One of the biggest misconceptions about learning guitar and playing music is that you must learn and be able to improvise to play music well. This often scares people away from starting with guitar lessons. Playing an instrument and improvisation are two different things.

There are top musicians who cannot or have no interest in improvisation, and there are people who can create genius improvisations but don’t master their instrument very well. Improvisation is not necessary and is completely unimportant in most musical styles. For example, if you want to learn jazz, improvisation is crucial because jazz music largely consists of improvisation. However, for other styles, it’s not a requirement.

If you want to learn to improvise, don’t believe the myth that “improvisation can’t be learned; it comes from the heart!” Improvisation usually comes from thorough musical knowledge and experience, combined with a bit of musical feeling.

To learn the basic or open chords (Am, C, D, Dm, E, Em, F, G) quickly and efficiently, it is crucial to learn the correct fingering from the beginning. Often, self-taught guitarists develop bad habits early on, which are difficult to unlearn. This highlights the importance of taking guitar lessons. Unlearning incorrect techniques is harder and takes much longer than learning them correctly from the start.

Using the correct fingerings (finger/numbers) and understanding which fingers or notes correspond to the next chord is essential. These corresponding fingers serve as a support and reference point for moving to the next chord. Additionally, these notes can overlap during the transition, creating a smoother and more seamless chord change.

Mastering this basic technique early on in your guitar journey can save a lot of frustration later. This is why we emphasize proper fingering and chord transitions at the beginning of our guitar lessons.

This is one of the many myths about playing guitar and learning to play guitar. Unfortunately, this statement is not correct. And fortunately, it’s not correct, otherwise, everyone could play guitar and it would no longer be fun. The people who claim or believe this are often those who have never played an instrument, have no knowledge of music, and perhaps at most have passive musical experience.

Saying you can play anything with just two chords is like saying if you can push an accelerator pedal, you can drive Formula 1 or fly a Boeing. It’s equally absurd. Mastering an instrument takes years of work and is the result of intensive and efficient practice.

There are stories that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master an instrument. While this might be an oversimplification, it highlights that learning an instrument is a significant commitment. Every person is different; some have more musical aptitude than others, and some learn faster than others.

Learning an instrument involves not only practicing on the instrument itself but also gaining musical experience, which includes listening to music, ear training, analysis, timing, development of motor skills, and more.

It’s true that some musicians are born with certain talents, such as good hearing or even perfect pitch, a good memory, or a natural sense of rhythm. However, these attributes are extremely rare. Only a very small percentage of people are born with such gifts, and it’s even rarer that these individuals are interested in pursuing music. While virtuosos do exist, they represent a small fraction of musicians who achieve a high level based on exceptional talent alone.

Having talent is advantageous, but it’s not the sole determinant of developing effortless technique. So, what’s crucial? You need about 5% aptitude and 95% motivation, patience, and perseverance! As the saying goes, practice makes perfect!

Achieving the heavy metal and rock sound you’re after isn’t simple. From personal experience, finding a quality overdrive pedal that fits your budget can be challenging. For a solid start, consider pedals like the Boss Dual Overdrive, Boss Distortion, Boss Metal Core, MXR (Dunlop) Distortion, or higher-tier options such as the TC Electronic Nova Drive and Dark Matter Distortion.

To enhance clarity and compactness in your sound, I recommend adding a compressor/limiter/gate (like DBX) and a hum eliminator (like Behringer or Electro Harmonix). However, these will only approximate the robust sound you’re aiming for. The real secret behind bands like Metallica, Rammstein, Tool, and Slipknot lies in their complex setups using multiple amplifiers and signal splitting. Live performances often involve 7 to 8 different guitar amps and speaker combinations to achieve a thicker sound.

Top bands typically use sophisticated gear backstage, including pre-amps and power-amps from brands like Mesa Boogie, ENGL, Laney, and Peavey. These setups are managed by dedicated guitar technicians who configure and program intricate systems for optimal performance. The larger the setup, the more complex the routing and automation, often requiring custom solutions to ensure seamless operation between devices.

In summary, while the distortion pedals mentioned can take you far, don’t expect a single pedal to replicate the sound of a massive metal band’s setup!

The height at which you hang your guitar, is largely personal preference! However, there are key factors to consider. For instance, jazz guitarists often prefer a higher position for easier access across the fretboard. This setup allows them to play the guitar effortlessly while standing rigidly on stage. On the other hand, rock guitarists like Slash and Billie Joe Armstrong opt for a lower-slung guitar, which has become a symbol of modern rebellion in music.

Why this difference? A higher position offers ergonomic benefits, while a lower position is chosen for its esthetic and rock ‘n’ roll appeal. Accessing higher registers can be more challenging with a lower-slung guitar, especially for complex solos. Many guitarists address this by adjusting their posture during performances, such as tilting the guitar upwards or using a knee-supported stance.

Ultimately, the best height for your guitar is one where you feel comfortable and can play effectively. Experiment with different heights to discover what works best for you. And remember, appearance matters too, so find a balance that suits both your playing style and stage presence.

To clarify, we’re not talking about Personal Computers here, but Power Chords (PCs). Knowing the precise name of each power chord is crucial for effective communication when playing with other musicians. Instead of saying, “I’m playing a power chord with three fingers on the 3rd fret of the top three strings,” it’s more meaningful to say, “I’m playing a G5 chord.”

This clarity matters because other musicians like pianists, keyboardists, or vocalists need this information to synchronize effectively. Over time, even bass players and pianists recognize chords based on their shapes and positions. While jazz musicians often stick to standard tuning, guitarists in other genres may use alternative tunings like Drop D, Drop C, Open G, Open A, and more.

For example, a G5 chord in standard E-tuning remains a G5, but in D-tuning, it becomes an F5, and in Drop-D tuning, it’s a G5/F. In Open-G tuning, it’s an F5add9 (refer to the image below for details). Don’t worry if this seems complex; our guitar lessons regularly cover such exercises to ensure clarity and proficiency.

Q: We have a rock band and often try to jam together. But we notice that the bass player is not good compared to the guitarist and drummer. Should we replace him?

A: First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand the purpose of your jam sessions. If it’s about having fun together, go ahead, enjoy a beer, and let loose! However, if your goal is to write songs, jamming might not always be the best approach. Often, everyone wants to pursue their own ideas, hoping others will join in, which can lead to frustration if there’s a mismatch.

To write cohesive songs, having a leader to guide the process is essential. Agree on specific riffs or themes beforehand to focus your sessions and foster collaboration. Recording your jams and reviewing them together can help identify the best parts to develop into songs.

Keep in mind, songwriting typically involves structured approaches led by dedicated writers, with production refining the material. Jamming, in contrast, is primarily for enjoyment and creativity. So, keep it enjoyable and productive by setting clear goals and enjoying the process together!

Regular practice on your guitar is an absolute must if you want fast progress. Not everyone has time every day to grab their guitar. But still, preferably 5 minutes every day instead of 1 time a week an hour. Practicing every day refines motor skills, trains memory, increases playing speed, and improves timing and synchronization between left hand and right hand.

We are happy to put together a tailor-made guitar practice program with a number of guitar exercises (guitar technique, scales, chords, songs) that you can do every day. The progress made is easy to time: in the beginning the guitar exercises will take 15 minutes, but soon you will notice that all the exercises are done in a few minutes … And then it’s time to add new exercises.

It all seems so simple: you find a guitar in the attic, learn some guitar chords in a few minutes, you are looking for a drummer, bassist, and singer, you are discovered in your garage during the third rehearsal, and 2 weeks later you are on the main stage of Rock Werchter with a major record contract! OK, this looks more like a comedy TV movie (who remembers Spinal Tap?), but a lot of people ironically have this image about playing music. Just like: “If you know 2 chords you can play everything, right?” Playing music isn’t hard, is it? Unfortunately, the reality is slightly different.

Why is learning to play guitar and music quickly impossible? Through many channels, I hear and read about people who claim to be able to play guitar in 2 weeks via self-study. And on the Internet, you often see advertisements of quacks trying to sell guitar courses: “Learn to play guitar in 10 days.” It just doesn’t mention that they have a lot of pain in their fingers, that they can’t keep the beat, don’t know or can’t get the right rhythm, and that they try to play everything indiscriminately without having an idea of what they’re actually doing, have no dynamics or feeling at all, play cramped, etc.

I advise beginners to play guitar for at least 5 to 15 minutes a day. Longer is of course also allowed! Keep repeating a lot of lessons at the beginning, until you are sure that you have mastered them. Don’t think at first, “I’ll try it on myself and via the internet first, and then I’ll take lessons.” There are always a few who succeed, but the vast majority of these do-it-yourselfers who still want to take guitar lessons afterward because they are stuck is a nightmare for music teachers. That way, you miss essentials, you miss the basics… You start running a marathon when you haven’t even learned to crawl.

Such students often become demotivated and frustrated when they are suddenly told, with all their abilities, that they have to do basic exercises from a beginner. The right start is very important: well-dosed and structured information, the right exercises, and applying the right dose of music theory in a fun and playful way! Moreover, musical experience is a kind of life wisdom that you can never rush; it comes with age, it comes through practice, playing music, listening, playing together, studying, analyzing, etc.

For example, purely technically, you can play like BB King after 4 to 5 years of practicing on your guitar, but playing and sounding with the feeling and dynamics of BB King requires at least 75 years of playing music!

Which picks you use best for playing guitar is a completely personal choice. I always recommend purchasing and testing a range of different picks which are most suitable for your guitar technique. There are large differences in material and in thickness.

Some picks have a profile squeezed in so you are less likely to lose the pick … which certainly happens sometimes with funk music and funk technique such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and the like. My personal preference is for picks made of hard material such as 0.7mm celluloid or 1.0mm polyacetal. These picks fit well in the hand and are hard enough to give an aggressive attack for both funk music and rock to metal.

For beginners it is usually thinner pick, possibly made of nylon. Once your picking technique improves, you can switch to thicker and harder picks. A pick made of harder material gives you much more control over the playing speed and dynamics of playing the guitar.

Artificial Harmonics (AH):

• What are they: Created by lightly touching the string with a finger of your picking hand while striking the string with your other hand.
• How to play: Use your picking hand to lightly touch the string at a harmonic point (usually over a fret) while striking the string with your fretting hand.
• Characteristics: They produce a bright, prominent sound and are commonly used in modern rock and metal.

Pinch Harmonics (PH):

• What are they: Produced by muting the string with the edge of your picking hand or thumb immediately after striking the string.
• How to play: Strike the string with your pick while simultaneously letting the edge of your picking hand or thumb make contact with the string.
• Characteristics: They have a sharp, piercing tone and are often used for dramatic, high-pitched sounds in solos.

Pinch harmonics for example, are mainly used in (hard) Rock and (heavy, trash etc.) metal. These pinch harmonics are used by countless guitarists, from Steve Vai, Joe Satriani to Richie Sambora, Linkin Park, Slipknot and Foo Fighters. Playing a pinch harmonic does take some practice…! During our guitar lessons, this guitar technique is of course also discussed.

Natural Harmonics (H):

• What are they: Created by lightly touching the string at specific points (harmonic nodes) on the fretboard without pressing down.
• How to play: Lightly touch the string at harmonic points (such as the 5th, 7th, or 12th frets) and strike the string with your other hand.
• Characteristics: They produce a clear, bell-like tone and are frequently used in classical, jazz, and various other styles for their unique sound.

Tapping Harmonics:

• What are they: Created by tapping the string at a harmonic node with your picking hand.
• How to play: Tap the string at a harmonic point with your picking hand while also lightly touching the string with your fretting hand.
• Characteristics: They can produce a similar tone to natural harmonics but with variations in sound and dynamics depending on the technique used.

The type of wood used on top of the guitar neck (fretboard) is very important for the sound. A pale neck (often maple/maple) as often used with Fender Stratocaster or Fender Telecaster, has a somewhat sharp, shrill and more aggressive sound in my experience. For example, a maple neck is ideal for more aggressive funk and blues. I’m thinking of Jimi Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, but also guitarists like Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler play on a Maple Strat.

A dark neck (like rosewood) sounds warmer and softer, often used with Gibson, Ibanez, some Fender guitars, ESP, Music Man, etc. A dark neck sounds better for warmer sounds in both pop music and more heavy styles. In metal, for example, you will not easily see a pale neck. But the choice of guitar neck is also something personal, and many guitarists have both in their guitar collection.

In terms of maintenance, a maple neck is much less fragile and requires less maintenance than, for example, Rosewood (rosewood). But yes, anyway, go to the music store and try out the difference for yourself!

No, on the contrary. Electric is easier to play, by which I mean the physical exertion. With western guitar, the neck is wider, thicker and strings are also thicker, so you have to apply more force. For the rest, there is not much difference, except for more possibilities in terms of music styles on electric guitar. Mind you, a good western guitar is much more expensive than a good electric guitar.

Ideal for guitar is that your thigh on which the guitar rests is horizontal, so that the guitar cannot slide off your leg. For most, a regular chair is too high and the thigh slopes downwards, which is why you sometimes see guitarists with footstools under the right foot. Ideal is actually an office chair that you can put lower.

You have to distinguish between a guitar for study, studio and live. As a study guitar you should not spend too much money, for example a Fender Squier guitar of 300 euros is more than enough. Cheaper brands are also available, even total packages of 100 euros as in the Aldi a while ago. But they often have defects in electronics, neck, etc. after a few weeks. Check the website of musicstore.de or thomann.de

If you love bands like AC/DC, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Kings Of Leon, The Black Keys, Editors, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Volbeat, and Muse, you might try to recreate their riffs. But if your playing doesn’t sound right, the issue is likely with your technique, not your gear.

The sound, dynamics, energy, and expression in guitar playing start with the guitarist. If you’ve been learning rock rhythm guitar on your own or through online sources, you may have developed bad habits. Without a solid technical background, your playing might sound amateurish. Even simple riffs can sound sloppy or too tame.

An experienced guitar coach or teacher can help identify mistakes and provide essential exercises to improve your playing. Mastering an instrument takes years of practice until you can play effortlessly. Achieving the “autopilot” level, where you don’t need to think about your technique, is crucial.

Don’t expect to sound like your favorite bands after just a few years of practice. With dedication and the right guidance, you’ll eventually get there.

With songs that are on the internet, there is sometimes confusion between C-tuning (all strings 4 semitones lower C-F-Bb-Eb-G-C), open-C-tuning (CGCGCE), and Drop-C-tuning (CGCFAD). With the C-tuning and drop-C, the strings are already fairly loose … A thicker string set is recommended for this.

Absolutely! Whether your favorite music spans the decades from the 50s to the 80s or you’re into smooth jazz, age is no barrier to picking up these instruments. Many adults ask, “I’m no longer 18 years old, can I still learn to play guitar or drums?” The answer is a resounding yes! While the initial hurdle may seem daunting, the enthusiasm grows significantly after the first music lesson.

Guitar and bass lessons are tailored to your pace and musical taste, starting at a comfortable learning tempo. Even if you have no prior music or rhythm experience, we begin with familiar songs from iconic artists such as AC/DC, BB King, The Beatles, Bill Haley, Black Sabbath, Blues Brothers, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), Cheap Trick, Chic, Chuck Berry, Cream, Deep Purple, Dire Straits, Eagles, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Free, Gary Moore, Golden Earring, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Cash, The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Pink Floyd, Robert Johnson, Robert Palmer, The Rolling Stones, Status Quo, Sex Pistols, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, The Clash, The Police, ZZ Top, and more. Whether you choose classical, acoustic, or electric guitar, the lessons are practice-oriented with a focus on enjoyment and progress.

Yes, when you replace your guitar strings with ones of a different thickness, it can affect the tension on the neck and bridge. This may require readjusting these settings, and sometimes even filing the nut. To maintain consistency, it’s best to have your guitar set up and tuned for a specific type of strings, and to stick with that type consistently.

That’s completely true. But from a certain level, music theory works wonders. You start understanding more things, make connections, and gain more insight. The result is simple: because you have more insight, you will also better understand what you play, what you do and what you need to practice. With more knowledge of music theory, you will probably need less practice on your instrument. Already hours of time saved and your body less strained, nice!

Rock, Pop, Blues, Funk, Disco, Metal, …? After we have a good foundation, we can play your favorite music step-by-step. The most important thing is that a good foundation is laid first, especially if you have never come into contact with playing the guitar. In addition, you can learn something from every style of music, but playing the guitar is of course most fun when you can play music that you like.

With chords you can accompany yourself and/or other musicians or vocalists. A chord is a combination of at least two notes. A lot of popular hit songs even consist of just 2 or 3 chords!

Electric guitar, cable, tuner, metronome, picks, spare strings, guitar stand, guitar carrying case, amplifier (with or without built-in effects). A complete starter package is already available from +- 300 euros (new price).

Individual music lessons are available starting from the age of 6 years and onward. This ensures a solid foundation for young learners and accommodates varying levels of musical interest and development.

Regular practice is crucial for improvement. It’s better to practice consistently, even if it’s for shorter periods, rather than irregularly for extended sessions. Daily practice for 10 minutes yields better and quicker results compared to practicing for 8 hours once a week. Developing a routine helps build skills steadily and effectively.

The classical guitar, known for its nylon strings, is primarily used for playing classical music. Its symmetrical shape and wide neck make it challenging for chordal and accompaniment playing, particularly in popular music genres. However, with practice and adaptation, it can still be versatile for various musical styles beyond its traditional use.

An acoustic or western guitar differs from an electric guitar in several ways. It features a larger body, thicker and wider neck, and steel strings. This can make it more challenging to play than an electric guitar, particularly for beginners. Acoustic guitars are primarily used as accompaniment instruments rather than lead instruments. Unlike electric guitars, they offer a wide range of natural acoustic tones but lack the extensive effects and sound variety of electric guitars.

For practicing at home, an electric guitar and amplifier are essential. Electric guitars are generally easier to play than classical or acoustic guitars, offering greater versatility in style, technique, sounds, and features. When deciding between new or second-hand, consider factors such as the guitar’s previous use, storage conditions, and maintenance history.