Common Challenges Faced by Guitar Learners and How To Overcome Them

The saying, ‘Great things take time,’ rightly applies to learning the guitar. The guitar is one of the most popular instruments, and many people aspire to master it. However, only a few learners successfully navigate the journey and overcome common guitar challenges. If you are someone who has learned to play the guitar or is currently in the process of learning, you must be aware of guitar challenges. That’s why we have decided to help you out today.

Image Source

Ten Major Guitar Challenges Faced by Learners

If you’re just starting out on the guitar and finding it difficult, we’ve listed some of the most common problems with guitar and provided solutions to overcome them. This guide aims to encourage you not to give up and to keep exploring the world of music through this terrific instrument.

i. Finger Pain and Discomfort

Getting used to continuous strumming and fret pressing doesn’t happen overnight. The pain in the fingertips can be very uncomfortable. 

But fret not (pun intended)! The truth is, the body adapts over time. After a few weeks of regular practice, your fingers slowly get used to it and form calluses. Once your fingers develop calluses, the hard skin on your fingertips will actually ease the discomfort of playing.

To expedite this process and make your guitar learning journey more comfortable, you can incorporate some exercises into your practice routine. These exercises will ensure steady progress, transforming it into a rewarding journey. 
You can also go through the Guitar Warm-up Exercises Series on our platform to learn some warm-up exercises that you can do before your playing sessions.

Image Source

ii. Difficulty in Changing Chords

Learning different chords is one thing, but being able to switch between them to play songs is a whole different challenge. To be honest, not just beginners but even intermediate and advanced players face difficulties with changing chords.

Proficiency in changing chords comes with time and conscious, regular practice. The key point to remember is not to rush and to always aim for a clean sound. With enough practice and a patient approach, you can learn to change chords effortlessly.

In the Guitar Chord series course on our platform, Bobby Koelble shares some insightful tips on how to switch chords. So, do check it out!

iii. Lack of Motivation

Starting a task with high motivation and gradually losing interest is a common human experience. However, what matters is how quickly you bounce back. There are various reasons why one may lack the motivation to continue the learning process, such as restricted access to instruction, slow progress, or other distractions.

But, we got you covered. Here are some strategies to help you regain the motivation you need:

• Experiment with different genres and styles. You never know what might resonate with you and become your new favourite genre!
• Jam with other musicians. Playing alongside like-minded individuals can inject fresh energy into your musical path.
• Appreciate your small wins. Celebrating your progress, no matter how small, is crucial for maintaining motivation. Recognize and congratulate yourself every time you make progress in your learning journey, and observe how it boosts your self-esteem and reignites your motivation.

Image Source

iv. Struggling with Strumming Patterns

Feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of strumming patterns and the pressure to master them is completely natural. Struggling with strumming can disrupt the rhythm of a song. So, how can you overcome this guitar problem?

You can improve your strumming techniques and patterns with a metronome, which helps develop your sense of time and rhythm. Additionally, pay attention to the strumming patterns in your favourite songs and practice replicating them until they feel comfortable. Remember, practice makes perfect! You can also check out our lesson on various guitar exercises, including a dedicated video on using the metronome to solve your strumming problem.

Working on strumming is crucial, as it serves as the stepping stone to mastering more complex rhythm patterns. Once you’ve mastered the basics of strumming, you can gradually progress to learning more advanced rhythm patterns, such as March, Waltz, Shuffle, and others. These patterns add depth and complexity to your playing, allowing you to explore different musical styles and genres with confidence and skill. Remember, patience and persistence are key as you embark on your journey to mastering both strumming and rhythm patterns.

Image Source

“Challenges are what make success worthwhile.”

v. Difficulty Reading Sheet Music or Tablature

Mastering sheet music or tablature might appear overwhelming initially, but with patience and gradual learning, it becomes entirely feasible, just like any other skill. Mastering sheet music reading is a valuable skill that will greatly benefit you in the long run. However, a major challenge is regularity. Simply knowing the note values would not enable you to master sight-reading. Sight-reading and playing are exercises that must be done every day without fail. Only then can sight-reading be mastered.

To overcome this challenge quickly, start with the basics of sheet music and gradually progress to more complex sections. Alternatively, seek guidance from qualified music instructors who can offer personalized instructions and support in effectively learning to read the sheet music. These steps can hopefully help you solve this guitar problem.

Image Source

    “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”

vi. Inconsistent Practice Routine

Many people abandon their music journey midway due to distractions. Forming a habit takes time and requires dedication and determination. 

To get back on track, remember that consistency is the key. When you’re consistent with your efforts, nothing seems unachievable. Start by setting achievable goals and gradually work towards establishing a consistent learning routine. Your practice regime could include:

• Warm-up exercises: Spend 5-10 minutes daily doing warm-up exercises to improve finger dexterity.
• Fundamental techniques: Focus on practising basic techniques such as chord changes, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking exercises for about 15-20 minutes.
• Song learning: Then, practice songs that you enjoy and gradually work your way up to more complex ones.
• Theory and ear training: Dedicate 10-15 minutes to studying music theory concepts and working on ear training exercises to improve your ability to recognize melodies and chord progressions.
• Cool-down and reflection: Lastly, take 5-10 minutes at the end of your practice session to cool down with some light strumming or finger exercises and reflect on your progress for improvement.

By following a consistent practice regime like this, you can steadily improve your guitar skills and stay motivated on your musical journey.

vii. Overwhelmed by Music Theory

It is one of those concepts that threatens almost all budding artists, making them afraid it will kill their creativity. Many learners get baffled when they encounter music theory and reconsider whether they need that knowledge at all. The truth is that music theory is an essential stepping stone in the music journey of an individual, one they can’t avoid in the long run. It is so because music theory is a set of guidelines that will help you navigate music and even help you express yourself better.

Now, you can overcome this challenge if you don’t think of it as a set of rules that you HAVE to follow, but rather think of it as a set of guidelines that tell you how to pick the notes and chord progression to understand music more deeply. Don’t memorise it all in one day; instead, try to take it one step at a time.

 You can follow a roadmap to understand music theory effectively.
1) Basics of Pitch and Rhythm: Start by learning the basics of pitch (notes) and rhythm. You can effectively do so with the help of a tablature. 

2) Intervals and Scales: Study intervals, which are the distances between two notes, and learn about different types of scales (e.g., major, minor, pentatonic).

3) Chords and Harmony: Learn about chord construction and how chords are formed from scales. Study common chord progressions and practice them on the guitar.

4) Chord Progressions and Song Structure: Explore common chord progressions used in various music genres and learn how to recognize them in songs. Study song structure (e.g., verse-chorus-bridge) and how chords are used to create melodic and harmonic movement.

5) Key Signatures and Modes: Understand key signatures and how they relate to scales and chords. Learn about modes (e.g., Ionian, Dorian, and Mixolydian) and how they can be used to create different moods in music.

6) Ear Training: Develop your ear by practising interval recognition, chord identification, and melodic dictation. Train yourself to recognize chord progressions and melodies by ear, which will help you play music more fluently and intuitively.

7) Advanced Topics: Once you have a solid understanding of the basics, you can delve into more advanced topics such as chord extensions, altered chords, modulation, and advanced harmony concepts.

viii. Difficulty in Playing Barre Chords

If you consider barre chords one of the major challenges on the guitar, then you’ll be relieved to know you’re not alone. Barre chords can be especially difficult for beginners to grasp.

To tackle this issue, focus on building hand strength and endurance while mastering the technique of pressing the strings firmly to prevent buzzing. Some strength-building exercises that can help solve this problem are: 

• Finger rolls: Roll each finger in a circular motion, both clockwise and counterclockwise, to improve flexibility and strength.
• Wrist curls: Using a light dumbbell or resistance band, perform wrist curls to strengthen the muscles in the forearm.
• Forearm squeezes: Squeeze a stress ball or a tennis ball in your hand, focusing on building strength in the forearm muscles.

Some tools that can be helpful in building strength are:

• Hand Grip Strengtheners: Using hand grip strengtheners can help build overall hand strength, which is essential for holding down barre chords.
• Finger exercisers: These devices are designed specifically to strengthen fingers through resistance.
• Fingerboards: These tools help improve finger strength and dexterity by providing different levels of resistance for finger movements.

Additionally, practising with fewer barre chords can be helpful. Start with just two strings (high E and B), then progress to three (E, B, and G). Gradually work your way up to six strings as your hand adjusts. Remember, the process may take time, but the results will be rewarding.

Image Source

ix. Frustration with Slow Progress

Getting frustrated with slow progress is common, but it’s important to realise that everyone excels at their own pace. You’re not in a competition to learn the guitar faster than anyone else.
To overcome this challenge, you can make some adjustments to your learning journey and experiment to see what works best for you. Consider seeking guidance from a skilled instructor, learning new guitar techniques or dedicating more time to practise and hone your skills. Taking a few steps daily in the right direction will ultimately help you progress in your musical journey. And the good news is, Torrins is here to support you on your musical journey! 

x. Inability to Play Along with Music

Playing the guitar flawlessly along with music can be difficult, especially for beginners. It can be challenging to catch the right chords and tunes. However, with self-discipline and the understanding that practice is the key, there is nothing that you can’t achieve.

To overcome this struggle, start by playing along with songs that have basic chords and strumming patterns. Some stunning songs with easy strumming patterns are: “Let It Be” by The Beatles, “Half the World Away” by Oasis, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan, “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, and “Wild Thing” by The Troggs. Break down more complex songs into smaller, manageable parts to make them easier to tackle. It can also be beneficial if you incorporate techniques that can be used by a guitarist for ear training. By honing your ear, you will become better at recognizing and replicating melodies, chords, and rhythms, enhancing your ability to play along with music accurately.

Conclusion

And that wraps up our list of common guitar problems and the tips to overcome them. So, if you’re facing your fair share of guitar challenges, fear not! Success is within your grasp. Stick to your practice routine and stay committed. Torrins is here to lend a hand with our range of music lessons, from ear training to songwriting, aimed at making your journey smoother. You can also take our free Guitar lessons to lay a strong groundwork for playing the guitar. Remember, every obstacle you pass brings you one step closer to guitar greatness.

“The journey may be long and arduous, but every step forward is a triumph. Enjoy the journey, and trust that the destination will be worth it.”