RC’s "Top Ten" Tips For Beginners
1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
None of us knew anything when we started either. The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask.
2. Whatever guitar you have, make sure it is set up the best that it can be.
Even an inexpensive guitar can usually be set up to play reasonably well. Take yours to a good tech or someone who is experienced enough to be able to help you. Few things will slow your progress more, than a poorly adjusted, hard to play guitar.
3. Scales and exercises are important, and should be practiced often.
Don’t get so hung up on them though, that you forget to make some MUSIC. Learn some of your favorite songs too. Doing that will make practicing a lot more fun, and you’ll want to spend more time playing.
4. If it sounds good it IS good.
Don’t let anyone talk you out of doing something that works for you, just because it is the “wrong” way to do it. Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen all made history doing things the “wrong” way.
5. If at all possible, find some other players in your area who are at about your level of skill, and jam with them.
If you can find more advanced musicians who are willing to let you sit in or join them, all the better. You will learn more jamming with other players than you ever will by sitting by yourself with video lessons or tapes. Don’t be intimidated by players who are more advanced than you (see number 1), just jump in there and go for it!
6. Don’t obsess over equipment.
“My guitar may be better than yours”, but that doesn’t mean your guitar sucks. In the beginning just make sure you have a decently set up guitar (see number 2).
If you play electric, you also need an amp.
You don’t need a Full Stack-Modeling-All Tube-Maximum Overdrive-Four Channel-All Twenty Seven Knobs Go To Eleven-Special Edition monster, to learn how to play on. Get yourself something as simple and high quality as you can afford, to start with.
There are many different models of inexpensive practice type amps out there that sound good, are easy to operate, and aren’t too loud for home practice. Something like that will always serve a purpose, even as you advance in skill. Even the pros need a little practice amp backstage to warm up with.
Other than that, concentrate mostly on learning the instrument for now. Too many players let all the knobs and features of this or that guitar/amp get in the way of actually learning how to play in the first place. It’s an overused term these days, but tone IS (for the most part anyway) in the fingers.
7. Play what you like to play, and learn music that you are interested in.
If you like Rock N Roll, that’s what you should work on. Don’t take lessons in Jazz guitar if you don’t like Jazz, just because someone tells you it’s the “right “ way to go about it.
If you are seriously studying music, you will need to learn at least the basics of music theory. These principles apply to ALL styles of music anyway.
8. Beyond the theory and scales, you also need to develop your ears.
Learning your favorite songs and solos from tapes or cds is great ear training. Those little tape machines that let you slow down recordings are handy tools to have as well. It takes a lot of time and patience to develop this skill, so be patient and persistent. Different keys and chords have certain tone “colors” inherent to them. Keep at it and one day you will suddenly discover that you can recognize a certain chord position or key, just by the way it sounds.
9. Get some kind of recording device, and record yourself while playing or practicing.
You don’t have to let anyone else hear it if you are self-conscious about your playing. The best way to judge yourself and your progress is to hear yourself in recorded form. There is truth to the old adage “The tape doesn’t lie”.
If you don’t like what you hear, don’t let it discourage you. Let it be your motivation to try harder. Learn to listen to yourself objectively and evaluate which areas need improvement. Pay close attention to tone and tempo, and try to play cleanly and in tune. Speed will come with practice, but bad habits that become ingrained can be difficult to break. Recording yourself is the best way to avoid this pitfall.
10. Always remember that music is an art form, and try to keep an open mind.
There are very few, if any absolutes when it comes to art. The only rule I can think of that I would consider an “absolute” is; “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.
Good luck, practice every day, and have fun!
© 2003 Roger Crimm
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