You Don’t Have To Work So Hard
Learning guitar barre chords is a difficult enough experience without putting extra pressure on yourself. Try to keep in mind that when your are playing you only need to lift your fingers just enough to change between chords.
Another thing to keep in mind is that when you are holding down the barre you don’t need to hold down every single string.
Don’t Use The Soft Part Of Your Finger
When you are making a barre try to hold it with the side of your finger and not the soft fleshy part. The easiest way to do this is to roll your finger slightly away from the fret. Read more »
Learn Guitar Scales Using The Crabwise Method
Crabwise scales are a great way to learn numerous guitar scales in a single lesson. This is how you can play guitar scales ‘Crabwise.’ Lets look at the E major scale as an example. Start off on the E major scale and play it on the first 3 frets from the 6th string down to the first. When you reach the last note play back the F major scale back up the strings. When you reach the 6th string play the G major scales down the strings.
Learn Guitar Scales on The Entire Fretboard
When most people learn scales they learn one position, then the next, then the next. Learning guitar scales this way can make your playing sound very ‘boxy.’ Instead of learning scales by potions try learning them in string pairs right up and down the neck. This will program into your mind that the scale is over the entire fretboard and will have a remarkable effect on your playing.
Play With Repetition in Mind
Repetition is what makes music great. When you first learn scales you may be tempted to avoid repetition but this is a mistake. Repetition lets the listener get the feel for the song and makes your playing more entertaining. Read more »
#1 – Don’t Be So Tense
It’s very important to be relaxed when you are learning guitar strumming patterns. A tense guitarists strumming technique will sound stiff, rigid and amateur to the listeners. The key is to keep your arms, wrists and especially your shoulders free and flowing while you play. A relaxed guitarists strumming patterns will sound free and easy almost flowing with the song rather than fighting it.
#2 – Make Certain That You Hold Your Pick Correctly
One of the most important elements of guitar strumming is how you hold the pick. You need to hold the pick firmly between your thumb and first finger. The pressure from your thumb is what keeps the pick held in place.. Try and keep the pick held at an angle of 90 degrees to the strings as you strike them.
#3 – Make Sure To Keep Time
Rhythm and beat are really important when you are playing guitar. If you can use a metronome to keep time as you practice. If you don’t use a metronome at the very least tap your feet to keep time when strumming. If it helps count the beats out loud when you are first learning. Read more »
Guitar string bends are a fantastic technique for adding a new dimension to your playing.
In theory they are fairly simple to perform. All you have to do is strike a string on your guitar and then push the string either upwards or downwards to raise the pitch.
Sounds easy doesn’t it?
In practice this ‘simple’ technique is a tough one for most new guitarists to master.
So how do you play guitar string bends? Read more »
Guitar, Guitar Techniques, Learn To Play | TipsForTheBand.com March 24, 2009 | 
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