Are You Tone Deaf? Learn to Play Guitar, Even if You Are

Being tone deaf is more than a simple insult thrown in a karaoke bar; it is a real affliction that many people have - one that keeps individuals from being able to hear and distinguish different pitches in music, voice, or common sounds. It is relatively rare, but when it does occur, it should not stop someone from taking up a pursuit that they have always striven for such as playing the guitar.

Think of the masterpieces of one of the world's greatest piano virtuosos, Beethoven. At a very young age, while still a child, Beethoven lost most of his hearing in both ears. He did not stop playing the piano though. Rather, he learned to play by the vibrations of the key depression. If Beethoven could have crafted such masterpieces without ever hearing his own songs, it is quite possible for anyone to learn the guitar.

Someone who is tone deaf must learn to play the guitar in a different method from someone who is not. Rather than learning cords and tabs right away, you will need to specifically learn the tone and vibration of each note. Only when the differences between each strum and note are recognized can the tone deaf individual move on to play songs.

Try strumming the notes in a mirror to recognize the position and effect of each note or chord. It may take a while, but this will eventually lead to confidence in playing without any visual cues.

Various changes to the instrument can help as well. The inlay will need to be modified, adding lights to each of the positions where previously there are dots, diamonds, and squares. This associates a color or flash with each tone.

Additionally, the guitar can be connected to machinery that will record each note as it is strummed and compare it to the proper notes in the song, displaying the incorrectly played notes to make practice easier.