Tuning a guitar ensures that each string resonates harmoniously with the others. Whether one is a seasoned musician or a novice, mastering the art of tuning is indispensable. This essay delineates three of the most effective methods for tuning a guitar, elucidating their procedures and merits.

Method 1: Tuning Your Guitar With An Electric Tuner

It’s so easy to get your hands on a great tuner.. for cheap! Standard tuning, which comprises the notes E-A-D-G-B-E from the lowest to highest string, can be effortlessly achieved with a tuner.

The procedure involves clamping the tuner onto the guitar’s headstock, plucking each string sequentially, and adjusting the tuning pegs until the tuner indicates the desired pitch. This method is very precise and accurate. It ensures that each string is tuned to the exact frequency. Additionally, tuners are portable and user-friendly, making them indispensable tools for both beginners and professionals.

Method 2: Tuning Your Guitar by Ear with Reference Tones

Tuning a guitar by ear requires a considerable more amount of skill but the great thing about that is it fosters a deeper understanding of musical intervals and enhances one’s ear.

This method necessitates a reference tone, typically obtained from a piano, tuning fork, or online reference pitch. Starting with the low E string, the guitarist compares the pitch of each string, pressing the string down at the fifth fret (for example starting with low E) and comparing that to the A string. One would then tune the A string to the already in-tune E string.

The process entails keen listening and discernment, as subtle discrepancies in pitch must be detected and rectified if you want to be playing in tune. While mastering this method may require time and practice, it empowers musicians to tune their guitars in any setting, independent of electronic devices.

Method 3: Tuning Your Guitar Using Natural Harmonics

Harmonic tuning is a technique employed by many guitarists of a certain generation. This used to be a “go-to” method. However, it is not the most accurate

And has henceforth fallen out of fashion. This method exploits the natural harmonics produced by lightly touching the string at specific points and plucking quickly one after the other. Although this is a pretty viable method, it would not be recommended as one of the methods to learn early on. It’s just that now simply electronic tuners are ubiquitous. They are even available as “free electronic tuners” if you search Google!

Conclusion:

Tuning a guitar is an indispensable aspect of playing the guitar. Nobody is going to be much interested in hearing you play if you are out of tune. Standard tuning with a tuner offers precision and convenience, while tuning by ear cultivates a deeper understanding of musical intervals.

Harmonic tuning, on the other hand, combines a bit of precision with resonance, even if it is not the most dependable method. Mastery of these methods empowers guitarists to unleash their full potential while being “in tune,” because “ain’t no body wanna hear a cockamamie tuned guitar!” 

Are you a Miami local looking to learn guitar? If you’re looking for Guitar Lessons In Miami consider taking a lesson with Professor O’Kane at Miami Guitar Academy. With over 30 years of experience teaching guitar he has everything you need to improve your guitar skills and make rapid progress.

The post How To Tune Your Guitar – Three Simple Methods appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

For parents with kids taking children’s guitar lessons, the road to success can often be filled with both challenges and rewards. 

While some students seem to naturally excel in their guitar lessons, others may struggle to keep up or lose interest in their instrument altogether. 

As a parent, it can be difficult to know how to support your child’s musical journey and help them achieve their full potential as a young musician.

But what separates successful young music students from those who struggle or fail? Is it innate talent, dedicated practice, or something else entirely?

In this article, we’ll explore the 15 key factors that contribute to the success of young music students and offer practical advice and tips for parents looking to help their children succeed in their guitar studies.

Please note: When I started writing this article my intention was to include 15 traits and behaviours of successful students. After writing the first draft it became apparent that it was too long an article and thus we have broken the article up into three parts.

You can find links to parts 2 & 3 at the bottom of this article

5 Traits Shared By Kids Who Successful Learn How To Play Guitar

I’ve taught over 1000 individual people to play the guitar in my 15 years as a professional guitar teacher.

Hundreds of these guitar students were kids and teenagers.

Some didn’t want to be there and quit after a few months. Most enjoyed their lessons and stuck with it for several years, but the ones that went the furthest and achieved high levels of proficiency or became professional musicians & music teachers themselves all shared similar traits.

I’ve also taught a few child prodigies who were better guitar players by the age of 12 or 15 than I was at age 25.

These young virtuosos all exhibited the same traits as the long-term successful players. 

Some refer to it as natural talent, but I just noticed they developed better habits earlier on or had them from day 1.

So let’s take a look at the first five of these traits.

They Practice Their Guitar Regularly

Successful young musicians typically practice consistently and diligently.

This doesn’t mean they practice for hours and hours every day. In fact, most successful young learners only practice for 10-30 minutes at a time.

But they do it every day, and rarely miss a session.

These young learners are set up for success by parents who supervise their practice in the early stages and sit with them until it becomes a habit.

Then once a habit is formed we can increase the duration of their practice sessions over time.

If you want your child to be successful the #1 thing you can do is make practice part of their daily routine.

They Set Clear Guitar Playing Goals

The worst way to practice guitar is to pick up the instrument and try to decide what to work on.

It’s important to realise that most kids have no idea what they are meant to be doing and are reliant on having a good teacher (or their parents at home) to tell them what to do.

A great teacher will help establish some goals and break them down into smaller milestones. Hopefully, they will write out a practice plan and communicate what needs to happen between lessons in order for the student to progress.

As a parent, it’s your job to help your child work towards these goals until they are mature enough to be proactive in planning their own practice. This might not happen until their teen years.

They Actively Listen To Guitar Music

There is a common myth that you need to have an ear for music.

What I’ve noticed from 15 years of teaching guitar is the kids who are “naturally talented” at learning to play guitar spend a lot more time listening to music actively.

By definition, Active listening refers to listening to music consciously (rather than as a background task) and reflecting upon what is being heard.

Playing music for your kids and asking them questions like “what instruments do you hear?”, “How many beats could you count?” and “How did that music make you feel?” are great ways to help your child listen actively and reflect upon what they hear.

They Are Able To Focus Their Attention When Practicing Guitar

Most children rush through their practice as fast as possible so that they can jump on the PlayStation or go outside and kick the football.

For some parents even getting them out of the house and in the car on the way to their children’s guitar lessons is a battle.

The students who become great at their instrument are focused during their practice sessions and are able to pay attention to improving what they are working on.

Rather than just running through the motions while their mind is on Fortnite, they are conscious of what their fingers are doing and try to improve what they are doing with each rep.

If you can help your child focus and learn how to practice effectively they will be able to get more results in 10 minutes of focused practice than what most other kids get from an entire hour

They Love Playing Guitar And Have A Positive Attitude To Learning

Every single child prodigy I’ve ever taught had one thing in common: They loved playing guitar!

They had times when they practised, but they also had times when they just picked up the guitar and had fun with it.

They also took it upon themselves to listen to music, watch youtube videos and read articles about the guitar because they were genuinely interested in learning more about guitar.

This is critical because these students became guitar players through their actions and did what guitar players do.

If you can encourage your children to go beyond the lesson and fall in love with the process of learning and the hobby of guitar playing they will be a student for life!

Helping Your Kids Succeed In Their Guitar Lessons

Every child has the potential to become a truly great guitar player and succeed in learning to play guitar, and if they are enrolled in a children’s guitar lesson program for long enough, they will eventually develop the skills needed to play guitar well.

So why do some kids drop off after a few months without ever learning a full song and other kids grow up to be absolute finger wizards who can play Hendrix songs before the age of 12?

The answer lies in their habits and behaviours!

Every child I taught who became a great guitar all practised daily, set goals and worked towards them, actively listened to music, was able to stay focused during practice time and fell in love with the process of learning guitar so that it wasn’t a chore but part of who they were.

If you want your child to be successful in their endeavour of learning how to play guitar then you need to help them develop the traits that will make them successful.

There is no shortcut, just time spend building habits that are conducive to long-term success.

If you enjoyed reading this article then continue reading in part 2 we’ll present another 5 habits that are shared by successful guitar learning.

In part 3 we’ll present 5 traits shared by parents of successful guitar students that you can adopt into your own behaviour.

About The Author – Expert Children’s Guitar Teacher Michael Gumley

Michael Gumley is an expert guitar teacher from Melbourne, Australia who specialises in teaching children.

Not only does he have over 15 years of experience teaching children to play the guitar he has also written 12 books on guitar including three books specifically for kids and young learners.

He’s also developed a reputation for training young virtuoso guitarists with many of his students achieving a very high technical proficiency on the guitar.

If you’re looking for children’s guitar lessons near me reach out to Michael via his website and book a free trial lesson today.

The post Why Some Young Music Students Succeed While Others Fail: 15 Things Parents Need To Know About Children’s Guitar Lessons appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

The year is 2023 and you want to learn how to play the guitar!

Congratulations! Learning guitar is one of the most awesome and rewarding hobbies you will ever undertake and you’re in for a real treat.

On the flip side, learning how to play the guitar can be very challenging and frustrating if you go about it the wrong way.

That’s why I’ve put together this special list of learning tips for guitar players which I’ve learned from 18 years of playing guitar myself and 15 years as a professional guitar teacher.

Whether you’ve just bought your first guitar and are at the start of your guitar-playing journey, or are someone who has been playing guitar for years (or even decades) but still feels like a beginner, this article will give you some great insight to make learning how to play guitar more fun, more fulfilling, and much easier!

Let’s get into it!

The Secret to Guitar Mastery: 11 Tips for Beginner Guitar Players in 2023

Below is a list of 11 Essential Tips For Beginner Guitar Players in 2023.

Of course, these tips are broadly applicable to guitar players of any level, but if I had a time machine and could go back and give beginner me some advice, this is what I would be telling him:

1. Get lessons from an expert teacher
2. Buy good gear that makes practice fun and learning easy
3. Have an outcome in mind and work towards your goals
4. Have a regular practice routine that is part of your schedule
5. Don’t overconsume content
6. Realise that this is a long-term game
7. Work smarter, not harder – Learn how to practice
8. Make Music With What You Learn
9. Play with other people as frequently as possible
10. Start being creative right away
11. Become a guitarist – do what guitar players do

I’ll be expanding upon each point in more detail throughout this article.

Guitar Tip #1 – Get Lessons From An Expert Teacher

While this might seem like a bit of a cop-out and a means of drumming up business for myself and other guitar teachers, I am adamant that the #1 way to get better at playing guitar is to get guidance from a professional guitar teacher.

A great guitar teacher will be able to ask you about your goals and the type of guitar player you want to be and then create a personalised lesson plan aimed at helping you reach those goals.

They will be able to give you all of the relevant concepts and exercises that you need in order to improve and will be able to tell you what to avoid practising or what to come back to later.

A Great Guitar Teacher Makes Learning Easier

Most importantly, they will be able to give you active feedback on what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong and what changes you need to make to your posture, hand positions and practice habits. You just can’t get that from a Youtube video.

With the global pandemic taking place over the last two years there has been a huge flood of people picking up guitar for the first time. This has resulted in a pandemic of frustrated guitar players who have tried learning guitar from Youtube by themselves but are stuck at various levels and totally overwhelmed by content.

The best way to get unstuck is to find a great teacher, they’ll figure out exactly what you need in order to get the ball rolling and back on track to success.

Check out my guide on how to find a great guitar teacher near you if you need help finding a guitar teacher in your area.

Guitar Tip #2 Buy Good Quality Guitars and Guitar Gear

Having the right gear can make a huge difference in your guitar-playing experience which is why I recommend you invest in a good quality guitar, amp, and accessories.

Good gear will make practising and learning fun & easy because quality instruments are not only easier to play, they also sound way better!

When learning guitar is easy and you’re having fun you will be way less frustrated and far more motivated to continue playing.

One of my favourite sayings is “you get what you pay for” and that certainly rings true for guitars and guitar-related gear.

Buy The Best Guitar You Can Afford

When we’re first starting out we are often sceptical of our long-term commitment to the hobby and go for a cheap instrument. These cheap instruments are physically harder to play and aren’t very inspiring to pick up.

Plus, every dollar you spend on the wrong guitar and equipment in the beginning is a dollar less you have to upgrade to a better instrument later.

My advice is to set a budget, do some research and get the best guitar you can within your price range. The motivation you get from owning a quality instrument might be the difference between practising enough to become good and giving up after a few months because ‘guitar is too hard and I sound bad”

Guitar Tip #3 – Envision The Guitar Player Your Want To Be And Set Goals To Work Towards

One of the most important things you can do as a beginner guitarist is to have an outcome in mind and work towards your goals. 

This can be challenging for a beginner because your knowledge on the topic of guitar playing is quite small and you are limited by what you think is possible.

This doesn’t need to be complicated though, all you need to do is think about the kind of guitarist you want to be and work backwards from there.

For example, if you really like Ed Sheeran and want to be like him, you just need to set goals like “I want to be a great acoustic guitarist and songwriter who can sing and play at the same time and effortlessly play through all of my favourite songs”

That is a much clearer and more defined goal that will make it quite clear what you need to learn and practice.

Having a clear goal in mind will help you stay focused and motivated, and will make it easier for you to plan your practice and stay on track.

And once you achieve one particular set of goals, you can set more for the next part of your guitar-playing journey.

If you’re not sure what kind of guitar player you want to be, try taking the guitar personality quiz to figure out what kind of player you are and what you need to focus on learning.

Guitar Tip #4 – Make Practising Your Guitar Part Of Your Schedule

When you first start playing the guitar you’ll likely be obsessed with it and will want to spend every minute of every day playing it.

You’ll probably have a guitar in hand every chance you get for the first couple of weeks.

But then life will get in the way!

Something will come up, you’ll put practice off and break your streak.

Soon enough multiple things will pile up and fight for your attention and playing guitar may take a backseat. 

“I’ll do it tomorrow” you’ll tell yourself….

But tomorrow never comes!

While you have good intentions to practice your guitar, unless it’s part of your schedule you will probably miss it, forget or put it off for another day.

We humans are creatures of habit and the best way to ensure our practice happens is to schedule it in and make it part of our routine.

Determine how much time you want to spend practising your guitar each day or each week and then plug it into your schedule. 

When you practice consistently you will improve consistently, and the best motivator is consistent progress. Before you know it you’ll be back in a cycle of positivity and keen to do more practice once again.

Guitar Tip #5 – Don’t Overconsume Guitar Content

This is probably the second most important point after finding a quality guitar teacher.

Consider yourself lucky because there has never been a better time to learn how to play guitar than right now in 2023.

There is an abundance of great content on the internet and everything you could ever want to know about playing guitar is online, most likely for free.

Unfortunately for you, there is also 10x the amount of bad content out there too, and as a beginner, you can’t tell the good from the bad.

Not to mention, even good advice learned at the wrong time can be problematic and cause you to attempt to learn or play something well beyond you resulting in you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

It’s very easy to learn a whole bunch about a number of topics but never actually get good at playing it.

Case in point: how often do you watch four or five guitar lesson videos on Youtube one after the other. Sure you might understand the concept and pause the video to try out a few ideas, but likely you’ll go onto the next video, skim through that, play a few more examples and totally forget everything you learned from the previous one…

You might do this with several videos on the same day and nothing from the first couple make it into your practice routine for the week or your long-term memory.

Focus Is The Key To Becoming A Great Guitar Player

If you want to be good at guitar you need to focus on becoming really good at a small number of things and this means avoiding trying to learn absolutely everything there is to a low level.

As you master a concept, then go out and learn a new one.

It’s tough, but if you can do this you’ll be a much better player both short-term and long-term.

If you want structured learning check out my free beginner guitar course that has everything you need to learn in one place.

Guitar Tip #6 Realise That Learning How To Play Guitar Is A Long-Term Game

One of the biggest frustrations for me as a guitar teacher is having people give up at the three-month point because guitar is too hard or the student doesn’t sound like their favourite player does on record.

The truth is that learning how to play guitar is going to take years.

Sure you can accelerate the process by practising more efficiently and getting guitar lessons from a great teacher but it is still going to take a long time to get really comfortable and develop proficiency.

The quicker you come to the realisation that guitar is going to take a long time and commit to the long-term outcome, the sooner you will become less frustrated with the learning process.

Remember, what you hear on the recording is often the product of 10+ years of hard work for the guitarist playing on the track. They are a professional and likely practised for multiple hours a day to get to that point. It’s unfair of you as a hobby player to compare where you are 3 months into where they are 10 years in and get frustrated.

As Long As You Never Quit You’ll Eventually Become A Great Guitar Player

Here is a tip: If you want to be successful at guitar, all you need to do is not quit.

If you accumulate enough practice over a long enough time frame you will eventually become good…

Imagine if everybody decided they would spend 5 years taking guitar lessons before they made a decision about quitting, then everyone would be good at guitar.

So don’t quit! Commit to the long term and keep working towards your goals.

Guitar Tip #7 Learn How To Practice – Work Smarter, Not Harder

Everyone is told what to practice but never how to practice.

This leads to people putting in a lot of effort but not really getting anywhere.

It also leads to a lot of wasted time spent ‘learning’ rather than actually improving and people wondering why they aren’t better guitar players for all the time they put into ‘practising’

I know because I was guilty of it myself for many years.

I used to think that learning new things all the time was practising, but practising by definition is the repetition of an action with the intention of improving it.

Once I stopped trying to expand my knowledge by learning new things and settled for improving what I already knew, my progress went through the roof.

Perfect Guitar Practise Makes Perfect

I also became aware of how inefficiently I was learning new information and how much time I wasted relearning things over and over again.

I now teach my students efficient learning techniques so they can learn something once and remember it forever. That way the rest of their practice time can be spent on improving what they know.

This means they can learn less and make dramatically more progress, and now that you know this hopefully you can too.

Check out my guide on how to practice guitar using the three phases of guitar practice

Guitar Tip #8 Make Music With What You Learn

One of my biggest regrets from my early guitar-playing days is not making music with what I learned.

I fell for the myth that I needed to be good enough at certain things before I attempted them, so I was always learning other people’s songs or doing other people’s exercises to improve different techniques.

Now I’m a firm believer that the best way to get good at something and to show that you know it is to create something with it.

So if you learn a new scale, rather than play up and down to a metronome try making a few melodies out of it or improvise over a backing track.

If you learn a new chord progression, try writing your own song using that chord progression.

If you learn a new theory concept, apply it to your guitar and see what you can come up with.

You will become a much better guitarist and musician by applying what you know rather than just perpetually learning things.

Guitar Tip #9 Play With Other Musicians As Frequently As Possible

Another thing that many aspiring guitar players get hung up on is waiting to be ‘good enough’ before they jam with somebody.

One of the keys to my early success is the fact that a few people in my friendship circle played guitar (and a few other instruments) and we had the opportunity to jam with each other.

This meant we were motivated to practice more so that we could have the songs we were learning to a good enough standard to jam together.

Plus nobody wanted to be the worst guitarist or the person who let the group down.

As a result, we all improved dramatically in a short period of time and most importantly, we were working on skills that you can’t get sitting in your bedroom by yourself.

If you know any other musicians then I recommend you jam with them as soon as possible.

Make a short list of songs, learn 1-3 of them and organise a date to jam together.

It can be another guitarist, a drummer, a singer, or any other instrument. It doesn’t matter, as long as you get started.

Guitar Tip #10 Start Being Creative Right Away

You might have noticed a theme for the last three points where we hold onto a belief that we need to be at a certain level before we attempt something.

All this does is result in that skill staying at level 0 while our other skills improve, and then when it comes time to improve that skill we feel like a noob again.

I experienced this first-hand when I didn’t work on any creativity or improvising for the first 2.5 years of my guitar lessons at high school and then went to study music at university and was expected to be playing creatively at a tertiary standard…

It was a very rude awakening.

One of the most fun and rewarding elements of learning to play guitar (or any other instrument) is being creative.

For whatever reason, we often put this on the shelf to come back to once we are good enough, but the truth is you can start creativity from Day 1.

The sooner you start creating things, the sooner you start applying your knowledge and measuring your skills.

And the more fun you will have, so incorporate being creative into your routine.

Guitar Tip #11 – Become A Guitarist

I’m often asked what is the difference between those who are successful at guitar and those who aren’t.

My answer is that the people who are successful at guitar adopt the identity of a guitar player and subsequently undertake the actions and behaviours that guitar players do.

Guitarists do guitar things like:

• Practice their guitar (usually every day)
• Play their guitars just for fun (yes this is different to practising your guitar)
• Listen to guitar-based music
• Go and see live shows to be inspired by other great players
• Read guitar magazines or articles online
• Watch youtube videos about guitar
• Buy guitars and collect gear
• Hang out with other guitar players
• Jam with other guitar players or join bands
• Argue with other guitarists about who the best guitar player is
• Spend hours and hours checking out their next guitar purchase in online guitar stores

Most importantly, Guitar players NEVER QUIT!

If they quit they wouldn’t be a guitarist any more, and the moment that you quit you are no longer a guitarist.

Now you don’t have to become obsessed with guitar or make it the only personality trait that you have, but you do need to adopt the behaviours that are conducive to being successful at guitar.

After all, if you want to be a bodybuilder you need to work out consistently, eat the right foods and get the right amount of sleep. If you don’t exhibit those behaviours you’ll never get to your goal.

So take on the identity and behaviours of a guitar player and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of guitar.

Bonus Tip – Learn On The Right Guitar

After getting to the end of this article it was glaringly obvious that I missed one very important tip…

That is to learn on the right guitar.

I’m asked on a daily basis what is the best guitar to learn on, and my answer is whichever guitar you can play the music you like on.

There is a common myth that you need to start on acoustic guitar and work your way up to electric. This is totally false.

In fact, electric guitar is easier to learn on and is far more versatile making it a great (but more expensive) choice for beginners.

Ultimately, choose the instrument that best reflects your musical taste and the styles you will be playing in and get the best instrument you can for your budget.

Or, just buy both!

In conclusion

In closing, these 11-pointers are guaranteed to help you play the guitar like a boss in 2023. 

Whether it’s seeking out expert guidance, setting achievable objectives, adhering to a consistent practice regimen, practising smarter, creating music, jamming with others, tapping into your creativity, or embodying the lifestyle of a guitarist, these tips will steer you in the right direction towards becoming a better guitarist.

By following these tips and dedicating yourself to the craft, you’ll soon be well on your way to mastering the guitar and playing like a seasoned pro. And if you happen to be in the vicinity and looking for guitar lessons near me, I’d be honoured to extend my support.

So go ahead, grab your guitar and start playing like a boss right now!

About The Author

Meet Michael Gumley, the expert guitar teacher who has been helping aspiring guitarists for over 15 years. With 12 published books on playing the guitar and over 1000 successful students, Michael has solidified his reputation as one of the leading guitar teachers in the industry.

But don’t let his impressive resume fool you, Michael is more than just a guitar teacher, he’s a true lover of music and all things guitar. With a passion for sharing his knowledge and helping others achieve their musical dreams, Michael approaches each lesson with a fun and lighthearted attitude.

His students often describe him as ‘the best explainer of things they have ever met” armed with an arsenal of tips, tricks, and analogies to help them understand any topic. When he’s not teaching, you can find him strumming away on his acoustic, shredding on his electric, or jamming with friends.
So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, if you’re looking to take your guitar skills to the next level, look no further than guitar lessons with Michael Gumley and his team of wonderful guitar teachers at Melbourne Guitar Academy.

The post Start Playing the Guitar Like a Boss: My Top 11 Tips For Guitarists In 2023 appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

When it comes to learning how to play guitar most people are able to go an entire lifetime without any sort of guitar-related injury.

For the small percentage who do develop an injury like Carpal Tunnel, Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow or RSI, it can be completely debilitating to the point where we may even stop playing guitar altogether.

I am of the firm belief that almost all guitar-related injuries are caused by three factors, all of which can be controlled by you so that you can avoid injury and play guitar pain-free!

Having suffered on and off from chronic pain in my hands, arms, shoulders, neck and even lower back and even had surgery to fix ongoing issues, I am making it my personal mission to help guitar players either avoid developing a guitar injury entirely or quickly recover from an existing condition by educating you on great practice habits.

In this article, I will share the best guitar stretches and hand exercises that I have discovered that will lead to great posture, less tension and healthier hands so that you can play guitar pain-free once and for all!

Disclaimer – I am not a doctor and am not qualified to give medical advice. I am however a professional guitar teacher with over 15 years of experience. I have cured my own RSI and guitar-related problems and used the hand exercises and stretching routine provided later in this article to great effect with dozens of struggling guitar players who have sought me out.

I am providing advice that is general in nature. If you are suffering from any guitar-related hand or arm pain that lasts beyond three days I recommend you seek advice from a medical professional before trying any of the ideas I present here.

Last thing before we get into it. This is part 2 of a two-part series on RSI and Guitar Related Injuries. If you haven’t read my first article on how to cure RSI and Carpal Tunnel for guitar players I recommend you read it in conjunction with this one.

Common Guitar-Related Injuries

Some of the most common guitar-related injuries are:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Trigger Finger
• Tennis Elbow
• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

It is also common to have neck pain, shoulder pain and lower back pain as a chain of effect with your guitar-related injuries.

Many of these injuries have colloquial names and are manifestations of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) effective different muscles and tendons.

Let’s take a look at each injury in more detail:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed.

This nerve controls movement and sensation in the hand and wrist, and symptoms can include tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand and wrist. It is very common to wake up at night with deep throbbing and intense pins and needles.

The cause of carpal tunnel syndrome can be attributed to repetitive hand and wrist motions, such as typing or playing the guitar and is exacerbated by bad posture and excess tension.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that occurs when the ulnar nerve in the elbow is compressed.

This nerve controls movement and sensation in the hand and forearm, and symptoms can include tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand and elbow. It is essentially the same as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome except that it affects the elbow and forearm rather than the hand and wrist.

The cause of cubital tunnel syndrome can be attributed to repetitive elbow movements, such as playing a musical instrument or playing sports. For guitar players having the edge of the guitar dig into their elbow can contribute to the compression of the nerve.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a condition that occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive or overuse.

Symptoms can include pain, tenderness, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joint.

The cause of tendonitis can be attributed to repetitive movements and is one of the most common injuries suffered by guitar players. Tendonitis is more common when several activities that require frequent use the hands and fingers overlap resulting in overuse.

Tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis is a condition that occurs when the sheath that surrounds a tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive or overuse.

Symptoms can include pain, tenderness, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joint.

The cause of tenosynovitis can be attributed to repetitive movements, such as those you perform when playing and practising your guitar.

I like to think of Tenosynovitis as being caused by excess tension where your tendons are inflamed and grinding against each other, like driving with one foot on the brake and another on the accelerator at the same time.

Trigger Finger

Trigger Finger is a condition that occurs when a tendon in the finger becomes inflamed, causing the finger to catch or lock when bending or straightening.

Symptoms can include pain, stiffness, and a popping or clicking sensation when moving the affected finger as well as the locking of the finger in a bent position looking like you’ve just pulled the trigger of a gun (hence the name)

Trigger finger is an injury unique to guitar players and can take several days to several weeks to calm down.

Tennis Elbow (or Golfer’s Elbow)

Tennis Elbow is a condition that occurs when the tendons in the forearm become inflamed, causing pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow and the top of the forearm.

Symptoms can also include weakness and difficulty gripping objects.

The cause of tennis elbow can be attributed to repetitive arm and wrist movements, such as playing tennis, playing a musical instrument, typing on a computer or using tools. Tennis elbow is one of the most common guitar-related injuries and is a variation of tendonitis.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a term used to describe a range of conditions caused by repetitive or overuse of the hand, wrist, or arm.

Symptoms can include pain, tenderness, weakness, and difficulty with fine motor skills, such as typing or playing guitar.

The cause of RSI can be attributed to repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements, such as those you repeat over and over when playing guitar.

Most of the aforementioned guitar-related injuries are variations of RSI isolated to specific areas of the arms and hands.

Understanding RSI & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Guitar players are prime candidates for RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome, which occur when the nerves and tendons in the hands and wrists are overused.

RSI can cause pain, weakness, and numbness in the hand and wrist, while carpal tunnel syndrome results in tingling, weakness, and numbness in the fingers.

Unfortunately, nothing that you do in life doesn’t involve the use of your hands, which makes it difficult to recover from any hand-related injuries because you can’t actually rest properly.

Instead, you must look at managing your injury over time so that you stop damaging yourself and doing things that contribute to the problem, while gradually changing your environment and your approach to practice so that you heal over time.

What Causes Guitar-Related Injuries

When it comes to guitar-related injuries I’m of the opinion that there are three main causes:

• Practising with bad posture for extended periods of time
• Practising with too much excess tension for extended periods of time
• Bad practice habits

In order to play the guitar humans have to adopt an unnatural position for extended periods of time. If you have one or more of the above-contributing factors and practice over a long enough period of time then it can lead to problems developing.

In addition, if you have two or more factors then it’s possible that you’ll have each compound and end up in pain much sooner.

Let’s dive a little deeper into each factor to take a look at each one.

Bad Posture Can Lead To Carpal Tunnel And Other Guitar Related Injuries

The ideal posture one should adopt when practising guitar is to take on the classical position and keep your shouldars in a T shape at all times.

Instead of craning your neck and hunching over you can use a footstool to keep your guitar the right height and angle. You also use your eyes to look instead of tilting the guitar too far back or holding your neck at an extreme angle.

Most of us can get away with having bad posture for short practice sessions, but if we are doing longer sessions and playing for extended periods not only will we likly develop Carpal Tunnel or RSI, we can get headaches and other strains and muscle aches.

Making minor adjustments to your posture and practice environment can make a big difference. This includes simply being aware of your posture and changing the way that you sit.

It can also include purchasing a nicer chair, a footstool and avoiding sitting on the end of your bed or other chairs that don’t suit quality practice.

Lastly, you can also practice standing up provided your guitar is adjusted to a good height as a means of avoiding sitting. This is especially popular with the rise of standing desks and new research into the dangers of sitting for extended periods of time.

Excess Tension Is the Leading Cause Of Carpal Tunnel And Other Guitar Related Pain

When you first start learning how to play guitar you have to squeeze extra hard in order for the notes to fret correctly.

If you’ve ever seen a little kid learn how to play the guitar this is very obvious as the extra squeezing that they do with the fretting hands causes them to tense up and hit the string harder than necessary with their picking hand.

The extra tension goes through their entire body and causes them to squeeze and pick harder than needed.

Most beginners grow out of this phase once their fingertips harden up, but many people retain the additional tension and it becomes a permanent part of their state whenever practising guitar or playing their instrument.

In addition, some individuals are naturally tense or carry more tension in their bodies. Often they bring the stress and tension of a hard day at work to the practice room and are gripping their guitar white-knuckle tight as they play.

Without realising it, the extra tension they bring to practising is doing damage to their hands. Hobby players who don’t practice all that much may not experience a detrimental effect but it is made worst and more obvious when playing for extended periods like those who are more serious about their guitar playing and spend extended periods of time practising.

Think of excess tension as driving with one foot on the accelerator and one foot on the break. If you do it for too long the car just grinds against itself until it tears apart.

Learning how to first become aware of how much tension you are holding when you play and then taking steps to systematically reduce how much tension you use when playing will lead to much healthier hands and less pain when playing.

Bad Practice Habits Contribute To Carpal Tunnel And Ongoing Hand Pain

This is a broad category but some other contributing factors to chronic guitar pain and RSI include:

• practising for too long without a break
• practising for extended periods of time (3+ hours per day)
• practising specific techniques like bending and vibrato which are very physically demanding for extended periods of time.
• not having a good practice environment set up.
• not having practice equipment that helps with posture and tension
• Only practising technical work
• Pushing through pain and other warning signs

Many of these practice habits are made worse when you have bad posture or too much tension.

The good news is simply becoming aware of better guitar practice habits and taking some steps to create some better routines will lead to very quick reduction in the amount of pain you feel.

Guitar Stretches To Help Ease The Pain

In my previous article about the topic I mentioned that stretching was a great way to reduce the amount of tension that you’re holding in your arms, hands and shoulders.

I even gave you a simple stretch that you can do.

In the video below I outline eight essential stretches and guitar-playing exercises to get you into a relaxed state for playing your guitar.

Let’s go through each of the stretches below:

Guitar Stretch 1- Glory To The Guitar Gods

For every hour you spent leaning forward hunching over a guitar, you should spend 5 minutes stretching out the opposite way.

For this stretch, you are going to stand up straight with your shoulders back. Raise your hands above your head and lean back.

You will feel a stretch in your back and shoulders which will ease the tension all the way down to your fingers. Hold for up to 30 seconds and then lean forward to release the tension.

Guitar Stretch 2 – Forearm Extensions

If you spend a lot of time in an office job or other role where you use your hands for most of the day then this will be a great stretch for you.

Start with your arms bent at a 90-degree angle and then slowly extend your forearm while using your opposite hand to bend your wrist back.

Hold the stretch for 5 seconds and then relax your arm. Do this up to three times before swapping hands.

When it comes to stretching the muscles and tendons in our hands and arms the key is to do short, sharp exercises. You don’t want to hold these stretches for minutes at a time and overstretch them.

Guitar Stretch 3 – Elbow Rolls

This stretch works the top of your forearm and will be great if you suffer from tendonitis or Tennis Elbow.

To perform it you start by raising your hand in front of you. Then hold your wrist with your opposite hand bending your hand down to stretch the forearm. Complete the stretch by rolling your elbow towards the roof as if it were attached to a string being pulled up.

Hold the stretch for 5 seconds and do three repeats before swapping hands.

Guitar Stretch 4 – Shoulder Swirls

This is my favourite exercise and one of the most helpful I had in my own recovery and injury management.

To perform this exercise raise one hand above your head so that it is past your ear. Then rotate it 5 times in a clockwise direction, and 5 times in a counter-clockwise direction.

You’ll probably hear lots of popping and clicking as your shoulder grinds itself out but will feel so much better after it.

Swap sides when you are ready.

Guitar Stretch 5 – Shoulder Rolls

This is a really basic exercise that will free up the tension in your shoulders which you probably learned in primary school.

Referred Pain is a term used for pain that you might feel in one part of your body but is actually caused by a problem somewhere else.

A great example of this is when you may have a leg injury that causes you to walk differently, which in turn leads to you developing lower back pain.

No matter how much you try and treat your lower back until you solve the issue with your leg you won’t solve the underlying problem.

Guitar Stretch 6 – Wrist Rolls

This is a great finger exercise that will free up your wrists of excess tension and keep them supple.

To perform this finger exercise just lock your hands together and rotate them in a figure-8 pattern.

It is more of an exercise than a stretch but will hopefully leave your fingers feeling freer and full of energy.

Guitar Stretch 7 – Back Swivels

This is one of the best exercises for those of you who have lower back pain.

When I used to have V-shaped guitars I would have to sit at a funny angle to make it easier to hold them. This resulted in me having lots of lower back pain.

While the stretch helped in the end it was just better to get rid of the V guitars and buy something that was more ergonomic. My back pain went away overnight.

Guitar Stretch 8 – Shoulder Extension Into Cobra Pose

Our final guitar stretching exercise combines two yoga poses together into one of the best shoulder and lower back stretches you can do.

Both of these stretches will be performed on the floor so make sure you have a suitable space to work with.

Part 1 involves stretching your arms ahead of you and then kneeling back onto your feet so that your shoulders get stretched out.

Part 2 involved leaning forward onto your stomach and then pushing yourself up into a cobra-like pose which releases your lower back. You can even tilt your head back for an added neck stretch.

Creating A Guitar Stretch Routine

now that you know which stretches and guitar finger exercises you need to relax your shoulders and ease excess tension you can create your own routine.

My recommendation is to go through each of the exercises for up to three times each ahead of your practice session each day.

Doing so will ensure you are loose and free of tension ahead of time which will also make it more likely for you to notice any tension that does build up in your body once you start practising.

Pay attention to how your body feels as you do each exercise. Those that feel very tense are indicating that you are either inflexible or carry a lot of tension and should be repeated to build up flexibility and ease tension over time,

Those exercises that don’t really do anything for you can be ignored as some stretches work better for specific injuries.

Regardless, doing all of the exercises will lead to you feeling much better and may even eliminate some of the referred pain caused by weaknesses in other areas of your body.

Avoid Overstretching Before You Practice Guitar

Most of the exercises and stretches we learned targeted small muscles and tendons, not the larger ones you would be using in sports.

For this reason, it is important that you only stretch for short periods of time. Don’t hold stretches for more than 30 seconds and don’t do 20 repetitions of your arm extensions.

Do each exercise three times and change sides if necessary. You can definitely overdo it when it comes to stretching and that can lead to other injuries down the track.

How Many Times Can I Do These Exercises Every Day?

If you are a hobby player you can spend 5 minutes stretching ahead of your guitar practice routine.

If you are a more serious player then you can do these routines up to 3 times per day.

Personally, I like to do the stretches first thing in the morning ahead of my first practice session to make sure I feel great and full of energy for the day.

Then I do a second stretching session ahead of my guitar teaching shifts and often a final session at the end of the day to help me unwind.

I also throw in a number of leg and lower back stretches too but these are more for sport and flexibility than any sort of rehabilitation for guitar injuries.

What To Do If You Have A Guitar-Related Injury?

The first thing you should do is stop playing guitar.

If you’ve hurt yourself or feel any short, sharp stabbing pains in your hands or forearm – STOP!

They are warning signs that something is wrong so listen to your body.

Take a break for a few hours, if you still want to practice it, come back to it later.

If you come back to playing and the pain returns, stop once again and take a full day off.

If you take a full day off and you still feel pain, stop immediately and then go and see a doctor.

Unlike sports injuries where you notice a pop or crunch and immediately feel pain, guitar injuries and overuse injuries are usually be triggered by going over a threshold of activity which brings on pain.

It’s common to do a big practice session on one day, feel tiredness and fatigue in your hands and then wake up the next day in pain or unable to move your fingers. Don’t try to play or push through pain, go and see a doctor.

Recovering From Carpal Tunnel and Other Guitar Related Injuries

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix when it comes to carpal tunnel syndrome and other similar guitar-related injuries.

This is usually because Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the result of long-term bad habits leading to damage to your tendons or compression of your nerves.

What takes a long time to cause, can take a long to time to heal. This is made even more difficult by the fact that nothing you do in life doesn’t require the use of your hands making ‘resting’ virtually impossible.

Instead, you have to manage your symptoms over time. This might mean taking a short break of 3 days to up to a month to let your existing symptoms settle down.

Once your carpal tunnel or tendonitis has calmed down you should then implement steps to reduce or eliminate the causes so that you can avoid future flare-ups.

This can include:

• Implementing a stretching routine into your daily practices to avoid excess tension
• adopting the classical position and being aware of your posture
• Getting lessons from a professional guitar teacher who can help you reduce the amount of tension you are using when playing the guitar and develop good techniques.
• Having a healthy practice routine that incorporates regular breaks
• Setting up a healthy practice environment with a quality chair, music stand and footstool.

Having said all of this, I know guitar players who have had terrible pain when playing and upon having a session with me and changing something as simple as getting a good chair instead of sitting on the end of the bed leading to a full recovery in less than a week.

It might seem simple, but if you solve the cause then you solve the problem.

It’s also worth mentioning that more experienced guitar teachers will have had their own guitar injuries from time to time and usually take steps to avoid them in their own playing and practice. If your regular teacher is quite young it may pay to have several sessions with a more experienced teacher who can set you up with the right posture and position and help you identify and avoid excess tension.

The Golden Rule Of Guitar Related Injuries

The golden rule is that playing guitar should never hurt.

If you’re experiencing pain when you play guitar it is an indication that something is wrong.

This doesn’t include slight finger pain when you’re a total beginner or you haven’t played in a while which is perfectly normal. This is sharp pains, pins and needles, numbness, tingling or really deep throbbing pain similar to sports injuries but in your hands and arms.

If you’re playing guitar and are constantly in pain, it’s time to get help so that you can start playing guitar pain-free.

How I Cured My Ongoing RSI Issues And Finally Started Playing Guitar Pain-Free

Even after I had surgery on my left elbow to decompress the ulnar nerve which was causing cubital tunnel syndrome I still had ongoing issues with RSI and excess tension.

After my grandfather had hip surgery and was back to walking in three days, I couldn’t believe how I was having 2 years of constant hand pain.

So in frustration, I googled “How To Cure RSI”

The result was this (now archived) website called Rachel’s RSI Homage To Dr John Sarno.

I read a few of the testimonials on the page and it sounded like many people had a lot of the same problems that I did, which led me to hope that I would be able to overcome RSI once and for all.

I would read every word on the page which is archived and now available here

More importantly, it led me to discover the works of Dr John Sarno who explored the manifestation of psychosomatic pain in the form of RSI and other repetitive injuries.

After reading his books Healing Back Pain‘ and ‘The Mind Body Prescription‘ I was able to cure myself of all RSI within a couple of weeks.

These books were able to help me when all other options had failed and I believe I had a unique case where I had conditioned myself to feel pain whenever playing guitar. It’s a bit of a woo-woo topic which I am happy to tell you about but perhaps a topic for article #3 on chronic guitar pain.

If (like me) you have seen countless doctors and medical practitioners all whom say nothing is wrong with you and can’t figure out why you’re in pain, reading the books above will hopefully hold the answer and the cure to your pain.

Conclusion

If you think you have any sort of guitar-related injury and you are getting the painful early warning signs then the best thing you can do is stop, rest, and see a doctor if your pain persists.

If you’ve been battling with ongoing pain when playing the guitar, using these exercises outlined here under the guidance of a medical professional will hopefully bring you some much-needed relief.

If you’ve been struggling with constant pain or on-and-off flare-ups of pain over a period of months or even years, I implore you to look into better practice habits, becoming aware of tension and how much you’re using, along with the posture you adopt when playing the guitar.

Fixing just one of these factors will have a big impact on how you feel. Fixing multiple might be life-changing!

If you ever need help I would be more than happy to should you reach out to me,

About The Author

Michael Gumley is a guitar teacher in Melbourne, Australia who has a passion for music and a wealth of knowledge about playing the guitar.

In addition to being an expert in his field, Michael also has a personal connection to the topic of repetitive strain injuries (RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome, and cubital tunnel syndrome. After battling with these conditions himself and being unable to play the guitar for nearly three years, Michael gained valuable insights into managing the injury and overcoming guitar-related pain. This experience has equipped him with the expertise to help others overcome similar obstacles and continue pursuing their love of music.

If you’re having issues with your own guitar-related injuries then Michael would love nothing more than to help you overcome your injury and start playing guitar pain-free (especially if doctors have told you to give up guitar and find a new hobby).

Get in touch and book a guitar injury management session today.

The post Use This Guitar Stretching Routine To Overcome Carpal Tunnel, RSI & Tendonitis appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

One of the biggest challenges that guitarists face is learning scales and making music out of them.

Many beginners find it hard to master the use of scales and play them fluidly, but with the right approach, it’s possible. In this article, I will take you through some of the most common problems faced when learning scales on guitar, and my favourite memorisation method which I’ve helped thousands of guitarists use to better learn scales.

Common Problems Faced When Learning Scales On Guitar

There are several common problems that guitarists face when learning scales, including:

• Struggling to remember the notes in the scale
• Inconsistent finger placement
• Slow playing speed
• Difficulty in transitioning between different positions
• Lack of fluidity when playing the scale
• Having to relearn scale patterns over and over again

These problems all stem from the core problem of not knowing the scale well enough and not learning in a way that is conducive to long-term retention in memory.

Wouldn’t learning how to play the guitar be so much better if you could just learn your scales once and remember them forever? Let’s learn how.

Chunking – The Best Way To Learn Scales On Guitar

The best way to learn scales on guitar is to use a technique called “chunking”.

Chunking is the process of breaking down a complex task into smaller, more manageable pieces. This makes it easier to learn and remember, and also helps you build up to playing the scales more fluidly.

Here’s how you can apply chunking to learning scales on guitar:

• Start by practising just a few notes of the scale at a time
• Once you’ve mastered those few notes, add a few more
• Keep adding notes until you can play the entire scale
• Practice playing the scale in different positions on the fretboard

By breaking down the scale into smaller pieces, you’ll find it easier to learn, remember, and play.

How To Play A Minor Pentatonic Scale On Guitar

A minor pentatonic scale is a great place to start when learning scales on guitar. Here’s how you can play it:

• Start by placing your first finger on the 5th fret of the low E string and your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the same string. – Play these two notes 3x.
• Play the 5th fret and 7th fret on string 5 – play these two notes 3x then connect them to the original two notes 3x.
• Add in the 5th and 7th fret on string 4. Repeat the process of playing the new string 3x and adding in the previous strings.
• Add in frets 5 and 7 on the third string.
• Play frets 5 & 8 on string 2
• Play frets 5 & 8 on string 1
• After playing each string individually three times, put the entire scale together!

By learning the scale on guitar this way you’ll only have to learn the scale once, but will remember it forever. More importantly, every future practice session can be spent improving the scale instead of relearning it!

Applying This Method To Learning Other Scales On Guitar

Once you’ve mastered the minor pentatonic scale, you can apply the same learning process to other scales. Simply break down the scale into smaller pieces, practice each piece until you’ve mastered it, and then move on to the next. (Going string by string works best!)

Below is a list of scales you should learn to play on guitar:

• All 5 Minor Pentatonic Scale Shapes
• The Major Scale (and all 7 of its modes)
• The Minor Scale
• The Dorian Scale
• The Mixolydian Scale
• The Lydian Scale
• The Melodic Minor Scale
• The Harmonic Minor Scale
• The Double Harmonic Scale

Troubleshooting & Additional Levels

If you’re having trouble learning scales on guitar, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here are a few tips to help you troubleshoot:

• Break the scale up into individual strings and practice each one in isolation before putting it all together.
• Go as slow as you need in order to play the notes without making a mistake. If you’re making mistakes then slow down!
• Reach out to a guitar teacher for help.
• watch my video on how to learn scales so you can see my method in action.

If you’re looking for additional levels, try exploring different scales and modes. Each scale has its own unique sound, and by mastering them, you’ll develop a broader understanding of music theory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning scales on guitar can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and some perseverance, you’ll be playing them fluidly in no time.

By using chunking, playing slowly at first, and practising effectively, you’ll quickly learn how to play scales and make running up and down the guitar fretboard effortless.

If you liked this lesson on Scales you can apply a similar approach to learning chords with our article “how to quickly and easily memorise guitar chords”

About The Author

Meet Michael Gumley, an experienced guitar teacher with over 15 years of experience.

Michael has had the privilege of teaching over 1000 students to play guitar and has a passion for combining learning psychology and memory hacks with modern teaching methods. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Michael has honed his craft and developed a teaching method that truly works. He is committed to helping his students reach their full musical potential and has a reputation as a trustworthy and expert guitar teacher.

Whether you are a beginner guitarist or an experienced musician, Michael has the skills and expertise to help you reach your goals and become the guitarist you’ve always wanted to be.

If you’re looking for guitar lessons In Melbourne get in touch to book a FREE trial session with Michael.

The post The Best Way To Learn Scales On Guitar In 2023 – Expert Teacher Shares His Guitar Learning Hacks appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Introduction

As a beginner guitarist, you may have heard conventional advice such as “practice every day” or “start with simple chords.”

While these tips are valuable, there are also less conventional but equally important lessons to keep in mind as you begin your musical journey. 

From recognizing that learning the guitar takes time to find a great teacher and setting achievable goals, these lessons will help set you on the path to success as a guitarist. 

Don’t be afraid to challenge the norm and explore these unconventional yet crucial beginner guitar lessons.

Beginner Guitar Lesson 1: Learning Guitar Is Going To Take A Few Years

One of the most important things to understand about learning the guitar is that it takes time. It’s not something you can master overnight. 

You should have a long-term approach to your practice and be patient with yourself. It’s important to understand that everyone develops at their own pace. 

You may need to work on certain skills for a few months or even a year to get them right, but with persistence and dedication, you’ll get there.

Your Mindset Towards Learning Guitar Is What Matters

What most people do is severely underestimate how long it takes to get comfortable with most of the basics like changing chords and developing smooth fingers.

This is made worse when you listen to professionals on record and wonder why you can’t keep up when the reality is you are comparing where you are after 3 months to where they were after 10 years.

It’s an unfair comparison, so don’t make it!

You will do much better to approach guitar with the mindset that it’s going to take you at least 3-5 years to get really comfortable on the instrument, so don’t give up prematurely.

Beginner Guitar Lesson 2: A Great Guitar Teacher Will Make Everything Easier

A great guitar teacher can make all the difference in your learning process.

A good teacher will give you feedback, help you identify areas you need to work on and create a personalized practice plan that suits your individual needs and goals. 

They can also help you stay motivated and make the learning process more enjoyable. 

You can find a great teacher by asking for referrals from friends who play guitar, reading online reviews, or looking for a teacher in your local area.

The best way to find a great teacher is to search for “guitar teacher near me” on your favourite browser and then screen the top 5 results to find the teacher who best matches your needs.

Beginner Guitar Lesson 3: Set Goals And Work Towards Them

As a beginner, it’s important to set achievable goals. 

This could be learning a new chord progression, playing a new song, or even just getting comfortable with the instrument. 

Setting goals helps to keep you motivated and focused. When you reach your goals, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and be motivated to set new goals for yourself.

A great way to set goals is using the SMART Goals system. This is where you set goals that are:

• Specific – where you have a clearly defined outcome in mind.
• Measurable – where you can measure your progress or achievement.
• Achievable – It has to be grounded in reality and something that you can achieve
• Relevant – It needs to be relevant to your long-term goals.
• Time-Based – Putting a deadline on your goals will give you a reason to take action.

Setting goals will allow you to organize your guitar practice and make consistent progress towards your desired outcome.

Bonus Guitar Lesson – How To Find The Best Guitar Teacher In Your Area

The best way to find a great guitar teacher is to ask for referrals from friends who play guitar, reading online reviews, or googling the phrase “guitar teacher near me”. 

You can also ask music stores for recommendations, or look for online resources such as guitar forums and online communities.

Make a list of the top 5 candidates and reach out to them via phone or email so that you can get a better idea of how they can help you learn guitar.

When screening a prospective teacher here are some important questions you should ask them:

• Do you offer a free trial lesson?
• What is your approach to guitar teaching?
• How will you help me work towards my long-term guitar-playing goals?
• Why should I study with you over any other guitar teacher in my local area?

Remember, there is so much more to finding a guitar teacher than simply price and location. A good teacher will cost a little more and might require you to travel a little further, but will save you lots of time, money and frustration in the long run.

In Summary

Learning guitar for the first time as a beginner can be challenging, but with the right approach and guidance, you can become a great musician. 

Take your time, find a good teacher who can give great beginner guitar lessons, and set achievable goals. 

With these three important lessons in mind, you’ll be on your way to a successful and enjoyable guitar-playing journey.

The Most Important Guitar Lesson For Beginners Ever!

One final point – If everybody who wanted to learn guitar decided that they were going to take 5 years of consistent lessons before making the decision to give up, the whole world would be full of great guitar players!

As long as you stick with learning guitar long enough, it’s inevitable that you’ll eventually get good at it.

Never give up, and your dreams of becoming a great guitar player will eventually become reality.

About The Author

Michael Gumley is a professional guitarist, music teacher, and blogger with a passion for helping others learn the guitar. 

With over a decade of experience in the music industry, Michael has honed his skills as a guitarist and teacher, and has a wealth of knowledge to share with others. He has a talent for breaking down complex concepts and making them accessible to beginners, and his passion for music and teaching shines through in everything he does. 

Whether through his blog posts, guitar lessons, or online tutorials, Michael is dedicated to helping others achieve their musical goals.

If you found this lesson helpful, check out another great beginner guitar lesson on how to play along to your favourite songs here!

You can also view my Youtube Channel for a ton of free guitar lesson videos many of which have great tips for beginner guitar players

The post The Three Most Important Guitar Lessons For Beginners In 2023 appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

What to Consider When Buying Your First Guitar in Australia

Buying your first guitar can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure what to look for.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced player looking for a new instrument, there are many factors to consider.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 best guitar brands for beginners in Australia for 2023, and give you some tips on what to look for when buying your first guitar.

Buying Your First Guitar As A Beginner

When buying your first guitar, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, consider your budget. Guitars can range in price from a few hundred dollars to thousands, so it’s important to set a budget before you start shopping. Try to avoid getting the cheapest guitar you can because quality is usually reflective of price and a $50 Kmart guitar is likely to be more of a toy than a musical instrument.

Next, think about the type of music you want to play. Different types of guitars are better suited to different genres of music, so make sure you choose one that will help you achieve your musical goals. This means that if you prefer music that is played on an electric guitar, then it is perfectly fine to buy an electric guitar as your first instrument.

Finally, consider the features you want in a guitar. Things like the number of strings, the type of wood, and the size of the body can all affect the sound and playability of the guitar. Generally, most guitarists should start on a 6 string guitar.

What to Look for in a First Guitar

When looking for a first guitar, there are a few key features to consider.

One important feature is the number of strings. Guitars can have 6 or 12 strings, but for beginners, it’s recommended to start with a 6-string guitar as it’s easier to play and learn on.

Another important feature is the size of the body as it can affect the playability of the guitar. Smaller body size is generally more comfortable for children and most beginners to play while having a guitar that is too big makes it hard to reach and difficult to play.

Many guitar gurus will place a lot of importance on the type of wood used. While different types of wood can affect the sound and tone of the guitar, you’re probably not going to notice any difference when you’re a total beginner. This means you can avoid getting upsold into a premium wood guitar by the sales rep at your local guitar shop.

The Best Guitar Brands For Beginners

There are many great guitar brands out there, but just like cars some of the better brands come with a hefty price tag.

Some guitar brands are known for their great beginner guitar models while some of the more prestigious brands will release more affordable versions of their popular guitars under a different moniker.

Brands like Valencia and Ashton are Australian guitar companies that target the beginner guitar market. Yahama is another brand with a reputation for high-quality instruments at both the beginner and pro levels.

Leading guitar brands like Fender and Gibson manufacture professional-level instruments with big price tags on them but also have more affordable brands that are targeted at beginners and hobby musicians. Fender’s cheaper brand is Squier while Gibson owns the sub-brand Epiphone, both of which make great guitars for beginners looking to buy their first guitar.

Let’s take a look at these brands in more detail.

Valencia Guitars – Best Acoustic Guitars For Beginners

Valencia guitars are a popular choice for beginner guitarists in Australia.

They offer a wide range of models at affordable prices, making them a great option for those on a budget. Valencia guitars are known for their good quality and durability, and they come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different playing styles.

They are made with a combination of wood such as spruce, mahogany, and rosewood but only make acoustic guitars.

Valencia makes quality guitars in quarter, half, and three-quarter sizes making them ideal first guitars for kids and teen learners. For this reason, they are our #1 recommended guitar brand for children.

Ashton Guitars – The Best Budget Guitars For Beginners

Ashton guitars are another popular choice for beginner guitarists in Australia.

They offer a wide range of models at affordable prices and are known for their good quality and durability.

Ashton guitars come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different playing styles and unlike Valencia, makes electric guitar models and starter packs to target students who like rock music and want to go down the electric guitar pathway.

If you’re looking for an affordable electric guitar and want to support an Australian business then Ashton Guitars are the way to go.

Yamaha Guitars – The Best Guitars For Beginners

Yamaha guitars are one of the most well-known and respected guitar brands in the world.

They offer a wide range of models for beginner guitarists, including acoustic and electric options.

Yamaha guitars are known for their good quality and durability, and they come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different playing styles.

While Yamaha guitars are slightly more expensive than both Valencia and Ashton guitars, there is a noticeable jump in quality making them a favoured recommendation by guitar teachers in both classical guitar and contemporary styles.

Whether you’re looking for a nylon string classical guitar, steel string acoustic or electric guitar starter pack Yamaha Guitars have high-quality, wallet-friendly options for first-time guitar buyers of all ages.

Fender Squier Guitars – Best Value Beginner Guitars

Most beginner guitarists aspire to one day own a Fender guitar.

Whether it’s the famous Fender Stratocaster popularised by Jimi Hendrix or the iconic Telecaster used by Keith Richards, most aspiring guitar players dream of one day owning a real Fender guitar.

Getting a real Fender guitar brand new is likely to set you back at least $1200 (not including an amp) which is way out of the price range for most beginners who are unsure of the longevity of their new hobby.

Fortunately, Fender launched it’s own sub-brand called Squier Guitars to release classic models at a more affordable price range.

While mostly made in China, these guitars are a great option for beginner guitarists looking for a high-quality instrument at a lower price point.

They are more affordable versions of the famous Fender brand and are known for their good quality and durability. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different playing styles. They also come in several beginner guitar combo packs allowing you to get started with an amplifier, guitar and everything you need in a convenient all-in-one package.

Epiphone Guitars – The Best Electric Guitars For Beginners

Just like Fender has Squire, Gibson Guitars has Epiphone.

Epiphone guitars are another popular choice for beginner guitarists in Australia. They offer a wide range of models like the classic Les Paul (made famous by Slash, and Jimi Page) and the Gibson SG (the favourite guitar of Angus Young from AC/DC) at affordable prices.

You can get standalone guitars or buy a beginner guitar pack in sizes for both adults and kids without the $2000+ price tag that a low-end real Gibson guitar will set you back.

If you’re seeking that classic rock vibe and want to look like a real rock star, then a guitar starter pack from Epiphone is the way to go.

Beginner Guitar Lessons From A Real Guitar Teacher

While it is possible to learn to play the guitar on your own, having a guitar teacher can greatly accelerate your progress.

A good guitar teacher can help you learn the basics, correct any bad habits, and give you guidance on what to practice.

They will also be happy to recommend a great first guitar to purchase and may even have connections at a local store where you can get a discount.

When looking for a guitar teacher, it’s easy to google guitar teacher near me and go with the first option out of convenience.

My recommendation is that you research at least three teachers in your area and consider their qualifications, experience, and teaching style. Ask if you can book a trial lesson, read their testimonials and watch videos of their lessons before committing to a teacher.

Conclusion

When it comes to buying your first guitar, there are many options available. Companies including; Valencia, Ashton, Yamaha, Fender Squier, and Epiphone are all great options for beginner guitarists and are readily available in most music shops and guitar stores in Australia.

Consider your budget, the type of music you want to play, and the features you want in a guitar when making your decision and don’t be afraid to spend a little more for a quality guitar.

Remember to also take into consideration the number of strings, the type of wood used, the size of the body, and the overall sound and playability of the guitar.

Lastly, don’t forget to find a good guitar teacher to help you on your journey. With the right guitar and the right teacher, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled and confident guitarist.

With these factors in mind, you’ll be able to find the best guitar brand for you as a beginner guitarist in Australia.

About The Author

Meet Michael Gumley, the guitar-slingin’, riff-ripping, shreddin’ sensation from the land down under (Melbourne, Australia to be exact). With over 15 years of experience under his belt, he’s been teaching guitar to Melbourne’s masses and turning them into black belt-level guitar ninjas at his studio Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Don’t just take our word for it, Michael is considered by many (and by many we mean not just Michael and his dear mother) to be the best guitar teacher in Melbourne. He’s written 12 books on guitar, made over 1000 videos for his online guitar school, and even developed his own curriculum which is taught in over 20 guitar schools all around the world.

But Michael isn’t content with just being a guitar master himself. He’s dedicated to training the next generation of guitar teachers through his teacher development programs so they can have a bigger impact on their own students. He’s on a mission to make sure the world is filled with guitar-playing, riff-making rockstars.

When he’s not teaching, you can find Michael shredding on stage, writing the next guitar anthem or chugging down a cold one (or two) with his mates. With Michael, you’ll not only become a guitar master, but you’ll also have a great time doing it.

The post The 5 Best Guitar Brands for Beginners in Australia for 2023 appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

The year is 2023 and there has never been a better time to learn how to play the guitar.

There are more resources online to help you teach yourself than ever before and the standard of the content is getting higher and higher.

This begs the question “are guitar lessons worth it?“

While you can teach yourself how to play guitar with a plethora of online guitar lesson resources, learning from a professional guitar teacher still remains the best way to learn guitar.

In this article, I will explore why you should still be learning guitar with a teacher if you want the best possible outcome for your guitar playing.

Benefit 1 – Personalised Guitar Instruction

Personalized guitar instruction from a professional teacher can be incredibly beneficial for students of all skill levels.

One of the most important benefits is the ability to create a customized lesson plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. This approach allows the teacher to address specific areas of difficulty and to help you progress more efficiently by making the lessons relevant to your own goals.

Another significant benefit of personalized instruction is the ability to provide immediate feedback and guidance.

A professional teacher can help you identify and correct mistakes, which will save you a lot of time and frustration. Additionally, a teacher can help you work on the right thing at the right time which will help you avoid biting off more than you can chew with a piece that is way too difficult for you.

Finally, having a set lesson time with a professional teacher can help keep you motivated and on track with your guitar practice.

A teacher can provide guidance and encouragement, and the regularity of lessons can help you stay accountable for your own progress. Furthermore, having a professional teacher can help students to develop a deeper understanding of the guitar, music theory, and the music industry. This knowledge can be incredibly valuable for those who wish to pursue a career in music or simply develop a deeper appreciation for music as a whole.

Benefit 2 – Faster Progress On Guitar

Imagine signing up at your local gym because you have the goal of getting fit and growing bigger muscles.

Now imagine it’s your first time in the gym and you are all alone, surrounded by dozens of machines. You don’t know where to begin, or how to use any of the machines, and could really use some help to get started.

You could waste a whole bunch of time figuring things out by yourself or researching how to use the machines on Youtube…

Or you could just sign up with a trainer who creates a workout routine, shows you how to safely use each machine and guides you through each workout so that you get maximum return on your time in the gym.

This is what it’s like having a professional teacher.

A professional guitar teacher will help you identify and correct mistakes in your playing and give you the exact exercises you need in order to improve.

This will save a lot of time and frustration and help you avoid spending months or even years practising things incorrectly without realizing it. So rather than developing bad habits that can be difficult to break later on, you establish a good habit and great technique from the beginning.

Secondly, a great guitar teacher can provide guidance and feedback on technique.

This can include things like proper hand positioning, finger independence, and tone production. By focusing on technique, students can improve the quality of their playing and develop a more professional sound.

Lastly, a guitar teacher can help you set goals and create a practice plan.

Having specific goals and a structured practice plan can provide much-needed direction for your playing and help you stay motivated.

By setting realistic, measurable goals and tracking progress, you can see the improvement you are making and stay motivated to continue working towards your goals.

Benefit 3 – The Ability To Ask Questions And Get Immediate Feedback On Your Guitar Playing

The biggest disadvantage of teaching yourself (even if it is with resources created by a good guitar teacher) is the lack of feedback that you get.

This can lead to you developing bad habits and flaws in your technique as your guess at the right thing to do.

This is why even if you are largely self-taught and can practice independently, taking a guitar lesson with a real teacher at least once a month can be extremely beneficial.

A really good mechanic will know exactly what is wrong with your car the minute you drive it onto the lot just by listening to it.

Likewise, a really good guitar teacher will be able to identify any bad habits you have with a quick glance or short listen and provide you with immediate feedback on what you can do to improve.

There have been many times when someone who has been self-teaching has been stuck with something for years before they get frustrated enough to reach out for lessons. I’m usually able to solve the problem in less than 5 minutes leaving them wishing they had started taking lessons years earlier.

There is no substitute for being in a room with a real teacher, so I highly recommend that you take guitar lessons with a guitar teacher, even if only sporadically the same way you get a doctor’s checkup.

If you’re looking for a good guitar teacher who can help you out, search for guitar lessons near me and pick the best guitar teacher you can find.

Benefit 4 – A Great Guitar Teacher Will Help You Learn The Right Things At The Right Time

As mentioned earlier there has never been such easy access to an abundance of guitar lesson resources to help you teach yourself guitar and with every day that goes by the number of online resources only increases.

This is a double-edged sword.

While you can get the answer to pretty much any question you have along with a detailed article or video guitar lesson to explain what to do (usually for free, you could be biting off way more than you can chew and attempting something that is way too difficult for you, completely irrelevant to your goals, or jumping way ahead of yourself.

One of the most important things a real guitar teacher can do for their students is to help them learn the right thing at the right time.

This means starting with the basics and building a solid foundation of skills before moving on to more advanced techniques.

It also means focusing on the specific areas where the student needs the most help and avoiding unnecessary or irrelevant material. By learning the right thing at the right time, students can progress more efficiently and avoid frustration.

A teacher can also help you identify a problem with your playing and help you work towards a solution whereas you may just move on to a new video or lesson topic if you were teaching yourself.

For example; If a student is having trouble with proper hand positioning, I would focus on exercises and techniques that will help them improve in that area before moving on to another technique.

By taking this approach, the student can build a strong foundation of skills that will serve them well as they continue to progress.

So Are Guitar Lessons With A Real Guitar Teacher Worth It?

So hopefully you can now see the benefit of taking guitar lessons with a real teacher.

Not only will you make much more rapid progress, but you will also save a lot of time and avoid a lot of frustration by having them guide you through a proper learning plan and overcome any flaws in your technique that may hold you back.

The deciding factor for most people will be the money factor with many people opting to teach themselves due to a lack of money.

At the end of the day, the best advice I can give is “you get what you pay for” and any guitar teacher worth their salt will save you money by getting you from A to B considerably quicker than what you could do yourself.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are also plenty of low-quality teachers out there who will be a waste of money. Ultimately you will need to do some research and find the best teacher you can because it will make a difference.

In conclusion

While some people may do very well teaching themselves guitar and may make great progress through self-teaching, the vast majority of people will do considerably better by taking guitar lessons from a real teacher.

Even guitar players who work well independently will eventually hit a wall in their playing and need help from a professional who can show them exactly what they need to do to fix it.

If you want to learn guitar and make maximum progress in the shortest amount of time possible then taking lessons from a guitar teacher will be the best investment of time and money you make.

If you’re looking for guitar lessons in Melbourne then consider taking lessons with me at my studio Melbourne Guitar Academy. You can book a free trial guitar lesson so that you can experience how much easier learning guitar from a real teacher is before making the decision to commit to ongoing lessons.

Written by Michael Gumley – Melbourne’s Best Guitar Teacher

The post Are Guitar Lessons Worth It? appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

When I first started learning guitar I was inspired by the hard rock and heavy metal guitar heroes of the late 70’s and early 80’s.

I looked up to guitarists like Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde and dozens of other legendary guitar players from their era.

All I wanted to do was shred, and learning how to play the guitar faster so that I could tackle some of the amazing guitar solos I was listening to was pretty high on my priority.

I used to take a weekly guitar lesson with my guitar teacher Dave at school, and would practice guitar religiously for at least four hours per day and I got very good, very quickly…

But something was missing, and I didn’t quite have the edge that my favourite guitar players had.

How To Practice Guitar For Speed

I didn’t know it at the time, but there were specific exercises that could be done to help improve one’s speed.

All I used to do was learn songs believing that if I learned the guitar solos and licks from my favourite players I would eventually absorb what they knew and master their technique.

While this was very beneficial from a music theory point of view, I developed a lot of bad habits with my technique. This was only made worst by the fact I practised guitar so much.

That might not make sense, but If I taught myself a lick and didn’t use the right technique, I would practice it the wrong way for a few hours and over a period of several years, I had developed and strongly reinforced some really bad habits.

Even at university where I studied with some of Melbourne’s Best Guitar Teachers I would be told I had bad technique and needed to fix it… but I was never told what to fix and how to go about it.

Speed Building Exercises For Guitar

It wasn’t until I started taking online guitar lessons from a heavy metal guitar teacher who lived in the USA, was I exposed to a number of specific speed-building exercises for guitar.

Most of these guitar exercises involved identifying a specific problem in my guitar playing and then coming up with an exercise or drill that would help me correct the problem and reinforce better movements.

After all, most speed problems are a result of excess movement causing your hands to fall out of sync with each other, rather than not being able to move fast enough.

One of the best speed-building guitar exercises involved simply building up the control and coordination of my fretting hand fingers without any picking whatsoever.

It’s a tricky exercise, but is hands down the best exercise any aspiring guitar player can use to improve their speed.

The Best Exercise For Improving Your Fretting Hand Finger Speed (For Beginners)

To perform this exercise do the following:

• rest your four fretting hand fingers along string 3 at frets 5-8 (one finger per fret)
• without squeezing, move your first finger from string 1 to string 6 over and over while keeping your other three fingers touching the 3rd string (without squeezing)
• repeat this movement slowly 10-20 times
• once you have completed this movement, complete the same exercise with your second finger.
• You can complete this same exercise with the middle and fourth fingers.

You can watch a video of this process below:

It’s important to only do this exercise for 10-20 reps when first starting out. It will feel very tense and maybe even painful. The aim is to try and stay as relaxed as possible so that when you’re playing the guitar you are relaxed and controlled in every movement.

If you do this exercise every day for a week you will be able to move your fingers considerably faster and will have a much easier time playing guitar.

Additional Guitar Speed Building Exercises For Intermediate Guitar Players

In the guitar lesson video above we introduced a simple single-finger guitar exercise to help you build speed.

You can take it one step further and repeat the same exercise on your guitar but this time use two fingers.

Each of your fingers is to move in the opposite direction. For example, you would have your first finger move up to string 6 while your second finger moves down to string 1 (while your 3rd and 4th fingers remain on string 3).

Here are all the different finger combinations you can use for this guitar exercise:

• 1 & 2
• 1 & 3
• 1 & 4
• 2 & 3
• 2& 4
• 3 & 4

It’s a tricky exercise but start slow and focus on smooth movements.

How Long Does It Take To Play Guitar Fast?

Everyone improves at different rates and there is no easy way to calculate how long it takes to become a faster guitar player.

You can however take these steps to ensure that you maximise your progress and improve your guitar speed at a faster rate:

• Set goals for your guitar playing and plan each practice session so that what you are working on helps you move closer to your goals
• Track your progress and measure your speed so that you know how fast you are playing and how much improvement you are making each practice session
• Record yourself playing and watch for mistakes – If you are practising while unaware of a problem you are only reinforcing that problem. Record yourself and monitor for mistakes so that you know what to fix in future practice sessions
• Get help from an expert teacher – A great guitar teacher will identify what you need to fix and give you the best drills and practice plans to help you improve quickly.

If you’re serious about improving your guitar speed then I recommend getting in touch with us to book a free guitar lesson. That way we can assess your current guitar speed and any bad habits that are holding you back and give you the exercises you need to improve your technique and start playing guitar faster!

About The Author – Melbourne’s Best Guitar Teacher Michael Gumley

Michael Gumley is the owner and founder of Melbourne Guitar Academy – (Melbourne’s highest-rated guitar school) as well as the author of over 12 books and over 40 online courses on how to learn guitar.

Since 2015 Melbourne Guitar Academy has been helping guitar students all around Melbourne improve their guitar speed and play faster with personalised guitar lesson plans and high-quality lessons that are guaranteed to get results. If you’re looking for guitar lessons in Melbourne look no further than studying at Melbourne Guitar Academy. Get in touch to book a free guitar lesson with one of our teachers.

Find out the Melbourne Guitar Academy difference by booking a lesson with Michael now!

The post Easy Guitar Lesson – How To Get Faster Fingers (In 5 Days or Less) appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Do you struggle to play along to songs with chord changes in them without stopping to think about where your fingers go?

Are you avoiding learning songs with bar chords in them because they are way too hard?

Do you ever feel like giving up and that becoming a great player is beyond your capability?

If you identify with any of the statements above or have heard that little voice inside your head telling you to quit, don’t worry, because it’s just a normal part of playing the guitar.

Often we feel discouraged when we can’t keep up with the recording or when we can’t even get certain chords ringing out.

After all, our favourite artists and guitarists make it look so easy and effortless.

But that’s because they have been doing it for so long!

The biggest source of your unhappiness as a guitar player will be comparing yourself to your favourite players and wondering why you can’t keep up.

But comparing yourself a couple of weeks to a couple of months into your guitar-playing journey to where your favourite guitarists are 5-10 years into their own journey isn’t a fair comparison.

It’s like expecting to play basketball as good as Michael Jordan did in his prime at a little league level…

It seems like a ridiculous comparison when we’re talking about sports, but from a guitar perspective, we do it all the time.

So instead of trying to learn chords that are too hard for us, we need to take a much simpler approach.

We need to identify the easiest ‘first step’ that will allow you to play along to songs from start to finish.

For whatever reason, this ‘first step’ is unknown to guitarists and guitar teachers around the world who continue to throw their students in the deep end by insisting they learn pieces note for note as they appear in the record.

In my new video “How To Play Along To Any Song (Even If You’re A Total Beginner) I will give you a system you can use to play along to any chord-based song at a basic level on Day 1 and then work towards playing it as it appears on the recording as you level up your skills, learn new chords and improve as a player.

Common Mistakes Most Beginner Guitarists Make

When you start learning how to play the guitar you really have no idea what is what.

You learn a bunch of chords from one place, a scale from another, a song here and there, but basically ample about without direction and make limited progress.

This is like going to the gym and just randomly trying out different pieces of equipment in the hopes of getting fit.

If you want to get fit in the gym you need a plan, you need to know what you’re doing and a routine that will help you shape up.

If you don’t know what you’re doing all you end up doing is wasting a lot of time.

In fact, you might even hurt yourself by using the equipment incorrectly.

If we apply this chain of thought to learning guitar we get a similar outcome.

It might not be as dangerous to try and teach yourself guitar, but you can still develop a lot of bad habits and go through a lot of mental frustration.

If you’re trying to learn how to play songs on your guitar and you keep coming across bar chords, you’re not going to be able to play them straight away.

In fact, it’s going to be like trying to pick up a weight that is too heavy for you.

You’re going to be frustrated that you can’t play the guitar chords and the more you try, the more frustrated you will get.

The problem is, you’ve been set up for failure from the beginning.

A Better Approach To Learning Guitar As A Beginner

If you try and play bar chords on your guitar as a beginner, that’s like going to the gym and trying to bench press 100KG.

If you try standard open chords then you’ve gone from 100kg down to 80kg, which is still too much for most beginner guitar players.

(Not to mention this will be virtually impossible for kids and children learning guitar who haven’t yet developed their fine motor skills…)

Instead what you need to do is start with the simplest, most achievable first step that you need to take as a beginner guitarist.

In the gym, this would involve doing the exercise with a broomstick to make sure you can do all the movements correctly with little risk to yourself.

On a guitar, the simplest first step is playing a bass line.

This is where all beginner guitarists should start!

The Easiest Way To Play Along To Songs On Guitar

The easiest thing you can do to play along to your favourite songs on guitar is to play the root notes on string 6.

This way you can play along to the song using only one finger to play one note on a single string.

It’s really quite easy and even a small child can manage this.

So if a song like Knocking On Heaven’s Door has the chords G, D, Am, Am, G D, C, C then all you need to know is the locations of the notes on string 6.

• G = fret 3
• D = fret 10
• A = fret 5
• C = fret 8.

So you can play along to the entire song by playing the frets 3, 10, 5, 5 then 3, 10 , 8, 8

How simple is that?

It’s amazingly easy!

And the best part is, you can use this to play along to any song on guitar, even if you’re a total beginner.

No more looking up ‘easy guitar songs’ and having to play through boring songs you don’t know or don’t like.

No more being frustrated when you can’t switch your guitar chords in time.

No more having to skip songs that use bar chords or are too fast for you.

You simply put on the track, play the root notes on string 6 and you can play along to the entire song start to finish using one note at a time!

You can see this in action at the video below:

Take Your Guitar Playing To The Next Level

Obviously, this is very simple and won’t sound exactly like the recording.

But that’s okay, we’re just using this as a guitar hack to allow you to play along to any of your favourite songs on guitar from the very beginning.

As you grow and develop better guitar-playing skills you’ll be able to switch between chords more smoothly, add more complex strumming patterns and eventually tackle bar chords.

So as your guitar playing levels up, you can come back to these songs and try to play the ‘next level’

An example of ‘next levels’ for your fretting hand would include:

• bass notes on string 6
• power chords
• movable three-string triads
• simplified open chords
• standard open chords
• bar chords
• arpeggios

An example of the next levels for your strumming hand would include:

• picking a single note and letting it ring for four counts.
• picking one note every beat.
• applying a simplified picking pattern
• applying a simplified strumming pattern
• learning the actual strumming pattern.

You should start at the basic level with each of your hands and move to a new activity once you have the basics mastered.

Changing The Way You Think About Learning Guitar

Now you may be saying to yourself “But Michael, this doesn’t sound like the original recording”

You are 100% correct.

The point is that we are not trying to sound like the original recording and that instead, we are playing the most fundamental level of the song that we can.

Then, in a couple of months when we have improved our guitar-playing skills and we can change between chords without pausing, we will come back to these songs and play them with the new chords.

It is a completely different approach to learning how to play guitar

It is going to be revolutionary for beginner guitar players because it allows you to play along to ANY song from day 1 of your guitar playing.

But it will require you to challenge any beliefs you have about the ‘conventional’ way of learning to play guitar.

If you can let go of the idea that you need to use your standard chords and switch your perspective to “I will begin using standard chords when I am at the right level of my guitar-playing journey” then you can use this approach to learn and play along to dozens, if not hundreds of songs on the guitar without ever learning a chord!

Stop Playing Guitar Chords And Stop Being Frustrated

If you make a decision to stop playing your guitar chords and adopt this new approach then I guarantee you that you’ll stop being frustrated and will improve out of sight.

You can use this method to play along to any song from start to finish and you can usually do it in less than 5 minutes.

Are you going to make the decision to stop learning guitar in the (broken) conventional way and adopt a much better approach to learning guitar?

Or are you going to keep on doing the same old thing over and over expecting a different result?

(you know, the definition of madness…)

I hope you make the right choice!

The Best Beginner Guitar Lessons In Melbourne

If you’re struggling to learn how to play the guitar the old way, then I want to show you my new beginner guitar method in person.

If you adopt my approach to beginner guitar lessons you will be able to:

Play an entire song from start to finish (if you’ve never done that before)

Play along to your favourite songs (instead of having to look up ‘easy songs’ you don’t know or like)

Build up a setlist of songs and have the time of your life jamming along to them

If you’re looking for the best beginner guitar lessons in Melbourne then I invite you to fill out the contact form on our home page so that we can organise a free introduction & evaluation session for you.

Once we have a better understanding of the kind of guitar player you wish to be, what problems you’re currently facing and what goals you are working towards we can create a custom guitar lesson plan to help you become a much better guitar player.

We’ll even get you playing along to one of your favourite songs straight away using our Level-Up Beginner Guitar Method.

Great guitar playing and quality guitar tuition is only one click away!

About The Author – Michael Gumley – The #1 Guitar Teacher In Melbourne

Michael Gumley is a professional guitarist, musical educator and entrepreneur from Melbourne, Australia.

He is the founder of Melbourne Guitar Academy, the author of the Guitar Ninjas Curriculum and the Head of Guitar at the music educator website Topmusic Pro. Michael’s goal is to raise the standard of musical education globally by empowering both teachers and students with better tools and resources to learn guitar so that they can avoid learning guitar the hard way as he did.

Melbourne Guitar Academy is Australia’s highest-rated guitar school with a 5-star average rating from over 100 Google Reviews. If you want to take your guitar playing to the next level and are looking for the best guitar lessons in Melbourne then look no further than taking lessons at Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Click Here to book a FREE guitar lesson with one of our professional guitar teachers.

The post How To Play Along To Any Song On Guitar… Even If You’re A Total Beginner appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.