When first starting out, many newbies want to learn how to play the guitar fast. They want instant gratification. The only way you’re going to learn fast is by practicing a lot; there is no magic pill you just need to buckle down and play each and every day until you get good.

To speed up the process of playing guitar you should memorize all of your chords and be sure you know how to read music so that you can play through songs smoothly. Another thing you can do is really work out your fingers so that you don’t get cramps or get tired half way through a lesson.

Next you need to figure out which learning outlet works best for you… Do you like watching videos, listening to audios or reading; it’s really up to you. When you’re working on a song; don’t quit half way through and move onto another solo or riff… Stick with one song until you’ve got the hang of it and can play the whole way through smoothly.

Keep your guitar up to peak condition… Don’t let the chords get out of tune; you’re going to have to tune your guitar all of the time so it’s best in the beginning to get an electrical tuner until you can do it totally by ear.

Right, you need to improve your guitar playing. You have been messing around now for a few months, have learnt a few basic chords and maybe a scale or two. What now?

What do I learn next?

Familiar to you?

Here is the number 1 tip that I have picked up over my 30 odd years of playing and teaching that will really sky rocket your progress. Just try it and see what happens.

1 RELAX There, that sounds easy doesn’t it. Pick up your guitar, form a chord, change to another one, strum a little. Stay relaxed. Easy. Not quite. The staying relaxed is the hard part. After watching lots of beginners play, I can tell you that if you can learn to relax whilst playing, your technique and all round proficiency on the guitar will improve.

The way to improve your ability is to relax while playing. This comes down to awareness. I know, you will say that you have enough to think about as it is, where your fingers go, the strum pattern, where your fingers go next, but just try this little exercise. Form a C chord, strum 4 times, then an F chord(you know the one, the chord that all new players avoid) strum 4 times, just down strokes are fine. Then back to the C for 4 strums, followed by 2 strums on a G chord, 2 strums on the F chord and then back to C for another 4 strums. Now, repeat this pattern. Gradually increase the tempo. Tap your foot as you go. Keep going, getting faster and faster as you go. Don’t worry we are not particularly concerned with the sound you are making here.

After a few minutes, as you can feel yourself getting tired, just stop. Don’t move though, stay in the position you are in. Now scan your body, see if you can pick out areas where you are tense.

I would imagine that if you mentally check the position of your shoulders and neck, they will be tense. Shoulders tend to go up towards the ears when a person is tense. Hows your face, your eyes, cheeks, chin, mouth. I know this may sound daft, but lots of tension is stored in a persons face muscles.

What about your legs? Another area that you might not think had a lot to do with guitar playing. Well it has, every area of our body can store tension, and it will help your playing if you can reduce it. Just scan mentally and see how yours are feeling.