How to Play Guitar Lessons

I remember when I first started to play the guitar. I was fourteen years old. For years I had toyed with the idea, but never took it seriously.

My dad played guitar before I was born and I always grew up hearing him play. He made it look so easy. When I started learning, ironically he wasn't around at the time, so I was on my own.

I never considered formal lessons because my mom couldn't afford it. So I started learning from friends and magazines. This is the main point that I want to bring out to you, so listen carefully.

Initially, I would pick a song and learn it from tab. I could play! It was great because I was playing all those songs I loved. Only, I really wasn't playing them, because I'd rarely ever learn more than just the introduction or a solo.

Now I could play the solo, and play it good, but that was it, I didn't fool with things like backup riffs or rhythm. Just the intro and the solo.

Then Things Changed

Eventually I realized that there was more to the song than just ripping a solo. So I started learning the other parts. Again though, I was learning where to put my fingers, without really knowing what I was doing. It sounded good, but if you asked me to just make up a song, or make up a solo, I couldn't do it.

Then the light bulb turned on. I realized that the music was related - the chords I was playing and the scales I was playing were things I could learn and use them whenever I wanted to!

That is when my playing really took off. I learned the 'theory' that people are so scared of. It wasn't just book knowledge though, it was 'how to use it'. When you learn the theory, you learn how to use it in your music and it gives you more options.

Sure, you can learn a lot on your own, but it'll take you longer and you won't learn as much as if you had someone show you. That's why I recommend how to play guitar lessons, from someone who's been playing a variety of styles for years.

Ken Walker is a musician and graphics designer. He is based in New Madison, OH and creates promotional content for clients around the world. Ken has been a musician for over 20 years and has taught students across the country with his how to play guitar lessons.

You can learn more about Ken's guitar experience and how to play guitar lessons on his site.