What You Need to Know Before Your First Beginner Guitar Lesson

Everyone has dreams of becoming a rockstar, but learning to play the guitar can seem like a daunting challenge. By taking a customized beginner guitar lesson in Allen, TX, with Matt Burk Music Studio, learning the instrument can become a reality. Although they can help you with any questions you have, it is helpful to know a few things before your first guitar lesson.

Parts of a guitar:
The three main parts of a guitar are the head, the neck and the body. The head of the guitar has the tuning keys that create the string's sounds. The neck of the guitar contains frets and position markers to help you create certain sounds by making chords. The body holds the sound hole, the pickguard and the bridge that holds the strings in place. A beginner guitar lesson will teach more elaborate technicalities, but knowing the basics of a guitar will help you to progress more quickly.

Types of guitars:
The two main types of acoustic guitars are the steel-string guitar and classical guitar. The steel-strings have thinner necks than classicals and are usually strung with steel strings while the classical guitar has nylon strings. Classical guitars are sometimes called Spanish guitars because they originated in the area of Spain. Electric guitars, twelve-string guitars and bass guitars are also popular instruments, but most guitar lessons for beginners start on an acoustic guitar.

Guitar strings:
The names of guitar string notes are important when learning to tune your guitar. When each string is tuned correctly, the strings should be tuned to E, A, D, G, B and E. This can be remembered easily with the mnemonic saying "every artist does get better eventually." Once you become proficient, the strings may be tuned to different notes for certain songs, but knowing the standard notes are important.

Reading music:
Reading tabs and chords will come in handy when you start playing songs. Though your instructor may teach you this, knowing how to read tabs and chords will speed up your progression and fluency with the guitar. Taking beginner guitar lesson is the best thing you can to do learn the guitar, but learning to read music beforehand will score you points with your instructor and get you closer to nailing that guitar solo.

Taking a beginner guitar lesson in Allen, TX  is the best way to learn how to play the guitar. By taking a few initiatives before showing up for your first lesson, you can impress your instructor and yourself on day one. To schedule your own lesson, call Matt Burk Music Studio at (469) 353-6100.

Beginner Guitar Lesson TX
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100

Top Three Challenges When Learning How to Play Guitar

When you’re first learning how to play guitar, it’s common to experience set-backs and challenges. After all, you’re trying something new, and chances are, you’re not going to get everything right the first time you pick up your instrument. The important thing to remember, however, is that you’re not alone: everyone has issues when first learning to play, so don’t give up.

Changing Chords

Some chords have your fingers positioned in extremely unnatural poses. Not only are they uncomfortable, but they are also hard to keep. On top of this, many songs have your fingers moving from chord to chord. This means once you think you have this chord down, you’ll have to switch to another, and another, very soon. Although challenging, performing this action is possible with practice. You’ll likely notice that you’ll start to get better bit by bit, and then it will become easy, so don’t give up!

Dead Strings in Chords

There’s nothing more disappointing than getting your fingers in the right spot for a chord, and then hearing dead strings when you strum. A dead string is one that isn’t able to vibrate and therefore, make the sound it is supposed to. You will likely run into this problem if you are either pressing too hard on a string, or you aren’t using the tip of your finger to touch down on the string. Touching a string with your fingertip can present quite a challenge, as you may find it painful and unnatural. With practice, however, your finger will build calluses that make the action more comfortable and easier to perform.

Not Improving Quickly Enough

You want to learn how to play guitar so that you can achieve your rock star status as soon as possible. However, you may find that you’re just not getting the hang of it as quickly as you’d like. The only way to improve is to practice more. Picking up your ax and playing here and there isn’t going to get you the results you’d like. You have to dedicate an ample amount of time to practicing to get the results you desire. There’s no set rule as to how much you should practice, but you can get an idea of what you need to do by consulting with your instructor.

Matt Burk Music Studio Can Help You Become the Guitar Player You’ve Always Dreamed Of

The instructors at Matt Burk Music Studio have the experience and dedication to help elevate their students' skills. They will do whatever they can to help them get to their desired level. Call (469) 353-6100 or visit http://www.wannalearnmusic.com/ to learn how to play guitar in Allen, TX.

How to Play Guitar Allen TX
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100

Tips for How to Prepare for Guitar Lessons for Beginners

You’ve decided to take guitar lessons for beginners, and you’re likely extremely excited. Maybe you’ll be the next Jimmy Page or Stevie Ray Vaughn or another guitar great. Your first step, however, is to get that initial lesson under your belt. Although learning the basics isn’t exactly always fun, it’s essential in order to play the best you can. Before you walk into the studio, you will likely benefit from implementing these tips.

Selecting a Guitar

Obviously, you can’t play guitar unless you have the actual instrument itself. Before you take your first lesson, it would behoove you to have a guitar you feel comfortable with. Your first instinct may be to purchase the most expensive and flashy “ax” you can find. However, it is often more practical to go with a used or not particularly expensive instrument. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on something you may not actually enjoy doing. So, for your first guitar, you may want to choose comfort over looks and swagger. Talk to a friend who plays guitar or salesperson about what to purchase. Most importantly, take the time to hold your guitar and strum on it before selecting. If you don’t feel comfortable holding your guitar, you likely aren’t going to be able to play it to the best of your ability.

While you’re at it, try out a few different picks when you’re at the store. Some picks are rigid, while others are more flexible. The kind you use is based on preference. You may find that the stiffer picks feel better and provide you with the sound you like. However, you may also discover that a more flexible pick is more up your alley. If you aren’t sure, consult with your constructor about which to choose.

Preparing Your Mind

Just about everyone who wants to play guitar would like to start ripping solos from the start. Unfortunately, it's important to realize that at the beginning that’s not likely to happen. First, you’ll need to learn to read music, if you don’t know how to already. You’ll also need to figure out the strings and how to play chords and notes. Guitar lessons for beginners build the foundation for playing. Once you get the basics down, you can then start to expand on the trickier techniques.

Additionally, you’ll need to commit to practicing, or your lessons will likely be a waste. This also means saying goodbye to long nails, if you have them. Pressing the strings properly is just about impossible when your nails are on the longer side.

Matt Burk Music Studio Can Help You Achieve Your Guitar God Dreams

The instructors at the Matt Burk Music Studio have all been where you are and want to help you achieve the level of playing that you desire. Call us today at (469) 353-6100 to learn about our guitar lessons for beginners in Allen, TX, and to schedule an appointment.

Guitar Lessons for Beginners Allen TX
Matt Burk Music Studio
1701 Legacy Drive, Ste. 150
Frisco, TX 75034
United States
(469) 353-6100