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So you want to learn how to Play Songs on Guitar?
Great! You have come to the right site.
Playing the guitar is fun and can be easy once you master a few of the basics. I’m not going to lie to you and tell you will be playing like Jimi Hendrix (or whoever rocks your boat) in a week or two. But with the right instruction and a little dedication, you can be playing along with your favorite guitar songs in no time.
What it Takes
First, the dedication part. Just like most anything else in life, you get out of what you put into it. That being said, 30 minutes a day will send you well on your way to
playing songs on guitar. You will be amazed at how quickly your skills will improve in just thirty minutes a day. Of course more is better, but we all have busy lives. I like to think of it as time very well spent!
Nothing can beat one on one personal instruction for learning how to play songs on guitar. But finding a good teacher who you enjoy working with can be difficult and expensive. The hourly rate in my area is now around $70.00! If you have the cash to do it, great! Just make sure you are going to enjoy the experience. I have found that picking the wrong instructor can ruin the experience. Make sure you both are on the same page (i.e. you want to learn how to play songs on guitar, he or she wants you to learn music theory). It is very important that you are comfortable and having fun while learning.
If the “one on one” route isn’t for you, the internet is a great source for learning how to
play songs on guitar. There are many affordable programs available on the ‘net. As a beginner, when choosing an instruction program, make sure the following “guitar basics” are included:
1. Tuning and properly setting up your guitar There is nothing worse or harder to learn songs on then an out of tune guitar that is not properly set up for you.
2. Reading tablature Tab, as it is called, is a very simple way to learn how to play many, many songs on guitar. Tab is very easy to learn and the internet is full free tabs showing you how to play songs in every genre.
3. Picking and Strumming Techniques Starting out with proper picking and strumming techniques will help your progress tremendously. You don’t want waste your time developing bad habits.
4. Video and Audio Training In this day and age, learning from just a book, like old guys like me did, is totally unnecessary. There are a lot of great audio/video programs available.
Other things to consider is how far an instructional program will take you. Do they offer intermediate and advanced training. Do they 
offer training in different genres (i.e. blues, rock, jazz, country, etc.). If you really want to learn how to play songs on guitar, these things should be taken into consideration.
If you haven’t yet figured it out, I am a big fan of Jam Play. It is a quality site with quality instruction. After 33 years of playing guitar I am still learning licks on Jam Play! For someone who wants to learn how to play songs on guitar, Jam Play has all the resources you will need, from beginner to expert!
