The COVID-19 pandemic hit us all hard, but one positive that came out of it was the number of people who started a new hobby. In fact, 16 million people took up the guitar. 

Are you interested in learning guitar or improving your skills? 

Whether you’ve just started playing or you’re eager to learn, these tips will help you on the path toward mastering this instrument. Discover how to get started and how taking guitar lessons in Natomas will improve your skills. 

Be Patient

Before starting any instrument, you need to learn to be patient. Everyone fumbles at the beginning, and it will take you time to master the basics. You’ll make mistakes, but you’ll also learn from those mistakes. 

During your music lesson, you’ll learn how to hold the instrument, how to play chords and scales, and so on. 

One of the biggest benefits of taking guitar lessons is that a music instructor can guide you. They will tell you when you’re making mistakes and how to improve. 

Learn to Use a Tuner

One of the first steps you need to take is to learn how to use a tuner. Music instructors can direct you on how to operate one, before you learn to develop an ear for the notes. 

This takes some getting used to, but tuners are invaluable tools for learning guitar. If you’re on a budget, you can use an online tuner. 

You can use Google Tuner on any desktop or mobile browser. It’s a useful tool for when you practice at home and completely free. 

Soon you’ll be able to hear when your instrument is even slightly out of tune and adjust it without the use of a tuner. 

Identify the Parts of a Guitar

Learning to play your instrument involves understanding each part of it and how they work together. There are a few key parts you need to know: 

  • Bridge
  • Neck and fretboard
  • Frets
  • Headstock
  • Tuning pegs
  • Sound hole/pickups

You’ll need to become familiar with your instrument by learning how to hold it, use a guitar pick, and how to tune it. 

Practice Playing Notes and Chords

Once you learn the strings and notes, you can practice fretting the strings. Practice moving from one fret to another and listening to the notes. You’ll notice the pitch change as you move towards the body or the headstock. 

A chord is a combination of at least three notes. When you’re first learning how to play guitar, basic chords are one of the first things you’ll learn. 

The great part about learning guitar is that knowing even a few simple chords can help you start to play along to your favorite music. The two main types of chords are major and minor. 

Practice your fretting technique until your chords sound clear. 

Get Guitar Lessons in Natomas

If you’re ready to learn how to play, use these tips to get started. Of course, there’s only so much you can learn on your own, which is why music lessons are so valuable.

If you want to master playing this popular instrument, signing up for guitar lessons in Natomas will take your skills to the next level. 

At Music Lab Natomas, all of our lessons are taught by highly trained instructors. No matter your age, we’ll be happy to help you learn guitar. We also offer drum, piano, voice, and bass guitar lessons.