Jimi Hendrix, the renowned Seattle-born guitarist, started learning how to play guitar at 15, absorbing licks and chords from trained local guitarists and practicing songs he heard on the radio.
Jimi Hendrix started his guitar journey at the age of 15 when his father got him an acoustic guitar. He didn't have formal music training, but he honed his skills by pick up licks and chords from trained guitarists in the Seattle area. Hendrix would listen to songs on the radio and attempt to play them by ear, gradually developing his iconic guitar technique. Besides these, his dedication was unmatched, practicing for up to 12 hours a day. This self-guided and relentless practice led to Hendrix becoming one of the most influential guitarists in rock music history.
How To Play Guitar According To Jimi Hendrix
As a dedicated guitarist just like Hendrix, I understand the burning question in your mind, "How did Jimi Hendrix learn guitar?" The seemingly mystical skills of Hendrix didn't come out of nowhere. The key to his feats was relentless practice and an insatiable thirst for musical exploration.
Hendrix's very first instrument was an inexpensive Danelectro Shorthorn, known as "Betty Jean", named after his high school girlfriend. His experimentation of sound on this guitar laid the foundation for his extraordinary guitar skills and unmatched grip over the melody and rhythm.
Hours of Practice
Hendrix was no stranger to a hard day's work. His practice sessions consisted of a jaw-dropping 8 to 12 hours every day, honing his style, learning new scales, and experimenting with new methods of creating sounds. This goes to show that even if you're armed with the best techniques or the most expensive guitar, there are no shortcuts to getting around genuine practice time.
If you're keen to follow in Hendrix's footsteps, investing time in practice is crucial. For systematic and proper learning, you might consider using Fretello PRO, a modern and effective digital tool designed to aid in guitar learning, regardless of your current skill level.
Learning From Others
Learning didn't stop at practice for Hendrix. He learned from other guitarists in the Seattle area, picking up their licks and chords. Just like Hendrix, there's much to gain in learning from others who are more advanced in their guitar journey. Listen to different styles, attend concerts, and if possible, interact with those musicians who inspire you.
There are many guitarists to gain inspiration from. Take Elizabeth Cotten, she started playing a homemade banjo at the tender age of 7 and created a unique playing style by inverting the banjo. Her song, "Freight Train", a masterwork, was composed when she was only 12 years old. Similar examples of dedication and innovation can be found in the stories of well-known guitarists such as Joni Mitchell and Anne Clark (St. Vincent), who also had unique journeys in learning and mastering the guitar.
Experimentation is the Key
Hendrix was a pioneer in experimenting with his guitar and the sounds he could coax out of it. He played unorthodox methods, inverting his strings, and operating various effect pedals to create a unique sound.
Let's take St. Vincent, real-name Anne Clark. She began playing the guitar at 12 and constantly experiments with sound through different effect pedals. It’s this stove of creativity that pushes the envelope and gives birth to entirely new sounds.
Overcoming Obstacles
Like all of us, Hendrix faced obstacles in his journey. He started playing on a one-string ukulele. Overcoming obstacles is part and parcel of any learning journey. Joni Mitchell had an unfortunate experience when her guitar was damaged on an airline flight and later stolen at an airport. Dealing with a physical health condition, Joni had to learn to play guitar twice in her lifetime.
The Bottom Line
To learn guitar like Hendrix, practice relentlessly, learn from others, continuously experiment, and be prepared to overcome obstacles. These were the keys to success for not just Hendrix, but most top guitarists. Remember, the road to mastery is seldom smooth but always rewarding.
Key Takeaways:
- Jimi Hendrix began his guitar journey at the age of 15 and mastered it in a 12-year span.
- It’s been documented that Hendrix used to practice on a Danelectro Shorthorn guitar that he nicknamed “Betty Jean”.
- Hendrix developed his skills by consistently practicing music for 8-12 hours a day, which significantly contributed to his mastery of the instrument.
- His dedication and commitment to the guitar led him to create innovative sounds, which had a major influence on music history.
- Before owning a guitar, it’s suggested that Hendrix learned to play using a one-string ukulele, demonstrating his resourcefulness and passion for music.
- If you’re considering taking up the guitar as a hobby or profession, like Hendrix did, you can use digital tools such as Fretello PRO to expedite your learning journey.
- By looking into Hendrix’s practice routine and mindset towards music, one can better appreciate his massive contribution to the world of music and gain inspiration for their own learning process.
Jimi Hendrix’s 22 Greatest Guitar Techniques!
Related Questions
How long did it take for Jimi Hendrix to learn guitar?
In an incredibly short span of four years, starting from September 1966, Jimi Hendrix transformed himself into the most unforgettable figure in the world of rock guitar – and he did this without ever taking a single formal lesson or learning to read music. No textbooks. No sheet music. Hendrix traded the traditional road of structured learning for a freestyle approach, one that relied heavily on his instinctive connection with the guitar and his understanding of how music made him feel. It's a testament to his raw talent that he managed to achieve his iconic status in such a short time span.
How did Jimi Hendrix learn guitar so fast?
His quick ascent to mastery was a result of an intense dedication and passion for his craft. While Hendrix did pick up some chords and licks from fellow guitarists around Seattle, his real education began in his home, sitting by the radio. As he listened to his favorite songs, he would play along, gradually recognizing and replicating the guitar parts by ear. His pace of learning accelerated because of sheer hard work. It was reported that he practiced between 8 to 12 hours a day, channeling his every waking moment to the guitar.
Did Jimi Hendrix learn guitar theory?
While it's true that Jimi Hendrix never formally received music theory education, it isn't accurate to say that he didn't understand or apply theoretical knowledge to his work. He may not have labeled his techniques with the same names you'd find in a theory textbook, but his music exhibited a variety of complex harmonic and rhythmic concepts, which he learned through practical application. It was a more intuitive, less academic study, but it certainly equates to having a strong grasp on music theory.
How did Jimi Hendrix get into guitar?
Jimi Hendrix's journey into the world of guitar began in 1957, when he was just fifteen years old and his father gifted him his first acoustic guitar with a price tag of only $5. Prior to that, he had been dabbling with a one-string ukulele. But the moment he held that guitar, he shifted to high gear, and his aspiration to become a guitar virtuoso began in earnest. Thus, the acquisition of that guitar marked the true beginning of his life as a guitarist.