Playing the guitar is something that most people want to do, but don’t think they can. You can start playing the guitar, but you do need to have some basics in mind before you start. That’s why you should read this article, which contains smart instructions for playing the guitar.

When learning to play the guitar, try to find ways to stay motivated. Your skills won’t improve when you get bored doing it. Try setting short-term goals that you can attain at your skill level. When you reach your goals, you should reward yourself. Another way to stay motivated is by practicing with a friend.

One good way to become a great guitar player is by learning how to listen. Make sure that you listen to other guitar players, both on albums and live. Pay attention to the type of guitar they are playing as well as how they are achieving the tones. Don’t forget to also listen carefully to yourself as you play in order to improve.

Try not to spend too much money when you’re just starting out. It can be alarmingly easy to overspend on a guitar and all sorts of gear you don’t really need as a beginner. Find an affordable guitar to start with. Try not to go over $100 until your absolutely sure guitar playing is something you want to stick with.

Learn tunes in different keys. You can learn different chords by playing the same song over and over again but in different keys. It will also give you a better all-round understanding of music. This will make you a more accomplished musician.

Find a good balance between learning music theory and physically playing the guitar. Music theory is important to learn. If you’re serious about playing the guitar, it’s crucial to study the technical side of it. Just don’t forget to apply all you’ve learned. Try to strike a nice balance between the two.

When learning to play the guitar, it is important to learn how to play in time. A good way to learn this is by playing with a metronome regularly. If you do not have one, you can find a free one online. Playing with another person or along with a CD can also be helpful.

Listen to different styles of music. Do not be afraid to branch out from your favorite genre of music. You can learn a lot from listening to all sorts of songs. Listen to as many different styles of music as you can. Learn what it has to offer and get inspired by it.

Try to unwind before you practice. Being tense and stressed out before a practice session can limit how productive you are. Try to relax before you practice. Meditate or take a walk. Breathe deeply and stretch. Find a relaxation technique that works for you and use it. It can make a huge difference.

Experiment with different styles and different ways of playing the guitar. Learn how to use a pick and how to strum with your fingers. Play a simple song in a different key. Try open, regular and special tunings. Trying new things will make playing the guitar more interesting and help keep you motivated to practice.

To get the most for your money when you are just starting out with the guitar, buy an expensive one — less than $100. The reason for this is that you do not know whether you will stick with the instrument or not. Once you decide that you love it, upgrade to a better one.

To keep yourself from getting frustrated the first few times you play the guitar, prepare yourself for sore fingers. The strings are made of steel, and fingers without calluses experience irritation when they strum steel over and over again. Fight through the pain until your fingers develop calluses and the pain stops.

Make use of video sharing instructional videos. There is plenty of free information out there that will help you learn to play the guitar, and many of those resources can be found on video sharing sites. Watching videos can be a great way for you to see fingering in action.

Make it part of your daily practice to learn to play in time. If you have to stop between each chord in order to find the next, you will mess up the entire rhythm of the song. Practice, using a metronome, or play along with a CD, trying your best to keep up the rhythm. Soon, you will be an expert!

As mentioned in the introduction, a lot of people wish they could play the guitar but don’t know how. It’s not as hard as you might thing. With the tips in this article, you’ll be able to slowly start playing. You’ll learn more and more about the guitar and how to play it.