Musical Toronto

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So you want to learn to play guitar? Maybe you've got an old guitar stashed away in the closet. Perhaps you're considering buying a new one, or you'd like one of your kids to learn. Whatever it is, there are some important things you need to know before you get started.

I'm not going to tell you that learning how to play acoustic guitar is easy, but I do want to inspire you to do it. And also to let you know that it's not as difficult as you may think. But it takes preparation...

This article will give you what you need to get started on the right foot. I don't want you wasting time or giving up in frustration. And if any of the suggestions in this article give you reason for pause, then I'd recommend you not start learning guitar right now. It's like losing weight or quitting smoking... you have to really and truly want it.

This isn't about being the next Eric Clapton. It's about being able to play a few songs and to feel the satisfaction of making music with your own mind and body.

So what do you need to get started learning acoustic guitar? Most importantly you'll need the right guitar. That's not so obvious to many who are beginning. There are some things about guitars you need to know. We're talking about acoustic guitars and there are 2 types of acoustic guitars. One type is the standard American steel string classic "cowboy" style. The other is the "classical" Spanish guitar with nylon strings.

What style of music do you want to play? If it's standard songs like "House of the Rising Sun" or Beatles and classic rock tunes, a steel string is the best choice. If you want to play classical music then get the nylon string guitar.

The next consideration is what size and what price. If the guitar is for a child then you'll need a 3/4 size or even 1/2 size guitar. As an adult, a full size is great. But even the full scale guitars can vary somewhat in the size of the body. When you try guitars out at the store make sure you're comfortable with the size.

If you've already got a guitar in the attic, you'll still need to check it over. If you have a friend who knows about guitars, get them to see if it's playable. If not, you'll need to buy a new one. The good news? Nowadays good acoustic guitars are very affordable. They also usually come with a warranty and a free "set up" within the first year of purchase.

I also suggest getting light gauge strings put on your guitar. A lot of guitars leave the manufacturer with slightly heavier medium gauge strings. When you're beginning to learn acoustic guitar it may hurt your fingers a bit. Light gauge strings could make a big difference between success and failure. Just make certain that you feel comfortable pressing down on the strings. This is crucial. Try out as many guitars as you can. Come Back a few days later and try again. Then decide!

OK. Now you're at home. You've got a book with some chord diagrams to look at. You surf online and you're overwhelmed with all the information. I don't blame you! This may well be the most important point of the entire article. For now, I highly recommend learning only a handful of easy guitar chords. These chords are the following: C, A, G, E, D as well as A minor, E minor and D minor. D7 and A7 are also included in this grouping of easy guitar chords.

That's a grand total of 10 chords. Of course as you progress you'll discover other things to learn such as the infamous F chord. But for now, keep you focus on these easy guitar chords and you won't get frustrated.

One important tip that relates to the beginning of this article and the importance of having the right guitar is this. If you find the chords physically demanding, use a capo. The capo is a device that clamps onto the guitar to make the strings shorter. They're usually only a few bucks and it can make a big difference in the beginning. Oh yeah...and keep your nails trimmed.

It's entirely possible to teach yourself from the right books or online resources. Keep it simple for now. 10 easy guitar chords are all you need. Memorize the shapes and names of the chords. Do your best to get them sounding clear. Put the capo at the 2nd or 3rd fret if you need to. Once you have a couple of shapes memorized, try switching back and forth between them.

I know, I know...you have a busy life. Although I recommend keeping your guitar in a case overnight to protect it, a good idea is to get a guitar stand. That way you can leave your guitar out all day within easy reach to play a few chords. It only takes a minute. Also try practicing chords quietly while you unwind watching TV.

There's so much more to know than I can possibly cover in this article, but I'll leave you to make some discoveries on your own. You may even want to get a teacher at some point. Good luck, and I hope to follow this article up with another one that goes into a little more detail about how and what to practice. Hopefully I've inspired you to begin learning acoustic guitar on the right foot!

David Yeager has taught many thousands of guitar lessons over the past 15 years in his hometown of Toronto. This includes a lot of beginners!

He's also performed extensively as a rock guitarist, singer/songwriter and jazz guitarist. He graduated with an honors degree from the highly acclaimed Humber Jazz Program in Toronto and has several certificates from the Royal Conservatory of Music.

These days he really gets a kick out of being able to inspire others with guitar playing and working from home all day. 2 years ago he did a video guitar lesson for fun on YouTube that went viral. This inspired him to create his guitar lesson website http://www.free-guitar-lessons-online.com/.

Dave lives in Toronto with his scintillating wife and cat. He also enjoys fitness and the simple life.

Attractions in Toronto

If you are looking for a way to spend time in Toronto, the possibilities are endless. Toronto, the largest city in Canada, has many different museums, theatres, galleries, exhibits, musical venues, sporting events, and more. If you are interested in attending one of the many different festivals that Toronto offers, there is sure to be one to fit your interests.

Do you enjoy live theatre? There have been several Broadway theatrical hits that originated in Toronto, and there are many different theatrical venues to choose from, such as the historic Canon Theatre. This theatre has 2295 seats, with mezzanine, orchestra, and box seats. Or perhaps you’d prefer the more modern Princess of Wales Theatre? Theatres such as the Factory Theatre and Theatre Passe Muraille produce distinctly Canadian theatre and support local artists. The annual Toronto Fringe Festival, featuring plays by unknown or well-known artists in theatres across Toronto, is a great time to be in Toronto.

If you are more interested in live music, Toronto has been the home for many successful pop, rock, and hip hop artists. The Queen Street West area, part of the Entertainment District of Toronto is well known for its live music scene. Many acts play at venues such as The Opera House, Lee’s Palace, The Mod Club, and Kool Haus, whereas larger concerts are booked into places such as the Air Canada Centre, the Rogers Centre, and the Molson Amphitheatre. It is also a great idea to visit the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the annual Toronto International Art Fair for an exciting look at the arts of Toronto.

If you enjoy watching sports, Toronto has multiple sports venues for many different sports teams. The Toronto Argonauts (Canadian Football League), Toronto Maple Leafs (National Hockey League), Toronto Blue Jays (Major League Baseball), Toronto Raptors (National Basketball Association), Toronto Lynx (United Soccer Leagues First Division), Toronto Rock (National Lacrosse League), Toronto Marlies (American Hockey League), and the Toronto FC (Major League Soccer) are all major sports teams in Toronto. The major sporting venues in Toronto include the Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf Gardens, and the Rogers Centre.

And what about the food in Toronto? Because of Toronto’s diversity of cultures, the many different cuisines of the world are represented in its hundreds of restaurants. For example, the many distinct Chinatowns in the Greater Toronto Area offer authentic Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. The Danforth neighbourhood offers Greek cuisine, the Annex neighbourhood features Hungarian cuisine, Kensington Market offers, among others, Latin American cuisine, and the Little Portugal, Little Korea, Little India, and Little Italy neighbourhoods specialise in their respective cuisines.

No matter what your interests and what length of time you will be staying in Toronto, there is bound to be something to entertain you.

About the Author

For more information on this article or a Toronto downtown bed and breakfast, visit aSeatonDream.com

How long is We Will Rock You, musical in Toronto by Mirvish?

I'm looking for the length of the show as I have an infant and I need to know timelines. Thanks!

G'day ... from the attached article, it will close May 11 ...

Hope you get to see it ...

I wanna rock: 'Sound of Music' star embraces '80s jukebox musical
TORONTO - The cast of "Rock of Ages" is too young to have indulged in the overblown style of the '80s, so preparing for the Canadian premiere of the musical has given many of the actors their first taste of that decade's glam excess.

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