The guitar is one of the most appealing instruments. Maybe it is because you can easily visualise being a guitarist simply by holding and strumming the instrument. Even before your untrained fingers have taken guitar lessons! However, there are many advantages of learning the guitar, not restricted to how good you sound and feel when you play it.
Let’s see what else you gain as you play the guitar apart from the unparallelled joy of playing.
Benefits of learning the guitar
1. Enhances social skills
The guitar is one of the most collaborative instruments. You can play it as an accompaniment with singing, as well as several other instruments – drums, keyboard, and violin even. If you have a shy child or an introverted teenager, this is a great instrument to start your child off with.
This makes a guitarist a popular band member. And when you play group songs, you learn to interact with others and combine your music with theirs. This enhances your communication and interactive skills and most importantly, your sense of integration with them. The bond that band mates share is unique.
2. Teaches new technical skills
Learning a string instrument is a very challenging task. Tuning the guitar, correct placement of fingers, fingering techniques, strumming techniques, there is no shortage of the technicalities involved. This builds a specific technical skill set in students of the guitar.
It is not only playing that requires skill. Have you tried reading notation, and the guitar tablature? Learning to read and understand these notations also requires a special skill set which you can build when learning the guitar. You will understand the joy of a new kind of literacy – the musical kind!
Would you like to learn the guitar? Get that nudge in the right direction with guitar lessons for beginners at SaPa, the home of music and musicians!
3. Instils discipline
Music requires regular practice. You will quickly find that half an hour every day will have more effect on your playing skills than two hours on the weekend. It is because the more you practise the more quickly you develop muscle memory. That is why the journey you undertake when you learn the guitar, makes you dedicated, focussed, and disciplined.
4. Improves coordination
Read sheet music, pick or strum with one hand and finger with the other hand…phew! Is that it? Playing the guitar definitely requires good hand-hand and hand-eye coordination. You need to focus on three different things. Sounds tough? Perhaps at first, till you try. Once you get immersed in it and get the hang of it through practice, you will find yourself seamlessly adjusting. After a while, you may even wonder why you thought it was tough!
Learning the guitar keeps various mental and physical faculties in you alert and well-exercised making you an efficient multitasker. You also become more ambidextrous. Skills that you can use in other pursuits too.
5. Boosts confidence
Playing an instrument makes you feel empowered. String instruments like guitar, which require special skills, enhance your sense of self-esteem. It is like taking a public speaking class without having to speak – verbally – you learn to express yourself effectively through your performance.
The feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction is irreplaceable. This gives you a stepping stone to face challenges that you didn’t have the confidence to do earlier. Use your fingers to play the guitar and get a shot in the arm! Try guitar classes for your introverted child. You just might not recognise him/her. 🙂
6. Spurs your creative juices
Many people listen to music when they are at work, or on the drive home, or while studying. It is because music lightens the mood, releasing a happy hormone – dopamine. It keeps you in touch with your softer feelings, and makes you more creative and productive. When listening to music makes you feel this good, think how it will be if you go one step further and learn to play, create, and compose!
When you create your own tunes, riffs, and songs, you feel tremendously upbeat and creative. Those positive emotions are a reward in themselves. So, don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind feeling. Let your creative buds blossom into song. You can even test yourself. After you play the guitar, try to draw or paint. You never know how much of your creative juices will spill over to these pursuits!
7. Makes you a global citizen
You can play a variety of genres with the guitar right from folk and country music to film music, contemporary, jazz, and rock. Learning a bit of each form of music helps understand the diverse cultures and traditions within India and around the world. Getting introduced early on to the rich diversity around helps children feel at home with differences, leading to an accepting, respectful, and united world. This is the order of the day – global citizenship.
Guitar: The most accommodating instrument
The guitar is one of the most versatile instruments. You can play it as a solo instrument or as an accompaniment. It matches most genres and is also able to adjust comfortably with other instruments. If you would like to get to know this popular instrument more, here’s your beginner’s guide to learning the guitar.
Guitar classes near me
Looking for guitar classes? Learn the guitar at SaPa from educators who are also performers – the friendliest and most creative destination for music!
