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

Knowing your guitar is the first step to learning how to play it. 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. An electric guitar has more elements than an acoustic, and 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 make all the difference in mastering a chord or arpeggio. 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. There are several different ways to hold a pick, but Thomas will show you the most common and effective technique. You'll be picking like a pro in no time!

For the full lesson, click here!

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

For the full lesson, click here!

The first step to playing music on your guitar is memorizing its six strings. They are:

E A D G B e

Thomas will provide you with a great trick for learning these open strings.

For the full lesson, click here!

Frets are those silver things on your guitar that run all the way down the neck. What do they do exactly? Well, let's find out what Thomas has to say about those 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 get the best tone and note quality.

For the full lesson, click here!

If your guitar isn't in tune, the chords and notes you try to play won't sound correct. Learn how to successfully tune your guitar in standard tuning without using an electric tuner.

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 a scale exercise to increase your dexterity, speed, flexibility and knowledge of the scale.

For the full lesson, click here!

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

For the full lesson, click here!

Reading chord charts might seem confusing at first, but you'll soon get the hang of it. Chord charts are the best way to quickly learn most chords as well as get more familiar with 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 guitar music. The most common way to play the G chord is in open position (pictured right). The G chord is composed 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 common and relatively easy to play. The most common way to play the C chord is in open position (pictured right). The C chord is composed 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 a lot. The most common way to play the D chord is in open position (pictured right). The D chord is composed of the following notes in the key of D major: D (root), F# (3rd), A (5th).

For the full lesson, click here!

Isn't it frustrating when you try to play chords but all you hear are those 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.

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

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"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.

Thomas will teach you the ins and outs of this classic Lynyrd Skynyrd song. Check it out!

For the full lesson, click here!