Book private guitar lessons in Pittsburgh

Guitar Through the Ages

Evidence suggests that the guitar has a long-standing history through the ages, with the oldest preserved instrument said to have been the possession of an Egyptian musician by the name of Harmose, who was buried with his three-stringed 'tanbur'.

Today, you will most commonly find that the instrument has six strings, these are E (top), A, D, G, B, E (bottom); although, don't be misconstrued.

Many guitars in the market have less than six strings, whereas some have more; take the Rickenbacker 360 12 string guitar, famously played by the late Beatle George Harrison, this being one of the many high-profile examples.

A wealth of respected innovators and engineers have helped to enhance the effectiveness and sound of the instrument.

Let's take a look at Leo Fender. One of the most recognizable makes of guitar since the 20th Century, (Fender guitars), the musical engineer is accredited for mass-producing the first solid-body electric guitar.

It has been said that rock and roll as a musical genre could not be possible without Fender's innovation, and some of his popular creations include:

- The Telecaster: a mainstay for rhythm guitarists across multiple genres.

- The Stratocaster: a flexible and lightweight electrical guitar favored by lead players, from Eric Clapton to Jimi Hendrix.

- The Precision Bass: introduced onto the market in 1950, it was said to bring a new sound and flexibility to the backdrop of a band's rhythm section.

In light of ongoing demand and popularity for both the electric and acoustic guitar, much has evolved over the last 70 years.

Various materials and production techniques have been explored to continue the enhancement and overall quality of live and recorded sound.

The Pittsburgh Music Scene

Pittsburgh, once commonly named the Iron City by the locals, has always boasted a selection of established artists that have in varying capacities found success in the world of music.

Modern-day names from Christina Aguilera, Wiz Khalifa to the late Mac Miller; the city has always been a great producer of musical talent.

So, what about the guitarists?

Once regarded as a child prodigy and being heavily influential within the soul-jazz scene during the 1960s, George Benson became more of a prominent figure when embarking upon a solo career, writing hit singles such as Turn Your Love Around and Give Me The Night, both released in the early 1980s.

With a selection of specialist music academies and schools across the city, those deriving from the Pittsburgh area have an abundance of opportunities to follow their passions in music.

Learning the Guitar

Is it easy?

In truth, nothing is. Especially if you are learning an instrument in the hope of reaching an expertly level.

Through the development of technology, there has become a series of new ways for beginners to begin developing their playing technique.

Conventionally, musical students were encouraged to develop an in-depth understanding of musical theory.

Aspiring guitarists are encouraged to learn the major, minor, pentatonic and chromatic scales and in doing so, they will form a stronger understanding of the various chordal structures, in turn making them a more effective player.

Combining musical theory with regular practice is imperative. Concentrating solely on one and not the other can tarnish a player's development. Naturally, beginners are excited to play and one of the main stumbling blocks for effective progression is when player's don't take enough interest in the theoretical side.

Guitar tab notation is another way in which students can learn new chords.

Tablature, a form of sheet music, is designed for guitarists and bassists to learn new chords at a quicker rate and is a common approach for new starters since the turn of the 21st Century.

 The Benefits of Hiring a Guitar Tutor

A great teacher will provide their students with a strong basis of understanding in alignment with their experience level and their long and short-term learning ambitions.

However, let's look at this from a different angle. What are the disadvantages of not hiring a guitar tutor?

Firstly, learning independently can present a common issue, especially amongst beginners, and that is playing beyond one's current ability.

It is, unfortunately, a common habit with guitarists, and this is why music tutors have always been a popular option amongst aspiring musicians.

A decent tutor will structure your learning, ensuring new steps are taken when they assess from their professional perspective, when it is time for the student to move on.

Naturally, beginners will pick up on some bad habits along their learning journey, and this occurs regardless of instrument, whether that be the piano to the double bass, harp to the oboe.

An experienced music tutor will spot the less desirable habits and will work with you in ensuring they don't become commonplace.

'Unlearning' bad habits that have been engrained in students playing style for a longer period makes it much more of a challenge for both tutor and student.

Therefore, it is important that a suitable tutor is contacted from the offset.

 Finding a Guitar Mentor in Pittsburgh

The guitar, along with the piano/keys, is considered to be the world's most popular instrument.

Therefore, in a culturally diverse city with over 300,000 occupants, aspiring guitarists have a wealth of specialist guitar tutors to choose from.

Ranging from $15-$45 per hour, a selection of these tutors can be found directly on the Superprof website.

Each of the music tutors advertises their services online and specify on their profiles their teaching and musical experience, as well as any particular specializations and genre preferences they may have.

Are you a novice player with a few years of experience, looking to enhance your fingerpicking style with the ambition of performing as a solo artist? 

Or, are you instead of an absolute beginner, looking to grasp the very basic chords in the hope of joining a rock band as a rhythm guitarist? 

Prior to reaching out to prospective tutors, establishing your motivations as well as your experience level is paramount.

Your tutor's experience and stylistic approach to guitar playing must reflect such personal motivations to ensure the support you receive is reflective of your ambitions.