Copyright (c) 2010 Robert Hinchliffe

If you wish to teach yourself to play guitar it is very important to get the basics right from the very beginning. Here is a step-by-step outline of the process which will, hopefully, enable you to realize your ambition. However, it is important to accept from the beginning that playing any musical instrument requires a significant commitment in time, effort and dedication. Just because the good instrumentalists make playing look easy, doesn't mean that it is!

Here are the key steps which will set you off on the right road to success.

1) - If you are to succeed it is necessary to have a decent instrument to start on. Obviously you do not need to go to the nearest music shop and buy their most expensive instrument, but you do need a guitar of a reasonable quality. One of the main issues in making a good choice is to ensure that the guitar you purchase has what is usually known by guitarists as a good 'action'. The word 'action' in this context means that the strings are not too high above the fret board. If they are too high then tuning will be poor and you will find playing rather a tiring experience. When you are learning the guitar you do not want to be in the situation of fighting the instrument. The learning process will be demanding enough without that! If you can consult an established guitarist, they will be able to guide you on this.

2) - Once you have a suitable instrument, the next step, if you are to teach yourself to play guitar successfully, is to decide on your teaching material. You may wish to purchase a tutor book but, far and away the best approach these days is to sign up to one of the online courses. There are a number of very good courses available. The advantage over tutor books is that these courses have video demonstrations to reinforce the information given

3) - Be methodical in your approach to learning. Patience and perseverance are key words in this issue. You will not teach yourself to play guitar like Eric Clapton in a few days. If you follow the course systematically and put in the required practice time you will develop. The more you practise the quicker you will learn. Be patient and resist the temptation to jump over bits of work in the course, You will live to regret that as there will be 'holes' in your technique and knowledge which will come back to haunt you in the future.

4) - Whichever course you study it will, at some stage, involve learning to read one or more of the different kinds of notation which we guitarists meet. Many guitarists play primarily from chords but you are highly likely to encounter guitar tabs too. Tabs are actually very easy to read as they are nothing more than a diagram to show you which fingers to put where on the strings. Don't skip over this theoretical learning as it will greatly enhance your abilities in the long term.

5) - Once you have got a grasp of basic technique and can play with some fluency, try to find other people you can join in music making activities. This might be to join with other guitarists, join an existing band, form your own band, find a dance band or concert band who need a guitarist, etc. To finally be in the position of making music with others will be motivating and rewarding. If you encounter difficulties in your playing with any of these groups you will be all fired up to go home and practice until you have mastered the problem. You will have the pleasure and satisfaction of making the music you want to make whilst being motivated to go on improving.

Learning any instrument is an ongoing project. Starting off on the right foot is vital and continuing with a methodical approach will always pay dividends. So, if you have a genuine desire to teach yourself to play guitar, by following the plan outlined above you should have an excellent chance of realising your musical ambitions.