How to Play Guitar for Newbies

Learn to Play Guitar: Beginner Course

Course Introduction

• Welcome! 1:34
  
• Meet Your Host 7:30

Part 1: Knowing Your Guitar

• Lesson 1: Parts of an Acoustic Guitar 3:08
• Lesson 2: Parts of an Electric Guitar 5:07
• Lesson 3: Holding the Guitar 2:24
• Lesson 4: Holding a Pick 2:18
• Lesson 5: Picking a String 2:47
• Lesson 6: Names of the Strings 1:57
• Lesson 7: Frets 101 3:53
• Lesson 8: Playing the Frets 2:18
• Lesson 9: Tuning 101 5:17

Part 2: Starting to Play

• Lesson 10: The Chromatic Scale 4:47
• Lesson 11: Whole Steps/Half Steps 2:24
• Lesson 12: Chord Charts 3:07
• Lesson 13: Strumming 101 7:03
• Lesson 14: The G Chord 3:43
• Lesson 15: The C Chord 3:09
• Lesson 16: The D Chord 2:33
• Lesson 17: Chord Tips 3:00
• Lesson 18: Guitar Tabs 3:06

Part 3: Your First Songs

• Lesson 19: "Wild Thing" 6:26
• Lesson 20: "Sweet Home Alabama" 5:06

Course Conclusion

• Beginner Guitar Course Quiz
• Congratulations! 1:32

It's always useful to know your guitar. This first lesson will teach you about each part of an acoustic guitar. This information will come in handy when it's time for repairs or general maintenance, which are always essential to being a guitar player.

If you don't own an acoustic guitar, no problem. Check out the second lesson to learn about the parts of an electric guitar.

For the full lesson, click here!

Now it's time to learn all the parts that comprise the electric guitar. Since an electric guitar has more electronics and parts than an acoustic, it's important to know this information when it comes time for repairs or general maintenance.

The parts of an electric guitar are far more involved than what you see in the image to the left. Check out our other cross sections by clicking on the link below.

For the full lesson, click here!

Learning the correct way to hold your guitar can mean the difference between making something easier to play and making something harder. Once you learn how to properly position your guitar, learning to play will feel intuitive and natural.

For the full lesson, click here!

Knowing the proper way to hold a guitar pick is key to playing the guitar. Yes, there are many different ways to hold a pick, but Thomas will show you the most common and most effective one. Learn this, and you'll learn how to pick like a pro!

For the full lesson, click here!

Just as there are different ways to hold a guitar pick, there are also different ways to use a pick. Thomas will show you a way to use your pick in order to get the best and fullest sound out of your guitar.

For the full lesson, click here!

In order to be a guitarist, it's absolutely crucial that you memorize the six strings on a guitar. Well then, what are they?

E A D G B e

Thomas will provide you with a great trick for memorizing these open strings, and soon this will all become second nature.

For the full lesson, click here!

Frets are those silver things on your guitar that run all the way up and down the neck. What do they do exactly? Well, let's find out what Thomas has to say about these little pieces of metal that help define this versatile instrument.

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Now that you know what frets are, let's learn how to properly use them. Thomas will guide you through exactly where to put your fingers in relation to each fret in order to play all of the notes you want.

For the full lesson, click here!

It's a fact that if your guitar isn't in tune, it won't sound nearly as good as if it were. That's why Thomas will teach you how to successfully tune your guitar in standard tuning with only the use of your ears!

For the full lesson, click here!

Don't let the lesson title scare you, this is a great way to learn exactly where notes are on the guitar neck. Thomas will show you this scale exercise to increase your dexterity, speed, flexibility and knowledge of the guitar neck.

For the full lesson, click here!

Knowing about whole steps and half steps is crucial for learning scales and classic guitar riffs. Thomas will guide you through the world of whole steps and half steps, and you'll be a better guitarist for it!

For the full lesson, click here!

Reading chord charts is one of those things that may seem confusing at first, but you'll soon get the hang of. Chord charts are the best way to quickly learn any chord you could possibly want to, plus it's another great way to get to know your fretboard.

For the full lesson, click here!

Learning how to strum the guitar is essential to becoming a guitarist. Thomas will teach you the basics of strumming and a handful of the most common strumming patterns that guitar players use.

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The G major chord is one of the most widely used chords in all of music, and it's especially popular amongst guitar players. The most common way to play the G chord is in open position (pictured left). The G chord is comprised of the following notes in the key of G major: G (root), B (3rd), D (5th).

For the full lesson, click here!

The C major chord, like the G major chord, is a very common chord and one of the easiest to play. The most common way to play the C chord is in open position (pictured left). The C chord is comprised of the following notes in the key of C major: C (root), E (3rd), G (5th).

For the full lesson, click here!

Like the C and G chords, you'll end up using the D major chord many times as a guitarist. The most common way to play the D chord is in open position (pictured left). The D chord is comprised of the following notes in the key of D major: D (root), F# (3rd), A (5th).

For the full lesson, click here!

Hey guitar players, isn't it frustrating when you play chords and you hear all these nasty buzzing sounds and muffled notes? Well, there are ways around that. Thomas will teach you some key tips and tricks to get the best sound out of every chord you play.

For the full lesson, click here!

Tabs are great aids for beginners to learn certain songs easily and quickly. Thomas will teach you how to properly read and use guitar tabs to your advantage.

For the full lesson, click here!

"Wild Thing," originally written by The Troggs, was made famous by Jimi Hendrix when he played it during a live performance and "sacrificed" his guitar. But before you start setting your guitar on fire, use the skills you've learned so far in this beginner course to rock out on this classic song.

For the full lesson, click here!

Part two of learning your first classic rock songs. This is a great one to whip out when you're hanging out with your friends.

Get ready to learn your second song: "Sweet Home Alabama." Thomas will teach you the ins and outs of this classic Lynyrd Skynyrd song. Check it out!

For the full lesson, click here!