If you have decided that you are ready to graduate from playing Rock Band to playing a real electric guitar, you have come to the right place. This page will give you valuable tips and insights into how to play the electric guitar for beginners.

If you are already experienced with an acoustic guitar, you'll have a head-start. If not, don't despair. Learning to play on an electric does have its advantages, not the least of which is that the strings are looser and easier to press against the fret board with the tips of your fingers. In other ways, however, an electric guitar is more complicated: for example, you'll need to buy additional gear, like an amplifier and--for the sake of your neighbors--a decent set of headphones.

Learning to play the electric guitar should be a fun and exciting experience. If you follow a few simple steps to get started, you will be rocking out in no time.

Choosing the perfect guitar is easy if you are prepared for the process.

1. Know your budget.
   1. Don't forget to factor in not only the guitar itself, but the amp, the straps, the pedals, other accessories and a hard carrying case to protect your new instrument.
2. Know if you want to buy a new or used electric guitar.
3. Know the different pickups, the electronic part in the guitar that send the string vibrations to your amplifier.
   1. Single coil pickups have a sharper, more distinct sound and are used by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Brad Paisley.
   2. Humbucker pickups have a larger and more warm sound. They are favored by Jimmy Page and most metal musicians.
4. Know your amp options.
   1. Solid state amps are less expensive than tube amps, though tube amps produce a warmer tone.
   2. You will want an amp with both clean and gain channels to allow you to make a wider variety of sound.
   3. You will not need more than a 50-watt amp to get started.
5. Understand that you will need to make several trips to one or many guitar stores.
   1. You want to find an instrument that both feels right and sounds right to you.
   2. Try out anything and everything your local guitar stores have in stock. Try them with a variety of different amps. You want to be certain that this is the electric guitar for you.

While many players of self-taught, many others have had some formal instruction. Most likely, you'll do a little of each, but it helps to have a game plan when you begin.

1. If you choose to begin by teaching yourself, there are a number of resources available to you.
   1. Read How to Play Guitar for Newbies
   2. Buy some beginning books from your local guitar or music store.
   3. Search online for "how to play guitar videos"--video instruction can enrich the self-teaching process.
2. If you prefer to seek professional instruction, there are resources available both online and off.
   1. For live face-to-face instruction, ask your local guitar store for recommendations, as well as talk to friends or family members who already play.
   2. For online instruction, search "online guitar lessons"--the results will include live instruction via video conferencing.
3. If money is an issue, see How To Find Free Guitar Lessons

Creativity is key, but it will only get you so far in learning to play the electric guitar. If you want to play well, you will have to practice, and practice regularly.

1. Learn the scales, and play them over and over until you can run through them with speed and accuracy.
2. Learn and the chords, and practice them as often as possible.
3. Practice your power-chords, which are the streamlined chords used most frequently in rock.
4. Listen to lots of music, and play along!

Playing electric guitar is an exciting and rewarding endeavor. Once you have your instrument, just be sure to learn the basics and practice, practice, practice!