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Congratulations, you just bought you first guitar! Now that you've met the love
of your life and made that big commitment, you're probably excited about
building a good relationship with your new partner. But where do you begin?
You've just come home from the music store with this beautiful, mysterious
stranger, or perhaps even rescued an abandoned orphan from the flee market or
pawn shop. Cradling it lovingly in your hands, you admire it's graceful form
and captivating voice. Before you lay several items that you acquired along
with your purchase- a case, strap, picks, and of course, that book or video
explaining "everything you need to know in 10 easy lessons." You stare at it
blankly, wondering what lanquage it is.
This is often the experience of a new guitar enthusiast. "Love at first sight"
engenders high hopes of playing like a Rock Star overnight. Then reality begins
to sink in and you reallize that it's going to require some effort and hard
work to make this happen! But that doesn't mean it can't be fun. A positive
attitude will go a long way in helping you meet your goals. In fact, setting
some short-term and long-term goals is one of the first things you should do.
Here are a few suggestions:
GET TO KNOW YOUR GUITAR
- Familiarize yourself with its various parts
- memorize the name of each string and how they are numbered
- Understand what type of guitar you have
- Learn how to take proper care of your instrument
GET TO KNOW YOURSELF
- What type of music do you enjoy?
- Do you like to sing?
- Do you want to be in a band or play professionally someday?
- Do you just want to play for your own personal enjoyment?
I often receive calls for help from individuals who are frustated because they
are having trouble understanding the book or video that came with their
purchase. If this is the case for you, consider taking some lessons from a
private instructor. It can be a great way to get moving in the right direction.
If you set up a weekly guitar lesson, then you will probably begin to establish
a regular practice routine too. This is because you will feel a sense of
obligation and accountability to your teacher. A teacher can also watch your
progress and offer helpful advise and critique so that you will be able to
develop good technique. This is an invaluable asset which you will be unlikely
to get from a book or video.
Local music stores often have someone who teaches right out of their store, or
they may be able to provide you with a list of teachers in your area. If there
is a college or university nearby, be sure to check the bulletin boards and
school newspapers. you could also contact the Music Department to see if they
know of any instructors who may be offering private or class lessons during
after school hours.
Most importantly, be sure to take the time to do a little "personal
inventory" and get to know your instrument by answering the questions in this
article. Then, you will be able to establish a good mental picture of where you
are now and where you want to be in the future.
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