Over the last few years thousands of people have learned how to play guitar. Not everyone has become a great guitarist – many end up giving up their days strumming the strings and move on to different hobbies. However, there are some that stick with it to become great and master the instrument.
To do so, you’ll need to learn from the greats and gain knowledge from several different sources. To get you started on your journey, here are five things that famed guitarists wish they had known as beginners.
Learn All the Chords
Playing a song over and over again until you master the chords is a good way to practice guitar, but you should play around with chords and learn alternatives. By substituting chords, you can stave off boredom and change the sound of the song in subtle or dramatic ways. There are guitar chords and tabs available online at websites like NeatChords, where users can find thousands of guitar tabs for free.
Practice Seriously
Getting better at any instrument takes dedication and discipline, so it’s important to take your practice seriously instead of just fooling around. When you’re playing the guitar with no set intentions, you may not see results and could end up wasting time. If you’re learning on your own using online guitar chords and tabs, you will need to hone your discipline and limit distractions. Make time each week for practice and keep track of your progress and goals.
Get a Metronome
It may seem simple to sit down and keep a continuous tempo, but it is common to veer off tempo while playing an instrument or while singing. Guitar players are known for rushing, which is playing faster than the beat. One way to know when you’re on beat and prevent rushing while playing is to use a metronome. This allows you to practice keeping up with a continuous rhythm so that you can stay on beat when playing without one.
Experiment with Sound
When playing, not every note will get the same attention. Some notes should be accentuated while others should be played quieter to achieve the sound that you’re looking for. These nuances make a difference in the sound you produce and make your playing sound more authentic.
To get better at playing with dynamics, practice by finding guitar tabs for free from songs you love and have pretty much completely mastered. Play around with the accent and use different techniques, paying attention to the differences.
Expand Your Genre
Many people tend to play songs on the guitar from one or two genres that they enjoy. Many players switch their style of playing and genre based on their specific tastes at the time. To prevent yourself from practicing just one or two genres at a time, expand your playing to include songs from several different genres and gain diverse knowledge and experience.
With these five tips, you can become a much better guitar player and make the most of time spent practicing. Experiment with sounds, use a metronome, take your practice time seriously, learn alternatives to chords whenever possible, and keep your mind open to new ideas and genres.
