The Best Guitar For Beginners - the Squier Stratocaster

Finding the right guitar for a beginner can be difficult but the most important factors to consider are cost, durability and versatility. By these standards, the Squier Stratocaster is easily the best guitar for beginners.

Manufactured by Fender, the Squier Strat is one of the best value beginner guitars and it can usually be found in a local music store or online for between $180 and $230. No beginner needs a more expensive instrument and you can always buy a better guitar once your skills warrant it.

If you progress and buy a better model a year or two after you start playing, you can always use your Squier as a backup because it's nothing if not durable. The Fender name means that as long as you take care of the instrument it should last for years with only minor issues.

For instance, some people have reported that the strap buttons come loose after a few months but this is easily fixed and the fact that that is the biggest problem the guitar faces with wear is a testament to its durability.

Of course, price and durability mean little if the guitar isn't versatile. It's important that beginners have a solid instrument on which to try everything from the blues to rock to heavy metal. The Squier Strat gives the beginner all of these options and, although it lacks the thrills of more expensive instruments, it's built to give the beginner a solid platform from which to improve their skills.

When shopping for a guitar, don't confuse the Squier Stratocaster with the Squier Affinity Strat or the Fender Stratocaster. The Affinity is a much cheaper model and it shows whereas the Fender Stratocaster is a much more expensive model ($350). The Squier Stratocaster is in the middle of these two models and is the best buy for the beginning guitarist.

On balance, the Squier Stratocaster is the best guitar for beginners. It's price, durability and versatility make it the perfect choice for anyone just starting to learn the guitar and the best part is that you can always use the Squier Strat as a backup once you move on to a more expensive instrument.

Chris Fong loves to play the guitar in his free time. If you are a beginning guitar learner, make sure to read his Tips to Learn Guitar For Beginners on his Best Guitar Courses blog.

How To Play Guitar Chords

One of the most versatile musical instruments could want to learn to play is the guitar. As soon as person is able to play this instrument then they can choose between playing either classical, rock, pop, country, folk as well as other styles of music on it. However in order for a person to be able to play any of these kinds of music styles the will first need to learn how to play guitar chords.

However before you can learn these you will need to know the basics relating to how you play a guitar. First it is important that you learn how to hold the guitar correctly. The body of the guitar should be resting on your right leg (if you are right handed) and left leg (if you are left handed). But here we are going to be looking at the way to hold the guitar if you are right handed. Next you should curl your right hand into a fist (but not too tight) and ensure that your thumb is parallel to your first finger. Now you need to get your pick and place this between your thumb and the first finger, but ensuring that you do not actually clench it with any of your fingers. All the pick needs to do is rest behind the thumb. Now you get your left hand and this needs to be wrapped around the neck of the guitar and again the four fingers on the left hand should just loosely curl around the neck of the guitar.

In order to learn how to play guitar chords effectively a person need to learn how to read guitar tabs (tablatures). This is the method guitarists will use in order to notate music and when you look more closely at your guitar you see it has 6 strings. The top string is the thickest and as you move towards the bottom one you will see that they progressively get thinner. Each string is numbered from 1 to 6 and 1 being at the bottom (thinnest) and 6 being the top string (the thickest). Also on the neck of your guitar you will notice some small metal bars which are spaced at various intervals and the closer you get to the top of the guitar neck the less space there is between each bar. These are more commonly referred to as the frets. There are around about 20 frets to be found on a standard size guitar and when playing any chords you will often find that you use only the first 4 or 5 of them.

In order to learn how to play guitar chords a person needs to fully understand how the tabs and frets work together. So if for example you needed to learn to play an A major chord then a person would strum on the first open string, along with the second open and then play on the 3rd string with the finger over the first fret and also play the 4th string with their finger placed over the 2nd fret and then play the 5th string with their finger placed over the 2nd fret whilst the 6th string is left open. Although it may seem difficult a lot of practice will ensure that things become much easier.

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Learn to Play Guitar Online

More and more people are wanting to learn to play the guitar, and for good reason The guitar is one of the most popular instruments of all time and is used for all kinds of music. The method you decide to use to learn to play guitar is up to you.

Learning how to play guitar is like learning how to speak a language. While playing is not something you pick up overnight, it's not impossible to play a guitar; in fact, learning to play guitar is really not that hard. Possibly the best and most efficient way to learn to play guitar is to sign up for lessons. Many people, however, find lessons expensive, not easily scheduled, or intimidating.

It seems that over the last few years, the number of people who are turning to the internet for a way to learn to play guitar is rapidly increasing. There are online courses, and some learn to play guitar through the use of books, CDs or DVDs purchased online. Even though many feel that learning to play guitar is an impossible task, learning to play guitar is certainly an invitation to a very personal adventure. The method you decide to use to learn to play guitar is up to you. The one drawback to teaching yourself to play guitar is receiving constructive criticism on how you play.

To learn to play guitar is difficult and easy at the same time. Successfully learning how to play guitar is within the grasp of most people, yet many beginners give up too quickly. The main reason I think most people play guitar is so people can entertain there friends, family and maybe even your fans. Perhaps one of the biggest attractions to learning to play guitar is the desire to show off with an amazing solo in the middle of a song.

Learning to play guitar is a process, and there is no finish line. The first thing you need to know about learning how to play guitar is how to use a guitar physically. The next critical step to learning how to play guitar is to learn how to read music. There are great tutorials available for purchase online that teach the basics of reading music. Once you've begun your journey you'll discover a rewarding journey into different types of music you've probably never listened to before. Visiting sites that offer free guitar sheet music is a great way to stay motivated during your musical journey.

More than just the mechanics, the pride of accomplishment that you will experience when you teach yourself to play guitar is priceless. Learning to play guitar is a challenge; but playing the guitar is for most guitar players a relaxing and enjoyable hobby. At the end of the day, learning how to play guitar is one of the most creative ways to explore your musical talent.

Jim Whitesell enjoys finding free guitar sheet music, and especially enjoys trying out new electric guitar sheet music.

Online Guitar How-To - A Guitar Player's Guide to Choosing the Best Online Guitar Program

Right now is probably the best time in all of history to be learning the guitar, or learning anything for that matter. There are so many great options for online guitar lessons. The problem comes when it is time to choose the right training package. If we are trying to choose a guitar how-to, a guitar video course, or a multimedia guitar training package, how can we be sure which one is right for us? It helps to ask yourself a few questions.

Question #1: What will I be able to do?

I think this is a very fair question to ask of any training program. If I spend time with this course, what will I be able to do at the end of it? What skills will I master? What songs will I be able to play? Do I just get a few beginner level guitar skills or will it help me really become a capable advanced guitar player?

Question #2: How fast will I learn? Will I see immediate results?

The world is moving fast and we have to choose carefully what we devote attention to. We demand immediate gratification. Do I get to learn the "good" stuff right away or will I be stuck with "Mary Had A Little Lamb" on my guitar?

Question #3: How will I learn? Will I stay interested?

Everybody has a different style of learning. The best online guitar programs use lots of different teaching methods. Look for programs that combine audio, video, and reading with interactive software, games, and a variety of teachers.

Question #4: Which course gives me the best value for my money?

The key here is to find a balance between cost and value. Personally I am happy to pay more if I am certain that I will be able to learn more and do more with it. I'll take a more expensive guitar how-to, a guitar program that will really help me advance my skills over a cheaply produced and cheaply priced program any day.

The cheapest guitar program is usually not the best guitar program. You have to look at the total picture. Does it teach you what you want to know? Does it help you learn in the way that works the best for you? Will it keep you active and engaged for the long haul? All of these are important considerations.

As I did my own research into guitar learning programs, I kept coming back to two programs that really stood out beyond the rest.

One is a multi-disciplinary guitar how-to a guitar program that will teach you not only how to rock, but also how to play the blues, classical, funk, jazz and world guitar.

Another is an acoustic guitar how-to a guitar program that will give you a very comprehensive training on how to play all aspects of the acoustic guitar and includes lots of really useful bonuses.

Look Ma! I Know How to Play Guitar Like a Pro!

So you wanna learn guitar, eh?

Have you always dreamed of strummin' songs on a guitar as a fun hobby. Or better yet, would you like to learn guitar so that you can organize a hot band and perform at entertainment events? Well, if this sounds like you, then the tips below will help lay out the basics clearly so that you can play guitar like a pro!

Okay, here goes...

First things first... you will need to:

1. Find a good guitar.

Purchase or borrow one that is in working condition. After all, how can you learn on a guitar that has broken strings? (That doesn't sound like fun, does it?) A quick way to tell if a guitar is in good condition is to take a look at the neck to make sure that it isn't bent or twisted. Also, check to see that there are no bulges, cracks, or other obvious signs of damage to the guitar body.

2. Learn the parts.

By knowing each part of your guitar, you'll become more familiar with the instrument and will feel comfortable playing it. The nine basic parts of a guitar include: the headstock, tuners, nut, neck, frets, body, bridge, sound hole, and the strings. The headstock is located at very top. The tuners or tuning pegs are located alongside the headstock. Located below the tuner, you will find the nut which is a tiny piece found between the headstock and neck of the guitar.

The neck is the long piece in the middle that connects the headstock and the body.

The frets are the marks found spaced along the neck of the guitar. These marks help to guide the fingers when playing notes. When a guitar does not have these frets, it can become harder to play.

The lower part of the guitar is made up of the body. This is where most of the action takes place. The guitar body contains the vibrations of the strings and helps to intensify the sound.

The bridge is the section located on the body and is the part on which the strings are attached. It serves unique functions for sound on acoustic and electric guitar. However, its main purpose is to control the pressure on the strings.

The sound hole (acoustic) or pickups (electrical) is the part that controls the way that the sound is intensified.

3. Get your pick ready.

Try to choose a pick that is of medium thickness. Some guitarists feel that thin, nylon picks don't give a good sound. On the other hand, a guitar pick that is too thick may not be very comfortable for playing.

4. Take a seat.

Okay, this part is pretty easy. Just find an easy seat ....a chair without arms will work perfectly. Get seated comfortably, and you'll be strumming on your guitar in no time!

There you have it. Those are the basics. It's pretty simple, huh? Take it day by day and with a bit of guitar coaching or instruction, you'll soon know how to play guitar like a pro!

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Learn How to Play Guitar Easy - 6 Methods to Start Playing Now

To learn how to play guitar easy, you really need to have dedication and patience. The thing that makes learning the guitar difficult is how long it takes to learn a certain skill and that can be quite discouraging for beginners.

So, if you're the type of person to take the initiative and run strong for the long haul, then playing the guitar will be easy for you. Take a look at these 6 ways to learn so you can start playing right away.

1. Check out an instructional book. There's still quite a bit of information packed into those dusty volumes that occupy the book store and library and it's all for your benefit. Expert guitarists write many books just for beginners like you to learn and grow into a great musician as long as you pick one up and read.

2. Read and post to a guitar forum. Forums provide a wealth of information especially if you want to learn how to play guitar easy with the input from other guitarists. You can find literally hundreds of forums by doing a simple search in Google. Once you find one that provides information you can use, sign up for an account and join the conversations.

3. Obtain information from popular blogs. There are more guitar blogs on the internet than one can probably count, but they all have awesome tips and tricks for you to develop your skills faster. The best part is that most of them are competing for recognition on search engines by providing the most informative content, so you gain all the benefits.

4. View tutorials on video sites. One of the best ways to learn how to play guitar easy is by watching someone else play and teach you. Nowadays, everybody knows where to go for their favorite streamed videos over the net, so get over there and start searching for something productive for once.

5. Get a personal instructor. This used to be the only way to learn all about your instrument, but it still stands as a strong source for guitar information. Most private instructors post ads at your local music store and will work around your schedule if their student list isn't large. However, the price usually adds up after even only a month of lessons.

6. Sign up for online guitar lessons. The failsafe way to learn how to play guitar easy is with convenient internet courses. It's no wonder that thousands of beginning players are choosing this option worldwide since they're convenient to access, simple to begin, and fun to complete.

Online guitar lessons are probably your best bet to learn some fun songs to play on guitar. So, just to get you searching, check out this review of a very revolutionary guitar learning tool called Jamorama guitar.

Learning Guitar For Beginners - A Guide to Getting Started

There is much more to learning how to play guitar than just picking up the instrument and starting in. It's very important to begin with the basics. You need to know what your goals are, and you also need to have a good guitar learning program. You should be able to expect to learn certain things in just about any beginners' guitar course you might try. You'll need to know those things before you can move up to an intermediate guitar course. Here is a summary of the things you should learn during any guitar for beginners course you might take.

By the time you finish your guitar course you should have the information you need to decide which type of specialty you might like to explore. Your choices include classical guitar, jazz guitar, rock guitar and country and folk guitar, but there are many others. Keep in mind, however, that all these guitar styles start off the same way, with the basics.

You will begin by learning the parts of your instrument and how they interact, what makes a guitar good, and how to maintain it. This information will make it a lot easier to get the kind of sound you want.

You will learn the difference between steel strings and nylon, and when you want to use each one, what kind of neck flexibility works for which kind of playing, and how guitar shape affects sound. You will also find out what different strumming techniques do, and the difference between upstrokes and downstrokes. Most players just learning to strum will start with a few basic chords: C, G, D7 and F. Be sure you can find out how the chords are constructed and how they interact with one another.

You'll also learn finger picking, which may seem too advanced to be in a guitar for beginners course. It also might seem like it would be better with a different kind of music. Finger picking is a valuable technique, however. Learn to use both hands and how to have a fair amount of dexterity with both. Even if you never use a technique like finger picking, it is better to know it than to not know something you need to be able to play what you want.

Tuning and knowing how each chord works with each key are also important skills to master during your guitar for beginners course. You'll start off using open tuning and then try barring, which is pressing down the strings across the fret and completing the chord using the rest of your fingers.

You'll learn scales, too - they're the basis of almost all guitar playing out there. Once you have a good grasp on your scales, your ability to progress will increase greatly.

It can be tempting to jump right in when you want to learn guitar, but don't do it. Instead, get a good grounding in the basics and become a truly skilled guitar player. You'll be able to accomplish a lot more when you get into advanced techniques. Everyone who wants to play guitar skillfully, including people who end up as professional guitarists, need to learn the basics. Those professionals sound great now, but at one time they were beginners too. Isn't it amazing what a little bit of practice can do?

When you first start out guitar for beginners can seem a little overwhelming at times. But if you can exercise patients and a little focus you will be jamming with the best in no time at all. For more wonderful tips and tricks visit http://www.guitarblaster.com