If you would like to learn how to play the guitar but are unsure how to or where to start, you are in the right place. At Pro Music Tuition, we offer guitar lessons to individuals of all ages and abilities. However, if you would like a head start, follow our simple guide below:
The basics
Firstly, you will need to learn the basics, such as how to hold the guitar as well as the three basic numbering systems.
There are several ways in which you can hold a guitar. However, in this teaching manual, we will look at the most common. If you are right-handed, place the guitar on your right leg and pull it close to your body—do this the opposite way if you are left-handed. Usually, many beginners let the guitar slide down their leg, but if you can control this and stop this from happening, then great!
The 3 numbering systems are as follows: frets, fingers, and strings.
Frets: These are the metal strips that go along the neck of the guitar. If you are left-handed, the one farthest on the right is the first fret, and so on and so forth.
Fingers: Your index finger will be your first finger, your middle finger your second finger, your ring finger your third finger, and finally, your little finger your fourth finger. This is important when you need to remember what finger to put where when making chords.
Strings: The thinnest string on the guitar is often the first string and the thickest string is the sixth string.
Basic strumming of the guitar
To teach yourself basic strumming, you will need to learn how to use a guitar pick as well as a strumming technique.
We frequently get asked by students what guitar pick they should use whilst learning to play the guitar. However, we can recommend to students what to choose, but it might be worthwhile experimenting for yourself and finding out your own personal preference. Also, you do not have to strum with a pick if you do not want to, you can use your fingers as an alternative.
If you do choose to use a pick, follow these simple steps on how to hold it. You should hold it with both your thumb and index finger, but the more relaxed you are with this, the better. Yet again, this is down to preference; experience and see which is the best way for you personally.
Guitar lessons at Pro Music
Are you looking for expert guitar lessons in the West Midlands? Pro Music Tuition has some wonderful guitar teachers who can help you achieve your aspirations. We teach various guitar styles, including acoustic, electric, banjo, bass guitar, and ukulele.
Pro Music Tuition has six music centres in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the Black Country that can help you achieve your aspirations at one of our six music centres in Rubery, Birmingham, two music schools in Sandwell and Dudley (Cradley Heath near Halesowen and Rowley Regis), Sutton Coldfield and Solihull. We also have hundreds of pupils who learn to play the guitar via our live online guitar lessons from all over the world each week.
