Three Basic Tips for Beginner Guitarists

An ordained rabbi previously featured in Who’s Who in America, Rabbi Shlomo Ettlinger provides tax and financial planning services as owner of the Planalyst, Inc., in Monsey, New York. Shlomo Ettlinger is passionate about music and plays the guitar in his spare time.

Learning to play the guitar takes a lot of dedication and effort. Below are three tips for those starting out:

1. Focus on proper technique.
Technique is an essential part of advancing your skills beyond the beginner level. This means learning correct fingering and maintaining a regular practice schedule. Furthermore, practice holding the guitar the proper way to avoid the “death grip,” which puts strain on the wrist and fingers.

2. Prioritize precision over speed.
Playing fast is unobtainable with proper technique and precise fingering. The ability to play quickly will come naturally once you firmly understand good technique.

3. Practice playing in time.
“Playing in time” means achieving a sense of rhythm in playing that allows you to seamlessly transition between chords. Failure to learn this skill can result in a slight pause in the song as your fingers shift position. You can practice playing in time by using a metronome to teach yourself timing and rhythm. Playing alongside a song or another person can also hone this ability.