Guitar Playing for Dummies

Ok, now most people think that you have to warm up by playing scales and what not. I heartily disagree! Scales aren't the only way to warm up.

The reason you need to warm up? Well, it loosens the muscles in your fingers to the point where they feel nice and flexible. And flexible fingers = maximum mobility over the fretboard. And that means more enjoyment. I promise.

Different ways I warm up (and you may laugh at some of these):

Typing!
After about 10 minutes typing a letter, I usually find I am fully warmed up!

Hand grips
You know the things I mean, they are small V shaped devices that you squeeze together. Use these for about 5 minutes and you're good to go.

Thumb war with your friend!
Just kidding lol

Good old messing about!
Just mess around on your guitar. Remember that guitar playing is also for fun!

Scales
Yes yes, you can warm up by running scales too. It is effective because it gets your fingers ready for shifting from note to note and chord to chord with maximum mobility.

The first two or three ways are only there if you can't be bothered to run scales. But remember, fun is the most important factor!

Ok, let me tell you one thing. There is no quick way to fingerstyle success. However there are some bearable methods to help you along the way. Remember that this is not the only way to learn how to count in music, it's just the way I did it, and it worked for me.

Developing bass count.
Ok, the basis of fingerstyle acoustic is learning to play the bass notes. So, to begin, place your pointing finger on the 3rd fret of the bass E string. Then with your right hand, strike the bass E string 4 times, while counting to 4 like this:

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and (back to 1)

Don't strike the string on the 'ands'. Only on the numbers. Do it for about 10 minutes then take a break. then start again. Do this for about an hour. And do this once a day until you can do it without thinking.

The next step. Adding another note. This time we will play the D string open every 2 counts. So where you see the bold numbers, play the D string open at the same time as playing the 3rd fret of the Bass E.

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and (back to 1)

Do this for ten minutes, then rinse and repeat after a short break. Do it for about an hour a day until you can do it without thinking!

Next, we will add another string, D open. Try playing D open on the "ands". Remember on the numbers you are playing the third fret of G and on the bold notes you are playing D open.
D D D D
1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and (back to 1)

This will take the average person a while to master, but believe me, once you get this concept, it is so worth it. Don't give up on this little exercise, because I know it worked for me, and I know it can work for you.

To further expand your fingerstyle technique, there are plenty of free resources online, however, I would highly recommend actually taking lessons, paid. It's maximum value for money and the result is that you will gain something that you cannot lose: technique.

The reason I recommend lessons? Well, it's like anything, if you teach yourself, you may be very lucky and become an awesome world-class player (and I seriously hope you do). But the the problem is, you pick up habits that are not only hard to break, but that will also get you into a lot of trouble!

I developed one such habit, before I started taking lessons years ago. I used to anchor my little finger on my right hand to the bottom of the guitar. This of course wasted a finger, a finger I could use to make my playing more fluent.

Also, the key to good practice is to take bite size steps forward and to not try and take on too much. Also, if you are watching videos on youtube, don't get discouraged by these "experts". Chances are, they've had many many lessons and have been playing for years and years.

There have been a few artists I've seen (some as young as 10!) who have made me want to throw in the towel and forget it. But the fact is, I love music, and can't get enough.

So - get a teacher. Get lessons. Listen to the pros. Also, what I sometimes do is actually watch videos in slow mo and sometimes even pause at a certain point while I figure out what just happened in a certain musical phrase.

It develops technique no end, and it helps you gain confidence. I learned the beginning of Under the Bridge by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in about an hour and it did my confidence the world of good! This was after playing for a few years though. I don't expect you to be playing Stairway to Heaven by tomorrow morning lol!

So, good luck in your practice sessions, and if you want any advice, leave a message in my guestbook, and I'll do what I can for you! Have fun!