Learn to Play Guitar Fast - How to Get in a Band and Learn Guitar Quickly

People who want to learn to play guitar fast usually just learn a few chords and or riffs - enough to make some basic good sounding rhythms - then get themselves in a band with other (usually more experienced) musicians. There is no faster way to learn to play the guitar then to get in a band and start hearing the music around you and finding a place for your own guitar sound to fit in while the other band members play.

So many guitarists try to learn to play guitar with their eyes when in truth it is their EARS that matter most. If you haven't learned any chords to play yet, or only know a few - take a moment to read this lesson (and any of the linked lessons) to get started with some basic chord progressions. You'll know enough to play in a band in no time.

Mastering Riffs - Simple Beginner Chords and Progressions That'll Get You in a Band Quickly
By Barry Livingstone

Mastering riffs is the fastest way for beginner guitarists to get themselves into a band and having fun. Any seasoned guitarist will tell you to learn the basic major, minor, 5th (really an interval... not a chord), and seventh chords... then quickly learn the basic patterns (called progressions) which these chords are played. The basic progressions using these fundamental guitar chords are the underlying tunes to so many songs you hear on the radio that mastering riffs of just a few songs will keep you busy for years learning all the other songs that use the same patterns.

For example, the most basic of all progressions most guitarists learn is called the I-IV-V chord progression. In the simplest of terms, this pattern calls for the guitarist to play the 1st (major) - 4th (Major) - then 5th (Major) chord of any given major scale. Forget for a moment the terms and think about in terms of strings you can play at the open end of the fret board. Place your fingers in position for an A Major chord (presuming you're playing right handed guitar your left ring finger is holding the 3rd, 4th, and 5th strings down at the 2nd fret). Strum the guitar strings from 2nd string to the bottom. That is an A Major chord (the I in the I-IV-V progression). Now slide your whole hand up the fretboard (towards the body of the guitar) while keeping your ring finger flat in the same relative position. Anchor your ring finger across just behind the seventh fret. Keep your ring finger flat as before and lay your index finger flat across strings two thru five just behind the 5th fret. Strum the same five strings as before. That is a D Major chord (the IV in the I-IV-V).

Move your entire left hand two frets up (toward the body again), again keeping your ring and index fingers in the same relative positions (ring should now be behind the 9th fret, covering 3rd, 4th, and 5th strings, index finger is now behind the 7th fret). This is an E Major chord (the V in the I-IV-V chord progression). Play these three simple chords in succession. Repeat this a few times until it is easy to go from one position on the fretboard to the next. Get to the point where you can play the three positions without thinking about it and you've got it nailed. Mastering riffs is as simple as that, but there is more here than meets the eye here. Mastering riffs also involves experimentation and variation on the same themes. Using the same finger positions you just learned, try the simple chord progression (V-I-IV-I). This pattern should sound incredibly familiar to your ears, and you should be able to name 2 dozen songs that have a similar feel to them.

Mastering riffs takes time and practice, but should be very easy for even the most novice guitarist (so long as you build your hand strength a little). Mastering riffs like the I-IV-V will quickly get you accomplished enough to play for friends and perhaps join a band (I hope you do). I hope you enjoyed this simple guitar lesson.

Mastering riffs is one of the basic lessons offered online for you to experience online. Click here to learn about all the free guitar lessons online for beginning guitarists. Playing guitar is a lot of fun and an enjoyable hobby that lasts a lifetime and creates valuable friendships wherever you may roam. Start learning to play today with our free guitar lessons online and get valuable tips, tricks, and knowledge with video and sound demonstration right on your PC. Enjoy your new hobby - playing guitar opened whole new worlds up to me. Barry Livingstone

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Hopefully you'll find this lesson helpful. If you need to learn more chords than what was taught in the free guitar lesson series, try the DVD lessons - they are excellent.

Prior Post: How to Learn and Master the Guitar - Staying Motivated to Learn to Play Guitar