Johnny Hiland Band

Would you like to learn how to play songs on the guitar? If so, then this walkthrough guide should help you with getting started! You need to know about common mistakes and how to avoid them.

So, you really want to learn some guitar songs, huh? Well, many people start off by trying to learn on their own, without first learning the basics. That said, it is still a good way to learn the fundamentals and bare basics, just as long as you pick the right songs.
Whether you want to play just for fun, for your friends, or in front of many people, learning can actually be a lot of fun! Practice and repetition is extremely crucial in playing guitar songs. Just like learning a sport, you need to practice often. The more you play, the better you will get.

“How should I get started with playing some songs on the guitar?”

Firstly, you obviously need to get yourself a guitar. If you do not yet have one, a decent beginner’s guitar will cost about $150 or so. This includes an amp, picks, strings, etc. There’s no need to spend a lot of money on a fancy guitar just yet. Save up for one when you’re more advanced.

You could also borrow one from a friend if you’re broke. Who knows, you may be able to work out a deal with SOMEBODY if you really want to take guitar songs lessons. Anyway, once you get yourself a guitar, you’ll probably pick it up and think, “Now what?” this instrument contains six strings that extend down a neck with several frets. How do you play songs on something that seems so complicated? It’s simple: you start out small and take one step at a time!

Gain familiarity with all the strings by picking up a pick and striking each one individually. Begin with the lowest string (E) and work your way down to the highest (e). Learn the differences between them.

“What notes are these strings?” Just remember that the six strings are: E (the lowest note, highest string), and continue with A, D, G, B, and down to the second e at the bottom. By the way, Eddie Van Halen made up an easy way to remember the strings in order: “Eddie Ate Dynamite… Good Bye Eddie”!

As you strike the 1st string, try to make your wrist flick evenly. Hold the pick lightly as you try playing songs on guitar. Hold it towards the tip, between your thumb and first finger. You should practice playing the open strings starting with the low “E” and working your way down to the high “E”.

Once you begin to master the open strings, you can move on to playing certain notes. Keep in mind that your left hand will serve as your guide, and that the neck of the guitar contains a wide array of frets.  The first is the farthest away from you, and vertical metal bars divide all of them.

When playing a particular note, you should press your finger down on the string as close to the metal bar as possible without touching the bar itself. Strike the string, and you should hear a clear note. There should be no vibration from the string, and if there is, you’re either not holding down hard enough on the string or your finger is touching the bar.

So, how can you learn how to play songs on guitar without knowing how to read music? The easiest way to do this is to learn specific songs. Guitar tabs are the simplest way to which you can learn. For instance, if the first number on a tab is a “2 on the A”, you would place your finger on the 2nd string on the 2nd fret and strike the string.

Continue playing the riff in the right order of the guitar tab and you’ll be on your way to playing actual songs!

One last thing to remember is that if you see guitar tab with more than one number stacked on top of each other, then it means a chord needs to be played. A chord, of course, is when you strike more than one string at one time. A “0” on the label of the tabs means you will play the string open (without pressing your finger down on the string).

There are many great resources and easy guitar songs lessons available, including Learn and Master Guitar. The best thing for you to do is smart out small and work your way up to more complex playing. Begin with simple riffs and guitar chords. Learn and Master Guitar is an amazing course because the lessons start out easy and then become more advanced. As long as you play and practice regularly, your playing will become more natural. You will become more talented and thus able to play more complicated songs.

Copyright Liam Gibson (Pro Guitarist)