Guitar is one of the most popular and versatile instruments in the world. You can play almost any style of music on it, from rock to classical to jazz. Learning guitar can be challenging but rewarding, as you develop new skills and discover new sounds. Whether you want to play for yourself or for others, guitar can be a great hobby that enriches your life.
We aim to provide accurate information, but errors might be found. Always exercise judgment and discretion.
❗ How to start playing the guitar as a hobby
First moves for getting acquainted and breaking the ice.
An obvious first step is to buy a guitar. However, buying a guitar can be overwhelming, especially if you are not sure what kind of guitar you want or need. And even though there are some affordable quality guitars available, it is still a financial investment that might deter you from starting.
So here are some alternatives you can try before buying your first guitar:
- Use a virtual guitar app to get a basic feel and confidence for the next step.
- Visit your local music store to see and try different guitars. You can have some hands-on experience, and ask questions. Don’t feel obliged to buy a guitar on your first visit.
- Borrow a guitar from a friend or family member. The guitar is a popular instrument, so you probably know someone who owns one. It is also possible that they don’t use it much and they will be happy to lend it to you.
Once you have a guitar in hand, whether it’s yours or borrowed, you are lucky, because there are plenty of great online learning resources. The Simply Guitar or Yousician apps are great ones to start with.