There are two practical ways to learn how to play a guitar. First would be through finding someone who knows all the basic essentials. Make sure you know him; a close friend, classmate or acquaintance. Possible, your special someone. He should be patient enough to endure the tireless hours of practice. Because if he won’t be, you’re dead meat. He could teach you tips and techniques to proper fingering. This is difficult if you don’t know anyone but would be a big advantage if you do know someone.

Second practical way of learning your way through guitar lessons is to go online. It’s a personal mentor, a friend, and a reference material all in one package. Unlike having a personal trainer, an online tutorial gives you the freewill to agree and disagree. You can rest if you’re tired. Give yourself time to practice those hard notes. The best part is, nobody would scold you with every wrong string you’ve plucked. You are your own mentor.

Summarized below are 5 easy steps on how to learn how to play a guitar.

Step 1. You’ll be needing a guitar (might be your own or someone else’s, be sure it has 6 strings), a pick (or your fingers can do just fine), stool or chair, and an overflowing amount of dedication and patience. To be able to start playing, you must first know the different parts of a guitar and where to put those fingers of yours.

Step 2. Exercise your tense fingers. Stretch it. Wiggle it. Relax it. A tense hand would add up to a tense musician. You must learn the art of changing notes and strings in a speed that will blend with the song whenever a new melody comes in. To increase the shifting agility and strength, practice on the easier notes before proceeding with the tough ones.

Step 3. Learn the chords. Begin with the basic easy ones. Don’t bother yourself too much on chords that requires you to use a bar or all five fingers. That would put so much stress on your part. Some of the easiest and widely used chords are A, A minor, A major, C, C minor, C major, D, D minor, D major, E, E minor, E major, F, F major, G and G major.

Step 4. Work on those strumming patterns. The tip on being able to catch up on the melody is to listen to the song first. Never advance to your style without knowing the basic. It might turn out hideous and instead of producing music, it will turn out as a noise. Strumming is considered easier than plucking. A sequence of “up, down, up, up, down, up” might be easier to remember.

Step 5. Practice! Practice! Practice! Stay focused on your goal. You don’t have any intention of producing a perfect outcome. What is most important is being able to play and have fun. Relax yourself. If your fingers are growing blisters and your hands are surrendering to a sore, rest it. Don’t wait till drops of blood comes out of it.

Most people are into electric and acoustic guitar playing because it is pleasing to their ears but if you want to feel some beat inside your chest, choose a bass guitar. Before you can play a certain song, you need to learn all the songs by heart. The song’s foundation is thrown off if the bass guitar is not present. So having a bass guitar playing together with all other guitars is essential.

As compared to traditional guitars, bass guitars have fewer and thicker strings. Advanced guitar players say that bass guitars are easy to play but it would take a lot of talent and hard work to master it. Aside from the difference in the strings, bass guitars have larger bodies. Most bass guitars are made from rose and maple wood and usually have four strings only.

Another thing that you need to keep in mind, bass guitars are not oriented. Other guitars are chord oriented but not the bass. If you play the chords using the bass, it can dominate other guitars. Bass guitars should be played consistently so that you can feel its power. Once you’ve learned to play this instrument, it will be a lot easier to learn electric, acoustic, and Spanish guitars.

Here are some helpful tips that you can make use in learning to play the bass guitar:

1. You must always be aware of the beat of the music that you’re playing. Feel it. You see, bass guitars are like drums, only in guitar form. It gives any song timing and depth. Feel your chest as the sound of the bass guitar pounds it.

2. As with ordinary guitars, bass guitars are tuned the same way. But the tones are deeper because the strings are thicker and fewer. You need to learn how to hit single notes often because this is essential in bass guitar playing. If you want to play the bass decently, you need to familiarize yourself with the notes and tunings of an ordinary guitar.

3. The placing of your fingers is of utmost importance. The note’s wholeness is determined on how your fingers hit the fret board of the bass. For a holistic approach, you need to practice playing the guitar as well.

4. Your fingers on both hands should be strong. You need to strength in order to play a bass guitar because it is a solid and sturdy instrument.

These tips when kept in mind will definitely help you a lot in learning to play the bass. Whether you’re attending a private guitar lesson, using a guide book, or DVD programs, these tips can be used.

Buy your very own bass guitar now and practice playing the instrument. Remember, if you can learn to play this instrument, your guitar’s sound will give any song soul and depth. Besides, just in case you want to learn to play other kinds of guitar, it will be easier.

Start your guitar lessons and discover what bass guitars can do to the many songs that you’re about to play.