Playing acoustic guitar

Playing acoustic guitar can be extremely fun for the enthusiast, but beginners need to know how to learn how to play from a tutorial. You should know about styles and riffs, country and rock from scratch for beginner guitarists. And there are a number of other subtleties of using the tools.

Whether imitating great musicians, or simply trying to play in a way that doesn't blush, you need to start by practicing sitting and standing with your guitar. Without this, success cannot be achieved. Everything is similar to other skills: you cannot succeed in a sprint without first learning to walk confidently. And even world-class stars pay attention to practicing habits every day.

Correct furniture has a hard back, no armrests. A specialized guitar stool can be purchased at any music store. Sofas and soft armchairs are not suitable. When the guitar is positioned correctly, the thickest string is at the top, the thinnest at the bottom. The deck is placed where the dominant hand is, and the neck is where the secondary hand is; ambidextrous people may not worry about this at all.

Before starting to play, the position of the body of the instrument on the hip must be balanced for the sake of comfort. The leading leg is brought out slightly forward. It bends to 90 degrees. In this case, the foot should be straight. The auxiliary leg is pulled back and oriented as it is convenient; the back should be as straight as possible.

Some acoustic guitars, made in dreadnought format, are equipped with a comfortable bend. Putting them on your thigh is easy.When the body is well balanced, the instrument does not require hand support. The neck of the guitar must be tilted, and at 45 degrees. Important: no matter what style of play is chosen, it is this position that is most adequate; so that the instrument does not move, its body is supported by the elbow or forearm zone of the main hand.

To play while standing:

• use a belt with variable length;

• take into account the presence of belt mounts on the guitar (or install them on an individual order);

• it is worth fastening the belt correctly (depending on the version of the clips);

• after throwing the belt over the back and shoulder of the auxiliary hand, adjust its position by moving the buckle so as not to pull the arm and not raise the body too high.

This is one of the most important steps towards mastering the correct technique - and, alas, it is the chords that cause the most difficulty. For that, there is not even a special need to study at a conservatory or with a private teacher. They start with the development of the left hand and the development of its competent position. Ultimately success depends on such exercises. The Dm chord should be learned to hold with two fingers (ring and little fingers).

The second method is optimal, because it then frees one finger for wagering Dm / F. The Am chord is practiced like this:

• open the left palm in a plane parallel to the ground, at an angle of 90 degrees to the neck;

• the main finger is pressed against the back neck area;

• press the string No. 2 of the 5th fret with the index (pad);

• leaving this finger in place, press the pad of the already nameless 3rd string of the 6th fret;

• the middle finger is brought into play, working with the 6th fret, but already with the 4th string;

• exclude strong hand tension and touching the bar with a palm;

• they take their left palm back to the starting position and repeat everything slowly at first, only with full confidence they accelerate the game.

To master the E chord, open your left palm up and press your thumb against the neck from behind. Then press the third string of the fifth fret with the pad of the index finger. Further in the course are 4 strings, 6th fret and 5th string, 6th fret. As in the previous case, you should not strain your hand.

Recommendations:

• exercise daily;

• carefully monitor the location of the fingers;

• press the neck gently;

• play 3 chords every day, changing their order, without fear of mistakes - they will disappear as you master the skill.

Before you can master the different styles and techniques of playing the acoustic guitar, you need to devote a number of lessons to mastering combat. Moreover, such training is carried out from scratch regardless of whether there is a teacher or not. Playing with a fight - stress with a pick or fingers on all the strings at once. This method will provide rhythmic parts. You can switch to playing chords by pressing down on the strings at the correct frets with one hand and using the other to strike.

The next technique that is important to master on your own is syncopated combat. It is important to hit the strings from the bottom up. Such a game is louder than usual or is accompanied by the skipping of some of the blows down. You should also learn how to change chords. This is achieved only by repeated trainings every day and by all means - by the correct position of the fingers; additional advice and training system can be found in any tutorial.

Further development is required:

• general neck and string theory;

• arpeggio (this technique is used in a number of famous melodies);

• brute force;

• natural harmonics;

• the ability to play barre (with the index finger clamping two or more strings on the same fret);

• partial barre;

• time signatures 4/4, 6/8 and ¾;

• melodic brute force;

• staccato;

• bass line;

• apoyando;

• riffs;

• fight country;

• rock games.

Additionally, you should pay attention to the techniques:

• legato;

• vibrato;

• lifting;

• tremolo;

• pizzicato;

• dissonance;

• flamenco;

• tapping;

• finger picking.

A good guitar enthusiast learns at least 1 chord every day. Not necessarily completely new - the position of popular harmony will do. This is what many outstanding musicians do. What is important, regardless of the passion for the guitar, there must be other interests. A real guitarist always owns at least 1-2 other instruments.

During the game, the joints should be relaxed. Excessive stress will definitely not help you play well. But training should be aimed at developing maximum finger strength. Of course, not excessively, because music is not a sport. Contrary to popular belief, any guitar is suitable for practicing skills, including the classic "nylon", electric guitar, or an instrument made 40-50 years ago (as long as it is in good condition).

Naturally, any guitar must be handled carefully. Do not ignore thematic forums and video blogs, and in different languages, to expand your skills. Subtitles and online translators will help you get the message across without having to learn the language in question.

As attractive as the savings may seem, referring to a qualified teacher justifies all the costs. Such people can detect and correct an error that cannot be seen from the outside. Here are some more guidelines:

• constantly get acquainted with new music related to different genres and styles, national traditions and eras, with soundtracks for films and games;

• broaden your general horizons in order to draw inspiration from literature and cinema, from works of art and various beautiful places;

• systematically repeat what has been passed, including returning to it at new levels of mastery;

• train systematically and persistently;

• do not neglect the warm-up;

• deeply study the physics of playing the guitar;

• master the material gradually, this applies to melodies, and chords, and techniques;

• practice playing with both fingers and a pick;

• play together with other musicians;

• pause training if you are tired;

• watch videos of your activities;

• start classes in a calm mood;

• do not blame yourself for failure;

• hone the rhythm;

• master the tuning of the guitar;

• use modern musical notation.

How to quickly learn how to play, see the next video.