Jonny Wilkinson encourages new guitar players to keep practising

Posted by Jamie Franklin

Rugby player Jonny Wilkinson has admitted he enjoys strumming a guitar in his spare time and has passed some advice on to those learning the instrument.

Speaking to the Guardian, the sportsman said plenty of practice sessions learning scales and chords are a great way in which to progress from a beginner guitar level.

Learning the chords of a popular song - such as Wilkinson's first tune Losing My Religion by REM - can make picking up new techniques and building a repertoire more interesting.

Wilkinson said: "It inspires you a lot more to keep trying and practising if you can play something you recognise rather than doing drills."

Playing the notes over and over again will help beginners retain the information, but they should choose something they like with a view to repeating the chords, Wilkinson continued.

Those picking up guitars for the first time might find it is more comfortable to sit down with the instrument, but investing in a strap will allow them to move around once they improve.