Online Guitar Lessons for Kids with Beginner Guitar Songs for Children

Like any other skill, playing an instrument takes a great deal of practice. Practicing more regularly for shorter lengths of time is much more powerful than practicing for an hour or so only once weekly. The minimal amount would be around 15-20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week. The ideal amount will be 20 minutes a day, 7 days per week. Perhaps set a strategy of your own week and also work out the best times to fit your practicing around the different items you do. The more your practice can be a part of your daily or weekly regimen the better. Learn how to play guitar during our unique Online Kids Guitar Lessons.

ABOUT THE GUITAR

The guitar originates from a bunch of European string instruments played in the 12th century. The guitar as we know it today started taking its existing form from the 15th and 16th centuries when a Spanish instrument known as a'Vihuela' was developed.

The guitar comes in many types, shapes and dimensions. The most well-known types of guitar utilized today are steel string acoustic guitars and electric guitars, though beginners frequently start by playing with a nylon cord (or standard ) guitar.

These various ways of playing make it an intriguing instrument to understand, with different phases of skill as your skills progress.

As a beginner you are likely to feel the most comfortable playing sitting down, with all the curve of the guitar body resting on your right leg. Make sure that you choose a seat or stool which enables your feet to sit flat on the ground. In case you have a strap you can also try playing standing up.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR HANDS

Left Hand Position

Your left hand posture is really important. Ensure that your thumb is about the back of the throat. If you fret a note it should be like'pinching' the neck between your thumb and forefinger. Fretting will be explained in much more detail later on in this book.

Right Hand Position

Your right arm will obviously hang over the entire body of this guitar, falling your right hand down to where the strings are. To start with you should break your thumb on the ground (thickest) string and pull upward on the strings pluck them. Alternatively you can use a pick or plectrum.

Left Handed Players

Some left handed players play with the guitar right-handed. If you're left-handed attempt the playing place displayed and determine how it feels. If it feels strange, consider playing it the other way round (with the guitar headstock pointing towards your right) if this position feels much more comfy then you will need to have the guitar re-strung upside down. Ask at your local music store -- they ought to be able to do this to you.

By Means of a PLECTRUM / PICK

It's ideal to strum across the soundhole of the guitar. If strumming with your fingers (without a choice ) use your thumb to strum downwards and your palms to your upstroke.

Picks come in various thicknesses. A pick of medium thickness (nylon .60mm) is most likely the ideal place to get started. A brighter tone can be produced using a pick and most players find it easier to move quickly between playing chords and single notes when using one.

STRINGS AND THINGS

Taking Care of Your Guitar

You are able to keep the entire body of your guitar clean with a polishing cloth and some (wooden) furniture polish. This should get rid of any smears or fingerprints from managing the guitar. You might even wipe the strings down also. Hold a clean cloth (not a polishing cloth) and'pinch' the string between your thumb and index finger and then run your'pinched' palms the whole length of the string. This should get rid of any grease that builds up from perspiration etc. whilst playing.

Stretching The Strings

From time to time, especially with new instruments, you may find that soon after you have tuned your guitar, it will immediately go out of tune again. This doesn't always mean that you get a poor quality instrument, rather that you are having string'slippage'. Where the strings have not had sufficient time to'bed in' it may be tough for them to stay in tune. While this occurs try stretching the strings by pulling each one separately from the fretboard by about 3cm (be careful with this). This will take the string from tune. Tune it back into its own pitch and stretch again. Repeat this procedure until the string no longer drops in pitch when stretched.

Choosing Strings

Guitar strings come in different gauges. The sound and playability of your guitar will vary in line with the string gauge. Greater (or'heavy') gauge strings have a greater tension, are louder but harder to push down when fretting. Lower (or'light') gauge strings have less strain, are quieter but a lot easier to press down when fretting. When you determine the strings you like you may find out the very best Beginner Guitar Songs for Kids.