Playing the Guitar
A solo classical guitarist, a slide guitar bluesman and a heavy metal lead guitarist may play wildly different types of music, but they share a common instrument: the good old guitar. The resources in this guide can help you learn how to play guitar, find guitar news and magazines, buy guitars and guitar gear, find guitar festivals and conferences, and get connected with the vibrant guitar community online.
Expand All Guide SectionsLearn to Play Guitar
John (Cougar) Mellencamp said it best: “You may find a cushy job and I hope that you go far / But if you really want to taste some cool success / You better learn to play guitar.” Heed Mellencamp’s lyrical advice and use the sites in this section to get familiar with different types of guitars, find tips on choosing a guitar and learn to play the instrument.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Guitarists’ Web sites are a good place to get acquainted with different styles of playing. Use your favorite search engine to find your favorite guitarist’s Web site; performers often make a few songs available for free streaming.
- If you’re really serious about investing the time needed to learn how to play guitar, consider an online course with Berklee College of Music, a world-renowned institution for the study of music.
Dulcinea's Picks
For the types of guitars …
Expert Village
has a series of 16 videos covering the different types of guitars, including acoustic, solid body, hollow body, electric and others. The videos also introduce the basic anatomy of the guitar and explain the function of each part.
To choose a guitar …
FirstGuitar.com
offers comprehensive advice on how to choose your first guitar. Use the links throughout the text to find more information on deciding between an electric or acoustic guitar, and how to determine what size guitar is right for you.
ArtistshouseMusic
features a video of a music professor at Loyola University talking about how to choose a guitar that fits your taste and style.
For tutorials …
GuitarSocial.com
requires free registration to access the site’s straightforward instruction. Look for images and text that make the basics of guitar anatomy, holding a guitar and a pick, tuning a guitar and strumming come to life. Chord diagrams and videos make it easy to get started.
The Essential Guitar Guide
provides a well-organized overview of the guitar for an intermediate level. Use the table of contents to link to topics such as the fretboard, the major scale, three note chords and more.
For instructional videos …
Video Tabs
has loads of videos that show you how to play guitar. Look for lessons for beginners and intermediate lessons, or browse videos alphabetically by song title using the navigation bar on the top right.
GuitarTricks
offers 24 free video guitar lessons plus thousands more when you sign up for a paid subscription (prices start around $15 per month). Find lessons arranged by style (for example, funk, surf or metal) and by inspiration (artists like B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Carlos Santana and plenty more) on the left navigation bar.
JamPlay
offers free online lessons for kids on acoustic guitar, and for beginners on acoustic and electric guitar. You’ll also find lessons in different genres, such as bluegrass, jazz and Hawaiian, and lessons on three different songs. For even more lessons, consider a paid membership; prices start at about $20 per month.
For fun …
Guitar Hero
is a video game where players use guitar-shaped controllers to simulate playing a guitar. Use the controller’s fretboard and strumming bar to play along with a rock song on the screen. If you hit the right notes at the right time, you win points. If you mess up, you lose points. What better way to learn how to play the guitar and “unleash your inner rock star” at the same time?
Who knew?
Think learning to play guitar is too hard? YouTube presents a video of Tony Melendez, a man born with no arms, playing a guitar with his feet.
Guitar News and Magazines
Reading about guitars and guitar-related gear is almost as much fun as playing the guitar. Use the ... read more »
Buying a Guitar and Guitar Accessories
Finding a guitar that suits your tastes and your budget can be a challenge, but shopping online can ... read more »
Guitar Festivals and Conferences
Tired of playing guitar alone in your bedroom? It’s time to head out and connect with other ... read more »
The Guitar Community
The Web boasts an active community of guitar enthusiasts who are eager to share their knowledge and ... read more »
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