If you are getting frustrated while trying to learn to play guitar then you may be thinking about smashing it into something just like a sledgehammer.  It’s easy to want to give up when you try to play the first few practice sessions and all you are left with is tired sore fingers and a ringing in your ears.  Almost every musician faces this obstacle at some point and it is those that overcome the temporary discomfort or the boredom from practicing the same piece over and over that become accomplished musicians.  So I present to you five reasons not to use your guitar as a sledgehammer!  :-)

1. It’s Really not That Difficult – Ok, I know it may seem like you will never play that first chord without the strings making an awful buzzing sound.  You may think that the scale, or lead riff, or barre chord that you are trying to get down is impossible for you but I guarantee you that it is not.  If you are just starting, just know that it only takes a couple of weeks of regular practice to build good calluses on your fingers and to pick up your first couple of simple songs.  If you have been learning for a while and have hit a wall then you should know that one day things will just snap and your fingers will start cooperating even on the most complicated song or guitar piece you are trying to play.

2. It Makes You Smarter – How would you like to improve the functionality of your brain while playing music rather than studying in books?  Not only do those who learn to play guitar or another instrument experience improvements in finger dexterity and the ability to decipher sounds more easily but they also have greater verbal capabilities and overall perform better academically.