When playing/learning guitar, when do you play “chords” or strings within those chords?

Question

I don’t really understand how to play guitar or even how to approach learning.

Do you just memorize chords? When do you play individual strings instead of a full strum? Are certain notes and chords assigned to different keys?

It seems way above my head lol.

Help.

In: Other

Answer 1

I’M FIVE EXPLANATION

1. You memorize chords, learn how to fret those chords (do different poses with your left hand that go over the strings in different ways) and learn how to strum (actually make those fretted strings make a sound by hitting the strings with your right hand). You can pick any song and check out Tabs Ultimate Guitar and load up some chord diagrams to know what to do.
2. Strumming will produce a chord. Playing an individual string or “plucking” will produce a single note. A guitar chord is just a collection of six or less notes that play at the same time because you strummed all the strings at the same time.
3. If you wanna be basic, you strum chords and sing the lyrics. You just learn 4 or more poses with your left hand and pick up a few strumming patterns (arrangements or sequences of your right hand going up or down). This is fun if you’re a beginner but it gets boring.
4. Another way of playing the guitar at this point would be by plucking individual strings in a certain pattern while holding the chords. This patterned plucking is called an “arpeggio”. There are many kinds of arpeggio patterns just like there are many kinds of strumming patterns, but it makes playing the guitar sound more fun, makes it feel different, and you get the hang of it.
5. Later on, you learn to play single notes that form melodies so the guitar plays the part of your voice. Now, it’s not so boring and it’s like the guitar has a voice of its own.
6. Then, you learn to combine strumming, plucking, and arpeggios in such a way that the guitar can “sing” on its own without your voice, so to speak. But for now, you should focus on 1-3.