Here are the basics of how to play acoustic guitar in flat pick style. You will need a guitar, a flat pick, and a chord chart. Sit straight, using a firm chair, with the instrument on your lap. The right arm goes over the body.
Hold the flat pick between the thumb and forefinger. The pick tip should point perpendicular to the thumb, and the thumb should lay right over the last segment of the forefinger, but pointing in the opposite direction.
The left hand thumb pad should be against the neck. Curve the fingers under the neck and bring the tips of the fingers to the strings. Press the tips on the right strings and frets to make the chord.
Strum the pick on the strings. Do not hold the pick tightly. Only hold it tight enough to keep it in your grasp. Only strum the strings that are supposed to be part of the chord. A C major ope chord uses only the last five strings. For chords like this, you can drape your left thumb over the largest string to keep it from playing.
To learn a chord, play it, remove your left hand, and then play it again. After you have learned a few chords, practice changing between chords. As soon as possible, try to get to the point that this can be done without looking.
Common keys in flat picking guitar songs are the keys of E, G, and C. Practice the changes for these keys. These are: E-A-E-B7; G-C-G-D; and C-F-C-G.
Rather than practicing for hours on one day, and then skipping a day or two, you will progress better if you practice a little every day. Your finger tips may start to hurt. If that happens, it is okay to skip a day. As you form callouses, that will become unnecessary.
Once you are comfortable playing a few chords, try adding bass notes. For your chords in the usual way, but pick the lowest string on the first beat, then strum the other strings on the next beat. Try different pattern in which you pick different strings or add more than one strum in between picking. Try patterns in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, and 6/8 rhythms.
The most important thing to do is have fun. Practice every day. Learn some songs you like. Try to learn to sing along with the playing. Learning guitar can take a while, but remember guitar is one of the easiest instruments to start having fun with, right away.
Hold the flat pick between the thumb and forefinger. The pick tip should point perpendicular to the thumb, and the thumb should lay right over the last segment of the forefinger, but pointing in the opposite direction.
The left hand thumb pad should be against the neck. Curve the fingers under the neck and bring the tips of the fingers to the strings. Press the tips on the right strings and frets to make the chord.
Strum the pick on the strings. Do not hold the pick tightly. Only hold it tight enough to keep it in your grasp. Only strum the strings that are supposed to be part of the chord. A C major ope chord uses only the last five strings. For chords like this, you can drape your left thumb over the largest string to keep it from playing.
To learn a chord, play it, remove your left hand, and then play it again. After you have learned a few chords, practice changing between chords. As soon as possible, try to get to the point that this can be done without looking.
Common keys in flat picking guitar songs are the keys of E, G, and C. Practice the changes for these keys. These are: E-A-E-B7; G-C-G-D; and C-F-C-G.
Rather than practicing for hours on one day, and then skipping a day or two, you will progress better if you practice a little every day. Your finger tips may start to hurt. If that happens, it is okay to skip a day. As you form callouses, that will become unnecessary.
Once you are comfortable playing a few chords, try adding bass notes. For your chords in the usual way, but pick the lowest string on the first beat, then strum the other strings on the next beat. Try different pattern in which you pick different strings or add more than one strum in between picking. Try patterns in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, and 6/8 rhythms.
The most important thing to do is have fun. Practice every day. Learn some songs you like. Try to learn to sing along with the playing. Learning guitar can take a while, but remember guitar is one of the easiest instruments to start having fun with, right away.
About the Author:
For the best advice on all aspects of learning to play guitar visit How To Play Acoustic Guitar for all you need to know. Alternatively, read my Jamorama Review for information on what, in my view, is the best guitar course on the web.
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