Read This If You Want to Play Guitar Songs

[Dominick Harvey]

Before you even attempt to play guitar songs, you should ensure your
guitar is properly tuned. If you have not tuned your guitar properly
before playing it will be obvious, the songs you try to play will not
sound right at all. Another skill that you must learn to do before you
can play guitar songs is how to read guitar tabs.
A key ability to help you play guitar songs is not just the ability to
read guitar tabs but also to train your ear when you listen to a song
too. The first step in this process is to listen carefully to the
songs that you want to play on your guitar and as a novice it will be
easier that you stick with simple songs at first. Try to identify the
songs that best suit your ability; perhaps the best kinds of songs
when starting out are ones that use three simple chords.
While listening to the song, you should pay particular attention to
the rhythm and the timing of the chords and strums being played on the
guitar. Once you have listened to the song a few times, you should
next try to follow along with the song by reading the guitar tab,
while it is playing. You should work through this several times as
well, making a mental note of the rhythm and timing.
After you have listened to the song a few times and followed along
with the guitar tab, you should then pick up your own guitar. Begin by
strumming along while the song is playing, of course you will need to
hear the song you are trying to mimic so you need to play you guitar
quietly at first.
Once you establish the timing and strumming style you can perhaps try
playing the songs on your own, this time without the tabs or music. In
case you forget, you can always listen to the song again then try
playing it on your own. When practicing songs ensure you master
playing one song at a time and play the song over and over again until
you are able to sing the song whilst playing your guitar.
If you have a video recorder you may even film yourself playing and
when you are finished playing, you can watch the video. This has the
dual benefit of providing additional encouragement while helping you
to correct any errors you may be making in regard to proper technique.
Learning to play guitar songs need not be as hard as you imagine, you
just need the motivation and passion to learn. You also require a
certain level of patience and the ability not to worry about messing
up during your lessons, you are learning after all. Making mistakes is
only natural, even if you keep tripping over the same problem just put
the guitar down for a while and go do something else then come back.
When you are tired or frustrated, you can keep repeating the same
mistakes.