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The good news is, you can absolutely teach yourself guitar!
It may have been hard to learn on your own time 20 years ago, but now great information is everywhere. ...
However, learning to really shred a guitar is a process.
It takes a lot of hard work, determination, and proper technique. >>>
If you're all set to start your guitar journey and have made the decision to learn it on your own using online lessons, here are a few tips and tricks that will help you start out.
Tips for learning guitar by yourself
Get a guitar you love and keep it where you can see it. Let's start with something simple that works wonders. When you shop for a guitar, make sure you buy one that you find beautiful. Falling in love with your guitar is the first step towards wanting to play on it often. You also want to get a guitar stand and keep it out where you can see it, which will also get you to grab it more often.
Learn to read guitar tablature. Learning how to read tabs early on will really help you in learning guitar. What are tabs? They are an easier type of written music notation for guitar. Tabs are everywhere, they are more popular than standard music notation for guitarists. You'll be able to find the tabs to any song ever written after a Google search, which makes learning the songs you love so much easier.
Learn the basic chords perfectly. You might be surprised to find out that using a few basic guitar chords, you'll already be able to play thousands of songs on your guitar. Teach yourself those chords and practice them diligently to perfect them.
Learn a few strumming patterns. There is a only a finite number of chords and notes, but playing them differently is what varies music in infinite ways. Learn not 1 or 2, but as many strumming patterns in as many styles of music as you can. This will make you a versatile guitar player.
Changing in between chords. Learning how to change in between chords will seem difficult at first, but it's just a matter or practice. Learn the basic chord shapes first, than learn to change in between them. You'll be doing it blindfolded before you know it.
Aching fingertips. Your fingertips will hurt at first, which is normal. With enough practice, you will develop hardened skin on your fingertips. These are called calluses. When you initially start learning guitar, you'll only be able to play for 10-15 minutes before your fingers hurt so much that you need to stop. The more you practice, the thicker your calluses become, and the more you'll be able to play.
Leave music theory for later. In my experience teaching beginners, I've found that there are few things that turn newbies off more than music theory. It's logical really. Why do you want to learn guitar? To play songs. Music theory will become important later on, but at first, it's important to start enjoying the music you make as soon as possible.
Learn songs from day 1. Ok, on day 1 you won't be able to play much, but you get the idea. Playing songs is fun. It's the reason you decided to teach yourself how to play guitar, right? There are loads of popular songs that are easy to play, even for early beginners.
Practice regularly. My music teacher in middle school kept nagging us about how much we should practice at home. I didn't care back than, but I now know that sufficient practice is the only way to learn guitar. Or anything for that matter. Practice at least an hour a day, and you'll be absolutely amazed with the results.