Guitar Playing Tips

“The first person who showed me that I could be a maker of music was one of my best friends. It’s like, you can’t see yourself doing something until you see somebody else doing it. Other people were encouraging me singing, but this was the first time that I could see myself writing songs and playing guitar.” – Cam

If you closely watch some of the top guitarists in the world, irrespective of whether they play classical or heavy rock, they all have one thing in common and that is a simple yet strong technique, meaning that they are properly applying all those basic requirements for playing great guitar.

Good technique is the only way and most proficient way to play guitar, putting your hands and fingers in the right place at the right time. Below are some tips on how to develop a good guitar playing technique.

Practice Standing Up and Sitting Down: Playing your guitar hanged across your shoulder is a very different posture to sitting down. On a chair, you tend to guess to see what your hands are doing (avoid this habit). And when you practice standing, everything changes to a different position. Make sure you have a good guitar strap and adjust it to a comfortable length, and regularly practice playing the guitar sitting down and standing up.

Take it slow and steady: Do not think about playing your guitar fast or trying to know how fast you can play. Good technique is about precise finger placement and hitting the right notes every time, particularly when it comes to scales and playing complicated bar chords. Concentrate on playing the guitar right and speed would come automatically.

Practice with a Metronome: Use metronome while practicing for better timing and rhythm. Although it will feel a bit obstructive at first, a metronome will make you a more consistent guitar player. Practice every day strumming your guitar with a metronome, and you will notice significant improvements in your timing in a short duration of time.

Get one-on-one Lessons from an expert: Lessons are not just for beginners. Every guitar player has a soft spot which should be taken care of before it becomes a major problem and a good instructor may help you with it. It is never too late to learn from a professional guitar instructor. And if you are not sure of one, then contact GuitarConfidence.com.

Guitar Confidence’s trainer Rex has over 40 years of experience as a musician, music instructor, arranger and performing artist. He has been a guitarist in San Francisco Bay Area and New York City recording and performing with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Sammy Davis Jr., Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, Wild Cherry, The Drifters, Tammy Wynette, Jackson Brown, The Pointer Sisters, Tower of Power and many others.

Rex’s guitar teaching system is great for beginners and accomplished guitar players. And, if you are located in the Greater East Bay Area, you have the option of having your lesson in the convenience of your own home. Guitar Confidence provide private in – home guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, banjo and mandolin lessons throughout the East Bay including: Benicia, Berkeley, Clayton, Concord, Crocket, Danville, Dublin, Fairfield, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Vallejo, & Walnut Creek, CA.