Something Really Cool I Found To Learn Guitar (why didn’t I think of this?!)
I really don’t endorse or recommend things that aren’t worth it but I thought this one was worth mentioning. One of my students actually brought in her laptop to one of her lessons to show me “Jamorama”, an interactive guitar lesson program that she had downloaded onto her computer. She told me she brought it in a few months ago for herself after about a year’s worth of lessons with me and apparently it has been really helping her learn guitar… gosh darnit! I thought I was just that amazing of a teacher! 
AnyWHO, this product goes over pretty much everything I’ve covered in this blog… times 100. I mean I can only take on so many students so I might as well direct all you who have been requesting lesson time with me to a program I’m pretty sure will help you learn guitar–QUICK. The program teaches beginners guitar, as well as more advanced guitar lessons, so you can keep using this tool for a long time. I’m actually going to buy a copy of this myself for inspiration on how to better teach my own students. I’m very impressed by what I’ve seen so far.
Considering a half hour lesson with my runs anywhere from $12-16 per lesson (depending on guitar level), I’d say without a doubt this is a steal. Click the picture below check out the program yourself:
Three Steps on How to Overcome Stagefright
For all those of you who are more advanced guitar players and are performing and have a little stagefright, this post is for you. You’ve practiced and practiced, but now feel you are ready to perform and show the world what you can do. Only problem is you’re afraid. No worries, this three step guide will help you in overcoming stage fright.
Learn Your Material as Best as You Can
Learning whatever you’re going to be performing is essential in becoming a great performer. What you’re doing when you practice is learning muscle memory. Muscle memory is when you don’t even have to think about going through the moves because you’ve practiced it so many times, it just comes naturally. The more you practice, the more your muscles will remember what you need to play, even when you’re brain is too frazzled to remember the notes. I must admit because it happened to me, sometimes you’re too nervous to remember everything because you’re focused on the act of performing in front of lots of people and not on the content you’re performing. The more you practice, the more you will feel confident, and the higher the chance that if you DO for get something, muscle memory will take over.
BREATHE
Breathe. And breathe via your abdomen not via your chest. This is essential. Notice when you’re totally relaxed, you see your belly move with your breathing, not your chest; and when you’re nervous you will probably see your chest moving when you breathe. Breathing through your chest is no good and it makes you more tense than you need to be. Practice this at home when you’re not freaking out about your performance and can focus on relaxed breathing. I’ve heard many times from others that most of your heart rate and level of relaxation is dependent on how you’re breathing. If you learn to breathe relaxed, you will ultimately BE more relaxed and ready to perform the way you know you can perform.
Baby Steps
If you have stage fright, performing for 1000 people probably sounds like a nightmare. Try performing for 5 of your closest family or friends. Then once you feel comfortable with that, try performing for 15-30 people, perhaps in a coffeeshop open mic setting. Once you don’t mind playing for 15-30 people, you may want to try performing for 50-75 people. Baby steps is what it takes to build confidence. I noticed when learning to play guitar that performing for 500 people was super scary, but so was playing for 100 people. When I played for 100 people, I was sooo nervous. Then I performed for 500 people a few days later. I was even more nervous as you might imagine. But then, a week later, I had another performance for 100 people. After the 500 person performance, 100 didn’t seem to be such a big deal, and I took it with stride and was barely nervous at all! You too can benefit from doing something similar.
Just remember…
No one else in the room is performing but you. That automatically makes you outstanding for making that leap of faith. While performing, imagine the same steps you do when you’re on your own rehearsing and practicing. Do everything you can to take your mind off of the fact that people are now watching you, and when you get more comfortable, embrace the crowd and connect. But for now, just focus on getting used to performing. It will come with time, and the more you do it, the more comfortable you will feel.
Super Easy Song to Learn – Jason Mraz “I’m Yours”
Congratulations!! If you have learned the last four chords I have shown you, you are now capable of playing Jason Mraz’s song, “I’m Yours”.
Here is the progression of the chords:
G Major (also written “G”)
D Major (also written “D”)
E Minor (also written “Em”)
C Major (also written “C”)
Click Here to View When to Change Chords and to view the Lyrics
Click Here to View the Music Video for This Song
Now if you practice this over and over, you will be able to play this very well. If you’re a singer, you may want to teach yourself how to sing this while playing. It is a perfect song for many ranges, and a perfect first song to learn on guitar!! Happy strumming!!
Super Easy Chord to Play #4 – G Major
This is the last chord I’m going to teach you before I show you how to play Jason Mraz’s popular song “I’m Yours”. This is G Major, a chord you will find yourself using time and time again. This chord can be played two ways, and you can decide for yourself what sounds best to you. You also may want to switch which version of G Major you want to use for various songs you learn that uses G Major. Here are the two ways you can play this chord:
Easy Songs For Beginners Guitar - G Major
Super Easy Chord to Play #3 – C Major
I hope you’re learning these chords well. Just another word of advice (I know, I’m full of helpful words of advice), since you know two chords already, try playing one chord (in time) and then switching to the other. This will help you to learn the chords better, and you will train your fingers to easily switch between the two.
If you’re ready to learn a new chord, boy do I have a fun one for you! This one is called C Major. It is also a very common chord that many people use. Here’s another helpful diagram for you to reference:
Easy Songs For Beginners Guitar - C Major
Super Easy Chord to Play #2 – D Major
I’ve given you a couple days to learn E Minor before going onto another chord. This one is also extremely simple. All the chords I show you are chords that you will use frequently when learning new songs. Here is a diagram of where your fingers should on the fretboard:
Easy Songs For Beginners Guitar D Major
This one is special, as you do not play the low E string, as it clashes with the other notes you’re playing on the other five strings. In this case, just make sure your pick doesn’t hit that low string when you’re strumming or picking. If you want, you can even choose to designate a finger or thumb to deaden the string to make sure that if your pick accidentally hits it, it will not make a sound. Do this by simply touching the string with your left thumb (flexible and long fingers have an easier time doing this). This will prevent it from making any sound.
Remember again, if you’re hearing any buzzing sounds, check to make sure that your fingers are not hitting any of the wrong strings. They do not need to be pressing down on strings to make the strings produce no sound. Check by going down, string by string, to make sure all are singing beautifully.
Super Easy Chord To Play #1 – E Minor
Ok so now that you’re ready to play, I’m going to give you a chord to practice: E Minor. This one is fantastically simple.
Remember the first “fret” is the one closest to your tuning pegs. We’re going to be using the second fret for this chord. Your middle finger will need to be on the A String (this is the 2nd string from the top) and your ring finger on the D String (the 3rd string from the top). The chord will look something like this:
Easy Songs for Beginners Guitar - E Minor Chord
Make sure your fingers are touching the BACK of the fret, or you will get a “buzzing” sound. Also, make sure your fingers are pressed firmly on the strings. One common mistake that beginners make when learning their first chord is they do not realize their fingers may be touching other strings, and subsequently “muting”, or deadening, the sound. This is a chord that you will want to play ALL the strings on, so go down string by string and make sure there is no “plunk” sound on any of them. If there is, you can be sure that something, most likely your finger, is touching this string.
Guitar players with slender fingers tend to find playing guitar is easier for them, because they tend to hit other strings accidentally less frequently. Guitar players with wider fingers may need extra practice and discipline to make sure those fingers aren’t deadening other strings. Whatever the case, keep on practicing, and you’ll do fine!
An Interview With Tommy Heart
One of my most advanced students, Tommy Heart, is letting me ask him a few quick questions to help beginner guitar students like you get tips and tricks to becoming a better guitar player. Hopefully you will find his answers encouraging to keep you motivated to keep learning more on guitar!
Easy Songs for Beginners Guitar - Tommy Heart
Sophie: What were your biggest challenges that you had to overcome when learning guitar?
Tommy: Gaining the necessary finger strength to play bar chords was probably the hardest thing first starting out.
Sophie: And how did you overcome this?
Tommy: I would just practice and practice over and over again. Eventually the strength built up and I had no problem with it anymore.
Sophie: You betcha. What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to beginner guitar students?
Tommy: You can’t get discouraged if you are not able to play something. You just have to work hard and keep practicing, then eventually you will be able to play anything you want to.
Sophie: What artist or band did you learn the most from when playing guitar?
Tommy: I would play a lot of pop punk band’s songs, such as Blink 182. They usually have pretty easy songs to start off with, but they also play some more challenging stuff too. Plus I was really into that type of music when I first started playing guitar.
Sophie: What did you learn from those types of bands?
Tommy: I learned a lot of different chords that are not usually taught to someone just starting to play guitar. There’s a lot to be said about playing other people’s music. You learn a lot.
Sophie: At what point in your guitar learning experience did you start to feel comfortable playing in public (open mic nights, playing for friends, playing a mini show, etc)?
Tommy: I would say it was probably a few months in when I felt comfortable playing in front of people. I might not have been the best, but I had fun doing it. I have always felt that playing in public is one of the best ways to learn because you have that pressure there to play well. It’s like a trial by fire more or less.
Sophie: How hard was it to learn to sing and play guitar at the same time?
Tommy: It was not too hard to learn how to sync the two but I suppose it can be hard for some.
Sophie: At what point would you recommend guitar students to start to learn to coordinate playing guitar and singing, if that’s something they’d like to accomplish?
Tommy: As soon as you can play a few chords you should start trying to sing with them. Write some of your own songs and just have fun with it, that could really make it even more fun and add a whole new dimension to playing guitar for you.
Sophie: Thanks for answering these questions, Tommy.
Tommy: My pleasure Sophie!
Guitar Lessons for Beginners
On the topic of guitar teachers, my advice would be to really have to find a guitar teacher you really connect with, if one-on-one guitar lessons is your method of learning guitar. Easy songs for beginners on guitar are easy to find, but you do need direction to make sure you’re learning right, that’s why guitar lessons, whether you’re learning independently or with a guitar teacher, are important. My guitar teacher back in the day was awesome. He not only taught me theory, but he also showed me bands and artists I would have never even thought of checking out and listening to.
For all those many many people who cannot afford to take guitar lessons, stay tuned. I have a few ideas that might help you in your challenge to learn guitar online. I’ve found a couple programs that might help you, I’ll post a few soon.
Finger Strength and Dexterity
I almost certainly don’t have to tell you this, but your fingers and hands are probably very tired from all the practicing you’ve been doing (hint hint)! The tips of your fingers on your left hand may also hurt from pressing the strings, especially if you play acoustic guitar, as the strings tend to be tougher. I’m here to tell you this is totally normal and necessary if you want to play guitar.
There are ways, though, that you can help to increase your finger strength. You will need this strength as you go along so that you can keep playing when you or however long you want to and you will ultimately be able to play better too, as any guitar chord will be easier for you to make. Try doing this exercise:
Lay your left hand (the hand that will ultimately be picking the notes on the fretboard) on a flat surface like a table or desk. Lift your fingers up one by one, starting with your pinky finger and ending with your index finger, and then back again. As you go, see if you can do it faster, not allowing the other fingers to move as you lift one finger at a time. To mix things up a little, you can come up with different patterns. This will teach you to have control over each finger, which will directly help you when forming chords later on. What’s even better is that you can do this anytime and anywhere there is a flat surface, so you can be practicing the guitar without even having a guitar in hand! Here’s a video that demonstrates this exercise:
Unfortunately, the only time the tips of your fingers on your left hand will stop hurting is when your fingers grow calices where you’re pressing onto the strings. This may sound gross and unsightly, but really it is only the hardening of the skin in only that particular area that hurts so that when you press on the strings, it won’t hurt as much. It is completely unnoticeable, and only you will know it’s there.
You can compare this to when you buy a new pair of shoes. You wear them for a day, and they might hurt really badly because you have to “break them in”. After your feet hurt for a while, and even after a couple blisters appear and heal, a week or so goes by and you can wear the shoes without them hurting much at all. What’s really happening is your feet are adjusting to the new shoes and growing calices in places that need to be protected. When playing guitar, your fingers need to do the same thing to protect against the strings of your guitar so that you can play for hours on end.
