Country Guitar Lessons - Guitars and Guitarists

Country guitar lessons in these days of the world wide web are now popular all over the world. If you are wondering what the fuss is about I will just mention some aspects of country guitar playing that excite the interest of music fans and guitar enthusiasts alike. This article will focus on a couple of the more individualistic guitar styles in country music and also talk a little about the Telecaster - the country musician's guitar.

First let us look at a guitar style that has entered the country genre through blues and rock. The slide guitar, also known as the bottleneck guitar is a lyrical way of expressing feelings through guitar music. It was developed in the early twentieth century by the early blues players, and popularized by young white rock and blues players in the nineteen sixties. Now there are many country guitar players who see the musical possibilities in this style of playing. The key to this technique is sliding an object along the guitar strings to make a whining or wailing sound. This presents the guitar player with many opportunities to play notes that fall between the frets of the guitar as well as imitating the sound of a singing voice.

The term "bottleneck" refers to the practice of many slide guitar performers of producing the sliding sound by fitting the neck of a bottle to their first or second finger. Popular wisdom has it that other players used the blade of a knife. Modern slide guitar players usually go to a music shop and buy a slide. You can play slide guitar with the guitar held in the normal playing position or with the guitar in your lap. A player can use an ordinary steel string acoustic guitar tuned in the standard way or to an open chord, or a resonator guitar which has a distinctive metallic sound well suited to slide playing.

Another guitar style used by country guitar players is chicken pickin', developed to high art by Waylon Jennings. It is used in lead guitar solos and involves the guitar player pulling on the string with his right hand fingers and at the same time damping the string with his left hand. Most country guitar players use a plectrum or thumbpick to play bass notes in conjunction with chicken pickin' on the treble strings.

Chet Atkins is a country guitar player who was adept at the chicken pickin' technique but he was most well known for his adaptation of the Travis picking technique. Merle Travis developed an impressive solo playing technique using his thumb to pick bass notes and his index finger to play melody or filler notes. Chet Atkins was so impressed with Travis' solos that he assumed that Travis was using his second and ring fingers in addition to his index finger. This mistaken assumption led to a whole new generation of country guitar players inspired by the Chet Atkins style.

If you want to take country guitar lessons you should learn about the typical sound that is associated with country guitar music. While rock and roll has as many sounds as there are guitar players, country guitar has its own sound. This is due to most country players opting to stay with the clean, unadorned sound of the Fender Telecaster. The "Tele" had a sound that made aspiring guitar players sit up and take notice combined with a design that made it a dream to play. It is a solid body electric guitar with two pickups, and was the first electric guitar to be successfully produced and sold on a large scale.

In the early days of the electric guitar both rock and country guitar players wanted to be heard by the audience without feedback interfering with the sound of the guitar. The Telecaster filled the bill when it came out in 1950 and has remained a popular choice for solo guitarist ever since. Country guitarists noted for being enthusiastic Telecaster players include Buck Owens, Waylon Jennings, James Burton and Merle Haggard.

Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.

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Four Basic Acoustic Guitar Tuning Guides for Beginners

Acoustic guitar tuning method is similar to the method use in electric guitar tuning and standard guitar tuning. Guitar tuning is the skill that each of the guitar player need to know and master. Without proper tuning, you won’t be able to get the perfect tone and sound while playing guitar especially getting the right chord and lead.

Before you start, one important rule is to first identify which is the string that being called or named "1st. String" in guitar term. The 1st. string is referring to the smallest string located at the lowest position of the guitar’s neck. Once you knew which the 1st string is, identifying the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th string will be very easy. The 2nd string is the string located above the 1st string. Same arrangement applies to the 3rd to 6th string.

The acoustic guitar strings that being tuned up to the Standard Acoustic Guitar Tuning will have the following sound for each string:

1st. string, representing "E" note or the "Mi (high)" sound;

2nd. string, representing "B" note or the "Ti" sound;

3rd. string, representing "G" note or the "Sol" sound;

4th. string, representing "D" note or the "Re" sound;

5th. string, representing "A" note or the "La" sound;

6th. string, representing "E" note or the "Mi (low)" sound

There are several acoustic guitar tuning methods use which ranging from the expensive (normally using special electronic equipment) to the cheapest or free service from the internet (online guitar tuner).

Listed below are 4 popular acoustic guitar tuning methods that you could consider:

(1) Electronic Guitar Tuner - This is the simplest but most expensive method of the acoustic guitar tuning method. To use this method, you need to buy the equipment called "Electronic Guitar Tuner" which is not cheap. Using it of course very simple. You're using your eyes instead if ears to tune the guitar using this tool. What you need to do is just tune and plucks the string that you are tuning until its match the indicator shown on the electronic guitar tuner.

(2) Online Guitar Tuner - This method has become more and more popular now days. This is because more and more website offer free online acoustic guitar tuning service. If you plan to buy online guitar lesson software, make sure that the package comes with online guitar tuner or guitar tuning software that you can install in your computer. This method is not as easy as using electronic guitar tuner but it is not that hard either. What you need to do is to tune the guitar string until its match the sound generated from the tuner program for each string that you work on.

(3) Guitar Pitch Pipe - Guitar pitch pipe is another acoustic guitar tuning method that you could use. Guitar pitch pipe is the pipe that will produce specific sound or pitch depending on which pipe you blow. You can get the guitar pitch pipe from any music store. There are six holes on the pitch pipe that will produce tone when blow. The guitar string is then tuned to this tone. For user reference, each hole is marked with alphabet A - D - G - B - E representing each guitar string.

(4) Piano or Keyboard - If you have a piano or electric keyboard, this is another method that you can use as the acoustic guitar tuner. This method is similar to online guitar tuner and guitar pitch pipe above. The only different is you are using piano or keyboard to produce tone. The guitar string is then tuned to this tone. Similar to guitar pitch pipe, the note that you need to produce from the piano or keyboard are A - D - G - B - E.

All these methods are the standard acoustic guitar tuning method use by newbies and experience guitar players. In fact, this is a standard guitar tuning method that can be for both acoustic and electric guitars. Which method to use is depending on individual budget and skill level. What important as guitar player is to keep practicing. One day you might not need any equipment to tune your acoustic guitar.

Looking for online guitar lesson software but don’t know how to choose? Visit Ultimate Guitar Review for a fair & honest review.

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11 Damaging Mistakes Guitar Players Make and How to Avoid Them

Do you know how some guitar players practice most days of the week, work hard, and are passionate about their guitar playing, but they always struggle to be able to play guitar the way they want? They are frustrated because they don't improve fast enough, begin doubting their guitar playing potential, or even feel discouraged or angry with themselves when thinking about how long it is taking them to become a better guitar player.

Can you relate to that? I sure can, I just described myself 15 years ago.

There are specific reasons why guitar players go through such frustration and disappointment. Here are 11 key mistakes guitar players make and repeat over and over again that you should definitely avoid.

1. Teaching Yourself To Play Guitar. Many people attempt to teach themselves how to play guitar. Yes, it's true that some well known players were 'somewhat' self taught, but I do not suggest following that strategy even if your favorite player was self taught. If you are 100% sure that you can build powerfully effective learning and training systems on your own, that's great. However, if you are like most of us, doing it alone is the hardest, most time-consuming, stressful, and frustrating way to learn anything. This is a mistake that you should avoid. Some guitar players think it will impress others if they say, "I am a self taught guitar player". That statement might impress a few inexperienced people, but being self taught is not a 'badge of honor'. Would you rather impress others with your guitar playing or with an unimportant statement about your guitar playing? I'm not criticizing self taught guitar players, I'm only saying that there is no advantage to being self taught... and no, it is not true that being 'self taught' makes us more 'original'. In fact, the opposite is usually true.

2. Taking Guitar Lessons From Ineffective Guitar Teachers. Unfortunately, most electric guitar teachers receive ZERO training on how to teach guitar. What is worse is that the vast majority of teachers do little or nothing to improve their guitar teaching skills. Want some proof? Use google's keyword tool . Type in this keyword phrase: 'improve guitar teaching skills', 'guitar teaching skills', or 'guitar teaching training' and you will find that less than 10 searches per month are done for these topics at google! Of course there are some highly effective electric guitar teachers around, but there are a whole lot more ineffective teachers.

3. Seeking New Guitar Information (tricks, tips, tab) Without A Proven Strategy To Reach Your Specific Musical Goals. We need information, advice, help and music to play, but without a proven strategic learning and training process that is specific to you, your skill level, your musical style and what you want to be able to do as a guitar player, information won't get you where you want to go. It is better to first seek help in developing a customized strategy for you to become a better guitar player. After that strategy is in place, then it is time to deal with learning the right information.

4. Not Knowing Specifically What You Want To Be Able To Play. Most guitar players are not specific enough when they think about (or tell others about) what they want to be able to do with their guitar. To say, "I want to play whatever I wish to play" is too vague. How can you (or your guitar teacher) develop a specific and effective guitar training strategy unless the goals you have are specific? It's like saying you want to be a great athlete, how can you effectively train with such a vague goal? Sure there are things you can do to become faster, stronger, more flexible or whatever, but it's much easier if you first get specific such as, I want to train to be a gymnast, or a long distance runner, or a body builder. Yes you can still improve without a strategy, but it will take a lot longer and be much more frustrating. You can always change your goal later if you discover you want to do something else instead.

5. Not Enough Focus On Things That Matter Most To Making You A Better Guitar Player. Have you fallen into the trap of practicing guitar without focusing on the specific things that can quickly begin to improve your guitar playing? Many people really do not understand and apply this concept in enough detail.... for example, I have a student named Mark who used to take lessons from another teacher in the past. Mark was studying sweep picking arpeggios with his previous teacher, and was making some progress. However Mark did not understand what 'specific' things he needed to focus on first before attempting to master the sweep picking arpeggios he was practicing. This was holding him back and making him feel very frustrated. Mark's previous teacher only knew how to 'teach' arpeggios and general sweep picking concepts. He did not really know how to "train" Mark with the specific things to focus on and how to overcome the challenges Mark was having.

6. Too Much Focus On Things That Are Not Core To Your Goals. In addition to not focusing on specific things, many guitar players focus on the 'wrong things'. Some enthusiastic guitar players become temporarily obsessed with things which are distractions from other things that could be helping their guitar playing much more. Here is an example: I used to get so frustrated and angry when I could not play something perfectly, I'd lock myself in my guitar practice room and say, "I'm not coming out of this room until I master this damn lick if it takes me the next 19 hours! No breaks! No food! No human contact! I'm gonna nail this!" And I did master it. On the surface, it might seem like I was on the right track and practicing in a good way.... But in reality, I was spending my time only to stop being angry and frustrated. I was not investing my guitar practice time wisely by focusing on the things that mattered most to making a better guitar player. In other words, my perseverance was commendable, but my strategy to master important long-term goals was weak. I allowed myself to be distracted. I don't make this same mistake anymore, and I urge you to also avoid it! Focus on the things that really matter for your guitar playing right now. If you are not sure how to do this, seek out a proven guitar teacher today.

7. Focusing On The Right Things, But in The Wrong Order. This is a common mistake that even many advanced guitar players make which causes a lot of wasted time and frustration. Imagine you want to improve your ability to create your own cool guitar solos. Let's assume that you are advanced enough to truly understand all the primary and secondary elements of composing guitar solos (or you have a guitar teacher to help you). Each of the many elements need to be learned and/or practiced in order to easily create awesome solos that you like. Where should you begin? What should you focus on first, second, third? Which of these things should you practice simultaneously? There is always a specific order in which musical skills should be learned and mastered in order to EXPLODE your musical skills. Unfortunately, that order is totally different for every person, style of music, musical goal, skill set and knowledge, so giving an example here would be pointless. My advice, find the best teacher you can and study with him/her in order to be able to do what you want to do with your guitar much faster and easier.

8. Not Isolating Problem Areas. Few guitar players are aware of the small things that hold them back in big ways. Because these little imperfections seem insignificant to us, we often ignore them. The truth is, small hinges open big doors. In the video mentioned above I explained how allowing your guitar pick to lose its momentum when you are 'not picking' a note on the guitar makes your playing slow and sloppy.... which will make you feel very frustrated. This is why I was sure to make a special point to help you avoid that mistake.

9. Learning And Practicing Guitar In A Step By Step Linear Process. Does following a linear step by step approach to learning, practicing and mastering guitar seem like common sense good to you? Yes it does... And that is why guitar players who follow such a path are NOT great guitar players. I'm going to let you in an insider's secret... The truth is, following a linear approach to learning guitar, practicing guitar, and mastering guitar is the NUMBER ONE REASON WHY "GOOD GUITAR PLAYERS" STRUGGLE TO BECOME "GREAT GUITAR PLAYERS"...

10. Practicing Guitar In The Same Way Your Favorite Guitar Players Practice Guitar. Have you ever read about how your favorite guitar players practice guitar and then tried to repeat the same practice routine? Yes, I've made this mistake too! It seems natural to use a similar guitar practice schedule that our favorite guitar players are using. This is a mistake, because your current guitar skill level and knowledge of music is probably very different from your favorite player. His/her challenges and needs are likely not the same as yours.

Professional guitar players practice for different reasons than most amateur players do. For example, before recording a new album I will practice very differently compared to the period before going on tour. Once I'm actually on tour my practice routine changes drastically again. The rest of the year my practicing schedule changes yet again. This happens because in each case my challenges and goals are totally different. When my guitar students ask me, "Tom, how do you practice guitar?" I'm careful not to let my students assume that they should practice the same way that I do. Your practice schedule and strategy needs to be built around YOU and you only! If you need help building your own practice schedule, email me directly.

11. Learning From Too Many Different Sources Of Information. There will always be many learning opportunities and various paths to take, but it is critical that you do not get distracted into following a piece of advice from one person, then another piece of advice from another person and then follow more resources from somewhere else and so on and so on... while different people may have some good ideas to offer, the fact is, distraction is a big reason why many guitar players who are actively learning, don't really move forward quickly... these people are always busy following totally different resources, teachers, philosophies, instructional videos, free online guitar lessons, but all of this leads them to take one step forward, then 2 steps to the right, then one step forward, then 3 steps to the left, then one step backward, then two to the right, then 1 step forward and then another step to the left...

Once you have an effective strategy to become the guitar player you want to be, ALWAYS stay focused on it (unless your goals radically change)!! The very best way to do this is to have ONE primary guitar teacher who helps you to become the musician you really want to be.

This doesn't mean that you shouldn't take advice from other people too, but you should have one 'primary' source of information, training and coaching, and see the other advice as an additional resource, but do not become distracted by it.

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Beginner Guitar Tips: How To Find And Select Your First Guitar

Learning to play guitar is a major decision, and getting a good starter guitar involves more decisions still. If you're shy about committing to a purchase of a brand new instrument, here are a few ways you can obtain a guitar:

If you have a friend or a relative who plays, ask them if they have an extra guitar to loan or sell to you. Maybe they will even give you some instructions on guitar playing. If you have any musician friends or relatives, ask if they have a spare guitar that you could borrow or buy. Most guitar freaks like myself have more than one guitar, and you can only play one at a time! So ask around first.

If you can't borrow, but don't want to commit to buying just yet, you can rent a guitar. Most music stores rent out instruments to beginning students on a weekly or monthly basis. This is an affordable option because it requires a weekly or monthly rental fee. If you then find that learning the guitar is not for you, then at least you won't be stuck with a guitar that you bought and now no longer want! And if you don't like the instrument you rented you can try another one instead.

When you go to rent a guitar, explain to the store clerk that you're just starting out and ask about their rental policy. Make sure you can change the instrument if the first one doesn't work out for you.

Ask about a repair policy, just in case you accidentally damage your rented guitar. Try out several of the guitars in the shop -- window-shopping will not do, you need to have a comfortable feel for the guitar. You should be looking for a guitar that isn't too wide or too large to hold, that you can hold comfortably in your lap with enough room for the strumming arm to hang down and easily strike the strings. Your elbow of your strumming arm should be able to hang down from the edge of the guitar in a relaxed fashion. Comfort is key! You will be spending hours and hours in guitar practice, so make sure you feel comfortable holding and playing the guitar. If you fall in love with a particular guitar, so much the better! Practice will be fun and not a chore, which will make a huge difference in your mastery of the instrument.

If you decide to buy a used guitar you need to make sure it's playable and doesn't have flaws that will impede your guitar playing. Small chips or nicks in the top, neck or body can be overlooked, because that is normal wear and tear. Belt buckles can scratch up the back side of the guitar body, but just scratches or nicks won't affect the sound or playability of the guitar.

What you need to look for are cracks, big dents, poor action, buzzing, and warped guitar necks. Do not buy a guitar with cracks in the body or top, or dents that go through the surface. The top, whether flat or archtop, must be free of any cracks and should be flat and not warped or curved.

Does the guitar buzz when played? Buzzing can come from a problem in the tuning pegs, the nut, too low an action, a warp in the neck, or an uneven bridge. Do not buy a used guitar that buzzes unless the store can have it fixed. Sometimes buzzing requires only slight adjustments to be fixed, but sometimes it may indicate a major problem with the guitar that you don't need to deal with. Buzzing in a new guitar can usually be remedied with a few slight adjustments, but buzzing in a used guitar is bad, unless the store can fix it before you buy it.

Buzzing can also occur when you don't press down your finger properly on the fret to produce a note. Since you don't yet know how to play, ask the store clerk to play the guitar for you to make sure it doesn't buzz.

Try the guitar out. Do the strings stay in tune? If not, there can be structural problems with the tuning machines and you definitely do not want to deal with that. Play the guitar for several minutes in the store, or ask someone else to play it so that you can determine whether the strings stay in tune. It's like buying a used car: you don't want to inherit someone else's headache. Generally, a reputable guitar store will take care of problems with used guitars before they place them for sale. But pay attention if you are buying used guitar: check the guitar out from headstock to bridge. If something seems amiss, look for another guitar! If you buy on eBay or another online vendor, make sure there is a return policy.

Next, check the action. When you press the strings down against the fingerboard with the fingertips of your playing hand make sure there isn't a lot of space between the strings and the fingerboard. The space between the upper fingerboard and the strings is called the "action,"and it makes a huge difference in the ease and speed of playing. A small distance between the strings and fingerboard (without buzzing) is very desirable for the beginner guitarist and in fact for all guitarists.

A large distance makes for very difficult playing and can discourage the beginner altogether. You'll need to develop hand strength to play in any case, so don't make it harder than it already is by getting a guitar with poor action!

You also want to check the guitar neck. A warped neck will be a real problem; it ruins the action and makes the guitar hard to play. Sight down the neck of the guitar from the headstock looking toward the guitar body, as if you were looking down the sight of a rifle. There should be a very slight curvature or dip near the body, not a big one, and the fingerboard should appear even from side to side.

If the guitar is otherwise comfortable, sounds good, fits into your body easily, and looks halfway decent, then it may just be the one for you. Follow your gut feeling on this: if the guitar feels really right, and has no major flaws, and you feel drawn to it, there's your answer. After all, the guitar is going to become your daily companion that you spend a lot of time with, so make sure you can make friends with it easily. If you're buying a used guitar from a shop, ask if there is any return period, just in case you find something wrong with it when you begin to practice.

The used guitar should come with a case or at least a lightweight gig bag. A cardboard box is not an ideal storage place for any guitar, used or new. If the case in not included then try to bargain for a new or used hardshell case, which is the toughest, most durable type of case, complete with felt inner lining and a durable exterior. A regular guitar case is cheaper than a hardshell, and will do fine if you are not in transit a lot with the guitar. Or you can probably get a new "gig bag," which is made of a lightweight plastic material, for about $20-30.

When you buy a new guitar, follow the above guitar tips just the same. Just because it is fresh from the factory doesn't mean it is perfect! Check the action, the neck, and the body for flaws. If the guitar buzzes, it may need some setup work so ask the vendor about that. Buzzing is not necessarily a sign of a major problem and can be corrected with some adjustments, but you shouldn't have to make them yourself. Finally, when buying a new guitar definitely inquire about a return period, and a warranty for parts and labor in case something goes wrong. Find out if you can bring the guitar back to the store where you bought it, or whether you would have to ship it back to the manufacturer directly. And until you are sure you want to keep the guitar, save the box it was delivered in! Having to return a brand new guitar is difficult enough without having to buy a guitar box to return it in.

Once you get your guitar, practice, practice, and play it as much as you can! Playing the guitar is a fabulous hobby that will reward you with years of enjoyment in exchange for practice and dedication.

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Buy A Used Guitar: Is It Smart For A Beginner To Buy A Cheaper Used Guitar?

A person who has just begun to learn how to play a guitar should own one. There are two options to own a guitar. The beginner can purchase a new guitar which is more costly or they can opt to buy a used guitar. Beginners are often advised to buy a used guitar just to get the hang of guitar-playing. They can purchase these in pawn shops and garage sales. They are also offered in various sites on the internet. However, it is advisable to purchase one from a pawn shop or online since the quality of the used guitar is often guaranteed since they won’t be available for sale if they were damaged.

There are many advantages and disadvantages involved when a person decides to buy a used guitar. Most involve the quality that the used guitar comes in. Others think about the additional expenses needed for repair. Whatever the pros and cons, the beginner should think carefully if the guitar is right for him or her.

The most obvious reason why people buy a used guitar is the cost. It is a known fact that new guitars are more expensive to own. Used guitars are often cheaper. However, it is important to examine the guitar before deciding to buy it because the guitar may have a few dents and scratches which would explain the low price. There is also the question of the quality of material that the guitar is made of. The guitar may be cheap because it is of low standard. That may also be the underlying reason why the previous owner decided to sell it in the first place. It is also important to do some research on the various used guitars out in the market. If you’re just going to use the guitar for practicing purposes then a used guitar is more practical.

In examining the guitar, since the beginner may not know how the guitar should sound in perfect or almost-perfect condition, it is important to bring along someone who does so that the person can be the one to test the guitar. Again, it is important to test the guitar since the quality may not be worth its price.

The cost of repairing the guitar is also something worth considering. You may end up spending more than you bargained for. Bring the guitar to a music store or to a place that repairs guitars. Have it estimated. If the cost of repairing the guitar costs more than purchasing a new guitar then opt for the new guitar instead.

A new guitar doesn’t come cheap. Oftentimes it is expensive to purchase one. This is why most beginners prefer to buy a used guitar. Since they are still at the early stages of learning, they don’t really have to purchase a new guitar. What they need to concentrate on is the guitar lessons themselves. Once they have mastered the guitar then they can think of purchasing a new guitar.

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Wouldn't it be Great to be Able to Buy a Guitar That Felt Gig Ready Right Out of the Box?

Guitar purchase “off the rack” can be a mine field, consider "custom" versus "pre-fab" electric guitars.

I love guitars, and there's nothing like a new electric guitar with a proper set up! I like the tone, the way it feels in my hands, and the way that I can make a guitar sound "right" for any kind of music that I play. Whether it's jazz, blues, country, hard rock, R&B leads, guitar chords, or just working on guitar tabs, all it takes is a flip of a switch, some prep, a couple twists of the knobs, neck alignment and I'm right where I need to be. I've bought a lot of guitars over the years, and discovered that taking that beautiful new Strat or Tele guitar out of the box was always just the first step in finding the guitar that fit in my hands the way that I imagined that it would when it first caught my eye. After a close inspection I found that my new guitar wouldn't be quite gig ready until I did all of the little subtle tweaks, repairs and modifications that would make it play just the way I wanted it to when I got it out onto the gig. I'd dress the frets, get the intonation just right, tweak the pick-ups, customize the configuration a bit, and before you know it, I'd be playing a guitar that felt like it was made to be in my hands. Playing music is always fun, but when I'm on the gig with a guitar that feels just right ... it's just pure guitar joy.

After a while I thought; “Wouldn't it be great to be able to buy a guitar that felt gig ready right out of the box?" As wonderful as that idea may seem, in reality it’s almost impossible to pick up a guitar in a music store “off the rack” and have it play right. It just doesn’t happen. There are many things that need to be done to “prep” the guitar before it’s ready to play. At Haywire Custom Guitars (http://www.HaywireCustomGuitars.com) we recommend and perform all of the following in prep for a guitar purchase before it leaves the bench at the workshop. For our purposes here I will focus only on electric instruments for now. First, let me pose a question to the beginning through the advanced guitarist. What Is Guitar Intonation and why is it important? Do you know?

Intonation is the accuracy in which an electric guitar or bass can produce a fretted note and the most important issue with any instrument. Setting the intonation on a guitar is the act of adjusting the length of the strings (by moving the bridge saddles) to compensate for the thickness of the string and the stretching of a string due to pushing it down to the fret board to produce a note. To adjust the intonation of your guitar or bass guitar, you move the bridge saddles toward or away from the fret board until the 12th fret note and its harmonic are equal in pitch to the same open-string note, which are exactly one octave apart. Accurate intonation is critical to pitch quality. Pitch quality is essential to "in tune" playing. Poor pitch quality="out of tune" notes which in turn = poor musical presentation. Wouldn't you or the salesman want to present your musical talents in the best way possible? Of course, you do.

Now, it is not necessary for a guitar player to know this at all. It is essential however that the guitar possess this quality and maintain as close to perfect intonation as possible. Buying on looks alone can be very disappointing. If however, you like an instrument for the looks but realize that you will need to have it worked on to get it playable then that is a savvy notion. It's best to speak to a luthier or guitar builder previous to any purchase. It's akin to asking a mechanic which car he would recommend-before you walk into the show room. In this way you can benefit from his first hand knowledge and experience and not have to go it alone. After all he sees the ones that breakdown more often than you or the salesman do.

Below, I have outlined the essential adjustments to be performed prior to purchasing and playing a guitar under optimal circumstances.

1. 4-axis Alignment of the guitar neck. The guitar neck is checked and adjusted to insure that it is true and straight to insure proper alignment on all axis. This step insures proper action and allows for more accurate and easier guitar tuning, playing and set-up in the following steps.

2. Inspect and Lube the guitar tuning gears

Each tuning gear is adjusted so that there is no play in the mechanism. They are then lubricated to insure smooth and even movement to make your guitar tune accurately.

3. Potting the guitar pickups. Dip the pickups in hot wax to reduce squeal and unwanted guitar feedback.

4. Prep the guitar body. Upon installing the guitar electronic components, great care is taken to insure that all wires are properly routed, spaced, and grounded to insure years of trouble free service with your guitar.

5. Level and polish the frets. This insures that all of the guitar frets are level, eliminating any possibility of fret buzz due to unevenness.

6. Radius the guitar strings. Most guitar necks have a contour over the top of the neck called the "radius". Adjust the strings to make sure the height of each string follows the contour of the guitar neck.

7. Adjusting the overall guitar string height and the action. Once the string contour and radius of the guitar strings is set, it’s time to adjust the overall height or "action" or distance of the strings from the top of the frets to the bottom of the guitar strings.

8. Set the guitar intonation. This step should be done twice. The intonation is normally set two times with a 24 hour period in between to allow the new guitar adjustments to properly re-seat.

If these steps are performed before playing your new guitar then, you won't be disappointed. Your focus can then be on the music and not the problems of the instrument. If it is "set up" properly a player will not have to "get used to" it. Everything on it will feel natural and fall right into place and the music can flow.

In summary, Guitar purchase “off the rack” can be a real disappointment. A thoughtful purchase should include consideration in buying a "custom" or "Gig-Ready" electric guitar versus a "pre-fab" instrument built on a production line. Custom guitars are individually built for a specific customer and will have all of the above necessary operations performed. All the guitarist needs to do is-Play! Sincerely, Rick Mariner http://www.HaywireCustomGuitars.com

Rick Mariner - Owner and founder of Haywire Value Priced Custom Guitars (http://www.HaywireCustomGuitars.com) and a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree from University of Maryland and a Masters degree from George Washington University.

Rick developed an 8 - Point “Gig- Ready” guitar process that allows for Haywire Custom Guitars that are "GIG-READY".

With many years of development and guitar set-up experience, we pride ourselves in helping to build you the “Just Right” Haywire guitar at prices well below market and "set up" to playing perfection.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Mariner

Rick Mariner

http://www.HaywireCustomGuitars.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/wouldnt-it-be-great-to-be-able-to-buy-a-guitar-that-felt-gig-ready-right-out-of-the-box-176947.html

Know Your Free Guitar Chords

With the continuing craze about guitar playing, from rhythm and blues to rock – there is a huge demand for free guitar chords. A guitar chord represents the collection of tones that is sounded when the strings of a guitar are played simultaneously. Cool guitarists have a way with guitar chords – they play it with style and ease.

Free Guitar Chords, Anyone?

Free guitar chords are illustrated in the customary musical notation and tablature, also known as tabs. With more self-taught guitarists on the rise, free guitar chords are also depicted in chord diagrams for easier reading. However, different people have different interpretations of guitar chords. Some coaches use their own versions which often lead to confusion.

Understanding guitar chord symbols

Free guitar chords often include symbols in the chord diagram layout. The vertical lines are the guitar strings, the horizontal lines are the frets. An x above the vertical line indicates that a string is free or is not played, while an O designates an open string or a string that is not played on the fret. A filled circle means the string has to be fretted.

If you look closely at the neck of your guitar, you will see thin strips running the full width of the neck. These metal strips divide the neck into musical intervals. A fret has its cluster tone where an octave is segmented into twelve semitones. When there is an instruction in the free guitar chords to fret, you simply press down the string on the strip.

Other illustrations on a free guitar chords diagram are the curved line to indicate a barre. When a barre is signaled, you use a single finger to hold down several strings all at once. If there are numbers beneath some strings, you are asked to use the indicated finger number on the note. For left handed players, the diagrams are simply reversed.

Getting those free guitar chords

There are guitar sites online offering free guitar chords, from classics to the latest pop songs. You can choose from a drop down menu the artists or the songs, often arranged alphabetically. These guitar chords are also marked according to their difficulty level. Other sites simply cluster the free guitar chords according to the following ranks – beginner, advanced, and pro.

To make the learning process easier, there are sites that have video demonstrations explaining the function of each guitar part, the guitar chords, and techniques. The video demo makes it easier for self-taught players to understand the complexities of the guitar chords.

To make the most of your free guitar chords, get a guitar dictionary. This contains 63 basic chords, and when you pick a note, you will hear the sound of the guitar chord. This will require a Flash player, though, so be ready to get one when needed. Yet another tool you can use is a CD of guitar chords that may supplement the free guitar chords you have downloaded from websites. This CD is easy to use because it does not require extra tools to set up.

Also, surf the net for free guitar chords of your favorite songs and artists. There is no end in sight for guitar chords, tips, and even free guitar newsletters. You can also sign up for guitar forums to get more ideas from other guitar players. From there you can start you budding guitar career.

About the Author

Visit aboutplayingguitar.com for free guitar chords. In the mood for the blues? Visit this site now for blues guitar chords and free guitar sheet music.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=182134&ca=Recreation

Beginner Guitar - Tips to Help the Beginner Guitar Player

Most people who are interested in music often have the urge to be a beginner guitar player. They are influenced by the musicians they see on TV, what they hear on radio, or by their favorite music. There are some who just want to be able to reproduce or sing along with their favorite song. Others have more personal reasons such as wanting to impress someone with their guitar playing skills or dreaming of becoming famous. For those interested in beginner guitar, here are some tips to help you get started.

The first thing that a beginner guitar player should do is to decide which type of guitar he or she wants to play. There are different types of guitars and also different types of musical genre. There is the classical guitar which has a wider staff compared to other guitars. This is the guitar most preferred by those into classical music as this allows for a more flexible picking of notes. Using this type of guitar doesn't require any need to use an amplifier. There is also the acoustic guitar which is available for any kind of music. There is also the electric guitar which is the type mostly used by rock bands. The bass guitar, which is available in both acoustic and electric versions, is used for lower notes. This usually has four strings although there are also bass guitars with 5 or 6 strings available.

Another thing that a beginner guitar player should do is to decide if he or she wants to study playing the guitar with a teacher or by himself. Although it is less costly to learn the guitar yourself, the guidance given by a guitar teacher is valuable because they have also undergone years of training and experience with regards to guitar playing. Also, they will be able to correct you if you're doing something wrong such as improper hand movement and posture.

Some people forget to do this but it is important to remember to take your time. Learn the basics in guitar 101 and the easy songs first. These fundamentals include knowing the parts of the guitar and how to tune the guitar strings. Beginner guitar players should also study the different guitar theories as this teaches them how to read notes and do scales. This is especially important if you're interested in playing classical music as these music pieces often require a guitar player to read notes. Other genres of music also incorporate note reading as a requirement to guitar playing. Strumming is also an essential part in guitar playing as this allows you to accompany most of the songs heard once you know the basic guitar chords.

Beginner guitar players should also remember that there is such a thing as good posture which matters in guitar playing. Many may not know it but there is a proper posture being taught by music teachers with regard to guitar playing. It is advisable for the guitar player to sit in an armless chair with the guitar resting on his lap. Some musicians even use a foot rest so as to be able to prop the guitar on one knee for added support and ease of use.

A beginner should also use the right pick. These picks come in various styles. It is important to choose the pick which you are most comfortable with and which isn't hard on the hands or fingers. A beginner is advised to choose a soft pick first so that you can strum quicker. You might also want a firmer one since it is said that firmer picks produce a richer quality of sound. You should also remember to grip it firmly but not too tightly.

Probably the most important tip for beginners to remember is to practice. Practice makes guitar playing easier for the beginner. It'll also help you memorize notes quicker. If you have a guitar recital coming up, it is important to be comfortable with the piece you'll be performing.

Beginner guitar players don't have to be afraid of the instrument. All they have to do is to practice, be comfortable, and to have fun. This is the reason why most people choose to play an instrument in the first place. They want to have fun and enjoy music at the same time.

Want to find the best deals when you buy a guitar online? We offer the best deals online for beginner guitar, accessories, amplifiers, and more! Come to http://www.Bargain-Guitars.com to get your guitar for the limited sale prices!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Thompson

Tips For Learning to Play the Electric Guitar

The electric guitar is one of the most powerful musical instruments today. It dominates every popular genre and style of music in the modern world. The sheer flexibility of the electric guitar in terms of volume, tone and sound quality makes it an ultimate musical instrument.

The electric guitar is an instrument of power or finesse, of speed or subtlety, but definitely, it is an instrument of musical glory. For those people who would want to learn how to play the electric guitar, here are some noteworthy tips:

1. Use a nylon guitar first

If one is thinking about learning how to play a guitar by using an electric guitar, he should think about it twice. If one is just learning how to play the guitar, he shouldn’t do it with an electric guitar. Electric guitars use steel strings which can be very uncomfortable for beginners. Besides, learning the basics from an acoustic guitar teaches one to use a holistic guitar playing approach rather than relying on the effects and features of an electric guitar. Electric guitar playing should come subsequently after learning how to play using an acoustic guitar.

2. Know your electric guitar

If one already knows how to play a guitar and is thinking of buying an electric guitar, he should know the different features and qualities of the electric guitar. The same thing goes for people who are using an old electric guitar. Playing with the knobs and controls of the electric guitar will give one an idea of how to mix everything properly to be able to get an optimal sound. Electric guitars are not plug-and-play instruments, they require a lot of sensitivity in terms of mixing sounds and tones together.

3. Buy a decent amp

An expensive electric guitar will sound crappy on low quality amps on any given day. When getting an electric guitar amp, make sure to test the amp at the store. If possible, turn all the knobs to the highest value and listen to the sound that the amp will produce. There are also amps out there that have a built-in distortion option which can be switched on and off. This feature is especially useful for people who have no money to buy an effects box since a distortion feature is the most essential for any electric guitar.

4. Buy a decent effects box

An effects box is a great tool to have when playing an electric guitar. One can make all sorts of sounds using an effects box. The basic tones that one should look for in an effects box are: good distortion sounds, chorus, reverb, amp simulator and easy adjustments modules.

5. Get durable cables

Cables are also an integral part of the whole electric guitar system. Cheap and low quality cables are not worth investing into because they will wear out soon.

6. Listen to electric guitar tracks

A great way to holistically grasp the basics of electric guitar playing is to listen to great electric guitar classics. Many lessons are learned just by listening to different riffs and tunes that are produced from electric guitars.

Electric guitars are somewhat different from unplugged guitars. There are skills that are needed to play the electric guitar properly aside from the basic ones. Practice is always the best way to learn how to play the electric guitar.

Tag : guitar,electric guitar,guitar hero,acoustic guitar,guitar lesson.guitar chords

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Lee

Buy A Guitar Online: Top Ten Things To Look For When Buying A Guitar Online

In this day and age where purchasing things can be done over the internet, it is sufficient to say that even guitars can be purchased in this manner. If a person wants to buy a guitar online, all he or she has to do is to search online for the particular guitar model and brand that they want. When the search results are displayed, they often show where this guitar can be purchased and offer options regarding modes of payment and delivery. However, there are a few things to be remembered in choosing to buy a guitar online.

The first thing to do when you buy a guitar online is to do some research. There are many types of guitar out in the market. It is important to scout around. Different stores have different prices.

The second thing to do is to enlist a friend’s help in buying a guitar. Your friend should know a lot about guitars especially when it comes to a guitar’s ideal specifications. If you’re on a budget, he or she can guide you in selecting a guitar which fits into your price range and yet sound amazing.

The third thing to do is know the advantages of buying a guitar online versus buying a guitar in a music store. When you buy a guitar online, you won’t be able to perform some test runs on it to see how it sounds. You also won’t be able to determine if it is comfortable enough for you to handle. This is one advantage that buying in a music store has over buying a guitar over the internet.

The fourth thing to know when you buy a guitar online is to know the warranty periods that each guitar manufacturer or distributor has for the guitars. This is done so as to avoid having to pay any extra fee if, by some unforeseen circumstance, you find yourself getting a damaged guitar.

If you’re still stuck on which guitar to buy, then the fifth tip should come in handy. This tip involves reading guitar reviews made by users who have had the experience of owning a particular guitar. User-reviews often detail what the user likes and dislikes about the product. It is important to read these user reviews so that you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into once you purchase the guitar.

The sixth tip is to choose a guitar which suits your purpose. An electric guitar is lighter and more portable than a classic or acoustic guitar. However, it does have some other accessories which are also important to own and set-up. If you’re just planning to play the guitar for recreational purposes then you might be better-off having an acoustic guitar.

After choosing your guitar, you can continue to purchase it online. This is the seventh tip. There may be differences in the prices when comparing a guitar bought online to a guitar bought in a music store. It is said that some online stores don’t charge the customer any sales tax. There are a few others who do though.

The shipping method is something to think about as the eighth tip. Instruments have to be handled with care. However, not most shippers, or rather employees of shippers, understand that. In order to make sure that your guitar arrives undamaged, it is important to choose a shipper with a good reputation.

The ninth tip also deals with shipping. If you are not too sure about the shipper, then make sure that your guitar comes professionally packed in order to avoid damage.

The tenth and final thing to do when your guitar arrives at your doorstep is to examine it carefully for any damage. If there is some damage, make sure that you are still within the warranty period as this enables you to return the guitar to the manufacturer. However, the shipping and returning fees may be costly.

All in all, there are certain things to look out for when you decide to buy a guitar online. There are also certain risks involved. A person should gauge the situation carefully in order to decide which buying method is right for him or her.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/buy-a-guitar-online-top-ten-things-to-look-for-when-buying-a-guitar-online-793231.html

How to Choose the Right Guitar Teacher for You

How to choose the right guitar teacher for you
by Justin Sours
http://www.guitarmadeez.com

Teaching yourself is not a bad idea

The journey of teaching yourself is very exciting and also very interesting and if you do choose to teach yourself, you'll definitely appreciate the guitar more. For the most part I have taught myself. I started playing completely on my own for about 6 or 7 years, then I had felt that I had reached a plateau. Everyone recommended that I take lessons to overcome the plateau but I was very reluctant. I was extremely low on money and I didn't have a very good feeling about the places in my area that were offering lessons.

Choosing a guitar teacher can be an extremely complicated task

So many guitar stores, music stores and general places offer lessons however the quality of the lessons definitely varies. Today, guitar lessons can be anywhere from $20-100 and up per hour which will definitely hit your pocket pretty hard. I found some places only gave 30 minute lessons for 20$-$50 which is absolutely ridiculous. 30 minutes is barely enough time to tune a guitar let alone give an eventful lesson. Also, due to contrary belief there are allot of weirdo guitar teachers out there, believe me...I know!! One of my teachers for a 30 minute lessons showed up 5 minutes late then had the nerve to ask me if he could go smoke a cigarette outside. That was the last time I had lessons with that guy.... I've had allot of guitar teacher horror stories and I've definitely learned the "hard way" in choosing guitar teachers. I now would like to share with you what I've learned about choosing guitar teachers and hope you won't make the same mistakes I had made.

Always schedule a minimum of 1 hour for a guitar lesson

I've seen guitar lessons that are anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours, however a vast majority of guitar teachers only teach 30 minute guitar lessons.... 30 minutes is nothing! Do not be fooled into thinking you'll get better from one 30 minute a week lessons. If you do decide to take guitar lessons, you must take a minimum of one hour in order to get better. I learned this the hard way. I scheduled to take 30 minute guitar lessons at a guitar shop near my house. I was 10 minutes early; my teacher was 5 minutes late. He then fed me the sales pitch on supplies I needed from that very shop and then kicked me out after about 20 minutes of nothing and said that he had to prepare for the next lesson. This is unacceptable! Be smart; schedule a minimum of one hour for a guitar lesson.

Beware of getting guitar lessons from a guitar shop

I've noticed that taking guitar lessons at a guitar shop are usually half-assed. This is not always the situation. Just be knowledgeable enough to understand the quality of lessons that you deserve.

Try to find a teacher that a friend recommends

Friends that are good at playing guitar are the perfect byproducts for good teachers. If you have a friend who’s amazing at guitar, ask him who his teacher is. If your friend sucks at guitar, know not to take guitar lessons from his teacher. It's as easy as that.

Never take guitar lessons from a teacher who is not passionate about playing

I took guitar lessons once from a teacher who seemed to know everything in the world about the guitar, equipment, effects, theory, etc., yet he had never played anything in front of me and "let loose". I had finally asked him to play something and it seemed pretty half assed and inhabited no "soul" to the music. I felt pretty let down. Some people may know what their talking about when it comes to guitar lessons/theory and whatnot, however find a teacher that gets excited while teaching you. Learning guitar is an adventure and your teacher must be able to excite you.

Never take guitar lessons from a teacher who doesn’t impress you while playing

This goes back to what I was talking about earlier. Would you take Spanish lessons from a person with a bad Spanish accent and who has never been to Mexico? No! Take lessons from the Spanish teacher who’s been to Mexico hundreds of times and that knows something about the culture and that most of all impresses you while teaching you. Model yourself after what impresses you and the people that impress you, not only in guitar but everyday life.

If you hear someone that is an amazing guitarist at a concert, party, bar, wherever... That should be your teacher

Many successful people model themselves after previously successful people, just as great guitarists model themselves after previous great guitarists. If you ever see someone playing and they inspire you to learn guitar, or to play like them someday, don't be afraid to ask them where they learned or even if they could possibly teach you guitar lessons. Guitar Center, random guitar shops, bars, coffee shops and many other places are perfect for finding an amazing guitar teacher.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/how-to-choose-the-right-guitar-teacher-for-you-418423.html

Buy a Guitar Online - Top Ten Things to Look For When Buying a Guitar Online

In this day and age where purchasing things can be done over the internet, it is sufficient to say that even guitars can be purchased in this manner. If a person wants to buy a guitar online, all he or she has to do is to search online for the particular guitar model and brand that they want. When the search results are displayed, they often show where this guitar can be purchased and offer options regarding modes of payment and delivery. However, there are a few things to be remembered in choosing to buy a guitar online.

The first thing to do when you buy a guitar online is to do some research. There are many types of guitar out in the market. It is important to scout around. Different stores have different prices.

The second thing to do is to enlist a friend's help in buying a guitar. Your friend should know a lot about guitars especially when it comes to a guitar's ideal specifications. If you're on a budget, he or she can guide you in selecting a guitar which fits into your price range and yet sound amazing.

The third thing to do is know the advantages of buying a guitar online versus buying a guitar in a music store. When you buy a guitar online, you won't be able to perform some test runs on it to see how it sounds. You also won't be able to determine if it is comfortable enough for you to handle. This is one advantage that buying in a music store has over buying a guitar over the internet.

The fourth thing to know when you buy a guitar online is to know the warranty periods that each guitar manufacturer or distributor has for the guitars. This is done so as to avoid having to pay any extra fee if, by some unforeseen circumstance, you find yourself getting a damaged guitar.

If you're still stuck on which guitar to buy, then the fifth tip should come in handy. This tip involves reading guitar reviews made by users who have had the experience of owning a particular guitar. User-reviews often detail what the user likes and dislikes about the product. It is important to read these user reviews so that you'll know what you're getting yourself into once you purchase the guitar.

The sixth tip is to choose a guitar which suits your purpose. An electric guitar is lighter and more portable than a classic or acoustic guitar. However, it does have some other accessories which are also important to own and set-up. If you're just planning to play the guitar for recreational purposes then you might be better-off having an acoustic guitar.

After choosing your guitar, you can continue to purchase it online. This is the seventh tip. There may be differences in the prices when comparing a guitar bought online to a guitar bought in a music store. It is said that some online stores don't charge the customer any sales tax. There are a few others who do though.

The shipping method is something to think about as the eighth tip. Instruments have to be handled with care. However, not most shippers, or rather employees of shippers, understand that. In order to make sure that your guitar arrives undamaged, it is important to choose a shipper with a good reputation.

The ninth tip also deals with shipping. If you are not too sure about the shipper, then make sure that your guitar comes professionally packed in order to avoid damage.

The tenth and final thing to do when your guitar arrives at your doorstep is to examine it carefully for any damage. If there is some damage, make sure that you are still within the warranty period as this enables you to return the guitar to the manufacturer. However, the shipping and returning fees may be costly.

All in all, there are certain things to look out for when you decide to buy a guitar online. There are also certain risks involved. A person should gauge the situation carefully in order to decide which buying method is right for him or her.

Want to find the best deals when you buy a guitar online? We offer the best deals online for buying guitars, accessories, amplifiers, and more! Come to http://www.Bargain-Guitars.com to get your guitar for the limited sale prices!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Thompson

Lead Guitar - Electric or Acoustic?

Lead guitar is not dependent on the type of guitar being played, but on how that guitar is played. Often when people think of playing lead guitar, they think of playing an electric guitar. In reality, lead guitar can be electric or acoustic.

In the most basic terms, music consists of harmony, melody and rhythm. The rhythm is the pulse of the song, often referred to as the beat, and is usually played by drums, bass guitar, and rhythm guitar. Harmony is the use of matching simultaneous chords within a musical composition.

The third major component of music is the melody. Melody is the part of the music that you remember and can later identify. Melody is often the lyrics of a song, with verse and chorus being two separate melodies. It is what gives a piece of music its character.

In terms of guitar playing, lead guitar is the guitar playing the melody. A lead guitarist must be able to use riffs and fills to move the melody along, as well as playing a guitar solo if it is required in the song. While doing all of that, the lead guitarist must also be able to play in the same key at the same tempo as the rest of the band.

Whether lead guitar is played on an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar depends on the music being played. Currently popular acoustical, or unplugged, sets require musicians to play acoustical instruments. In that case, the lead guitar would be played using an acoustic guitar.

Lead guitar does not always sound the same, even if the same musician is playing the same song twice. For example, electric guitars allow for distortion and effects that acoustic guitars do not have, so the transition from electric to acoustic may require changing the melody to suit the instrument. In addition, the riffs, fills, and solos used by the guitarist may change each time if the guitarist prefers to be creative during live performances.

Contrary to popular belief, lead guitar is not a type of guitar, but a position within a band and within a song. The lead guitarist carries a great deal of responsibility in carrying the melody while staying in tune and in time with the rest of the band. Learning to play lead guitar correctly requires time and practice, but it is the instrument most listeners will remember having heard.

About The Author
My name is Derek Cockrum, and I have been an instructor and professional guitarist for the past 11 years. I established "Guitar Lesson Reviews" to help you, (the beginner and advanced guitarist), discover the top acoustic and electric guitar lessons program available that will teach you how to really take your guitar playing skills to the next level. I have personally reviewed and tested almost every advanced and beginner guitar lessons program out there and have listed my top 3 recommended programs. If you're seriously ready to learn to play guitar like your favorite guitarist, you owe it to yourself to check out "Guitar Lesson Reviews" to find an easy guitar lessons program that offers Acoustic and Electric Guitar Lessons to train you how to play guitar like it was meant to be played. Learn what these Advanced, and Beginner Guitar Lessons can do for you and your guitar playing.

To Your Success,
Derek Cockrum
"Guitar Lesson Reviews"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Cockrum

Playing Bass Guitar Made Easy With Bass Guitar Tabs

You need a manual to operate a new appliance. You need to read the rules before you play a new board game. Learning to play the bass guitar is no different. You’ll have a manual like no other – the tablature.

Guitar Tablature

Learning to play the bass guitar is made easy with guitar tablature. Anybody who has a guitar and is willing to spend some time learning the rudiments can get along fine. If you are new to guitar lessons, do not be confused about tabs and tablature. They mean the exact, same thing in guitar lingo.

Bass guitar tabs or other guitar tablature provide visual interpretation of the guitar’s fret board so formal training is not necessary to understand guitar tabs. Bass guitar tabs are also easy to read and interpret; hence, application is faster and easier. Bass guitar tabs are musical notations that look like a written music document. Instead of the usual dots spread on a 5 line stave to show a specific note, the frets are numbered on a six line stave. The line represents a guitar’s string. Therefore, the six lines are the six strings of the guitar. Bass guitar tabs are also read from left to right.

If you have a four-stringed bass guitar, the bass guitar tabs will show four horizontal lines representing the four strings. The topmost string is the G string, followed by the D string, the A string, and lastly, the E string. If you see two numbers (one above the other) on one string, it indicates that the string is to be played simultaneously.

Wake up those fingers

If you are reading bass guitar tabs, you will notice that you won’t be determining the position of the fret board where you have to play the note. The bass guitar notes can be played in various left hand positions and on diverse strings. Bass guitar tabs are also easy to understand because the notations are clear. Instead of learning how to study the pitch, you are learning where to place your fingers.

Playing the bass guitar is taxing. It requires speed, and with all the slapping and sliding, the fingers should be exercised regularly to perform well. In addition, your fingers should be able to take the impossible chords and switch chords with ease and agility. Practicing the hand is basic in bass guitar playing. You have to achieve speed without losing accuracy with each pluck. You also have to get used to the sensation of holding the guitar without using your left hand. As you go along, you will discover that you won’t be depending on your left hand to prop the guitar. Master this, and play all bass guitar tabs with ease.

Apart from the bass guitar tabs and acquiring fingering speed, bass guitarists have to learn the tapping, slapping, and popping techniques. These techniques support the song context, making the notes more appealing and distinctive.

Get those bass guitar tabs

The Internet has made it possible for almost everyone to get guitar tabs. They can choose the songs they want to play, or even entire albums of their favorite rock bands. Bass guitar tabs can be downloaded anytime. E-books and CDs on all guitar tabs and playing styles are also available for a minimal fee. Joining guitar forums can also boost your knowledge about bass guitars – tabs and all. Indeed, master the manual and you’ll master the instrument.

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Classical Guitar - Is Playing The Classical Guitar More or Less Difficult Than A Regular Guitar?

The classical guitar is a difficult instrument to learn how to play. Purchasing a classical guitar can be a difficult task particularly if you are not yet an accomplished player. As you take guitar lessons either on your own or with a help of a professional guitar player, you are most likely to encounter guitar sheet music.

Instead of giving the guitar player in your life cash to go towards the lessons, you can contact the teacher and pay for the lessons up front, or have them give you a gift certificate. Guitar lessons are a great gift for the guitar player in your life because you can take them no matter which level you are at. A little discipline, regardless of whether you have an inborn talent or not for playing the guitar, can better your chances of becoming a good guitar player.

Have Discipline - The most important thing you have to do in order to advance in your skill with the classical guitar is to practice regularly. It is important to make sure that your equipment is in good order and that your guitar is tuned properly. The one drawback to online guitar lessons is that you don’t have a teacher right there in the room with you to help you place your fingers on the right strings and show you a specific chord.

However, while you can learn how to play the guitar quickly and easily on DVD, some would argue that it cannot compete with a private teacher. I don’t like to make the learning curve any harder than it is already and try to make life easier for myself so I find learning how to play the guitar DVD’s definitely make the learning process fun and entertaining. An important thing to remember when learning how to play guitar chords is that the movement of the right hand is as important as the movement of the left hand.

Aside from learning basic guitar techniques, these are the three most important things to work on to improve your guitar skills. This being the case, a guitar “course” must have several key elements, among them, short, well defined lessons that teach achievable and measurable skills, be tied to a computer, interactivity, have video content, and be fun with specialty games and exercises. These guitar tips will give you a headstart but remember that to play the guitar well it requires lots of practice and whatever you do, don’t give up.

Playing the guitar requires more than the requisite musical ability, dedication and practice. One of the most important aspects of playing the blues guitar is the ability to feel the music come from your soul and pour out through the guitar. A great way to holistically grasp the basics of electric guitar playing is to listen to great electric guitar classics.

Tag :guitar,guitar hero,guitar classics,guitar lesson,guitar picks

Aticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Davis_Waterhouse

How To Play Jazz Guitar – Become a Smooth Jazz Guitarist

Jazz is an excellent language of communication for discerning guitarists. Jazz guitar has its own unique style and form of guitar playing. It is also a very popular form of music that you can play. Then if you let your creativity take over you can even create your own jazz licks. You can definitely emulate the likes of Joe Pass, Charlie Christian, George Benson, Wes Montgomery and many other great guitarists if you devote yourself seriously into practicing and learning jazz guitar. You can get paid lessons or you can even learn jazz guitar online. All you need is a guitar and determination!

First Thing First

The first step on the way to learning jazz guitar is that you should have a good jazz guitar. Although if you have opted to take guitar instructions from a music school which may have guitars for their students, learning to play jazz guitar is a demanding discipline and to be proficient, you need to be practicing at home also. One important point in getting a guitar for yourself is that instead of shopping for a cheap jazz guitar, you should buy a guitar, which has good sound characteristics, has excellent aesthetics and is durable. It is always advisable to buy guitars from reputed guitar manufacturers. They may not come cheap, but they are worth the money you pay for them.

Jazz Guitar Lessons

You can explore many avenues if you wish to learn how to play jazz guitar. You can learn jazz guitar online, as there are many websites that have free online jazz guitar lessons. You can opt for an electric guitar or learn acoustic jazz guitar. There are also many people who are willing to give guitar lessons to ardent students free. You can explore your locality to see if you have some guitar enthusiast who can teach you the basics of jazz guitar.

Learn Jazz Guitar Online

The goodness about online jazz guitar lessons is that they are accessible to you 24/7. You can have access to them at all times, night or day. There are many good online jazz guitar instruction sites where you will learn the basics of jazz guitar, basic and advanced chord construction theory, guitar licks and riffs. Although online guitar lessons should not be a substitute for one-to-one guitar instructions, if you can access to a good jazz guitar instructor, they are excellent for people who are short of time and money.

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Buying Your First Guitar - How to Choose the Right Guitar to Give You the Best Value For Money

INTRODUCTION
Buying the right guitar to start learning on is an important step that should not be rushed. You need to consider a range of factors. I will go into detail on each factor I believe you should consider when buying your first guitar.
For many people, starting a new hobby is like trying out a new car before buying it. They aren't sure if they will like it two, three, ten years down the track and it is hard to guess if you will like it. Many people who start to learn the guitar will give it up after a short time for different reasons. For this reason, a lot of people don't want to spend too much money that they aren't sure will go to good use. One option you could take is if one of your friends or relatives owns a guitar. You could ask if you could borrow it for a short time to get an idea of whether you like the idea of playing it or not. If after a while you feel that this is the right hobby for you, come back here and read this article to give you assistance in buying the right guitar for you.

BUDGET
This is the most important issue to consider for most people. Guitars can range all the way from cheap $20 acoustics found in garage sales all the way to prestige guitars costing thousands upon thousands. You should think about how much you want to spend and stick with it. Salespeople will give you plenty of reasons to pay more than you want to, but understand that you can get a good guitar for even low prices. Consider the following points and how they will sit within your budget.

STYLE OF MUSIC
If you have in mind what musical direction you want to take, it will influence the type of guitar you buy. If you really want to play heavy metal or similar styles you wouldn't buy a nylon string acoustic because it won't help you reach that goal. Likewise if you want to play soft ballad type songs that you can sing along while playing, an electric guitar may not be the right choice for you. If you have a certain style in mind, find out what type of guitars musicians of that style play. Have a search for your favorite artist's gear to see the type of guitar they play, don't look at the model or brand of the guitar (because famous artists normally buy the top of the range products that are extremely expensive).
If on the other hand you are not sure what direction you will be taking or want to play a range of styles, the type of guitar you buy won't be as important to your decision in regards to style. Instead, focus on the below points to find out which guitar will be best for you.
Remember: you can always buy another guitar later on, so don't worry if you change directions after you buy your first guitar.

PLAYABILITY

STEEL STRING VS NYLON STRING ACOUSTICS
For a beginner, how easy it is to play the guitar will make a big impact on the rate you improve and the skills you develop. If you start off with a steel string acoustic for example, you will quickly notice that is hard to push the strings down and may hurt your fingers. Many females (and some males) will have a lot of trouble starting on a steel string guitar because it takes a lot of finger strength to play. If you are worried that this will be a problem for you, maybe you should consider a nylon string acoustic instead. Nylon string acoustics are much less of a strain on your fingers when pushing the strings down. For this reason, most teachers will recommend students start on nylon strings so their first month or more won't be too painful.

ACOUSTIC VS ELECTRIC
There is a big difference between starting on an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar. Many teachers don't recommend starting on an electric guitar for the following reason. Electric guitars are easier than acoustics to play. For many people this is a good thing. The problem with electric guitars being easy to play is that you will get comfortable playing the electric so much that when you pick up an acoustic and try to play the same music, it will most likely be a major strain. Many guitarists who only play electric guitar struggle to play acoustic. It is very hard to swap from playing electric to acoustic. Likewise, it is very easy to swap from acoustic (especially steel string) to electric. This is because of the strength acoustic guitars build up in your fingers. Once you switch to electric guitars, you will find your fingers can play with ease. So have a think about this issue and if you want to play both electric and acoustic, start off on acoustic. If you want to only play electric guitar, then the choice is simple. Later down the track if you decide you want to play acoustic as well, you may find it difficult at first, but with practice playing an acoustic can improve your playing.

QUALITY
There is a great range in the quality of guitar available today. It is similar to the car industry: you can buy a super high quality Ferarri, you can buy a rundown second hand Toyota and everything in between. What you should aim for is to buy the best quality guitar within your budget. But don't be fooled into thinking that only high price guitars are high quality. You will be surprised at the quality of guitars available at low prices. Your best choice is to bring a friend or relative (who are competent players) in with you to test out the guitar you are thinking about. As I explain below, you shouldn't rely solely on the music store salesperson's advice. Remember to stick to your budget.

BRAND
Many guitarists suffer from 'brand loyalty'. This is when they are so devoted to a particular brand that they will never buy or play a guitar with a different brand name. Don't be one of those people. It is okay to prefer a certain brand because you like the style of their guitars, but don't get sucked into thinking that one brand is better than all the rest. Every brand has their advantages and disadvantages.
Just like in supermarkets where you can choose between 'brand name' products and 'home brand' products, guitars will have well known 'brand name' guitars and unknown 'home brand' guitars. Sometimes the only difference between the guitars is the name that is printed on the guitar headstock. People pay big dollars for guitars that have the names fender, Gibson, Ibanez, PRS, Martin printed on the headstock. Although buying a brand name guitar will most likely give you a very high quality guitar, it can be a very expensive choice. My suggestion is to find a guitar that you like regardless of the brand name. If it is good quality and within your budget: go for it. Don't buy a guitar solely because it has fender written on it. If on the other hand you prefer the security of buying a quality guitar from a reputable brand, it's okay to buy one for that reason.

SALESPEOPLE TRICKS
This section is to warn you of potential issues when dealing with music store salespeople. This isn't to scare you off or to insult salespeople, it is to protect you from the people looking to make a high commission rather than give you what you want. Hopefully you will deal with an honest salesperson who genuinely wants to help you. Just be aware that they aren't all honest.
My first point you need to consider is that the people working in the store are normally excellent guitar players. So good that they can make every guitar sound good no matter how poor quality it is. In a future lesson I will explain how you can make any guitar sound great. Just be aware that a salesperson can make the dodgiest guitar in the store sound better than the $2,000 fender in the glass case. This is why I recommend that you have a go playing the guitar if you can play at least something simple and even better bring a friend or relative who can play. If they know what they are doing they should be able to tell you the problems with the guitar.
It is well known that audio salespeople use a trick to make a stereo systems sound higher quality by turning the volume up slightly louder than another one. Salespeople may use a similar trick when comparing two guitars. By plugging the guitar they want to sell to you into a high quality amp and playing it loud, it can make it sound fantastic. Some people may try this to get you to spend just a little bit extra. Don't think a great sounding guitar will automatically make you sound great. It takes a lot of work to be a competent player. Great players can make any guitar sound great and bad players can make any guitar sound bad.

My experience with buying a first guitar:
I was unaware of many of these issues when I bought my first guitar. Luckily the salesperson we dealt with genuinely wanted to help us out and made sure we got a great guitar at a good price. I had been playing my dad's old beat up acoustic guitar for a couple years and my parents bought me an electric guitar. It is a good quality guitar and I still use it today for recording and performing. So if you make a good decision, the first guitar you buy will be useful for a lifetime.
Because I started off on an acoustic guitar, the transition to electric was incredibly simple. Consider buying an acoustic even if you want to play electric guitar down the track.

SUMMARY
I have pointed out a few important issues for you to consider when buying a first guitar. There are many more factors you should consider but these I believe are the most important issues. If you take your time to find out what your best option is and then shop around for the best deal, you will save money and hopefully end up with a great instrument that can last you a lifetime.

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