If you are looking into how to play guitar, then the
first thing you want to learn are the basic chords. This is a very
important skill for all beginners to learn first thing. Find some diagrams
of the basic chords, and learn how to read them. It is good to have a copy
of a fret diagram where you can easily see it when you practice.
The first thing you need to start with as you learn how to play guitar, is
the three-string “G” chord. First, play each string listening to the sound
and making sure it is nice and clear. Make sure each string is tuned
well. When you go to play the strings together, if there is one out of
sync, you will definitely hear it as sounding a bit flat or dull. This can
also be caused when one of your fingers on your left hand is touching a string
by mistake. By playing the strings individually, you will be able to
determine the problem and correct it.
Now that you know how to play the guitar chords, you will start strumming
three strings at a time. You need to know how to mute the strings that you
aren't going to play, then you will have a nice clear sound as you strum the
others. This will help to reduce any extra noise. You can do this by
using your left thumb to mute the fourth, fifth and sixth strings. To mute
these strings you will lightly hold your finger or your thumb directly on the
string you don't want to play. You will want to remember this as you play
a chord and not play the six strings.
Now that you have mastered the “G” chord, it's time to do the same for the
“C” chord. You will find that the “C” chord is a bit more challenging to
get the sound to be nice and clear as it was with the “G” chord. But with
some practice, you will find this will sound just as great. With this
down, you will then move on to the bigger chords, and before you know it, you
will know how to play guitar.
