Learn to Play Guitar
Learn to Play Guitar
When I was in high school every guy wanted to learn to play guitar. They all wanted to be in a band. My brother was definitely among these young men. He first decided to play drums. After the millionth rendition of Wipeout performed in his bedroom, the snare drum mysteriously was damaged and he used his lawn mowing money to purchase a guitar and amplifier. We lived in an old farmhouse with high ceilings and once the guitar was in his possession, The House of the Rising Sun was perfected along with every other rock song of the era. My mother was a tolerant woman, so our house was the place he and his friends practiced. As he got older, he switched to acoustic guitar and bluegrass music. He is still in a band today.
There are many ways to learn to play guitar. You could of course take lessons. Some people learn to play by reading music, but many others play by ear. That’s how I learned. My brother taught me some basic chords and I learned by trial and error. It is really surprising how many songs are comprised of just a few basic chords. Of course if you watch late night TV, you know there are countless instructional videos on the market as well. Online courses are also available and can be very effective. The main thing you have to do is practice. One advantage to taking a live class is that there are other students to play with. I was lucky to have my brother to practice with and I played during my lunch hour. I don’t play as often these days, but I have to say it was so much fun. We used to play for numerous community events and our little band eventually had five members. Going to bluegrass festivals gave us all an opportunity to jam with others and learn new skills.
No matter what type of music you enjoy, a guitar is often used. Rock bands and even country bands often use electric guitars and acoustic guitars can be amplified as well.
Classical guitar music is usually played on a six string or twelve string acoustic guitar. Jazz musicians often use electric guitars. Once you learn to play guitar, you might even want to try mandolin or banjo. It’s kind of a natural transition. Once you master the fingering and chords, you can probably try other stringed instruments. If your interest is guitar music, don’t just think about it, give it a try. For a minimal investment you could be on your way to a lifetime of enjoyment,
