January 31, 2012

Guitar Lessons Orange County – Simple Tips For the Beginning Guitarist

As the lead instructor and program coordinator for a music school in Orange County offering Orange County guitar lessons, beneficial to present some helpful tips for those aspiring to play the guitar.

…try to always use a metronome.

It is crucial to keep good rhythm when playing any instrument. Since a song is by its rhythm and melody, it is beneficial to use a metronome when playing to keep your rhythm steady. You probably won’t like it at first, but the more you use it the better you’ll get just like anything else!

…listen to EVERYTHING.

As a fresh guitarist, you will want to expose yourself to all kinds of music to get some variety. A musician can appreciate all types of music as music is an art form. The best guitarists and musicians are widely versatile and can adapt to all kinds of musical genres.

…steal your favorite guitarist’s licks.

Listen to all your favorite songs and pay attention to the guitar parts. Take your favorite solos and licks and try to recreate them. Figure them out on the guitar note for note and then change stuff around. Play them in a different rhythm, in different order etc. By doing this you will absorb this material and recreate it with your own flair.

…patience is a virtue.

We all like to jump into things and hope to be experts right away, but the quickest way to become expert at anything is to pace yourself and learn the basics before losing yourself by going to fast. Play whatever you’re learning slowly and develop your technique and finger strength. Work your way faster. This is the quickest way to learn how to play.

…develop a good practice routine.

Having good habits when learning the guitar is crucial. These habits follow you for years and it will be a part of you. Make sure you they are good ones! Have fun!

Jason Johann Chang is the primary piano instructor of his own music school in Orange County which offers guitar lessons in Orange County.