Fat Finger Music Electric Guitar Blog

There is an assortment of methods for learning to play the guitar and you need to choose the method that will work best for you.

1. Traditional

Generally starts off by teaching the basics of notation (reading music). Learning to read and play simple melodies progresses to bass string accompaniments and simple duets using a limited selection of notes, which is what you need as a beginner. The advantage of this method is that it is always taught in tandem with learning to read music; the best way to learn to read music is by doing it in conjunction with learning an instrument. Also, reading and understanding notation will transfer to any subsequent musical instrument.

2. Folk

This method leans towards a chordal approach, that is, learning to play a collection of notes together (a chord) and using various strumming patterns to accompany a song. Sometimes this approach may include some notation reading, but it is generally aimed at the student who does not want to learn how to read music.
Personally, I feel that such an approach is missing an opportunity to learn and understand notation. A traditional approach will lead naturally to learning chords anyway. You can always teach yourself chords from a chord dictionary if you want to combine two approaches.

3. Tablature

This method teaches through a pictorial representation of the strings showing where to put your fingers.

1 --0----------------------------
2 --1----------------------------
3 --0----------------------------
4 --2----------------------------
5 --3----------------------------
6 -------------------------------

This picture means you fret:

the 2nd string at the 1st fret
the 4th string at the 2nd fret and
the 5th string at the third fret
1st and 3rd strings are left open or unfretted.

This is, perhaps, too complex a method for the beginner to grasp. It can be used to enhance the playing of a more experienced guitar player.

Guitar Lessons

When learning to play any musical instrument, it is always a good idea to at least start off by having some lessons from an experienced tutor, if only to avoid getting into bad habits. A good teacher will advise about style, technique, notation, posture, phrasing and guitar care. As you progress you may need to find a teacher attuned to your own particular needs and tastes, but at the beginning of the learning experience, the aims will be the same, to get the basics of the instrument sorted out and to achieve results that are pleasing.