Deciding to start learning guitar is easy. Actually getting started learning the guitar… is also easy, so long as you have a plan and keep a few important things in mind. If you are already looking for Miami guitar lessons for kids, Lesson in Your Home can guide you through the process before your first lesson.
 
 

Listen to music with guitars

Music is an aural art form, and listening to plenty of music is imperative if you want to develop your musical skills. Music truly is a language, and there’s no way to learn a language without listening to it being used and taking it in. Just like babies start learning their first language long before they say that first word, we are learning music before we even pick up a guitar. Listening to rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic ideas, even subconsciously, before we put them into practice will make the learning process far smoother and more enjoyable.
Listening to music with guitars in particular will teach you to recognize the sonic possibilities and tendencies of the instrument. Knowing what sounds right because you’ve heard it before allows you to be your own best teacher. Of course, a guitar teacher will guide you along that journey. A great Miami guitar teacher works to help you become your own best teacher.

Get the right guitar

Let me rephrase; get the equipment that’s right for you and your goals. There are countless styles of guitar playing, each of which may require certain tools. If you want to rock out like your favorite band, getting an electric guitar might be the best option for you. If your goal is to write songs and accompany yourself as a singer-songwriter, an acoustic guitar will be perfect. Once again, a teacher can help guide you in the decision making process before you get started with guitar lessons.
Here is some advice on how to select the best guitar for a beginning guitarist.

Get the right accessories

While different people are likely to require different pieces of gear, here are a few accessories that would be excellent to have when getting started.
Guitar picks. Not everyone chooses to play with a pick, but having the option to do so opens up many possibilities with your guitar journey.
A tuner. This will, unsurprisingly, help you get in tune. It’s not automatic, so being able to approximate the tuning by ear is still an important skill that a teacher can assist with.
A capo. Depending on the style of music you are playing this may or may not be necessary. But you can pick one up for about $10, so you can’t really go wrong buying one.

Learn how to navigate the fretboard

Now we’re actually getting onto the instrument. Understanding how the fretboard is organized is essential when it comes to learning the guitar. It allows you to communicate with your teacher and other players, as well as learn from countless other resources. Learning the fretboard is one of the ways to build up your fingertips for guitar.
Because it’s so important, learning your way around the fretboard is one of the first things a teacher will show you how to do, after holding the instrument correctly. So if you wait until getting started with lessons to begin learning the fretboard that is absolutely fine.
If you’d like to get a head start, here are some helpful tips on where the notes are on a guitar fretboard.

Get a great teacher

Now that you have the sound of guitar in your head, have the tools you need, and possibly have a jumpstart on knowing your way around the instrument, it’s time to really get started learning the guitar. While there are many resources online nowadays, the guidance of a private teacher is immensely helpful when learning the guitar. A guitar teacher will help you figure out your goals and give you a clear path to reaching them. They can spot challenges that you are facing that you may not recognize yourself. And simply being accountable to a teacher every week can work wonders in terms of practice motivation.
Lessons at Your Home offers private guitar lessons. Our teachers will come right to your home for every lesson, plus we offer virtual music lessons, too. Our online music lessons are being taught by local music teachers with live lessons tailored to your child! Contact us today to learn more.
By Bryan Dubrow