Stringed instruments go way back in history. From the first time someone figured out you could get a nifty sound out of a stretched out bit of sheep's gut, people began fashioning all sorts of stringed instruments. Almost every nationality has a variety of instruments that can be bowed, plucked, struck, or strummed.

A complete list numbers in the hundreds, ranging from the very simple Kleenex box guitars of the preschool crowd to the most perfectly crafted violin. Because of rock music, the string instrument most people want to play today is the guitar.

Whether acoustic or electric, learning the guitar means learning to read guitar tablature. This is a musical notation designed for string instruments over five hundred years ago. It was thought up as a sort of musical shorthand to make it more convenient to teach chords and pass along songs. Musicians still use it for the same reason. It is used world wide and simple to comprehend because, unlike traditional music notation, guitar tabs accurately tell you where to put your fingers for each chord.

Learning chords can often be mastered alone, with practice. It takes some time, and your fingertips will be very sore until they become callused, but if you want to move ahead in your music, you have to pay your dues! Of course, playing guitar is way more than just memorizing chords. There are all sorts of techniques and skills to master, and there everyone should find some help.

One awesome source is Guitar World. The online site has all you could ever need to get you playing like a pro. There are guitar tabs to hundreds of songs from a multitude of artists posted by both users and professional musicians. You can take advantage of lessons online to learn how to perfect your skills, and there are interesting articles and videos, too. Anyone with a passion for rock guitar should see this site.