"Learn to play that guitar" figures on most people’s resolutions: who doesn’t want to pick up a guitar and strum it effortlessly?

And why wouldn’t you? The guitar is versatile – used in a variety of styles, from classical to rock’n’roll. It’s portable – carry it around with you to a picnic or to work with no hassles! And let’s face it, the guitar is fun.

Learning guitar can be a wonderfully rewarding experience, but it can get tough and confusing at first. Here’re some tips to help you become a good guitar player.

1. Get your fundamentals straight. Learning a new instrument is like learning a new language – and so you begin with the alphabet! The basics of playing guitar are important if you want to build a solid foundation. Some must-knows:

a. Names of the strings: From top to bottom, the guitar strings correspond to the notes E, A, D, G, B, and E. This order can be memorized using this mnemonic: Eat All Day Get Big Easy.

b. Tuning: Even if you’re playing the right notes, you can sound terrible if your strings are not tuned correctly. It’s a good idea to purchase an electronic tuner – or you can tune with the help of another instrument (such as a keyboard).

c. Chords: Some easy chords to begin with are G, A, D and E minor. Try these chords out and practice until you’re comfortable with the fingering.

d. Reading tabs: Knowing how to read tabs – notation using the six guitar strings - will open up thousands of possibilities. There are lots of tabs out there on the internet, and playing your favourite song is really easy once you learn how to learn tabla.

e. Rhythm: This is an important component of playing music: Try practicing with a metronome if you’re having trouble with rhythm and beats.

2. Staying motivated. You’re probably thinking "wow, that sounds like way too much to do". You’re right – it can be overwhelming to start at the bottom. But just stick at it and keep yourself motivated – and within a few practices you’ll notice you’re getting better. Also, don’t give up early on: after you successfully cross the first two months, we guarantee you won’t stop!

3. Practice. This is one of the unavoidable truths about music: you have to practice to get better. It’s as simple as that, really: as little as half an hour a day can make a sizeable difference to your guitar lesson if you practice with dedication. Practice – and not "talent" – is the key to success. Promise yourself that you will play for a while before going to bed each day. And make sure you practice a little each day and not just for one long chunk of time in a week. You’ll see the difference soon!

Once you start getting comfortable with the guitar and have covered all the basics, here’re some more tips for you to grow as a guitarist.

4. Work stuff out on your own. Yes, we know we mentioned getting tabs off the internet in #1 – but there’s nothing like working notes out on your own. Sit down with your headphones and figure out a melody line – or even the chords, if you’re confident. It’ll help you to develop an ear for music, besides making you less dependent on tabs!

5. Explore different styles. There’s a lot of music out there – blues, classical, jazz, rock’n’roll – and each of these styles has a charm of its own. Find out what you like playing, so you can come into your own. Some great guitarists have come out of different genres – BB King and Eric Clapton are blues guitarists, Joe Satriani plays rock, Joni Mitchell is a folk guitarist. Listening to a variety of music really helps you develop your own taste and a feel for music in general.

6. Experiment! Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on things! Try improvising and putting personal touches to songs you know well. This will help you develop a distinctive style.

We’re sure these tips will help you become a good guitarist. Now go pick up that guitar – and happy guitaring!