Guitar is NOT Hard to Learn
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Graves Guitar Studio
By Aaron Graves
Are you not playing guitar because you feel like it is too hard to learn?
Do you watch music videos in stunned disbelief as "guitar gods" play
awesome music? Are you thinking, "I'll never be able to do that?"
Well, think again. Despite popular opinion and several congressional
studies that indicate otherwise, learning to play guitar IS NOT HARD. I
speak from experience. I learned to play guitar, and found it much easier
to play than these other instruments I have experimented with...
* The Backyard Flute - basically a stick. It takes quite a puff of air to
make a steady whistling sound.
* The Garage Sale Special Trumpet - - a trumpet with both ends stuffed
with Munster cheese and then sealed shut with epoxy. Makes a nice
ringing tone when it hits the sidewalk.
* The Deep Space Radioactive Sharp Pointed Thingamajig - An odd
musical instrument that only makes a sound in the vacuum of space, which
is scientifically impossible. Playing it requires a ride on the Space
Shuttle and the assistance of a twelve armed native of Jupiter. Also, make
sure no cats are within three light-years of the instrument.
However, a guitar is not a hard instrument to learn. If you don't believe
me, consider these facts...
A guitar has only six strings. We humans have ten fingers. The odds are
already in our favor.
A guitar weighs much less than a grand piano and is easier to carry
around with you. Thus, you take your guitar with you wherever you go
and practice it more often.
A guitar is primarily a rhythm instrument, meaning you can make good
music with just a handful of chords and a couple of scales. Think Bob
Dylan. Look at all the money he's made with his "unique" voice and great
guitar strumming.
In addition, we humans have a natural talent for rhythm. Notice how
children always love to dance and sing. Even as mature, depressed, and
grumpy adults we still tap our feet to our favorite song.
And finally, I'm a really good guitar teacher, just in case the above points
didn't impress you.
So, what does it take to learn guitar? Three things.
First, learn to use both hands at the same time. In an ironic twist of logic
that is a trademark of this universe, we have to use our "weaker" hand to
press down guitar strings and make chords. Our strong hand gets to hold a
guitar pick and just move up and down. However, if you can already
handle such tasks as unwrapping a package of gum and tying your shoes,
your "weak" hand can handle the guitar. (Note: if you can unwrap a
factory shrink-wrapped CD in 60 minutes or less, then you have the
potential of becoming a guitar legend.) This first step is the most difficult
part of learning the guitar, and it takes a bit of patience.
Second, learn how to make chords on the guitar and play a couple of
scales. You do not need to know how to read music before you can do
this! That’s right, you get to cheat! Learning how to read music is always
a plus and I do teach it, but that skill is not required up front.
Third, technique. What separates an average guitar player from a good
guitar players? Technique. Technique is how you strum chords, play
notes, and add feeling to a song. This is the most exciting part of learning
the guitar. Technique is a field of study that never ends. Everybody plays
the guitar differently, and there is a lot of satisfaction in "trading licks"
with other guitarists.
Really, all it takes from you is about three to six months of commitment to
go from a musical zero to enjoying the thrill of making your own music.
After that, there are many musical roads you can take with the guitar and
other stringed instruments. The possibilities are endless, and the
enjoyment is beyond description.
Are you not playing guitar because you feel like it is too hard to learn?
Do you watch music videos in stunned disbelief as "guitar gods" play
awesome music? Are you thinking, "I'll never be able to do that?"
Well, think again. Despite popular opinion and several congressional
studies that indicate otherwise, learning to play guitar IS NOT HARD. I
speak from experience. I learned to play guitar, and found it much easier
to play than these other instruments I have experimented with...
* The Backyard Flute - basically a stick. It takes quite a puff of air to
make a steady whistling sound.
* The Garage Sale Special Trumpet - - a trumpet with both ends stuffed
with Munster cheese and then sealed shut with epoxy. Makes a nice
ringing tone when it hits the sidewalk.
* The Deep Space Radioactive Sharp Pointed Thingamajig - An odd
musical instrument that only makes a sound in the vacuum of space, which
is scientifically impossible. Playing it requires a ride on the Space
Shuttle and the assistance of a twelve armed native of Jupiter. Also, make
sure no cats are within three light-years of the instrument.
However, a guitar is not a hard instrument to learn. If you don't believe
me, consider these facts...
A guitar has only six strings. We humans have ten fingers. The odds are
already in our favor.
A guitar weighs much less than a grand piano and is easier to carry
around with you. Thus, you take your guitar with you wherever you go
and practice it more often.
A guitar is primarily a rhythm instrument, meaning you can make good
music with just a handful of chords and a couple of scales. Think Bob
Dylan. Look at all the money he's made with his "unique" voice and great
guitar strumming.
In addition, we humans have a natural talent for rhythm. Notice how
children always love to dance and sing. Even as mature, depressed, and
grumpy adults we still tap our feet to our favorite song.
And finally, I'm a really good guitar teacher, just in case the above points
didn't impress you.
So, what does it take to learn guitar? Three things.
First, learn to use both hands at the same time. In an ironic twist of logic
that is a trademark of this universe, we have to use our "weaker" hand to
press down guitar strings and make chords. Our strong hand gets to hold a
guitar pick and just move up and down. However, if you can already
handle such tasks as unwrapping a package of gum and tying your shoes,
your "weak" hand can handle the guitar. (Note: if you can unwrap a
factory shrink-wrapped CD in 60 minutes or less, then you have the
potential of becoming a guitar legend.) This first step is the most difficult
part of learning the guitar, and it takes a bit of patience.
Second, learn how to make chords on the guitar and play a couple of
scales. You do not need to know how to read music before you can do
this! That’s right, you get to cheat! Learning how to read music is always
a plus and I do teach it, but that skill is not required up front.
Third, technique. What separates an average guitar player from a good
guitar players? Technique. Technique is how you strum chords, play
notes, and add feeling to a song. This is the most exciting part of learning
the guitar. Technique is a field of study that never ends. Everybody plays
the guitar differently, and there is a lot of satisfaction in "trading licks"
with other guitarists.
Really, all it takes from you is about three to six months of commitment to
go from a musical zero to enjoying the thrill of making your own music.
After that, there are many musical roads you can take with the guitar and
other stringed instruments. The possibilities are endless, and the
enjoyment is beyond description.
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