Posted in Why Learn Guitar on the January 29, 2008
When you are trying to decide which musical instrument to learn, usually, it is easy if you only liked one. If you are fascinated by the flute, then you learn to play the flute. But if you love all kinds of music, then which instrument should you choose?
You have only limited time in a day. Whether you are working or still in school, you cannot learn to play all the musical instruments that you would want to. You need to make choices. Consider these interesting facts about the guitar:
Once you learn to play the guitar, you can never forget. Unlike the piano, where you will lose the skills if you don’t play it for a long time, most people who learn to play the guitar never ever forget how to play it. It is a joy that lasts forever.
The best thing about the guitar is the fact that it is so easy to learn. And so hard to forget.
Posted in Why Learn Guitar on the January 28, 2008
Music has always been a part of our lives. The guitar has been an important musical instrument since its invention so many hundreds of years ago.
There is no doubt that music speaks directly to our hearts and soul. At festivals and celebrations, music is always present. We sing when we are happy. We enjoy soothing music when we are trying to relax. We love the pounding beat as we celebrate our victories. And what’s a party without music?
Where there is music, people gather. This has never been more obvious than when you have a guitar in the midst. How often have we witnessed a group crowding around a guitarist, listening to melodies, or singing along to some happy strumming?
There is no better way to break the ice and make new friends than when you have a group singing together to the accompaniment of a guitar. Often, when people remember the “good times”, they will also remember the times when they have gathered around singing songs with a guitar.
When you learn to play the guitar, you can become the magnet that draws the crowd. Some will be curious. Some will come to criticize. But most of them will be there just to enjoy a few moments of singing familiar songs or to listen to the soothing music of the guitar.
The guitar, more than any other instrument, builds community. When you play the flute, the others can only sit and listen. The same goes for the trumpet, the clarinet, the violin; get the picture? Sure, you can get a sing-a-long going on a piano, but try bringing that to the village picnic!
Best of all, it is so easy to learn to play the guitar. In fact, it is possible to learn how to play the guitar in as little as 60 minutes. This might seem incredible, but its true. That is also one of the draws of the guitar. You will always have people coming around asking you to teach them how to play. And you know, it is so easy to teach a chord or two and have the person starting to play a song.
Not only will you be the center of attraction, but you could become a hero to some young, eager students.
Posted in Why Learn Guitar on the January 26, 2008
When we think of musical instruments, we picture the full symphonic orchestra and our minds are boggled by the sheer number of musical instruments. Yet, these are but a small part of the entire world of musical instruments that are in existence today.
Each nation, each culture has its own range of musical instruments. Some musical instruments are so specific that they only make one sound. Other instruments can play a range of notes, but their musical qualities are such that they are only suitable for certain types of music.
The guitar is quite unique in this aspect.
The guitar can be used to play the melody line, it can harmonize with other instruments or it can be used as a complete accompaniment instrument all by itself. If you have ever heard a guitar quartet, then you will understand the impressive harmonic range of guitars. They can complement each other, support and enhance the music produced by the other guitars.
The guitar can be found in exquisite restaurants, entertaining their sophisticated clientèle. At the same time, the guitar can be found in street corners, basking away for pennies and the occasional dollar. From beginner guitarists to the accomplished maestro, the guitar is an instrument so versatile as to be accepted at every level of society.
While the masters spend years perfecting their art, the casual enthusiast can learn to play the guitar in less than 60 minutes!
The guitar is also one of the very few instruments that is present in almost any country that you go to. From the wilds of Mongolia to the halls of Venice. That is why you should learn to play the guitar. Wherever you may happen to be, you can be sure to find a guitar to play.
If you can only learn one instrument in your lifetime, choose the guitar.
Posted in Why Learn Guitar on the January 24, 2008
There are many different types of musical instruments in this world. In fact, every culture, even those that have not evolved to higher levels of sophistication; has their own musical instruments.
Musical Instruments are broadly divided into percussion (you hit them), strings (you strum a string to make the music) and wind (you blow into it). The guitar belongs to the string instruments.
One of the most appealing feature of the guitar is the fact that it is so very easy to learn how to play the guitar. In fact, some people are able to start playing a tune on the guitar in as little as an hour. Yes, it is possible to learn the guitar in 60 minutes.
Why is it so easy to learn to play the guitar? The guitar has six strings. Each of these strings are tuned to a specific pitch. Just by strumming your fingers over all the strings in a downwards or upwards motion produces a mixture of sound that is at the same time, pleasant and complex.
It is the harmonics created by the six different strings sounding at the same time and vibrating that gives the guitar its distinct sound. Also, just one strum can produce a full chord. If you have learnt the piano before, you will know that you play full chords only after some point at the Grade 3 (ABRSM) level. Children take 2 to 3 years to reach there, while adults take about a year. For the guitar? Well, you can sound off your first chord within minutes.
The fact that you press the strings in a specific manner to sound off a chord and you strum to bring out the melodic sounds of the guitar, means that this simple skill can be learnt quickly and easily. There are only eight notes in music. But to play a complete song, you might only require as little as 2 or 3 chords.
It is no wonder therefore, that people have been known to learn how to play their first song accompaniment on the guitar in less than 60 minutes.