can. You will have that ideal guitar but it might take a little time. Now this is definitely one of my best and easy guitar lessons tips I can give you.

Don't delay. Start now!

Teach Yourself Guitar - eBook Bundle

2010-09-11T00:30:00.001-03:00

Download now or watch on posterous

Teach-Yourself-Guitar-3-e-Book-Bundle.wmv (10158 KB)

If you're serious about finding a way to teach yourself guitar, and are tired of fumbling around on the Internet looking for a way to learn to play the guitar but you aren't sure if what you are looking at will work or if it is the right way to learn, I want to tell you about an adult guitar lessons package that I've put together for you, that will teach you the guitar basics of how to chord and strum the guitar.

This package contains 3 e-books that aren't available anywhere on the Internet except at my websites. The first book is called 5 easy guitar lessons. This will teach you the 15 must know chords and five different ways to strum the guitar. This book is very easy to understand and starts with the easiest chords and strumming. It has 16 short mp3s so you'll hear how the chords and strumming should sound, when you're playing it right.

The second book is the Quickest and Easiest Way to Learn to Play the Guitar and it goes into more depth. With this book you'll learn an additional 13 chords to give you a total of the 28 most frequently used guitar chords and an additional 10 ways to strum the guitar. This book includes 61 short mp3s on how the chords and rhythms should sound so you can be confident that you are doing it right.

The third book is called the Beginner Guitar Guide. This book is focused is on the other things that guitar players need to know such as how to change guitar your guitar strings, the different types of guitar strings, a quick history of the guitar, it tells you about the different types of guitars, guitar pick-ups, pedals & amplifiers and more.

You don't need to learn to read music or even guitar tabs. Just look and the diagrams and photos and listen to the mp3s. It really is that easy!

I assure you that this will substantially speed up your learning curve and take you from an absolute beginner or novice to the intermediate level in a very short time.

I invite you to check it out to see if it looks like something that would be right for you.

And this e-book bundle is on for this very special price.

For more information browse our website at 5 Easy Guitar Lessons.com

Easiest Way Guitar - Adult Guitar Lessons

2010-08-23T01:41:00.006-03:00

Hi There;

I've uploaded a short video (3:15) that'll give you a brief overview of the Easiest Way Guitar Method. This book is ideal for adult guitar lessons since it focuses on you learning chords and guitar strumming rhythms since this is what most adults want to learn. It'll you the ability to play your favorite songs.

You'll learn the 28 most frequently used chords beginning with the easiest as well as 14 different strumming patterns. You'll learn 8 straight time, 4 shuffles, 1 ballad and 1 waltz rhythms. You may not realize it but you hear these rhythms all of the time.

This book is designed for the absolute beginner or the novice who knows a few chords and a couple of ways to strum but is ready to move to the next level.

The book is divided into 14 easy to follow, step-by-step adult guitar lessons and has 2 accompanying CDs. These are the essential and easiest guitar basics.

If you decide this book is right for you, it'll take you to the intermediate level.

Misinformation on the Internet About Learning to Play the Guitar

2009-10-15T23:55:00.005-03:00

I spent the last 30 minutes at some of the article directories reading the articles. What I noticed most was the uninformed opinions of some of the people posing as experts, passing advice.

I saw one suggestion that advised people to start with a classical guitar. I've also seen other people advise that a beginner should start with an acoustic rather than an electric guitar.

Both of of these suggestions are misleading in that there is only one best guitar to begin on. And that guitar is the one, that when you close your eyes and visualize yourself playing, what type of guitar are you holding? A classical? A steel string acoustic or an electric? Take that vision and buy the best guitar you can afford. This doesn't mean that you need to spend a thousand dollars. You can get good entry level guitars for approximately $150.00 - $300.00.

The best guitar to learn on is the one that best suits the music you want to play and that will inspire you to practice.

However...

What is crucial to you learning to play is that the strings are easy to press on the guitar, that the guitar has decent tuners so that the guitar will get in tune easily and hold it's tuning and that the guitar is in tune at different positions on the neck. The department store brands don't usually qualify unless they are carrying main brands that the music stores carry.

Quick advise - don't buy a guitar from someone who doesn't know how to tune it or play it. The second thing to consider when learning to play is that you are willing to practice. You'll need to practice everyday for at least 30 minutes. This is advised by any teacher that is worth their salt. If you practice more you'll get better even quicker. Your fingertips will build callouses within a month.

You might wonder how long it will take to learn. Naturally that will depend on how much you practice and if you have good direction. You'd be surprised how much you could learn in 6 weeks. In fact, I teach my own students how to play songs on their first lesson. I start them with a song that has 3 or 4 easy chords and a basic and easy to do strumming rhythm. The second song I teach is a guitar riff such as TNT by AC/DC.

Because...

If you like what you are learning and if is within your current capabilities you'll practice more. And practice is the key.

I've seen forums and questions asking what is a good beginner song to learn. I saw one response that suggested they learn a certain song and it had C, F and G for the 3 chords. F is certainly not the chord to begin with. Let me suggest that you learn Em, A7 or A, C, D and G first. You can play 1000's of songs with these chords.

A couple of examples would be 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' by Green Day. Play two downward strums on using these chords. Em - G - D - A. There is a little more to it than this, but this will get you started.

Another example would be Last Kiss which was redone again by Pearl Jam. The chords for this song are G - Em - C - D. You would strum V V V^V^ (down, down, down, up, down, up). If you're not sure how to do this and other rhythms check out my 5 Easy Guitar Lessons book or Easiest Way Guitar which begins with the easiest guitar basics that teaches you the 28 essential chords and 14 different ways to strum the guitar.

YouTube is a great resource. I use it with most of my students. They tell me what songs they want to learn and then I call it up on YouTube, listen to the song and then show them how to play it (if it is within their current capabilities).

Guitar tabs are also a great resource if they are right. Remember that the information on the Internet is only as good as the person who put it there. Some of the tabs are just plain wrong. As you gain more experience you'll be able to know what is correct.

The ideal way to start learning to play the guitar is with the type of guitar that you want (acoustic or electric) and some good instructions on how to learn to play.

The above mentioned books will teach you guitar strumming and chords.

There are other resources that teach guitar as well. Some focus on playing lead, electric guitar or acoustic guitar.

Let me say one thing in conclusion. If you want an electric guitar but there is an an acoustic guitar available. Start with what is available. Don't wait and say I'll get started when I have my guitar.

Start now and have fun!

Easiest Guitar Basics - The Parts of the Guitar

2009-10-10T18:55:00.003-03:00

Easiest Guitar Basics - The Parts of the Guitar

By Brian Hawthorn

If you are absolutely new to or are just thinking about learning to play the guitar, it is very possible that you don't know the names of any of the parts to a guitar or even the difference between an acoustic and an electric guitar. So let me start at the very beginning by giving you explanations on the easiest guitar basics.

First, there are two general types of 6-string guitars - The acoustic and the electric.

Both of these guitars have 3 major parts; the head, the neck and the body.

The acoustic guitar has a hollow body with usually a round sound hole just under the strings. A few acoustic guitars have "f" holes shaped the same as the "f" holes on a violin.

The electric guitar usually has a solid body with one to three "pick-ups" on the body under the strings. They are designed to be plugged into an amplifier.

The head of the guitar has six tuners. These are what are turned to get the guitar in tune. There can either be three tuners on one side and three on the other or all six tuners on one side. On some electric guitars they also have metal guides on the head. These are called "string trees."

The next part of the guitar is called the neck. This is where you your place your fingers to play.

The strings naturally run the entire length of the neck. The strings are lined up and evenly spaced being separated by the grooves in the nut.

The nut is the piece of plastic or other material that is where the head of the guitar finishes and the neck begins. It runs the width of the neck.

The back of the neck is where your thumb is placed. The front of the neck, where you place your fingertips is called either the fingerboard or the fretboard. Both names are correct. The frets themselves are the thin steel pieces that run the width of the neck. You'll notice that the fretboard has between 20 - 24 frets, depending on the style and make of the guitar.

Also, all guitars except for the very inexpensive ones have a steel rod called a truss rod going through the inside of the neck. It is not visible. This truss rod allows a technician to adjust the height of the strings by adjusting or eliminating the curve in the neck.

Finally, the dots that are on the fingerboard and along the edge of the neck are called position markers. This is to let the player know where any fret is at a glance.

The third part of the guitar is the body. As mentioned earlier, the guitar can either be acoustic or electric.

The acoustic guitar body has the top board which is also called a soundboard, the sides and the back. Inexpensive guitars have a laminated soundboard, the sides and the back.

Laminated means it's plywood. For a beginner this is just fine providing the guitar strings are easy to press.

As guitars get more expensive the top board is solid (usually spruce or cedar). In very expensive guitars, the top, sides and backs are all solid woods. Solid woods give a richer tone.

The final part of the body is where the strings attach. This is called the bridge. The strings go into a hole on the bride and are held in place with the bridge pins which look like six little round buttons. As the strings rise out of the body they cross a thin usually white piece of plastic or other material know as the saddle.

The electric guitar body is usually solid wood although there are semi-acoustic as well as full acoustic, electric guitars. There are a number of different body shapes. Also a number of different woods and mixes of woods used to build the bodies.

Instead of a sound hole the electric guitar has pick-ups. These are rectangular shaped and sit below the strings. Electric guitars have a toggle switch to turn the different pick-ups on and off which will change the sound of the guitar when it is plugged into an amplifier. There are also volume and tone controls as well.

The final part of the electric guitar is the bridge. Again, this is where the strings attach to the body of the guitar. There are a number of different designs of electric guitar bridges.

Now to go to the next step, download my free guitar basics e-book, "Guitar - How to Get Started" which is available at http://www.easiestwayguitar.com You'll also receive my Getting Started Mini Course - 7 Useful Tips for Beginners." Brian Hawthorn began playing the guitar in the mid 60's and is a professional musician, guitar teacher, author and consultant.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Hawthorn
http://EzineArticles.com/?Easiest-Guitar-Basics---The-Parts-of-the-Guitar&id=3032832

Welcome to My Blog

2009-09-25T23:53:00.003-03:00

Hi There;

I just set up my blog an posted my first blog (although short) at www.easiestwayguitar.com/blog.

Please stop by when you get a chance.

Brian

I Invite Your Questions!

2008-11-11T00:37:00.005-04:00

If you have questions on how to begin playing the guitar, please ask me. While I certainly don't profess to know all of the answers I will be able to help you get started.

I began playing back in the sixties and have continued to play through the years. With the addition of having taught hundreds of people how to play the guitar through the years and also working as a sales consultant for a music store chain in Atlantic Canada, I have acumulated a wealth of knowledge that I am happy to pass on to you.

For example if you want to learn how to hold the guitar or where to place your thumb (yes, your thumb!) please Click on this: Basic Guitar info.

If you have questions on a specific topic that would help you and other aspiring guitarists please let me know.

My First Lense on Squidoo

2008-11-09T22:21:00.003-04:00

Basic Guitar Info for Anyone Who Wants to Learn to Play the Guitar

I've spent most of today learning about Scribd which I think I messed up and also on Squidoo.

I did a lense on Squidoo which is titled Basic Guitar Information for the Absolute Beginner. It focuses on buying a guitar. If you want to learn to play you must have a playable instrument.

If you get a chance to check it out please do and tell me what you think.

http://www.squidoo.com/Basic-Guitar-Information

Also if you have any question please ask me.

I'm looking at putting a forum on my site at http://www.5-easy-guitar-lessons.com/

7 Useful Tips for Beginners

2007-02-27T23:23:00.002-04:00

Free Email Mini Course For The Beginning Guitarist

Whether you are just considering learning to play the guitar or if you already begun playing this email mini-course should prove to be a benifit to you.

It takes the free e-book, "Guitar - How To Get Started" and expands the various chapters inside the e-book as well as various comments and insights.

Aside from the information there in the emails it also point to links where you can view additional photos and information.

The email mini course (along with the free e-book) is available at either http://www.5-easy-guitar-lessons.com/ or http://www.easiestwayguitar.com/ . Just enter your first name and email address on the home page or on the popup. They all lead you to the same place.

Once you get your copy and look at the email course, please come back here and post your comments.

Basic Guitar - How to Get Started

2007-02-12T08:21:00.004-04:00

FREE E-book

I am pleased to announce that I have just completed compiling my new e-book, "Guitar - How to Get Started."

This book has a wealth of knowledge that will be a help to every beginning guitarist. It contains the information that will:

Help You Buy a Guitar
Get Your Guitar In Tune
Showing You How To Understand Chord Diagrams
Instruct You On How to Hold the Guitar to Get Clear Sounding Chords
Teach You The 15 “Must Know” Chords
What You Need to Know to Take Care of and Protect Your Guitar

It's been saved as a PDF and best of all it's FREE!

To download a copy please go to:
http://www.5-easy-guitar-lessons.com and fill in your first name and email address.

Tips for Beginning Guitarists - Placing the Thumb

2006-12-14T00:10:00.001-04:00

When you are first beginning to play the guitar, aside from knowing how to strum, the most important thing is to know the trick to playing clear chords.

If you have a diagram of guitar chords you'll notice that it tells you where to place your fingers but virtually no guitar books give you any insight on where to put your thumb. I've had students who try placing their thumb pointing down, pointing to the guitar tuners and wrapped right around the neck.

The very best position for your thumb is in the centre at the back of the neck perpendicular to the neck. Most people think that you are gripping the neck of the guitar. In truth you are squeezing the neck. There is a photo at: http://5-easy-guitar-lessons.com/holding-the-guitar.html

By placing your thumb in this position it forces your fingers to press straight down on the strings. By pressing straight down, it helps avoid the fleshy part of your finger touching the next string and muffling the sound. Also on the same page, look at the photo from the side and notice that the palm of the hand doesn't touch the neck or fingerboard at all. Only your fingertips and thumb.

Play close attention to this guitar tip and your chords will be clear and clean - just like a pro!

How To Buy A Guitar - Advice for Beginners

2006-12-12T13:46:00.001-04:00

Every year thousands of people get guitars with the hopes of learning to play. But truthfully, not all guitars are suitable to learn on. If you are serious about learning to play yourself or if you’re buying the guitar for someone else to learn on, the following information is what you must know to properly select a guitar.

Playability

The most important aspect of any guitar is that it must have a good playable action. What this means is, the strings must be close to the fretboard to make them easy to press. When the strings are too high the person attempting to learn to play usually quits in frustration. They find it too hard. The saddest part is they think that it is something wrong with them. As a sales consultant at a music store I've heard so many adults say, “Yeah, I tried to learn when I was a kid, but I just couldn't do it.” I then put my right hand fingers under the strings at the sound hole and lift the strings away from the fretboard. I’d say to them, “I'd bet the strings were up like this.” They almost always say, “Yes!” I am emphasizing the playability of the guitar so strongly because strings that are too high is the #1 reason why a person quits.

A Simple Test for String Height

The quickest and easiest way to check for the proper string height is to stack two quarters (25¢) and place them under the 1st string (the thinnest string) at the 12th fret (two dots). Ideally the distance should be the equivalent spacing of 1½ quarters. Two quarters that just fit without lifting up the strings is the maximum acceptable height. Anything above this is too high.

Tuning

The next thing that is crucial is getting the guitar in tune and it playing in tune. A clear indicator of cheap tuners is seeing the tuning gear exposed. Better quality tuners are die-cast which are completely encased. Also, if the strings are too high at the nut (near the guitar tuners), the guitar will sound out of tune even when it is played properly. This is common when the guitar is very inexpensive.

Should You Buy Acoustic or Electric?

When it comes to purchasing a guitar, you have two immediate choices; whether to buy an acoustic guitar or an electric. They may look somewhat different, but the finger positions for chording, picking and strumming are identical. If you can play an acoustic then you can play an electric and vice versa. It is identical in the way that if you can drive a car you can drive a van. The differences are in the body of the guitar.

An acoustic guitar has a hollow body and doesn’t need an amplifier. The topboard if it is laminated (plywood) must have each layer made of solid strips of wood. The “toy store” variety has particle board for the middle layer. This does not provide the proper support for the strings so in no time the strings will become too high and the guitar will become unplayable.

Electric guitars normally have a body that should be solid wood. Electric guitars are designed to be used with an amplifier.

There are people who will tell you that it is better to learn on an acoustic guitar first. This is simply not true. You can begin on either one. If a person wants an electric, buy an electric. If they prefer an acoustic, buy an acoustic. If a person “loves” their guitar they will practice more.

Guitar Sizes and Finishes

When you select a guitar there are a few different sizes to choose from. A three-quarter size acoustic has a smaller body so it is ideal for younger people ages 8 - 12. The folk or parlor size is an adult guitar that is marginally smaller than a full size and is well suited for young teenagers and preferred by many women. The full size dreadnought is comfortable for anyone who is an adult or young people who are adult size.

At the entry level stage of beginning to play the guitar, the woods and finish of the guitar are the least important providing they meet the previous criteria. Of course, I wouldn’t buy a guitar that I didn’t like the sound or the look of but that determination only comes after the playability and tuneability have been assessed.

Where to Buy a Guitar

If you truly want to learn to play the guitar, your best bet is to buy from a music store. They are staffed with musicians who are qualified to help you select a good beginners instrument. They know what you’ll need to get started.

If you are buying a used guitar from a second-hand store, pawn shop or privately, it would be to your benefit to take a guitar-playing friend with you to access the guitar. If your friend has even a couple of years of playing experience, they will know if the guitar has a playable action, if the guitar tuning heads seem to be working fine and if the guitars "nut" and "bridge" are OK. Their experience will tell them if the guitar is generally OK.

How Much Should You Pay

You would be wise to purchase a guitar from a company who makes guitars that are used by professional musicians. These companies know what a beginner needs for an instrument in order to succeed.

For a good quality beginner guitar the retail price is generally between $175.00 and $375.00. In that price range you'll get a playable guitar action as well as all of the other necessary components. Naturally the closer to $375.00 the better the guitar will sound. Guitars above the $375.00 range are entering the intermediate level and are not necessary at this point. As well, you can get complete electric guitar packages (guitar, amp and accessories) within this price range.

For buying used, the rule of thumb is to pay around half of the guitar's new retail purchase price. This includes everything. The guitar, the case, the strap and the tuner etc.

Buy the best instrument your budget can afford. Select the kind of instrument the person learning wants to play and get some good instruction.

Buy a Guitar Tuner

It is important that your guitar is in tune. Tuning is a process that is learned. Nobody automatically knows how to tune a guitar. Fortunately, there is a small battery operated device called a “guitar tuner” which by picking a string and watching the meter you’ll get your guitar in tune easily and quickly. They are relatively inexpensive, starting at around $20.00. Remember that even professional musicians sound lousy out of tune. Using a tuner and always being in tune helps to train your ear and you will sound better.

Conclusion and More Help

Guitar is a great instrument. You can learn a few chords and have a lifetime of fun or you can spend your lifetime becoming a master.

At the website http://www.5-easy-guitar-lessons.com/guitar-how-to-get-started.html, there is access to various pages and other information for beginning guitarist. Pamphlet #2 will give you the chords you need to know to get started and Pamphlet #3 tells you how to take care of your guitar.

Go ahead, get started and have fun.

5 Easy Guitar Lessons

2006-05-25T12:59:00.001-03:00

5 Easy Guitar Lessons gives you just enough information on beginning to learn to play the guitar without overwhelming you.

The book goes step-by-step, teaching you three chords at a time, beginning with the easiest chords first. You also learn how to strum the guitar, again learning the easiest rhythms first.

Once you learn the 15 chords and 5 strumming rhythms, most of the other guitar books begin to make sense. There are links to audio files so that you can hear how the chords and rhythms should sound.

There are also play along tracks to help you become fast a t changing your chords.There is also information on how to read TAB and play power chords.

No teacher is required. Just look at the photos and diagrams and read the explanations. Then listen to the audio files (MP3's).

This is definitely the best way to get started playing.

You Can Get Started Playing The Guitar Easily & Quickly

2006-04-28T14:45:00.001-03:00

Finally a basic guitar method has been developed that'll have you playing the guitar in 24 hours. 5 Easy Guitar Lessons is an easy to understand guitar method that will take you from being an absolute beginner to knowing the required guitar basics. You'll learn the 15 "must know" chords and 5 strumming rhythms. This e-book includes links to MP3 files so you'll hear how everything will sound when played correctly. Also info on understanding TAB, power chords and tuning.