Ive met a countless number of people who say theyd like to learn how to play the guitar but actually never went on to learn. These are the ones who actually have a dusty guitar case lying around the house or started taking beginner guitar lessons that they discontinued for one reason or another.

Are you one of them? If so, why did you stop? Chances are, like many others, the more pressing concerns of your life took over and learning how to play the guitar had to take a back seat.

Frankly, learning to play the guitar the traditional way (i.e., with an instructor, through lessons) is difficult to do, especially if theres a lot going on in your life. However, there are many other options. For example, you may choose to take lessons via the internet or purchase a DVD or books on how to play the guitar. And dont worry if you dont know how to read music, because these options will teach you how to read tablature, which is easier to learn than reading music.

Whatever option you choose, the basics remain the same. Youll have to start out by learning about picks and tuners, about the right way to hold the guitar and pick properly, about how to tune the guitar so that it sounds right. This may seem to be too basic to some people, but the fact is that there are others who struggle with even these basics and could benefit from a few pointers. It would also help if they took their first lessons at home so that the embarrassment factor is low. Aside from the above, beginners are also taught about the basic scales and chord formations too, as well as basic music theory. These are things that even accomplished musicians refer back to.

The main thing to remember is to establish a firm foundation, because this gives you something solid to build on. Once you learn the basics, its a lot easier to move forward. It doesnt matter if you decide to learn online, from a DVD, or from more traditional means, learning the basics is key. Bear in mind that the guitar is one of the easiest instruments to learn (although it sometimes doesnt seem that way) and is very versatile for most types of music. Dont give up on that dream just because you cant find the time. Just think, after only a few lessons, youll be wowing all your family and friends with your musical prowess on the guitar.