I've been asked lots lately for tips on learning the guitar, so I thought I'd write a few of them here - probably not as spiritually insightful as other blog topics in the past, but if it assists others to worship the Lord with a new song, I'm in!

So here are some very random tips for those of you learning to play the guitar (these are in no particular order):

1. Get a good beginners' guitar book - one that will tell you everything from how to hold the guitar to what chords are in a certain key. (I've heard that "Guitar for Dummies" is excellent, especially if you don't have a musical background). A web site that is also helpful for simply learning chords is www.chordfind.com/guitar/ .

2. Cut your fingernails (sorry ladies!). And yes, the intense pain that you experience in your fingertips at first will eventually go away - keep practicing.

3. Keep practicing! Try to practice at least 15 minutes a day - less if your fingers are still threatening to bleed! Regular daily practice, even of short intervals, will do far greater things for building your skill than an hour only once per week.

4. Play with someone a bit better than you are, especially to pick up on strum patterns. It will also push you to be just a little better than you are.

5. Never leave your guitar in the sun, a hot car, or too near a heat register. They are made of wood and glue, hence there is a danger of warping the wood and melting the glue. Neither are particularly pretty options. Try to avoid massive tempurature changes, too - very cold to very hot and vice versa - this stresses out the wood as it expands and contracts, and can cause splits in the wood, effectively devaluing your guitar to zero (and making it sound terrible).

6. Find a buddy who is also learning the instrument and learn together - it will spur you on to continue to practice and you can share the frustrating moments together without giving up.

7. Don't neglect learning a little music theory - it will eventually stand you in good stead when needing to change keys or know what key in which you are playing.

8. Don't fudge your bar chords!! (Dave MacP.....) :) They do get easier - try them on a different guitar if you're stumped, your guitar may need the action fixed on it, which makes bar chords pretty tough. (The action is the distance between the strings and the fretboard - too much space and you have to push your fingers down way too hard. Too little space and your strings will buzz on the frets.)

9. Consider taking half a dozen 1/2 hour lessons - this will give you a really good foundation on which to build your skill and won't cost too much. Guitar teachers are usually less expensive than other instruments, and can be found in your local paper, on the teachers' bulletin board at your music store (Tom Lee Music or Long and McQuade), or sometimes even on the church bulletin board.

10. Never forget that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, including play the guitar. Ask Him to assist you in your learning, and use your skills to praise His name. And never forget once you've learned how to play that He helped you and and gave you not only the skill to play, but also the incredible gift of music in all its beauty. It was created to bring Him an offering of praise fit for a King.

Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones; praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy. (Psalm 33:1-3)

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)