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 sites below to get acquainted with some of the Web’s best guitar news resources and magazines.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Looking to buy a guitar? Guitar magazine Web sites are a great place to look because most of them feature gear reviews and buying guides.
- The message boards and forums of online guitar magazines can be useful resources if you have a specific question about a guitar or technique.
Dulcinea's Picks
Guitar Player
highlights guitar news on its homepage under “The Latest” heading. Browse the “Artists” section for interviews with a variety of guitar players and don’t miss “Guitar Player TV” for video lessons, live performances, information on new products and interviews with guitar players.
Guitar World
is jam-packed with content including news, blogs, gear reviews, videos and more. The magazine also features several contests; don’t miss your chance to win guitars, amps and other gear.
Vintage Guitar
magazine specializes in classic and rare guitars. Browse the content featured on the homepage or use the navigation bar on the upper left to read news and features, find out about upcoming events, or share photos of your favorite guitars in the “Online Readers Gallery.”
Buying a Guitar and Guitar Accessories
Finding a guitar that suits your tastes and your budget can be a challenge, but shopping online can help. Use the sites below to find buying guides and reviews to help you narrow the choices, and then compare features and prices at several online stores from the comfort of your home. You’ll be strumming the strings in no time.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Buying a guitar can be an expensive endeavor. Be sure to shop around and check out stores in your neighborhood; you may be able to save more money by avoiding shipping charges.
- The online stores featured below offer customer reviews of their guitars. Take a look at the reviews to see what other people have to say about a particular model; unbiased opinions from others can help you make a more informed decision.
- If you're looking for music recording equipment, browse the sources in the findingDulcinea Music Recording Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For buying guides …
The Essential Guitar Guide
offers “A Buyers Guide for Beginners” with advice like “Trust your instincts” and “Get a good amp with reverb.”
Sweetwater
has more detailed buying guides for electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars and tons of gear and accessories.
For online stores …
Guitar Center
, a guitar vendor chain, also has an online store. Get good deals on a wide selection of guitars, basses, amplifiers and accessories. Save even more by browsing the “Used Gear” section. If you like to see before you buy, search by state or enter your zip code to find a Guitar Center store near you.
Musician’s Friend
has a huge selection of guitars and allows you to trade in your old gear for cash or store credit. Don’t miss the “Clearance” section to find price cuts and special discounts on “scratch’n’dent” items and factory seconds.
zZounds.com
boasts product reviews from more than 300,000 customers, and has real musicians available by toll-free number, e-mail or live chat to answer questions. The site also promises a lowest price guarantee, and free shipping on most items.
For online auctions and classified ads …
eBay Musical Instruments
is the site to visit if you’re looking for a really great deal or a unique vintage guitar. Scroll down to the “Guitar” section to start browsing all types of guitars, amplifiers, parts and more.
Craigslist
is one of the largest sites out there for free classified ads. Choose your city, go to “for sale,” then click the link for “music instr.”
Who knew?
When architect Frank Gehry designed the Experience Music Project (EMP) in Seattle, Washington, he drew inspiration from cutting several electric guitars into pieces. The pieces served as the building blocks for an early model of the museum.
Guitar Festivals and Conferences
Tired of playing guitar alone in your bedroom? It’s time to head out and connect with other guitar players and guitar enthusiasts through guitar conferences, workshops and festivals. Let the sites below point you in the right direction.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Think guitar festivals and conferences are just for guys who know how to play guitar? Think again. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls is one example of an organization that caters to a different demographic: girls ages 8–18 are invited to learn how to play an instrument in a rock band during a weeklong summer camp or after-school programs.
- Visit the sites in the “Guitar News and Magazines” section to discover even more guitar-related events, or search online using your favorite search engine.
Dulcinea's Picks
The Guitar Foundation of America
aims to encourage interest in the classical guitar. Visit the site to find a calendar of upcoming guitar events around the world with links to information on festivals, competitions, conventions, workshops and more.
Dmoz
has a directory of guitar events in every corner of the globe. Browse the alphabetical list and use the links to find out more. Some of the links haven’t been updated but most of them lead to helpful information.
Festivals.com
offers a searchable directory of all kinds of events around the world. Search by keyword (guitar) to get a list of guitar festivals, or browse by subject or choose your state on the map to find a festival near you.
The Guitar Community
The Web boasts an active community of guitar enthusiasts who are eager to share their knowledge and insight. Whether you’re looking for a mentor to help improve your guitar skills or just want to exchange riffs with other players, the blogs, forums and communities in this section can get you connected with like-minded musicians.
Dulcinea's Insight
- The publications listed in the Guitar News and Magazines section also serve as online communities. Some even solicit reader feedback and input. Explore their blogs and forums as well.
Dulcinea's Picks
For blogs …
Electric Guitar Review
is written by a man who has been playing guitar for more than 20 years. Look for news and reviews on the latest and greatest guitars and gear.
Guitar Lifestyle
has been paying homage to the guitar and guitar players since 2005. Browse the categories listed on the right to find posts on gear, guitars, lessons, reviews and more.
For communities …
Guitar.com
calls itself a “place for guitarists to call home.” Create a profile, post messages on the forum, share your videos and blog, or just discover what other guitarists are listening to.
Harmony Central
is an online community for musicians of all stripes. Use the links near the top of the page to narrow content to your interest: electric guitar, acoustic guitar or bass. The site features news, discussion forums, lessons, product reviews and lots more.
Ultimate-Guitar.com
is another active community of guitarists. Post in the forums, read music reviews and news, and watch videos on the site’s Ultimate-Guitar.TV.
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