Why You Should Play Guitar with Others

Once you start learning some chords it’s time to take your playing to the next level by jamming with other players. It might seem like an impossible thing to do as a beginner–play in front of anyone, much less WITH someone.

But if you want to accelerate your playing, it might be worth considering sooner rather than later. After all, music is meant to be heard, right?

So get out there and jam now.

Here's why it helps:

Learn New Tricks

No two people play the same. Other guitarists might play chords a different way. Maybe they have a cool riff or technique to teach you or a new technique you’ve never seen before.

Get Feedback

Playing in a group lets you know what you’re good at and what your weaknesses are.

Learn How to Listen

The most critical skill when playing in a group is listening. It helps you figure out what your role is and what others are playing.

Build Confidence

First, you aren’t playing alone, so mistakes don’t seem so glaring. But mistakes or not, the sense of accomplishment makes you want to do it again. All those stories about famous players that just started playing in bands and never looked back start to make sense.

Stay Motivated

Knowing that you have a “gig” to prepare for will focus your efforts faster than anything else you do. Practice becomes more than drills, it’s about setting a goal and sticking to it. You can’t let the band down!

Remember, playing guitar is supposed to be fun! The best place to do that is in a group, making awesome music together. So don’t be afraid to step out and apply what you’ve been learning by playing with other guitarists or starting a band.

Want to learn a good practice technique for playing rhythm guitar? Check out this video about 8th-note strumming. And if you're not a member of Fender Play, click here for a free trial.