How to Play Guitar for Beginners Video

Starting out on guitar can feel like stepping into a whole new world. Whether you're eager to shred like your favorite metal guitarist or just want to strum some tunes around a campfire, the journey begins with understanding the basics. In this blog post, we'll look at some practical steps to get you playing guitar, especially if you're interested in mastering the metal subgenres that require a bit more technique and precision.

Getting Comfortable with Your Guitar

Before you can start melting faces with blazing solos, you need to get comfortable with your instrument. It's like any relationship—get to know your guitar, and it'll reward you with some sweet sounds.

First things first, familiarize yourself with the guitar parts: body, neck, headstock, strings, and frets. If you're using an electric guitar for those metal riffs, make sure you understand the knobs and switches that control your tone. Spend some time just holding the guitar, finding a comfortable position whether sitting or standing, and adjusting the strap to suit your playing style.

• Seating Position: Sit with your back straight and the guitar resting on your right leg (for right-handed players). This helps maintain a relaxed posture.
• Standing Position: Use a strap, ensuring the guitar sits at a height where you can comfortably reach all frets without straining your wrist.
• Hand Position: Keep your fretting hand's thumb behind the neck and fingers arched to press down the strings cleanly.

This initial setup might seem basic, but it's crucial for preventing bad habits that could hamper your progress later on. And if you’re aiming to tackle complex metal techniques, you’ll want every physical aspect working in your favor from the get-go.

Tuning Your Guitar

A guitar that’s out of tune is like a car with a flat tire—you're not going anywhere. Tuning might be a bit tricky at first, but it becomes second nature with practice.

Standard tuning for a six-string guitar is E-A-D-G-B-e, from the thickest to the thinnest string. You can use a clip-on tuner, a tuning app, or an online tuner to help get those strings right. To tune your guitar:

• Use a Tuner: Clip-on and pedal tuners are great for accuracy. Pluck each string and adjust the tuning pegs until the tuner indicates it's in tune.
• Piano/Keyboard: If you have access to a piano, you can match the guitar strings to the corresponding piano keys.
• By Ear: This is an acquired skill but great for developing your musical ear. Use a reference note (like a tuning fork or another instrument) and match your strings to it.

Modern metal often uses alternative tunings like Drop D or Drop C. These tunings loosen the lower strings, giving deeper, heavier sounds ideal for chugging riffs. Experiment with these once you're comfortable with standard tuning.

Basic Chords and Strumming Patterns

Chords are your gateway to playing songs, and strumming patterns give them life. Start with basic open chords like C, G, D, E, and A. These are easy to learn and form the foundation for many songs.

To play a chord, press down on the strings at the specified frets and strum all the strings in one motion. It's about getting all the notes to ring out clearly, which might mean adjusting your finger placement until you’re not muting any strings.

• C Major: Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and index finger on the 1st fret of the B string.
• G Major: Put your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string, index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high e string.
• D Major: Position your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the e string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string.

For strumming, start with a simple down-up pattern. Keep your wrist loose, and use a pick if you want a brighter sound. Practice switching between chords while maintaining a steady rhythm. This is where a metronome can be your best friend.

On Riffhard, we have lessons from top guitarists that break down these techniques step-by-step, which can be incredibly helpful as you start building your chord library.

Developing Picking Techniques

Picking is a fundamental skill for any guitarist, especially if you're aiming to play metal. There are various picking styles, but let's focus on the basics: alternate picking and downpicking.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking involves using a pick to strike the strings in a down-up-down-up motion. This technique is essential for playing fast riffs and solos. To practice:

• Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger, using the tip to strike the strings.
• Start slow, focusing on even down and up strokes.
• Use a metronome to maintain a consistent tempo.
• Gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.

Downpicking

Downpicking is striking the strings only with downstrokes. It's a staple in metal for producing tight, aggressive sounds. While it requires more endurance than alternate picking, it provides more power and control.

To practice downpicking, start with a simple riff or scale and focus on maintaining a steady rhythm. Pay attention to muting techniques, which we'll discuss next, to keep your sound clean and precise.

For more in-depth guidance, Riffhard offers specialized lessons by renowned metal guitarists, helping you refine your picking technique with expert tips and exercises.

Muting Techniques for Clean Playing

String noise is a common issue for beginners. Proper muting techniques help prevent unwanted sounds and give your playing a cleaner, more professional tone.

Palm Muting

Palm muting involves resting the edge of your picking hand near the bridge of the guitar while playing. This technique dampens the strings, producing a more controlled, percussive sound.

• Place the side of your hand lightly on the strings, just behind the bridge.
• Experiment with pressure—too much will silence the strings, too little won't mute effectively.
• Integrate palm muting with your picking patterns to add dynamics and texture to your riffs.

Left-Hand Muting

Left-hand muting is used to stop notes from ringing out. Lightly touch the strings with your fretting hand, without pressing them down fully. This technique is useful for creating staccato effects or controlling string noise during fast passages.

Practice these muting techniques separately before combining them with your picking exercises. It's all about building muscle memory and finding what works best for your playing style.

Learning Simple Riffs and Melodies

Once you're comfortable with the basics, it's time to put your skills to use by learning simple riffs and melodies. This is where playing starts to feel rewarding, as you can hear your progress in real-time.

Choose a riff or melody that resonates with you, and break it down into smaller sections. Focus on playing each part slowly and accurately before moving on to the next. This approach helps build confidence and ensures that you're not just memorizing notes but truly understanding the music.

As you become more proficient, experiment with adding your flair to the riffs. Maybe tweak the rhythm or add a slide or bend. This creativity is what makes playing guitar so enjoyable and personal.

If you’re looking for a structured path to improve, Riffhard offers curated lesson plans that progress with your skills, helping you tackle increasingly complex riffs and techniques.

Understanding Scales and Their Importance

Scales are the building blocks of music. They help you understand the fretboard, improve your finger dexterity, and serve as the foundation for improvising and composing.

The most common scale for beginners is the pentatonic scale. It's simple, versatile, and used in various music styles, including blues, rock, and metal. To play the A minor pentatonic scale:

• Start on the 5th fret of the low E string (A note).
• Follow the pattern: 5th fret, 8th fret (E string); 5th fret, 7th fret (A string); 5th fret, 7th fret (D string); 5th fret, 7th fret (G string); 5th fret, 8th fret (B string); 5th fret, 8th fret (high E string).

Practice playing the scale ascending and descending, focusing on smooth transitions between notes. As you become more confident, experiment with different patterns or try improvising over a backing track.

Learning scales might seem tedious, but it's a worthwhile investment in your musical development. Over time, you'll notice how scales improve your speed, accuracy, and overall playing ability.

Exploring Metal-Specific Techniques

Metal guitar is known for its technical precision and aggressive sound. To achieve this, you'll need to master specific techniques that define the genre.

Chugging: This involves heavy palm-muted downstrokes, often on the lower strings. It's a rhythmic technique used to create a driving, percussive sound.

Pinch Harmonics: These add a squealing effect to notes. To execute, lightly touch the string with your thumb while picking, producing a high-pitched overtone.

Legato: This technique involves playing notes smoothly without picking each one. Use hammer-ons and pull-offs to create fluid, fast passages.

Each of these techniques requires practice and patience. Break them down into smaller exercises, gradually increasing speed and complexity as you become more comfortable.

For detailed lessons on mastering these metal-specific techniques, check out Riffhard, where top metal guitarists share their expertise and tips for achieving the coveted metal sound.

Staying Motivated and Tracking Progress

Learning guitar is a journey, and staying motivated is key to making continuous progress. Set achievable goals, such as learning a new chord or riff each week, and celebrate your milestones along the way.

Track your progress by recording yourself playing. This allows you to hear improvements over time and identify areas that need more attention. Additionally, playing with others or jamming to backing tracks can boost your motivation and provide new learning experiences.

Remember, every guitarist started as a beginner. With dedication and practice, you'll find yourself improving and enjoying the music you create.

Final Thoughts

Learning guitar, especially with a focus on metal, can be both challenging and rewarding. By starting with the basics and gradually incorporating more complex techniques, you'll develop a solid foundation for playing the music you love. For personalized guidance and access to lessons from top metal guitarists, consider exploring Riffhard. You’ll find a supportive community and resources to help you achieve your guitar-playing goals.