Must-Know Tips for Your First Guitar Lesson: Addressing Questions Before You Begin

Imagine the feeling: the first strum of a guitar chord, the roar of the crowd as you take centre stage. This dream can soon be your reality if you start learning to play the guitar today! With the rise of online learning, more and more aspiring guitarists are ditching the commute and picking up skills from the comfort of their homes. Honestly, why wouldn’t they? Online learning offers the flexibility and convenience you crave, allowing you to learn at your own pace and schedule.

So, if you wish to learn to play the guitar without the hassles of commuting to your music school, online learning is the way out for you! And, Torrins is here to make your experience with online learning better than ever. 

At Torrins, we have all the guitar lessons you need to transition from playing your first note to your first song, your first live gig, and beyond! We provide all-inclusive lessons (some for free!) on Guitar, Piano, and Bass Guitar, so you can start learning how to play your favourite tunes from the comfort of your home. In this blog, we will discuss your first steps to learning guitar and tackle some of the questions you might already have about getting started. So, if you are learning how to play guitar for the first time, this article will be very helpful for you! Let us begin. 

Is the Guitar Easier to Learn than Other Musical Instruments? 

Before we delve into the initial steps of guitar learning, let us address a frequently asked question: is the guitar easier to learn than other instruments?

While the ease of playing an instrument is entirely subjective, some factors suggest learning guitar is not actually that difficult. It can even be considered easy for some! However, it is understandable why some people feel intimidated at the beginning. Building finger strength, achieving consistency, and grasping music theory can be early challenges for beginners. 

If you are also facing some hurdles as you embark on your guitar journey, check out our blog discussing common problems faced by guitar learners and how to overcome them. Trust me, after overcoming the initial challenges, learning the guitar becomes quite interesting and rewarding.

Some factors that make this instrument easier to learn are: 

i. Can Play Songs Faster: Unlike some instruments, the guitar boasts a short “time to song” metric. This means that with a guitar, you can play beginner-level songs from day one. Of course, some resources can accelerate your progress, like beginner-friendly sheet music and guidance from top instructors. That is where Torrins comes in! We offer lessons on trendy guitar songs so you can be the life of the party in no time. Check them out and get ready to make everyone groove to your rhythms! 

ii. Fretboard: Guitars have frets on the fretboard making it easier to know where to place your fingers. This quickens the process of learning the instrument.

iii. No Need For Micro-Coordination: Another point which makes the guitar a much more straightforward instrument to play is that it doesn’t require you to perform micro-coordination. Unlike piano or flute, in the case of a guitar, the fingers and hands move in unison and not independently. The fine motor skills required to play the guitar are much easier to develop at the early stages of practice. 

iv. Tons Of Learning Resources: One of the biggest reasons why learning guitar isn’t that difficult is because there are a plethora of learning resources available. As an aspiring guitarist, you don’t need to look hard to find a valuable learning resource. You can learn guitar from books, videos, reputed learning platforms, in-person or online personal tutors, and more. There is an option to suit any preference and learning style.

Now that we have explored the “why” behind learning guitar, let us dive into the “how”! Before you take your first lesson, here are some essential tips to get you started. 

Ready to embark on your journey of learning how to play guitar for the first time?

Selecting the appropriate kind of guitar to learn

First things first, select the appropriate kind of guitar that suits your playing preferences and style! There are many kinds of guitars available to choose from- acoustic, electric, classical, and bass guitar, among others. So, yes, there is going to be a lot to think about before you finally decide on what is going to be your musical ally. We want to save you from exhaustive research; therefore, we have a blog titled “Types of Guitar: A Complete Guide” for all our budding guitarists to help them make an informed decision. Alternatively, you can also check out our lesson guide on buying a guitar and save yourself from the confusion that stems from seeing so many beautiful guitars presented to you. 

Essential Accessories for Guitar lesson

Unlike some instruments, guitars are not fully functional on their own. They do require some accessories to add to their glory. A few accessories like a capo, amplifier, and a guitar strap can make a big difference and make your guitar-learning experience smoother. 

We compiled a list of the Top 12 Must-Have Guitar Accessories for Every Guitarist in a previous blog post. Check it out to discover the essential gear you will need before your first guitar lesson!

Understanding Guitar Terms

Just like learning the alphabet unlocks the world of reading, understanding the basic anatomy and terminology of a guitar is the foundation for rocking the stage! While learning chords and scales come later, familiarising yourself with the different parts of the guitar is one of the crucial first steps to learning guitar. Basic terms like “action,” “picking,” and “bend” will become essential building blocks in your guitar lessons. Do not start clueless –  gaining prior knowledge about your new instrument will empower you to learn and progress much faster. To know the basics of a guitar, check out our free beginner guitar lessons and get an insight into the guitar’s anatomy, the name of the strings, how to hold the instrument, and so much more without spending a dime! 

Creating a Practice Space

Imagine you are trying to learn a new language. You could try to squeeze in vocabulary flashcards between chores or while watching TV, but wouldn’t it be more effective to find a quiet classroom or library? That is what a practice space does for musicians. Not having a dedicated space for learning your instrument will never result in significant growth as a musician. Learning a new instrument, like learning a new language, requires your undivided attention to grasp the techniques more effectively. So, if you are learning how to play guitar for the first time, it is suggested that you look for a comfortable and distraction-free space for yourself, which allows you to focus on your playing adequately. 

Basic Maintenance Tips

Spending some time on guitar maintenance can help you keep your new instrument sounding its best. Learning these maintenance tips is one of the first steps to learning guitar because not only will this keep your instrument functional for a longer time, but it will also improve your playing experience by maintaining a clear tone and smooth playability. Just as your gadgets and vehicles need regular check-ups, understanding how to clean your strings, wipe down the fretboard, and adjust the tuning will ensure your guitar is always ready to play. Following these simple tips sets you up for success from the very beginning of your musical journey.

Tips on how to hold a guitar properly

Yes, we left the most crucial tip for the last for our dedicated readers. The absolute first thing to learn on guitar is the correct posture to maintain while playing. If you do not sit in a proper posture while playing the guitar, it will not only physically hurt you after a while but also not let you play optimally. If it is your first time playing guitar, then one of the most important advice I want to give you is DO NOT HUNCH! Hunching over can leave you with a bad posture that leads to back problems later in life. So yes, hunching is a big NO! 

Another tip is to rest the guitar flat against your chest or slightly tilted. It allows for a better playing experience. Also, hold your guitar in a way that your fret-hand arm is at no more than a 90-degree (right angle); the lesser the angle is, the lesser strain is put on your wrist to wrap around the fretboard. 

For in-depth techniques and a visual representation of how to hold a guitar properly, check out our free lesson on holding and balancing a guitar– it will help you solve all your guitar-holding problems.

Wrapping Up:

I hope this article helped you understand the first steps to learning guitar and gave you a better insight into what the journey will look like if it is your first time playing guitar.
To conclude:

i. If you are learning how to play guitar for the first time, the first thing to learn on guitar after buying your perfect guitar is the appropriate posture you need to have while playing the guitar. 

ii. Then comes other essential things like buying accessories, understanding guitar terms, having a dedicated practising space, and learning how to maintain your valuable instrument. 

iii. Once you have grasped the basics, you can move on to how to tune the guitar using a guitar tuner, strumming patterns and other guitar techniques that will help you move further in your journey.

Remember, mastering any instrument is a marathon, not a sprint. Dedication and perseverance are primary values to inculcate – challenges are inevitable, but they are also opportunities to learn and grow.

Ready to embark on this exciting adventure? Torrins offers guitar lessons for beginners that will make the process fun and rewarding. I guarantee that once you take your first guitar lesson, you will understand the joy of playing your favourite songs and experience the euphoria of musical expression. So, get started today!