Chances are, if you are learning to play the guitar, it is because you want to be able to play songs. There are some common mistakes that beginners make, and there are some easy solutions to prevent them.

Playing Guitar Songs

Far too many beginning guitarists try to play songs on the guitar before learning any of the basics. Still, it is a great way to learn fundamentals. The key is to choose songs that will challenge you, without being over-complicated.

Whether you want to play alone, with friends, or in front of an audience, learning to play songs is fun. It is a great way to supplement the basics, and it keeps your practice interesting.

Learning how to play songs on guitar is easier than most people think. As with anything else, practice and repetition are key. You will only improve if you practice.
The first step to learning songs on the guitar is, of course, to get a guitar. If you already have one, then your one step closer. If not, you can usually get a decent beginners set for around $150, brand new. You could also find a second-hand guitar, or borrow one from a friend, if you have to.

Like most beginners, once you have your guitar, you’ll probably have no clue what to do next. The guitar is a complicated instrument, so the best thing to do is start simple.
First, familiarize yourself with the sound of each string. Pick each string individually, starting with the low E string and work your way down to the high E string. Why did they confuse things with two E strings? Sorry, I can’t help you there. Just know that the strings, starting from the top, are labeled E-A-D-G-B-E. You can even create anagrams to remember this. For example, Eddie Van Halen used “Eddie Ate Dynamite. Good Bye Eddie!” Sometimes, something funny or ridiculous is easiest to remember.

Remember that when you are striking the string, you need to use an even flick of your wrist. Hold the pick lightly, towards the tip, between the thumb and first finger. Practice with the open strings first, then work your way up to different notes. You can do this by playing frets. Just remember that the first fret is furthest from you, counting up as you get closer to your body. When you play a note, your finger should press on the string as close to the fret as possible, without actually touching it. If the string makes a vibrating sound instead of a clean note, it is because you are either not pressing hard enough, or touching the fret.

Playing songs on guitar is much easier when you use guitar tabs. A guitar tab will display the six strings, with numbers written on the strings. A 0 represents an open string, and any other number represents the fret you need to play. For example, if the first number on the tab is a 2 on the A string, you will play the second fret on that string, and so forth. If you see multiple numbers stacked on top of each other, it represents a chord, meaning that you will have to play more than one note at a time.
Start small, and work your way up. Begin by learning how to play easy guitar songs and chords. Repetition will make your playing more natural, and you will be able to move on to more complicate material.

Copyright Liam Gibson (Pro Guitarist)