| These mini guitar lessons have been put together for | | | | obstacles to your guitar learning progress. The other |
| the beginner acoustic guitar student who feels a | | | | three big obstacles are all you. You may be your own |
| need to play music but is a bit short on direction. | | | | worst enemy. How do you react to a challenge? |
| Lesson One - What kind of guitar are you going to | | | | Challenges are your friends. If you find yourself getting |
| buy? | | | | frustrated, and not wanting to continue your practice, it |
| If you have a rough idea of what kind of music you | | | | might be time to downsize your goal, at least for a |
| want to play, the next step is to find yourself a guitar. | | | | while. If you have two chords that you have trouble |
| Let's start with the basics - nylon string or steel string. | | | | with, work on the first one alone for a while. Once you |
| A nylon string guitar was made to play classical and | | | | have improved a little, go to the next one. |
| folk music. Acoustic guitars make their music by | | | | Lesson Three - Daily Practice |
| sending the vibration of the strings to the soundboard. | | | | As far as your daily practice goes look at starting with |
| The vibrations are then amplified in the body of the | | | | half an hour a day. If you can do more, great, you'll |
| guitar. Nylon string guitars make a mellow tone; steel | | | | become a guitarist faster. The way you carry out your |
| string guitars make a brighter, more metallic sound. One | | | | practice is crucial. Putting in the time isn't the only |
| of the main things that will influence you in deciding | | | | requirement. If you rush or try to fit too much in, then |
| what kind of sound you want is the guitar your favorite | | | | you're working against yourself. Err on the side of too |
| performer plays. | | | | little material at first. If you really are accomplishing |
| If you are just starting out you will not need a top of | | | | what you set out to do in less than thirty minutes, then |
| the range guitar but it is best to get the nicest one in | | | | add a little more. |
| your price range. A cheap, poorly made guitar will be | | | | Lesson Four - Tuning Your Guitar |
| an uphill battle to play. A good instrument will make | | | | You can find online guitar tuners to help you get your |
| your practice sessions something to look forward to. | | | | acoustic guitar in tune. Take a day or two of your |
| Try different guitars. See how the neck feels. Check | | | | practice time to get the knack of tuning. When you |
| out if one neck feels more comfortable to play than | | | | start to develop an ear for tuning, try tuning the guitar |
| others. Another consideration is the distance of the | | | | without the tuner. |
| strings from the fret board which is called the "action". | | | | Lesson Five - Holding Your Acoustic Guitar |
| Low action is easier to play but if you are planning on | | | | Long hours of practice can take their toll. Learning how |
| strumming enthusiastically or picking loudly the guitar | | | | to sit and play your acoustic guitar is an art in itself. |
| may have a tendency to buzz. | | | | There are places on the internet that have illustrations |
| Lesson Two - Go ahead and learn. | | | | showing you how to sit when you're playing, but it |
| The very first step toward learning to play acoustic | | | | would be good to find somebody with a little |
| guitar is to develop confidence and to overcome your | | | | experience to show you. But don't just go with the |
| natural reluctance to try new things. Lack of money, | | | | way one person plays. If he's self-taught, then you |
| lack of time, or lack of a good teacher are three big | | | | don't want to pick up his bad habits! |