subject: Guitar Myths - The Truth To Common Assumptions About Playing The Guitar [print this page] Have you thought about playing the guitar but couldn't gather the determination because of guitar myths you may have heard? Maybe someone mentioned that learning to play is difficult and worthless and that you'll never be good no matter how long you practice.
Personally, I think people like that shouldn't be considered for opinions because they only bring you down and cloud your judgment with doubts. Really, there are some tough aspects to learning guitar, but too many nonsensical assumptions get thrown around.
Here are a few of the common myths to playing the guitar.
Myth: You need to be able to read music to play the guitar well.
Truth: Being able to read music is helpful but not necessary.
The majority of famous electric guitarists may have never read a piece of sheet music in their entire lives. It's true!
It's very impressive to have the skills to decipher the staff and musical notation, but with so much music translated into the short-hand known as guitar tablature, the demand for guitar sheet music becomes less and less.
Myth: You need to know a lot about guitars to play them.
Truth: You can come in knowing nothing about guitars and leave playing like a professional.
You can think of that typical "from rags to riches" story regarding some professional guitarists since most of them didn't know a darn thing about the instrument before playing them. Yea, it's neat to know about the hardware and wood-working concerned with the instrument, but that's really only relevant to people who enjoy fixing the things.
What you need to know a lot about is following through with consistent dedication. If you're the type of person that's willing to put in a little time per day to reach a goal, then it doesn't matter how much guitar knowledge you started with.
Myth: There really are programs that can teach you to play the guitar over the period of a few days.
Truth: Only guitar prodigies learn how to play in a few days.
Yea, you might come across a guitar program over the internet or on a commercial that claims you can play the guitar in a few days, but they're just flat out lying to you. However, it really depends on what your definition of what "learning to play" really is.
If you think learning to play means being able to fumble through maybe one song, then you have a chance. If you think it means shredding like Van Halen, then you're thinking about a guitar myth.
Myth: Only naturally talented individuals can play the guitar.
Truth: Anyone can play the guitar.
With the right instruction and enough practice, anyone can be a great guitarist. You don't need to have special genes or parents that graduated with degrees in music. All you really need is a love for music and a hard work-ethic.
Myth: Good guitarists play in a band.
Truth: People who play the guitar and know how to work well with others play in a band.
Just because you learn to play the guitar doesn't necessarily mean that you'll play in a band. There are guitarists who have a tremendous time trying to hold down a band only because they are impossible to work with.
If you want to play the guitar so you can be in a band, that's great. However, make sure that you're an open-minded individual that's willing to work with others first.
The guitar is a fantastic instrument to pick up and anybody can do it with enough practice and support. Think about the assumptions you have towards the guitar and if they really hold any weight or are just holding you back.
