Playing guitar is fun and very rewarding...
but at first it can be grueling to stay with the program.
Here are four tips to help you stay interested and motivated, as you push through the finger pain and constant repetition.
Think about your end goal and the guitar practice required to reach it.
Pace yourself.
First, the wise beginner guitarist is one who, after the initial adrenalin rush, takes time to approach the instrument methodically, much like a long distance runner calculates endurance.
First year students will experience finger pain.
Callouses need to build up gradually and not become actual blisters.
The learning curve is steep when one considers the vast universe of chords, riffs, slides, hammers, arpeggios, harmonics, as well as the rhythm patterns available.
The trick is to take it one step at a time and not to become overwhelmed by information overload.
Berklee School of Music in Boston released a recent article regarding students dropping out of strings programs due to extreme fingertip pain and wrist pain.
This study dwelled primarily on the guitar and violin programs.
There was conclusive evidence to prove that practice regimens were often too long and complex, especially for young students struggling with strength and coordination limitations.
One must still push their playing to the next level, however, and therefore a balance must be struck.
One recommendation for guitar is to play often with a clamp capo on the second fret.
This produces a bell-like tone and also makes playing a lot easier on the fingers.
Secondly, consider those who have succeeded - made it to the top! Listen often to great performers.
For the rock guitar enthusiast these could be: Santana, Satriani, Beck, Hendrix, Buckingham, and Knopfler..
For the classical guitar aficionado these could be: Boyd, Bream, Rodamar, and Segovia.
For jazz lovers there are few players better than Django Reinhardt and Wes Montgomery.
Finally for country styling there are great performers such as Glen Campbell and Chet Atkins.
The young king of slide guitar, Derek Trucks, is a truly inspirational guitarist.
Find your favorite and learn what you can about how they stayed the course.
There is all kinds of information on these greats.
A third tip is to consider the guitar itself as perhaps the greatest coach.
If the student carefully chooses a 'killer guitar' that really sounds out with resonance and tone, then that student will likely stay with guitar studies for a long time, possibly a lifetime.
It is hard to find a good guitar priced under two hundred dollars, so this expenditure should be considered an investment.
The reality is that some guitarists have done very well financially by becoming the best in the world.
Paul McCartney is a self-made billionaire because of his song writing and mastery of the guitar.
He chose great guitars to play and did not shortcut his own progress, even if it was difficult to find the money in those early years.
Recommended guitars for beginners are: Washburn GWL electric acoustic for folk, country, progressive and country rock music Gibson Flying V solid body electric for rock music exclusively.
The Yamaha classical guitar is superior for both classical and Flamenco music.
These guitars are in the very cool category and will keep you playing for a long, long time.
Finally tip number four: find a pal to practice with! You can help each other by switching rhythm and lead guitar roles, or perhaps one of you wants to play bass guitar and specialize in that.
This becomes truly a win-win situation and the synergy is very powerful.
Perhaps a band will be formed? You just never know.
So, to summarize; don't overdo the finger pain, listen to great guitarists, choose a killer guitar that is exactly right for you, and finally, find an encouraging buddy to work with.
I know that if you follow these four tips you will have a better chance at playing the guitar for a lifetime!