Best Way To Learn To Play Songs On Guitar

Many believe that playing songs is difficult, but that is not true. I know I know. The guitar might appear very intimidating in the beginning. But, like with anything in life, you just need to practice. The funny part is that most people that play the guitar don't even know how to read the music. Yes, you heard me right! Not even one note. I think this is one of the reasons why the guitar is so popular amongst us. Plus, you don't need other musical instruments to go with it. The guitar, as a musical instrument, possesses all of the things a good song needs. Bass, rhythm and melody, it has all of it.

Now I am going to tell you how you can learn to play songs.

The Main Chords

C, A, G, E & D. This is called the CAGED method. This particular method is used to allow you to change chords into many different shapes fast when practicing them. When you just start out this can be very difficult. Unfortunately it is extremely important you learn it first. You will benefit the most dexterity in your hand making learning other essential chords seamlessly easy.

2 Basic Rhythm

General guitar strumming consists of a series of down and up strokes. Putting these strokes in different orders is what gives a song its unique rhythm. Example: Strumming the guitar like; Down, Down, Down + up, Down. Changing this order will give you something like; Down + up, Down, Down, Down or Down+up Down+up Down Down. Do you see what I mean? You should practice these different patterns along with the CAGED method. Now that doesn't seem so hard, does it?

Songs

So now, assuming you have learned the basic chords and rhythm, you can finally start playing some of the songs that you love. These can be found with ease on the internet. The lyrics will simply be written like a poem with the guitar chord names directly above the words that that chord is to be played exactly. Notice I said exactly. Changing the chord too soon or too late messes up the song.

One of the best things about playing your favorite song is that you know what it should sound like. It shouldn't take you that long to start playing song on the guitar, just as long as you practice. Just make sure to have fun while you're learning it!

John Sizemore has been playing and teaching guitar for over 20 years and maintains and operates a website featuring Guitar Lessons For Beginners, Private Guitar Lessons, Online Guitar Lessons, Guide Books and Beginner Guitars.
So visit www.GuitarZonline.com to get a FREE Beginner Guitar Lessons E-book and start playing the guitar today!