The truth is, almost everyone loves music. Whether it’s country, rap, rock and roll, or something in between, listening to your favorite kind of music just makes you feel good, doesn’t it?

But at some point, you may get tired of listening to the same songs over and over again on the radio. You may suddenly feel the urge to get out of your comfort zone and attempt to make your own music, even if you’ve never had any type of music lessons before. But where do you start? What do you do if you know nothing about music, but have a strong desire to learn to play, say for example, the guitar?

Here’s a short checklist of the things you should try and learn prior to attempting to make your own music with the guitar. Let’s call them the guitar playing for dummies basics before the basics. If you have a basic understanding of these things from the get go, learning how to play the guitar will become that much easier.

1.) You should understand the difference between casual and classical sitting positions and the proper way to play when in a standing position. You should also understand how to relax and position the hands to keep from putting unnecessary strain on them while playing.

2.) Have a basic understanding of terms such as chords, fretting, riffs, and strumming.

3.) Understand the proper way to hold the pick between the thumb and index finger.

4.) Understand the importance of attitude and personal motivation when playing. Having a strong desire to learn will make things much easier when you start plucking those guitar strings.

While it is impossible for this article to go into all the details, there are many resources available online that can teach you about playing the guitar. Having a basic understanding of guitar playing prior to picking up a guitar can go a long way toward reducing the frustration when you are first learning to play. Don’t give up, and most importantly have fun!

About the Author

Derek Blandford is a music enthusiast who likes to stay on top of all the latest trends. If you’re ready for more specific step-by-step instruction on guitar playing for dummies, click here: http://www.businessangler.com/guitarplayingfordummies.html