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A lot of beginning guitar players write to me and ask for advice how to play guitar ‘fast’. I inevitably write them back to ask whether they already play guitar, and just want to be faster on the fretboard, or whether they’re beginners who want a shortcut to basic proficiency.

This got me wondering whether there might be a connection between the two. It seemed far-fetched; but, the more I thought about it, the more parallels I saw between these two seemingly different levels of training.

So, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that:

1. You can learn guitar faster by studying the techniques involved making your overall playing ability ‘faster’, and..

2. You can become a ‘faster’ guitar player by re-focusing your practice sessions on the basic concepts and techniques taught to every beginner.

The reasons for this overlap and can be summed up in a handy acronym: M.O.S.T. — or, “Memorization, Observation and Strength Training.” Let’s cover each one to clarify the point.

Memorization

One of the things that slows down both beginning and intermediate guitar players, no matter how good of an ‘ear’ for music they have, is a failure to memorize:

1. All of the notes on the fretboard

2. Chords and scales for the Major and Minor Keys

It doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting out, or have a few year’s playing experience already. The fact is that ‘hunting and pecking’ for the right chord or note will slow you down.

You don’t have time in the middle of a song to stop so you can figure out if a Dbminor chord will work in the key of B, and then figure out where that chord is relative to your current position on the fretboard.

If you’re a beginner, then memorizing your fretboard is the place to start. This will make it easier for you to memorize chords and scale patterns, as well as understand the relationship between them in music theory.

If you’re already playing, then you should focus on strengthening your knowledge in both areas. You probably have a good part of your fretboard memorized already, but can you jump to any note or chord automatically?

Observation

Your senses of touch, sight and sound are all involved in playing guitar. As you play, you will no doubt feel the development of ‘muscle memory’ as your fingers play across familiar chords and scales. You will see patterns and relationships on the fretboard. You will hear what you’re playing and come to connect it with all of the above.

Memorization is the foundation for observation, and observation is the key to training your mind and hands to work in concert automatically.

If you want the ability to play anything you hear ‘in your head’ the moment your fingers reach the fretboard, then you must wed memorization with observation when you practice.

Strength Training

No, I’m not suggesting you lift weights at the gym! Strength training, which really includes ‘dexterity’ training, is part and parcel of everything we’ve covered so far.

Beginning guitarists often struggle to hold down chords, and to play scales with all four fingers. This is simply a matter of building strength, muscle memory and dexterity through consistent and correct practice.

Intermediate players who want to get faster on the fretboard must realize that the most likely culprit(s) behind issues with ’speed’ will be a deficiency in strength, dexterity, correct techqnie or all three.

Beginners should focus on strength building exercises and on performing those exercises perfectly. If you’re given an exercise that requires you to hit a note with your pinky, but you decide to ‘cheat’ by using your ring finger, know that your playing will hit a wall down the line.

Likewise, players who can’t seem to exceed their current speed on the guitar should examine their own technique. Have you stopped working on your strength training because the exercises are boring? Is your technique ’sloppy’?

There are some things you simply can not get away with at 160 beats per minute the way you can at 120 beats per minute.

In conclusion, the key to learning guitar faster – as well as playing it faster – rests in following the M.O.S.T. formula. It really is all about getting the basics right from the start!

With so many things to do in our lives we need to find ways in which we can unwind and relax. Of the many different activities that can be found, guitar playing is found to be popular. To learn to play guitar can take lots of time and practice, or you can find different courses that will help speed up your playing style.

These various courses are perfect for the person who feels frustrated by the lack of progress that they may be going through using the normal channels to learn to play guitar.

Regardless of the reason for choosing to learn to play guitar, you have a good chance of being able to master the many different chords, scales, rhythms, and the various riffs that are used in guitar playing as well.

When you are looking at these different forms of music that are used in guitar playing you might at first feel overwhelmed. This however will change as time passes and you feel more confident about your ability to learn to play guitar.

The first step to achieving this is to choose a guitar that will feel comfortable in your hands. Once you have found your guitar you will then need to find an instructor, or a place where you will be able to learn to play guitar without feeling uncomfortable or shy.

After all, the various people who are learning to play the guitar with you are also there to learn. This means that they too will need to learn the various techniques, tips and methods of being able to play the guitar, so don’t feel embarrassed about to learn to play guitar alongside them.

From your instructor the very first step that you will learn about is the placing of your fingers on the guitar strings. You will then be told what the name and the chord of each string is called.

This is very important as when you are playing guitar music you will be manipulating the guitar strings to help you produce great music. For your first guitar playing lesson you will be shown a small song that will help you to see how to place your fingers on the chord to make the sounds that are needed in the song.

From this step you will then proceed to the next step which is to learn to play guitar scales. These scales are important too as you will become familiar with the position of these many notes, and when you are playing any piece of music your fingers will be familiar with finding the scale before you are even aware of that fact.

The most important ingredient you need to learn to play guitar however, is nothing other than your enthusiasm and your commitment. With these two things and a guitar in your hands the music world can become your oyster.

It is a universally known fact that when people do not enjoy doing an activity they will do everything in their power to avoid it. Several of us have had experience with this concept when we were taught musical instruments as children. We have memories about playing boring scales and being forced to practice endless chord progressions. Being taught to perform on a musical instrument does not have to be dull. In fact, it should be fun rather than work.

The right education system will teach students not only that practicing is a vital part of learning a musical instrument, but also that practicing can be a very enjoyable activity. When you love your instrument and you love your education program, you will love to practice. That is why it is very important that when you learn how to play guitar you are also being taught the right practice strategies.

Sitting down to start practicing should be an activity that is actually thought of as sitting down to play. The musician should not view practicing as a chore, but rather a great pastime. In order to ensure that this course is good, you must make sure that the student is always engaged. An exciting how to play guitar course will keep the student’s interest and keep them wanting more.

The first thing that a great system will provide is the immediate opportunity for the student to start playing. This means that right from the first lesson the student should have their instrument out and be strumming along. By creating this atmosphere the program is demonstrating to the student that they will see instant results and quick improvements in their skill. By getting them playing as soon as possible, a program has students learn how to play guitar immediately.

The second thing that an engaging system will provide is better alternatives to tablature music. Musicality has made such great advancements that musicians no longer have to rely on difficult to read tabs. Instead, students should be taught methods such as quick reading music, sight reading, and even playing by ear. Being able to learn how to play guitar through these avenues is much more enjoyable and effective.

Finally, students will enjoy a musical education program so much more if they actually like the songs they are being taught. There is a tradition in music that seems to require that students be forced to learn old and out of date music. This music does not get the students excited. Instead, students should be able to learn how to play guitar by practicing on the songs they love. This way they will be excited to start strumming and show off to their friends.

A perfect musical education system that provides great incentive for students to practice is the Guitar Express system. This program is offered at http://www.guitarcoaching.com and it provides many other valuable features for musicians of any level. For example, the FAQ webpage found here provides professionally written answers to some of the most common questions in the industry.

Beginning guitarists often wonder whether there are differences between how to play acoustic guitar versus electric guitar. The short answer is: ‘Yes and No’.

Acoustic guitars and electric guitars are identical in terms of how the notes are laid out on the fretboard. All your chords and scales are in the exact same place. Both guitars can be picked, plucked and strummed.

Where they differ is in their construction and playability. Generally speaking, acoustic guitars have heavier, less flexible strings. What this means for you is that you’ll need to build up a bit more strength in your fretting hand in order to play an acoustic guitar.

Although the strength building will take a bit longer, it will pay off if you decide to play on an electric guitar with lighter strings. You’ll be able to fly across an electric on string gauges that your average electric player considers ‘heavy’.

Another thing to understand about acoustic guitar is that it’s characteristic sound changes the type of music that sounds best on it. If you’re into ‘death metal’, for example, it’s going to sound completely different when played acoustically because you don’t have distortion and you don’t (usually) have access to higher notes (14th fret and above) used in those screaming solos.

Speaking of distortion and other effects, it is possible to use effects on an acoustic, but you have to create an extra set up.

The first option is to play your acoustic in front of a microphone that’s run through an effect pedal and into a regular guitar amplifier. The second option is to have your guitar equipped with a small ‘pickup’ mic, and wired out with an input jack so that you can plug directly into an amp.

Last but not least, keep in mind that acoustic guitars don’t have ‘moveable’ bridge systems the way electric guitars do. There’s no ‘whammy bar’ on an acoustic.

Keeping in mind the points mentioned above, you can rest assured that learning how to play acoustic guitar is the same as learning to play electric: all you need to do is learn your scales and chords, then practice ’til your fingers bleed!

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