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Have you always wanted to play acoustic guitar? It can be a challenge, but you don’t have to become a virtuoso for it to be great fun.
An acoustic guitar is one that produces it’s own sound through a soundboard, as opposed to an electric solid-bodied guitar, which must be plugged into an amplifier. Many acoustic guitars are equipped with devices called “pickups” that allow them to be connected to an amp also.
Buying a guitar
Buying the right guitar is a key element in learning to play. Appearance is a consideration, but there are many important things to check. It’s strongly recommended that you take an experienced guitarist with you when you shop.
Guitar accessories you should consider: guitar case, guitar strap, extra sets of strings, flat picks and finger picks, and an electronic tuner. The tuner is well worth the money!
Ways to learn
- Take lessons from a guitar instructor in your area. Individual teachers may specialize in different styles of play: classical, rock, country, etc. Make sure the instructor you choose teaches the style you want to pursue. And it’s always a good idea to do some advance research on available instructors. Get recommendations if possible.
- Take an online course. Some of these courses work reasonably well but others are scams. Be careful.
- Learn it yourself. You can buy or download chord charts that are relatively easy to figure out. If you have a good ear for music, this may be the course to take.
- Have a guitarist friend show you basics such as chords, strumming and fingerpicking and take it from there. Whether or not you commit to formal lessons, early hands-on instruction is very helpful.
What to expect
When you first begin playing your guitar, it may be easy to get somewhat frustrated, because even when you’re playing the right strings, the chord just won’t sound right. Be patient and keep practicing! It takes some time to develop the coordination and technique to fully press the strings and keep them from rattling. And you’ll develop calluses on your fingertips that will ease the inevitable soreness that initially occurs.
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