It’s a wonderful feeling to play in your first guitar band. Equally, recalling your first performance can be painful or very pleasant. Mine was thankfully ok! If you are starting off in your first band, some of the many hours I’ve spent rehearsing in earlier bands, will hopefully prove to be helpful advice.

The first thing I recall about joining my first band was embarrassment! Not because I couldn’t play guitar, it was because I lived the furthest away and had to get lifts off my dad. Not cool, especially as I was fifteen at the time.

When you first join a guitar band, rehearsals (or excuses to get wasted!) usually get organized in a band members garage or spare room. Because of the noise a new guitar band rehearsal makes, this can sometimes cause a number of problems with er, well… everybody! Therefore, I would advise that when you join your first band, you seriously consider a low cost, local, sound proofed rehearsal studio/facility.

The cost of the studio facility can be split between the guitar band members. Most studios, (depending where exactly you live in the world) cost the price of a beer each for approx 2-3 hours hire and will have a PA set up already. A PA is basically a mixer, an amp and two raised speakers and mikes that the vocals go through mainly, but sometimes everything gets amplified through!

Backline is mostly included with rehearsal space hire. This is a mixture of sometimes older, guitar combo’s, a bass amp and a guitar stack that often come included with the rehearsal room. When you start off rehearsing with a guitar band, the economics favor using a rehearsal studio, as opposed to buying a load of costly sound equipment, that if you decide to take up the bass clarinet in 6 months from now, you will no longer need!

When you finally do rehearse, the audio balance is everything. If the drummer can’t hear the bass player because the guitarist is drowning out the singer who can’t hear the PA because the drummer is too loud etc. You get the idea – don’t you!?

At your first rehearsal, please remember two incredibly important bits of advice which you really must do. In musical terms this advice is the equivalent of not forgetting your passport before you reach the airport!

Number one is to tune your guitars – easy! And number two is make sure everyone can hear everyone else! This normally means you need to keep a careful eye on your amplifier and PA levels thought your session, but believe me, it will get you through your first rehearsal as if you’ve been doing it for years!

Paul Sadler is an accomplished guitarist. Visit his site to help you learn how to play guitar. Also, find classic electric guitars and amps for sale and useful advice.

Maintaining your interest in the guitar and regular practice will help you achieve success in learning to play well.

The first and most important thing to realise when starting off learning guitar, is that you are at the beginning of an amazing journey. Stay with it and you will get there. Like most journeys that are worthwhile it may take a bit of time!

Some people get frustrated by not being able to pick up the guitar, learn guitar chords quickly and play the complete Beatles catalog, (or whoever you’re into), after only a week of getting their first instrument.

The truth is even The Beatles – John Lennon only had four strings on his guitar when learning to play, until George Harrison told him he was missing two! It didn’t stop him playing or learning guitar to go on to greater things on his journey!

It will take you time to get your fingers familiar with the shape of guitar chords. The first thing most people do when attempting to learn guitar chords is catch other strings with a finger, while pressing down. The other thing is pressing your fingers down hard enough to hear the notes clearly of the chord you’re playing.

Putting in some extra effort will move you quickly past any problem with learning your instrument. You are not alone. The worlds greatest guitar players all had to start off somewhere!

Making the right decision on the purchase of your first guitar in very important. A Gibson Les Paul deluxe with gold plated machine heads is a fantastic instrument to own, but probably a little unnecessary if you are just starting learning to play the guitar.

Many newbie guitarists before they buy anything, should first decide what kind of guitar style they enjoy and therefore want to learn. Do a bit of research into this first as there will be a cost consideration on what you eventually decide.

For instance, if you want to become the next Jimi Hendrix – remember! Once you have chosen and bought your first electric guitar, you will still need a few hundred extra for the guitar amp and cab, or combo, so you can actually hear what your version of Purple Haze really sounds like!

Paul Sadler is an accomplished guitarist and producer. His site will help you learn how to play guitar. You will find cool and classic electric guitars for sale and useful advice.