Music is part of every culture. The guitar, in particular, is a popular instrument in many countries. You don’t need to be a professional to make beautiful music on the guitar because it is easy to learn.
If you have an interest in picking this up as a hobby, this guide will get you started.
What Is A Guitar?
A guitar is a stringed instrument. You make music by pressing on the frets on the fingerboard of the guitar with one hand and picking or strumming the strings with the other hand.
Depending on which string you press and where on the fingerboard you press, you can produce a musical note on each string. Playing the strings together, you can produce different chords and harmony and create music.
There is no limit to the genre of music you can play on the guitar. From classical to hard rock, the guitar can do it all!
Can Playing Guitar Be A Hobby?
It certainly can! In fact, it is a very popular hobby because it is easy to learn. You can start playing nice music from your very first lesson. You can either learn it yourself or from an instructor, whichever way you prefer.
After you learn some basic techniques, you just have to practice to get better and better at it. The more skillful you get, the more types of songs you can play.
You can learn in your spare time and just pick up the guitar and play something whenever you feel like it.
What Types Of People Like Playing Guitar?
The guitar attracts people of all ages, from all walks of life. Because you can play practically any genre of music on the guitar, it appeals to a wide range of styles.
People who like to play string instruments versus woodwinds, where you need to learn breath control, will like the guitar. People who prefer to play the strings by hand instead of with a bow, like for a violin or cello, will like the guitar.
Anyone who likes the ability to play a popular tune or create their own music would make a good guitarist.
Benefits: Why Is Playing Guitar A Good Hobby?
Guitar playing is a good hobby because it is easy to pick up. It does not require a lot of lessons to play something pretty. Knowing how to play has many benefits.
It is a good way to relax. Music can be therapeutic. Playing something you like that is soothing can calm you.
It can boost your confidence. You will feel really good once you have mastered a technique or played your first song. It will give you a sense of accomplishment.
It can bring people together. If you have a guitar with you and start playing, people naturally gravitate around you because they enjoy hearing you play.
It can help you break the ice and make friends. Sometimes starting a conversation can be awkward. Playing your guitar does not require you to say anything. People listen and will probably start talking to you.
It can help you learn to be more disciplined. If you want to improve your skills, you have to practice. That’s where the discipline comes in. You are accountable for your own outcome, and you are as good as the effort you put into it.
It is beneficial to your brain. In learning the music, chords, and fingering, you exercise your brain muscles so your memory can be stronger.
It will encourage you to be creative. After you learn some basics, you can use what you’ve learned and create your own tunes.
It’s an instrument that you can take with you. Unlike larger instruments, a guitar is very portable.
Are There Drawbacks To Choosing Guitar Playing As A Hobby?
There are some drawbacks that you should keep in mind.
It can be hard to get started. One of the complaints that beginners have is that pressing on the strings hurts their fingers. For the first few days, your fingertips might feel sore. However, that soreness goes away when the skin on your fingertips gets tougher from more playing.
Sitting for a long time practicing might give you neck and back pain. You might be so engrossed in your practice that you forget to take a break.
The amount of time that it takes to practice might be too much to fit into your schedule. If you want to get really good at playing, you have to practice consistently.
You do need to spend money on buying a guitar and some essential accessories. The cost might be prohibitive.
How To Start Playing Guitar As A Hobby
At the very least, you will need a well-built guitar with good-quality strings. A poorly made guitar will not hold its tune and will not sound nice. The guitar does not have to be expensive. It just has to be well-made. With the guitar, you will need these essential accessories.
Equipment Needed
- A Sturdy Case: You will probably want to take your guitar with you to other places sometimes. A case will protect your guitar when you carry it.
- A Tuner: The strings on your guitar can get out of tune over time. You will need a tuner to tune the strings to the proper note.
- A Shoulder Strap: This hooks around your guitar over your shoulders so you can play it when you’re standing up.
- Picks: You can pick and strum the strings with your fingers, or you can use picks for a different sound.
- An Extra Set of Strings: You never know when a string will break on you. You always want to carry an extra set so you can replace your broken string on the spot.
- Cleaning Cloth: After you play, it is a good habit to wipe down your strings if they are made of metal. You can also wipe down your guitar to keep the finish looking nice.
Start-Up and Ongoing Costs
A good beginner’s guitar is less than $200. The case can cost another $50 depending on if you want a soft case or a hard case. The accessories can cost a total of around $50.
Lessons from a teacher can cost $50/hour and up. If you want to learn on your own, it can cost very little or nothing.
Ongoing costs are strings and lessons if you are paying for them.
Can You Make Money From Playing Guitar?
You can definitely make money from playing guitar. Just look at all the professional guitarists making good money!
Of course, you don’t have to be a professional to make money. When you get really good at playing, you can do a number of things:
- Be a street artist.
- Advertise and get gigs.
- Make videos on YouTube and learn how to monetize them.
- Create your own music, record it, and sell it online by streaming.
Similar Hobbies To Playing Guitar
A similar hobby would be learning how to play the ukulele or another string instrument.
Alternative Hobbies To Playing Guitar
An alternative would be learning an instrument from another instrument family like woodwinds, percussion instruments, or the piano.
Where To Learn More
There are many ways in which you can learn more about guitar playing. If you have the money, you can learn from a private instructor. A less expensive way is to take an online class or a class at a community college.
Sometimes a beginner’s guitar package comes with an instructional DVD that will teach you the basics. If you want to teach yourself, you can look for websites or watch instructional videos on YouTube. Just get a finger chart for chords and follow along.
You could even start another hobby while listening to music if you are looking for something a bit more active.