Issue 2, april 2019
L&E | pg4
MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Lifestyle & Entertainment Learning to play without having to pay
Also, when you see an external accurate. issue with your guitar, it is best to fix it yourself. So invest in a pair of
lifestyle & entertainment | A simple guide for learning wire cutters and screwdrivers. These how to play an instrument on a student budget. will enable you to freely cut strings JOHNATHAN MCGRATH-OSBORNE Playing an instrument is a great way daunting when you are far from home, to meet new people and discover new but this is by far the best way to learn. places, especially when at university.
Normally, you’ll be able to find
and adjust the bridge height without forking out unnecessary maintenance fees.
but there are also groups you can find
friends.
on websites such as MeetUp.
and busy schedules, learning an instrument can be perceived as a pipe dream to many.
3. Tuning I have kept this separate as it is an important aspect of playing.
However, with budget constraints
While it is fun to mess around
2. Maintenance While
instrument
maintenance
with different tunings, I recommend
varies between the various types, it keeping to standard tuning (EADGBE)
With this list of tips, you should can be a costly expense, especially
I would advise that, while it is important to have an understanding of music theory, formal sheet music when you are first learning (especially if you’re self-teaching) will cause
Having a mutual interest to bond over other musicians through university is a fantastic way to create lifelong
4. Sheet Music
while learning for the first time. This is
problems for your enjoyment. Guitar Tablature (Tabs for short) are a great way to learn the placement of fingers for chords in songs that you want to play, as it basically maps out the strings of the guitar and the number
of the fret you’ll need to finger. Where be able to take advantage of learning while you’re still only learning. For because learning the scales and chords guitar for pleasure in no time.
example, when learning to play guitar, in standard tuning makes it easier for sheet music expects you to understand there will often be strings that snap
1. Networking
and need replacing, or adjustments to you go to other tunings, you will hear
Possibly the most important aspect the bridge that need to be paid for. of playing guitar is networking with people.
you to spot mistakes so that when musical theory, tabs do not and will
For string breakages, don’t feel you
when they don’t sound quite right. Free tuning apps such as GuitarTuna
need to buy an entire new pack of are available on most smartphones
Actively finding groups of people strings. Instead remember the number but I would personally recommend who play provides you with a free
string you broke and most music investing in a physical chromatic
learning resource and a chance to shops will happily supply you with a tuner as you can plug these straight improve your skills. It may seem single string.
even provide a key to the symbols shown. The best free tabs are from Ultimate Guitar, a website which gives other musician free reign to see and contribute their own tabs to assist
into your guitar and they are far more learning.
