If you would like to learn how to play guitar there are many online courses to choose from, in fact, there are so many it’s hard to know where to begin! However, Guitar Tricks has been providing online guitar lessons since 1998 so it’s safe to say they are a good place to get started. They provide step-by-step instruction for all skill levels, genres, tricks, techniques, tones, and really any aspect of guitar education. Here is a quick guide on how to learn guitar with the Guitar Tricks system.
Getting Started
Perhaps you have some guitar-playing skills, if so that is very helpful, but also completely unnecessary. Guitar Tricks has beginner lessons for those that have never even picked up a guitar! To get started we click on “Home” and then follow the prompts to beginner lessons and the Core Learning System, here we can learn the fundamentals of guitar. These are the easiest lessons to get us going.
- Tuning and the basic notes on the guitar
- Strumming with picks and fingerstyle
- Easy and intermediate guitar chords
- Simple alternate stroke strumming
- Basic guitar scales and how to create melodies
- Chords that belong to specific keys
These beginner videos cover all the basics for a first-time player, and they also provide help with troubleshooting. Playing the guitar is not easy and it is filled with obstacles that seem impossible, Guitar Tricks lessons are geared to address these issues. Each lesson provides video and guitar tabs to follow along with, but while these lessons are very informative they also can be boring!
This is an unfortunate fact of learning any instrument from any course, the first phase is painful and not always fun. Going through down strokes and up strokes over an easy chord or two isn’t exactly exciting, but it is very important. It is best to mix these mundane lessons in with fun blues and rock riffs. When you find yourself getting bored or frustrated, take a break from the fundamentals and try some easy guitar songs!
Choosing a Song
While learning scales, chords, riffs, and techniques are essential, they can also be difficult without some song references. Guitar Tricks has thousands of songs and riffs to choose from, and just like the lessons, they break down every aspect of the piece. The songs are labeled according to genre, skill level, instructor, and other qualities. You do not have to practice all the fundamentals before trying out a song. Find a beginner-level song that you are comfortable with and just give it a try.
- The easiest genres will be beginner, acoustic, pop, and country
- Harder song genres are often metal, bluegrass, jazz, and classical
- If complete songs are too difficult, stick to simple riffs and licks
If the song you pick is too hard, pick another, there are many to choose from including some ‘Made Easy’ versions of famous songs! That’s the beauty of online guitar lessons, you can move around at your own pace. Follow a couple of beginner strumming and chord lessons, and then switch it up with some song practice. When you hit a wall or obstacle, make a note of the problem, and return to the basic courses to see if you can find a solution.
As mentioned, if you are a complete beginner guitar player then you will have some problems and issues with your playing. You may have a hard time fretting the strings, getting a clean sound, or finding the right rhythm to play a song. When this happens it is best to take another approach with a different core lesson or a new song and keep trying until you succeed in playing anything. Playing guitar is a battle and with each win, you gain a little more confidence toward your next lesson.
That’s one of the best parts of the Guitar Tricks system, they have been around so long that they have such a variety of lessons and songs to choose from. It is impossible to get bored as there is just so much guitar-oriented music to pick!
Advanced Lessons
If you know the basics of guitars then you may not need the Core Learning System, but it is wise to rehash old lessons to make sure you have proper technique. But once you have moved into intermediate and advanced territory, Guitar Tricks still has plenty of lessons to keep you busy! The second part of the Fundamentals covers even more complex tips and tricks.
- Left- and Right-hand arpeggio playing
- More complex blues and extended chords
- Finger strength exercise and barre chord practice
- Strumming with swing and syncopation
- Singing and playing the guitar at the same time
If you are to the point of learning harder chords, modes and scales, and new strums then it is important to start picking more challenging songs. Once you are past the intermediate stage of guitar you should pick songs that you are not familiar with. Go back into the song section and find some new tunes in new genres to play. If you come to a part that is too hard, then go back into the lessons and see what needs work.
References and Toolboxes
You can use Guitar Tricks to follow a strict course guideline from beginning to advanced guitar playing levels. Or you can jump around based on what you feel comfortable playing, always knowing that a video and tablature will be there to help you along. And besides thorough lessons, there are also plenty of tools and toys for reference.
- A tuner and metronome help you stay in tune and on time
- Chord and scale finders will help you find any notes necessary
- Fretboard diagrams and chord charts help grasp the bigger picture for songwriting and improvisation
- A guitar tab guide and glossary will help with reading music
- And backing jam tracks are perfect for practicing new chords and progressions in real time
And along with the toolboxes and references, there is also a forum with daily posts that deal with all levels of guitar playing, tone tips, and even help with recording your own music. Not only will Guitar Tricks teach you basic skills and common songs, but it will also give you the tools and guides to create your own music! Whether you follow the courses and keep track of your progress, or if you just like to jump around, the site has plenty to offer.
It is very accessible to learn how to play guitar with the Guitar Tricks method and lessons, that is assuming you are putting forth the effort. Regardless of the teacher or site you choose it is essential to stick with the process and overcome the hills and plateaus of music education. No one ever just picked up a guitar and immediately started playing, we all had to push through pain and frustration! But if you take at least 30 minutes a day to practice with Guitar Tricks you will soon progress beyond the beginner stages!
By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer
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