How To Play The Guitar – Take Music Into Your Hands

Guitar is becoming more and more popular these days. Not only does it produce great sound but it is also very portable and can be carried anywhere. This is the reason why a lot of people want to learn how to play the guitar. If you are one of them, here are some guitar tips to help you out. 
First, you need a guitar. Of course, you cannot start studying how to play the instrument if you do not have it. There are different guitar brands and varieties. It is best to start with acoustic guitar because they are the easiest to learn and rules are simple. You can also ask the staff at the music shop to help you choose a good guitar that would suit your preference and skill. 
Second, you need a guitar tuner. This is not a must but this will help you a lot in making sure that your guitar is producing good sounds. Some guitars can sound bad if they are out of tune. You can always tune it by ear or using a keyboard. Nonetheless, a guitar tuner will make your life a lot easier. 
Third, you need to learn how to read guitar tabs. Normally, every song has its own tab. Tabs are useful in playing songs especially for people who find it difficult to play by ear. They are not that difficult to learn. It fact, it is a lot easier because the tabs represent the guitar itself. Just by looking at the tabs, you will automatically know which frets to use and which strings to pluck. 
Fourth, you need to place your fingers correctly. You need to hold the frets and strings down as much as you can. This will ensure that the sound is whole. At first, it can be painful to maintain your fingers in the right position. However, with a god amount of practice, you will definitely get used to it. It is advisable to trim your nails when playing the guitar. This will prevent the surface from getting scratched. 
Fifth, you need to learn how to strum. Strumming is one of the most important things to learn when playing the guitar aside from plucking. It is a combination of up and down strokes. The combination, as well as the beat and the count, will depend on the song that you are playing. The best way to learn strumming is to practice a lot. It would help if you buy a pick or just use the end of a card. 
Sixth, you need to practice chord shifting. Playing the guitar will require you to change chords from time to time. Learning how to do this swiftly will ensure that you are always in rhythm and never off the tune. You can practice with chord family firsts then eventually move on to more difficult ones. 
Seventh, you need to practice with songs. The best way to master guitar playing is to practice using actual songs. There are a lot of songs that are easy to play with a few chords. Start with them and enjoy the music.