When you think about the best guitar riffs of all time, you might think of AC/DC, Arctic Monkeys, or Chuck Berry. Songs like “Back in Black,” “Brainstorm,” and “Johnny B. Goode” are modern classics or traditional favorites for showing off your chops.
Another name that comes up frequently is Led Zeppelin. The iconic band has several hits that are standout masterpieces of audio bliss. Think of titles like “Rock and Roll,” “Kashmir,” or “Black Dog,” to get a feeling for the energy found in the band.
When you’re in a music store, a different Led Zeppelin title gets played all of the time. You might hear the riff in your head already. Written by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, “Stairway to Heaven” was ranked by Rolling Stone at #31 on the 500 best songs of all time.
If you try to play it at a guitar store, you’ll get a cringe, an eye roll, and a few clenched jaws. Some staff might even throw you out.
Why Can’t You Play Stairway to Heaven in Guitar Stores?
The trend of stopping players from riffing “Stairway to Heaven” in guitar stores started in the movie Wayne’s World. Mike Myers plays a terrible version in the film to avoid needing the rights to the music. The staff yells at him, “No Stairway – Denied!”
Led Zeppelin’s popularity in the 1970s and 1980s with this smash hit caused many guitar players to go into stores over the decades to try out some chords.
At first, the idea of playing “Stairway to Heaven” was more of a gimmick than anything. It was a way of saying, “Hey! I can play the guitar!”
If someone could play the riffs without error, the staff might sigh in annoyance. When you aren’t the best guitarist ever and try to play the song, the results may be much less appealing.
Although no one will technically stop you from playing “Stairway to Heaven” in a guitar store, the idea has become more of an etiquette issue than something problematic.
You won’t see signs telling you not to play it, but a serious musician will know the unwritten rules that the staff wants you to follow.
Why Does Everyone Play Stairway to Heaven?
Although urban legends suggest that “Stairway to Heaven” is one of the first songs that guitarists learn when they first pick up the instrument, that isn’t typically the case.
Most people like playing songs with simple chording, strumming, or plucking because it gives them a feel for the instrument.
Since you need an amp for anything other than an acoustic version of the song, you’ll pick out the strings to get an idea of the guitar’s response.
If you visit the average guitar store today, you’d be more likely to hear something from Nirvana, Metallica, or Green Day than the Led Zeppelin classic.
Even those songs could get annoying for someone who hears it all of the time.
Again, it comes down to how well you play under most circumstances. If you butcher the song, expect a staff member to come up to tell you that they can’t play it.
The approach will make it seem like a joke because the store doesn’t want to lose a customer, but there is a lot of truth in that statement.
Peer pressure also works. You might see all of the staff stand in a semi-circle around the customer until they stop. Most people are fairly relaxed about the experience.
That’s why shopping online for guitars, amps, and instrument accessories may be a better option for some players.
You don’t need to deal with the counter dudes or gals with a superior attitude, and some fantastic deals are sometimes available.
Anything you would buy from a guitar store is available online today.
How to Start Playing the Guitar
Although the guitar seems like it would be a complicated instrument, it’s relatively straightforward to learn how to play it.
No one is too old to start learning how to play. If you encounter someone who tells you otherwise, perhaps you could take them to a guitar store to play “Stairway to Heaven.”
There are no age restrictions that stop you from learning new skills. The goal is to have your guitar playing be an enjoyable experience.
Have fun with it, no matter what genre, band, or style you prefer!
Although younger beginners pick up the chords, notes, and patterns a little faster, that shouldn’t stop you from learning.
Older adults are more likely to practice, offsetting the potential disadvantages faced with this skill.
Step #1: Find Your Instruction Preference
Instructors are available online, at guitar stores, and through private tutors. You can also choose to follow videos that teach you the basics of playing this instrument.
If you prefer games, Rocksmith provides a PC and console option that lets you learn the fundamentals while trying to set new high scores.
Some beginners do better when working in a group situation.
Once you find your comfort zone, you’re ready to start the next step of your guitar-playing journey.
Step #2: Choose Your Guitar
You can select an electric, bass, or acoustic guitar to start playing. Some people prefer to begin with a ukulele or a mandolin before transitioning to their preferred instruments.
If you select an electric guitar, the thinner strings require less strength to create sounds.
Some people may go this route because the instrument’s design offers a smaller neck, providing a better grip for those with a shorter reach.
Acoustic guitars are useful if you don’t want the hassle of bringing an amp to each session. The chords and plucking are typically the same unless you tune the instrument differently.
If you want fewer strings to remember, try the bass guitar instead. The standard design uses four instead of six, reducing the hand positions needed to create songs.
Most bands use individual notes instead of chords from this instrument, adding even more to the ease of learning how to play.
Step #3: Select Your Strings
The best strings for learning how to play the guitar are a lighter gauge. That means they’re thinner than what you’d put on the instrument for a professional gig or a public performance. Tension is not your friend when you start this journey.
When you shop online or stop at a guitar store, ask about getting nines, tens, or elevens.
That refers to the string gauge being sold. The first two apply to electric guitars, while the final one is for an acoustic instrument.
Stainless steel strings are the best choice for an electric guitar. Although the sound can be brighter than you may prefer, they’re less prone to wear. Nickel ones are another choice if you choose to work on your articulation.
Acoustic guitars benefit from a phosphor bronze string. When you learn strumming, the chords come out mellow and warm.
If you decide to pluck instead, an 80/20 bronze package will produce excellent results.
Step #4: Grab Your Additional Equipment
When you start learning how to play the guitar, the accessories you select can enhance or detract from your overall experience.
Picks are the first item to review. With several materials, shapes, thicknesses, and sizes out there, it can be a challenge to know what you prefer using.
Try to stick with plastic ones that fit snuggly in your fingers when your first start to become familiar with the process.
Straps are another essential item for a guitar. It stabilizes the instrument when you stand up to play.
You’ll need one that’s at least two-inches wide to provide enough support. Having a neoprene backing for comfort and placement is also helpful because it reduces neck, shoulder, and back pain.
Some acoustic guitars need you to install a strap button to use this accessory.
If you purchase an electric guitar or an acoustic with an output, invest in the best cable, you can afford. It should be less than 18 feet to reduce signal loss and handling noise.
You’ll also want a tuner. Although some websites can help you tune the guitar, you might play somewhere without your mobile device or a data connection.
Step #5: Keep Practicing!
Most beginners remark how painful it can be to start playing the guitar. You’ll notice abrasions on your fingertips from pressing the strings. Some people may have weaker muscles that cause their hands to ache after a session.
Those issues go away in 1-2 weeks with about one hour of practice each day. The best way to get rid of the discomfort is to keep pushing forward.
Lighter strings can lower the action you get with strumming, which can help a lot with the pain that sometimes develops.
You can also decline the distance between the strings and the fretboard to reduce the strength needed for each press.
The strangest sensation comes after you start figuring out how to play the guitar. Your fingertips start developing calluses that can reduce some of the feelings you get in your hand.
How to Be Successful When Playing the Guitar for the First Time
When you want to learn how to play the guitar, the first step should be to learn your scales.
If you can understand what notes get played with different chords to create melodies, you’ll be on the fast-track to composing your own songs quickly.
Some people find that scrutinizing notes and practicing chords and scales is boring and tedious. If you prefer to learn how to play by getting music from a favorite song, do it! Playing the guitar should be a fun experience.
When playing the guitar is fun, you’ll be more likely to keep practicing. If you keep at it for a couple of months, your skills will start progressing to the point where you can start playing some of your favorite tunes.
At some point, you’ll want to upgrade your guitar. When you go to your favorite store to pick up an instrument, we’ll leave it up to you as to whether or not you decide to riff “Stairway to Heaven.”