5 Compelling Reasons to Learn to Play the Guitar

Have you ever wondered why guitarists seem to have boundless energy on stage? Whether they’re in their twenties or well past sixty, they exude a vitality that’s truly inspiring. Take the Rolling Stones, for example; their energy seems inexhaustible. The secret lies in the myriad benefits that playing the guitar brings to various aspects of life. Additionally, I had the pleasure of speaking with seasoned guitarists who shared invaluable tips on how to learn to play the guitar independently.

Playing the Guitar Enhances Memory and Concentration

Playing the guitar stimulates multiple areas of your brain, particularly when you’re memorizing melodies. This activity enhances both cognitive and muscle memory. Focusing on refining your skills improves concentration, much like playing chess or solving Sudoku puzzles.

Guitarist’s Tip: Where to Start?

Begin with learning basic guitar chords such as Am, D, C, and Em. Simultaneously, delve into music theory literature and learn to read sheet music. This foundational knowledge will help you understand the mechanics of guitar playing and the significance of notes like A, B, and C.

For beginners, online video tutorials are a cost-effective and informative resource. A highly recommended YouTube channel is “SancheZ — Вся правда о технике игры на электрогитаре,” which offers detailed and concise lessons in Russian.

Starting with power chords can simplify the learning process. Unlike standard chords, power chords consist of only two notes, making them easier to grasp initially. They follow a consistent pattern, allowing you to move them up and down the guitar neck once you’ve memorized the notes on the two thickest strings. Power chords lack emotional tonality, which means you won’t have to worry about whether they are major or minor. This simplicity helps in developing a basic musical mindset, which can later be expanded to standard chords.

Guitar Playing Boosts Multitasking Skills

Instruments like the guitar, drums, or piano enhance your ability to multitask. Playing the guitar requires coordinating several physical actions simultaneously:

Reading tablature
Forming chords
Understanding which strings correspond to which notes
Anticipating the next notes
Listening to and analyzing the sounds being produced
Keeping rhythm

Guitarist’s Tip: How to Memorize Chords?

To memorize chord fingerings, refer to chord diagrams that show which fingers to place on which strings. A useful smartphone app is GuitarTuna, which offers a tuner, metronome, and a chord library. It also includes mini-games to help you learn chords and their fingerings.

Regular practice is crucial. Short, frequent sessions help develop muscle memory, allowing you to switch chords effortlessly over time.

For those looking to advance, the fingerstyle technique turns the guitar into a one-person orchestra. This style involves playing the bass line with your thumb and the melody with your other fingers, significantly enhancing motor skills and multitasking abilities.

Music Lessons Enhance Mathematical Abilities

Music theory is rooted in mathematical concepts. Scales and chords are akin to equations, and learning them can improve logical thinking. Reading tablature is similar to learning a new language, which can enhance your text comprehension skills.

Guitarist’s Tip: What is Tablature and How to Read It?

Tablature, or “tabs,” is a simplified notation system for guitarists. It uses numbers to indicate which frets to play, making it easier to learn than traditional sheet music. For a comprehensive understanding, it’s best to learn from an experienced guitarist.

Playing the Guitar Benefits Mental Health

Playing the guitar has therapeutic benefits, including stress relief and emotional release. It’s an excellent way to channel negative energy into something creative and positive.

Guitarist’s Tip: How to Keep Rhythm?

Using a metronome is essential for developing a sense of rhythm. Start with slower tempos and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable. If you encounter difficulties, reduce the metronome speed and practice at a slower pace.

Playing the Guitar Improves Physical Health

Playing the guitar strengthens the muscles in your hands, wrists, and forearms. Research from the Harvard Center for Health has shown that music can also lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety, particularly with soothing melodies.

Guitarist’s Tip: Which Guitar to Choose?

For budget-friendly options, consider Yamaha for acoustic and classical guitars, and Squire, Epiphone, or Ibanez for electric guitars. If budget is not a concern, American-made guitars like Gibson or Fender are excellent choices.

When selecting a guitar, avoid being swayed by the number of features or the presence of a vibrato arm. For beginners, a guitar with two pickups—a neck and a bridge humbucker—and basic tone and volume controls is sufficient. The quality of vibrato systems in budget guitars is often lacking, so it shouldn’t be a primary consideration.