The day you own your very first guitar is like no other. You’re filled with excitement and can’t wait to learn all the tricks. Not to mention, time seems to move so fast when you’re practicing something new. But if you’re self-taught or trying to be, you’re bound to make many mistakes. It happens, and it’s the only way you learn.
However, it helps to be aware of some of the common mistakes guitar players make. This way, you’ll be more aware when playing and hopefully better your technique and set yourself up for success from the beginning. We’ve compiled a list of the common mistakes to help you start on the right foot. Shall we get started?
Lack of Goals or Improper Follow-Through
Whether you’re learning how to play the guitar for fun or planning to be a professional player, the worst mistake you can make is starting without any goals. Many beginners pick up the guitar and start practicing without any goal in mind.
The result? They practice a few things here and there and end up quitting. This happens because the player isn’t aware of what they’re learning or when they’ve made any progress. Therefore, before you begin, make sure you have a goal. What do you plan to learn? What’s your timeframe?
Once you have this figured out, break down your goals into smaller more-achievable plans and practice until you get there.
Learning from Multiple Sources at a Time
When you pick up your guitar for the first time, you’ll want to be the next Jimi Hendrix and will stop at nothing to learn. This hunger may lead you to seek multiple sources for training. Don’t make this mistake.
Remember that all players have different styles and preferences. Mixing a lot of information will only lead to confusion and make your practice sessions less fruitful. Instead, focus on your tastes and preferences and choose a source that feeds on that. Keep up with it until the lesson is done before moving on to the next.
Relying on Incompetent Instructors
Another mistake beginners make is relying on just about anyone for guitar lessons. Sure, there are multiple free YouTube guitar tutorials. But this doesn’t mean you should hop onto the first video you come across and start practicing.
Find out how much experience the instructor has and compare the available trainers. If you’re serious about improving your guitar skills, it would be best to consider hiring a professional guitar instructor. This way, your lessons are more structured, and you get to learn the right things. It may cost a pretty penny, but it will be worth it.
Sticking Only to What You Know
Most beginner players also enjoy practicing what they already know. While there’s nothing wrong with perfecting your technique, you can get stuck there and never learn something new. For instance, if you’re only focusing on playing your favorite song, you may never learn something new with this plan.
The best way to learn how to play the guitar is to begin separating fun with practice sessions. Play your favorite songs and tunes when you’re not practicing. During practice, pick something you intend to learn and practice that. The more you do this, the more things you’ll learn and the faster you’ll get better at playing the instrument.
Not Knowing the Right Way to Tune a Guitar
Tuning a guitar is one of the basic things you should learn from the get-go. However, surprisingly, most beginners don’t know how to do it. In fact, most guitar players don’t have it on their list of things to learn.
However, it’s crucial to learn how to tune a guitar on your own because it affects the overall sound of the instrument. At first, you may not be able to tune the instrument by your ear because it takes practice to master this skill. Therefore, consider investing in a digital or traditional tuner.
Starting to Play Without Tuning Your Guitar
Most guitar players also don’t tune their guitars before they start playing. It’s crucial to tune your guitar before you start playing because music relates with sounds. Your brain also subconsciously picks up on the sounds, thereby enabling you to remember tunes you played in your previous sessions.
If your guitar isn’t properly tuned, you’ll be remembering the wrong notes and tunes and won’t be able to tell when you’re making a mistake. So, in addition to learning how to tune a guitar, make it a habit to tune the instrument before you begin practicing.
Using the Wrong Guitar Strings
The majority of beginners also don’t pay attention to the type of guitar strings on their instrument. Most people will just pick up a guitar and start playing without giving it much thought. However, it’s essential to explore the different options and compare before settling on one.
You see, all players have different playing styles and the type of strings on a guitar help make the experience better and easier. Therefore, while the type of strings doesn’t matter too much, it may better your playing experience and technique. So don’t just settle for the strings your guitar came with, explore and find your sweet spot.
Not Changing Guitar Strings Often
Beginner guitar players also don’t bother to change their guitar strings. In fact, most amateur players are afraid of changing the strings because they believe the sound will be affected. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The benefits of changing guitar strings far outweigh the cons.
For starters, new strings enable the instrument to stay in tune for a longer period. You see, when the strings have worn out, they lose their mechanical properties and have a hard time staying in tune.
Not to mention, changing strings often protects other parts of your guitar from wearing down. The frets and fretboard benefit the most because rusty strings can make them wear down fast.
Improper Wrist and Elbow Movement
Another bad habit among beginners is playing the guitar from the elbow and locking the wrists. This technique of playing can cause serious hand injuries. Besides, it makes playing the guitar tiring and uncomfortable.
The best way to do it is to use your elbow for support and move your wrists to strum the guitar. Doing so improves your playing efficiency and prevents muscle injuries. It’s also important to practice playing upstrokes. While it might be daunting to practice upstrokes when you’re starting, it will better your playing efficiency as well.
Practicing without a Metronome
Most guitar players also make the mistake of not practicing with a metronome. This is a common mistake even among experienced players. Beginner players don’t see the need for one because they’re only learning the basics and don’t want to invest in too many tools. On the other hand, experienced players believe they’ve mastered the techniques and don’t need one.
A metronome is a must-have for every guitar player. Even if you’ve mastered the craft and you’re perfect, one wrong move out of tempo or bad timing will make your playing sound bad. This is avoidable when you use a metronome.
If you don’t want to invest in one, make a habit of practicing while you thump your foot on the ground. Doing so allows you to stay on tempo throughout the session.
Holding the Guitar Wrong
When you’re just getting started, it may not seem like there’s a right or wrong way to hold the guitar. However, there are a few tell-tale signs that you’re not holding your instrument correctly. These include:
- Inability to play a chord or lick
- Back pain while or after playing
- Discomfort
If you’re experiencing any of these, try different positions until you find the right posture. Ideally, you should be able to play effortlessly for a long time without any discomfort or back pain.
Not Learning Music Theory
Let’s face it. Music theory is boring and complicated. Most beginners are more interested in the fun parts – playing their favorite songs on the guitar. However, if you’re serious about bettering your guitar skills, it’s crucial to spend time learning music theory.
Music theory, while complicated, makes progressing through music easier and faster. With this information, you’re better positioned to identify mistakes during practice and rectify them. Besides, it’s easier to understand chords and your instrument.
Source: Guitar World
Impatience
Every beginner guitar player wants to play like a pro a few days after getting their guitar. This is an unrealistic expectation and one that may make you lose interest in the instrument very fast. If you want to be an exceptional guitar player, you need to invest time in practicing.
And don’t just skip over the boring things and start learning complex techniques. Start with the basics and master those before proceeding to more complicated things. This way, you’ll build a strong foundation which will make it easier to learn the complicated stuff. Before you know it, you’ll be so much better than you were when you started.
Not Cleaning the Guitar
Most players also don’t take care of their guitars as they should. If you don’t practice often, it’s crucial to have your guitar stored away in a guitar case. Otherwise, the instrument will accumulate dust and may wear down fast.
Consider these tips:
- If you play often, it’s crucial to clean the strings and fretboard to get rid of pieces of skin and sweat.
- Wipe the body with a wet cloth if it’s accumulated dust from prolonged storage
- Make sure you’re using the right guitar cleaning products. Household cleaners may damage the wooden and metal parts of your guitars.
Not Investing in a Guitar Stand
Beginner players often place their guitars anywhere. You’ll find it on the bed, on the floor, or anywhere in the last place they practiced. Such careless handling of the instrument puts the guitar at risk of damage.
Whether you’re staring or you’ve been playing the guitar for a while, it’s crucial to invest in a guitar stand. When you’re not playing, you can place the guitar on the stand to prevent it from falling and keep it out of the way. It’s also an excellent investment for people who play in bands and always have their guitars out.
Not Stretching New Guitar Strings
As we’ve mentioned, it’s crucial to change guitar strings often. However, when you do, don’t make the mistake of playing the guitar without stretching the strings first. New strings take some time to stabilize and lay easily on tuning equipment.
If you start playing without stretching, you’ll notice the guitar gets out of tune quite fast. To prevent this, tune the guitar, stretch, and play. Do this several times until the strings have stabilized.
Comparing Your Progress to Other Players
When you start playing the guitar, you’ll notice a lot of other players. Like any other artistic expression, it’s a good idea to get inspiration from artists you admire. However, don’t make the mistake of comparing yourself to them.
If you do so, there’s a high chance you’ll be demoralized and start thinking about quitting. This mostly happens when you compare yourself to someone who started around the same time as you. If they seem to have mastered new tricks and are progressing faster than you are, it can be discouraging.
Therefore, don’t focus too much on others’ progress. When you decide to look, focus only on the inspiration and not on how good they are compared to you.
Being Choosy with Music Taste
Another common mistake guitar players make is limiting their music taste. If you’re stuck on playing only one music style, you’ll only learn how to play that type of music. Venturing into other styles of music you don’t necessarily enjoy allows you to broaden your skillset.
Besides, if you experiment with different types of music, you’re bound to enjoy playing more because you present yourself new challenges. You may also find new players you enjoy learning from, which won’t happen if you’re not willing to venture into different types of music.
Not Practicing Enough
Practice makes perfect, they say. This adage applies to bettering your guitar skills as well. If you’re serious about learning the instrument, you should spare ample time in your day to practice. Unfortunately, this isn’t what most beginners do.
Most players only practice once in a blue moon and they’re surprised why they’re not getting better. While there’s no set amount of time you should be spending on practicing, you should have a schedule that aligns with your goals.
For instance, if you plan to master playing a certain tune in a week, it only makes sense to have several practice sessions within the week to accomplish it.
Not Muting
Another common mistake among guitarists is not muting strings when they need to. If you’re playing a song and you’re certain there are strings you’re not going to use, it only makes sense to mute them.
Doing so:
- Prevents the sound from scattering.
- Ensures what you’re playing is more bearable to the ear.
- Makes you a better player in general because your performance is always smooth.
Not Using Your Fingertips for Chords
Beginner players also have the habit of not using their finge tips to play chords. As a result, the sound always appears to be accompanied by a buzz. If you’re making this mistake, it may be difficult for you to notice on your own. It takes a keen ear to notice that buzz in your chords.
You can assess your technique by playing as you normally would and then listening. Next, play the chords with your fingertips and notice the difference. If there’s a buzz with your previous technique, you were probably doing it wrong. Keep practicing until you nail the right technique.
Practicing but not Applying What You Learn
The best thing about beginner players is that they’re very eager to learn. They show up for lessons, and they’re ready to learn and practice new guitar skills. However, most beginners make one common mistake – they don’t apply what they’ve learnt when playing the guitar.
You’ll find a player learnt a certain technique but won’t use it when playing their favorite song. This means what they learnt was for nothing because they’re not using it to better their playing skills. If you’re making this mistake, you need to start implementing what you learn.
At first, you may make many mistakes trying to add that tidbit to your performance, but in time you’ll know how to do it. The more you do this, the more improvement you’ll notice in your playing skills.
Focusing too Much on Flashy Add-ons than Playing
Once beginners have started learning how to play the guitar, they get a boost of confidence. All of a sudden, they have the assurance that they’re guitarists. This excitement can be a good and bad thing. It’s a good thing when the excitement pushes you to learn even more guitar skills you don’t know.
It becomes a bad thing when you start focusing on the next guitar accessory or fancier guitar you should get. You need to remember that the flashy accessories don’t matter. As long as you have the basic tools, you should focus on learning the techniques.
Hold off the fancy guitars and accessories until you’re sure you need them and you’re certain about your tastes, preferences, and playing needs.
Teaching Yourself How to Play
You’ve probably heard stories of children who picked up their guitars, taught themselves how to play, and became superstars. These are the exceptions, not the rule. Not everyone is this talented. The guitar is a tricky instrument to learn without proper training. However, most beginners believe they can do it on their own.
As a result, they pick up their instruments, practice on end and never get very good at it. If you’re serious about playing the guitar like a pro, it’s best to learn from an expert. You don’t even have to pay for expensive classes. Thanks to technology, you can access numerous free tutorials at the comfort of your home.
Steering Clear of Barre Chords
The majority of beginners also decide to take the easy way out by avoiding barre chords. It’s not surprising to find a player trying to substitute a barre chord because it’s difficult to master. However, avoiding them isn’t the solution. At the end of the day, you’re not a very good guitarist if you’ve not mastered your barre chords.
Instead of avoiding these chords, dedicate more time in practicing them. Before you know it, you’ll have mastered one and you’ll be on to the next one. Just don’t give up. If it’s any consolation, most people struggle with barre chords and take a while to master them. You’re not alone.
Not Playing In Front of an Audience
Most guitarists are guilty of this. You’ll find that most players prefer to hide away with their guitars learning the next technique on their list to playing in front of an audience. For beginners, the fear mostly stems from a lack of confidence in their techniques. However, if you want to be a better guitarist, it’s crucial to play in front of an audience once in a while. Doing so:
- Boosts your confidence
- Allows you to hone in the skills you’ve learnt.
- Allows you to get useful feedback
Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean holding a concert when you’re just getting started. Start small. Gather your family and show off your new guitar skills. As you gain more confidence, you can try playing for larger groups. If you have experienced musician friends, play for them as well. They’ll help you identify your strong areas and where you’re struggling.
Prioritizing Speed Over Accuracy
Another common mistake, especially among beginners, is prioritizing speed over accuracy. Most beginner players will listen to their favorite guitarists playing fast and hitting every note and want to do it immediately.
The thing they don’t realize is that experienced artists have taken a lot of time to master their techniques. Therefore, it becomes effortless to play fast without going off tempo or skipping beats. If you’re a beginner, your priority should be on mastering the accuracy of your techniques.
Speed comes after numerous practice sessions when your accuracy is top-notch. So, for now, forget about trying to match Stevie Ray Vaughan’s speed and just concentrate on perfecting what you’re learning.
Source: The Guitar Lesson
Pressing Strings on the Fret
In most cases, someone will refer to the fret when explaining what you should play. However, you shouldn’t be pressing the strings against the metal part of the fret. Doing so not only creates a buzzing sound but makes the sound die down faster than you’d like.
Most beginners make this mistake. The right way to do it is to hold on to the end but not directly on the metal. When you do this, you’ll notice the sounds last longer, and the clarity greatly improves. Also, avoid pressing down too hard or too soft. Your hold needs to be just right to ensure you have a consistent, good sound.
Ignoring Alternate Picking
Alternate picking refers to a technique where a guitarist alternates between upward and downward strokes when playing single notes. It’s a crucial technique that greatly improves one’s playing skills. Unfortunately, most instructors don’t mention it in beginner classes.
As a result, you’ll find that most beginners play all notes on the scale using one direction, for example, the downward stroke. Such a technique makes it challenging to synchronize both hands and also makes it uncomfortable to play.
Therefore, if you’ve been avoiding alternate picking, it may be time to learn this technique. There are several of them, try different ones to see which one comes more naturally to you. Also, be patient. Alternate picking, like most guitar techniques, takes a while to master.
Caring too Much About Scratches
If you just got your guitar, a scratch can seem like the end of the world. You’ve damaged your most-prized possession. It may also seem like playing with the knowledge of the scratch there will be impossible. But don’t fret (pun intended).
A guitar should age with its owner. While you should take good care of your guitar to avoid unnecessary damage, some scratches and signs of wearing out are inevitable. The longer you play your guitar, the more it will wear down. You’ll notice a scratch here and there, and other parts like the fret and neck will seem older. It’s part of the journey. Go with the flow.
Source: Guitar Lessons
Wrapping Up
The majority of beginner players make these guitar mistakes. If you’re planning to get a guitar, pay close attention to these mistakes and ensure you avoid them. Doing so will enable you to learn faster and become a better player. Don’t forget to work with an experienced tutor. They’ll help you identify other mistakes you may be making unknowingly.
Most importantly, have fun. You’ve picked up a new hobby, and you’re putting in the work to learn. Pat yourself on the back and celebrate all the milestones. And don’t be too hard on yourself. Learning how to play the guitar can be quite challenging. However, with practice, everything can be perfected.
Recent Comments