Posts Tagged ‘Playing Guitar’

Guitar playing is like many other endeavors. You can be really
enthusiastic about it–but it can soon seem very overwhelming. This
is why so many people quit the guitar after working at it for a
month or two. Here are some steps to help you keep playing your
guitar.

1. Check the action on your guitar. The height of the strings above
the fingerboard should be low enough that your guitar is not
uncomfortable to play. Press the strings down behind the frets to
see how much tension there is. If the strings are very difficult to
press down, have your guitar set up by a qualified guitar
technician.

2. Use light gauge strings (or even silk & steel). Light gauge
strings are recommended by most guitar manufacturers because they
put less stress on the instrument. Light gauge strings are also
easier to play, because there is less tension when you press them
down on the fingerboard. On many of my guitars, I prefer silk &
steel strings, because of really low tension and the fact that that
they are really sensitive, providing great dynamics for guitar
picking.

3. Keep your fingernails trimmed! This is kind of a “no-brainer,”
yet many beginning guitarists do not understand how important this
is. Long fingernails on the hand you use on the fingerboard make
the fingers work much too hard to press the strings down. Keeping
your fingernails well trimmed is one very easy step toward better
guitar playing.

4. Commit to a realistic practice schedule. An hour a day is great.
But if you cannot allot that much time, how about an hour four
times a week? Whatever you decide is reasonable for you, COMMIT TO
IT! Determine that you will discipline yourself to a regular
practice schedule.

5. Sit properly and consistently during your practice schedule.
During the time that you have committed for your practice schedule,
sit in an upright, armless chair (such as a folding chair or a
dining room chair) when playing your guitar. Find the position that
is the most comfortable and efficient to play in, and do it the
same way every session of your practice schedule.

6. Practice with a metronome during your practice schedule. If you
want to be a fast and clean flatpicker, one of the smartest things
you can do is to practice using a metronome.

7. Keep your guitar (or one of your guitars, if you have more than
one) handy, so that you can pick it up and play a few licks
whenever you feel the urge. If humidity conditions (and traffic
conditions) in your home permit it, keep a guitar on a guitar
stand, ready to be picked up and played. However, don’t take any chances with
humidity. You can keep your guitar in its case (with an in-case humidifier) in the
corner of a room for easy access. This way when you are relaxing,
maybe checking out what’s on T.V., you can work on a few licks
while sitting back on that comfy sofa. But didn’t I just say you
should always sit in an upright chair when you play? Yes, during
your practice schedule–but this is your relaxation time!

8. Have your library of tablature books and instructional CD’s and
videos, etc. together in one place and handy to refer to. If you
have a spare room you can dedicate as a guitar studio, great!

9. Whenever you get a chance, listen to music that inspires you!

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