This tutorial is for the electric guitar beginner who wants to skip learning to play chords on a nylon string guitar and go straight to the rock 'n' roll. If your musical tastes tend towards jazz, rock or metal, then you will probably want to start learning on a six-string electric. Beginner models are not expensive but you will have to take into account the cost of an amplifier.
When it comes to buying an instrument, beginner guitar players need to stay away from the bargain basement guitars you can buy from department stores. Go to a music store to buy an electric guitar so you do not end up with inferior hardware and electrical components.
If you are limited by the amount of money you can spend on an electric guitar beginner model, look for the Squier brand. They are generally adequate as far as components and construction go and they are modelled on the Fender Strat that is so popular amongst electric guitar players.
Set up your guitar in the space you intend to use for practice so that it is ready for every opportunity to play. If you do not have enough power outlets in your room so that your amp can be plugged in all the time, get yourself a powerboard. As you get into a practice routine, you will realize that there are plenty of distractions to take you away from focused practice time, so eliminating having to set up your guitar will be a great start.
Your practice time should be at least half an hour a day, especially in the beginning. As an electric guitar beginner you will need to acquire the muscular habits involved in getting the correct posture for guitar practice as well as building up the callouses on your fingertips. During the process of toughening up your fingers you will need to be careful because the steel strings of an electric guitar can have a tendency to slice your fingers which might mean you will have to take a break from playing while they heal.
As an electric guitar beginner, your posture will need to get some work but bear in mind that all adjustments to how you sit, stand or hold the guitar will need to be accompanied by efforts at relaxing your body, otherwise any self imposed rigidity will be bad for your guitar playing. The main thing is to keep your back straight. That's where your arms and hands will work from. The way to keep your back straight without forcing it is to lean forward a little, and don't slump. If you practice for half an hour a day this will be enough time for your body to get into the habits of relaxed guitar playing.
