Lesson 1: The Basics

I will be posting the video on this later today... be patient!

Here are some basics that got me rolling when I learned. (Keep in mind, this is for beginners)


1.Make sure you're playing the correct size guitar! This is extremely important. It's like trying to walk around in jeans three sizes to big, there will be a lot of fumbling and awkward adjustments. Make sure the guitar you play is just the right size for you. You need to be able to reach everything without effort.


2. When playing, hold the strings very tightly. If some of the strings are loose while you play them, they will make a buzzing sound. That makes it sound like your aren't playing the chord right- even if you are.


3. Find a common strumming pattern that you can get used to while learning chords. Once that's out of the way, you won't need to concentrate on how you strum. You will only need to worry about executing the chord perfectly.


4. Once you have a chord down (I will be posting the charts and a video on easy starter chords very soon!!) play it over...and over... and over again until it sounds right. Then learn a new chord and do the same thing. Then, to avoid forgetting the first chord and to help learn transitioning, play the two chords. Play them an even amount of strums though, so you aren't confused. (For ex. if you just learned G and C, play G for five strums then play C for five strums... G for five... C for five and so on) Do this until transitioning from chord to chord is easy.


5. Every new chord you learn, add it into this pattern above. You want to be positive that you can transition from chord to chord. Trust me- it makes playing the guitar a lot easier.


6. This is the most important in my eyes... take it slow. When you think you have a chord mastered, keep playing it. It needs to become second nature to you. If you still need to lock eyes with your fingers to make sure that you're touching the right string, you need to keep practicing.


Learning the guitar is not something you can do overnight, but everyone learns at different speeds. Practice until each chords requires little effort.


I will post the video soon!

A little about me...

I woke up today, and I realized that you readers have absolutely no idea who I am. So to keep everyone from thinking that I'm some 60 year old creep trying to teach beginners guitar, I'll tell you a bit about myself. My name is Rachel, and I'm 15. I'm currently living in Virginia, but I have lived in California and...wait for it... Fiji! Yes, Fiji was once my home. It was only for short period of time though, as it was a missions trip. But it was quite the experience. My parents have given me an incredible life so far, whether they realize it or not. I have had experiences that most people can only dream about. And of course, guitar comes into this too. My dad, no matter where we live, always has his guitar. From the view of a little girl who is so in awe of her dad to begin with, seeing her dad do something as cool as play the guitar was amazing. I never thought I could learn to play, nor did I really make an effort until last year. My dad has had his acoustic guitar (I'll be showing our guitars later on..) since he was just a kid. His uncle gave it to him. My dad has told me stories about how he would sit in his room for hours and teach himself to play. He's the kind of person that starts something, and finishes no matter what. So you can imagine the skill level he's made it to from teaching himself. And he still plays at the age of 40. So one of my last school nights of eighth grade, I picked up my dads guitar and asked him to teach me. He started out with two simple chords (G and C)... and the rest is history... a year later. My guitar skills aren't insane, but I definitely have improved since my first strums. My dream isn't to grow up and be the next Taylor Swift, but I hope to show at least some of my friends and fellow bloggers that playing the guitar isn't that difficult. I bet some of you wonder... can she sing?! But I'm not going to waste your time trying to convince you all (like millions of other teenage girls) that my voice is amazing and I'll be famous one day... because I won't. But do plan on singing in a few videos, nothing special. I wanted give you guys another heads up of what this blog is really about... I'm trying to help people learn to play the guitar, simple as that. I'm hoping to teach people through posts and videos. I'm also trying to teach from the way that I learned, which is hopefully an easier method than most online guitar "lessons". Thanks again for reading and keep stopping by! (:

Strumming vs. Picking

I hope to put up a helpful post at least a few times a week... so keep checking in! My first post, as you can see above, is about strumming vs. finger picking the guitar. I hope that this helps clear up any questions you may have about the difference between strumming and picking, and how to correctly do so.

STRUMMING

   ~ Strumming is easier to most people since all you need to do is swipe your pick or fingers up and down the guitar strings

   ~ This method does require precise rhythm because you are hitting all the strings at once

   ~ In this method, you also need to help certain chords along (for ex. when you play the D chord, you should muffle the G string to help get the full effect and to avoid buzzing)

   ~ When strumming, you need to keep a constant level of sound unless the song you play requires you to do differently

FINGER PICKING

   ~ This method is more difficult to most people, because picking requires an entire finger just for one string. Your fingers are constantly moving to different places

   ~ When picking, you may have to manipulate each string to sound exactly the way you want (for ex. you can lift or put down a finger to create a new sound)

   ~ Picking usually takes a lot of practice and concentration to master

I will be posting videos showing the differences between the two soon, along with some quick tips.

     Thanks for reading and keep stopping by!

                       (:

My First Post!

    Currently I am spending a muggy summer Tuesday inside. I found myself turning to my guitar, as I do when all other things fail. But when I was playing, I thought about not only showing my family what I love to do; but anyone else out there who may be attached to the guitar as much as me. My guitar is sort of my way to release. When I play my guitar, my complete focus is on every string I pluck and every not I strum.


     My dad is my inspiration, as he is for many things. As I grew up, he played as the worship leader for my church. I was always so amazed when I saw that all you needed was to put your fingers on certain strings, and you could make a beautiful sound. He makes it look unbelievably easy, and he has a smooth voice to match.


     When my family moved from California to the east coast, of course, new friends had to be made. Once I made good friends and settled down, things got boring. Though my part of the east coast has a wonderful landscape and plenty of places to view nature, my need for excitement wasn't fulfilled.


     This is about when I turn to my dad and ask for him to teach me guitar. And this is about when you expect to hear my sappy and inspirational stories about how the guitar forever changed my life. (Which it has)..


     I am planning on updating very frequently and posting a wide variety of blogs; from guitar lessons, to personal stories that hopefully grab your interest and help you improve your guitar skills as well.


          Thanks for reading and keep stopping by!
                            (: