Become familiar with the main bits and pieces that make up a guitar. A crucial first step for all aspiring guitarists.
Beginner
ACOUSTIC GUITAR
Tuning Up Your Guitar
Tips to getting and keeping your guitar in tune using a D'Addario headstock tuner.
Guitar String Tuning 101
Learn several methods to assure your guitar is always tuned up and ready to go.
BEGINNER ACOUSTIC
YOUR FIRST LESSONS
From here on, you're getting into some of the most fun and important foundational aspects of playing guitar. By the end of this short section, you'll have a couple common chords and a few classic tunes under your belt.
You just got your first acoustic guitar and want to get started? This beginner acoustic lesson was made just for you.
The A Major Chord
You're ready to play every song ever. But wait, you've got to learn some chords first. Start with the A major chord, detailed in this excellent beginner lesson.
First Songs Using A + D
There are quite a few super easy songs that just use the A and D chords you’ve just learned.
BEGINNER ACOUSTIC
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
In this section, you'll learn how to develop an effective practice routine, plus some more important chords. By the end of this section, you'll have at least 8 common chords in your repertoire, which means hundreds of possible songs to play!
Practicing the right things for the right amount of time can make all the difference when starting out.
Marty Schwartz introduces you to possibly the most popular chord on the guitar and highlights some great songs which use it.
HOW TO WRITE A CHORD CHART
Chord charts are a helpful practice tool you can use to learn any tune.
THE A MINOR + E MAJOR CHORDS
Adding these two common chords to your arsenal—both of which use the same hand shape—will unlock tons more popular songs you already know and love.
ONE MINUTE CHANGES EXERCISE
JustinGuitar promises that his one minute changes exercise accelerates progress in beginners more than anything else.
BEGINNER ACOUSTIC
CONTINUED LEARNING
Start to learn more advanced techniques to improve your chops. One strings riffs, minor chords, and songs to practice.
The C chord is another integral part of many, many songs. Master this chord and you'll add another large segment of popular music to your repertoire.
Classic One String Riffs
A few easy, classic guitar riffs that can all be played on only one string. The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, CCR, and more!
Beginner Strumming Patterns
We can’t forget about the strumming hand! Here you’ll learn the five most common strumming patterns for beginner acoustic guitar playing.
Songs Using A Minor + E Minor
Get to practicing the chords and strum patterns you’ve just learned! Here are a few songs that feature the Em and Am chords.
BEGINNER ACOUSTIC
POLISHING YOUR SKILLS
Congratulations! You've made it to the last section of Beginner Acoustic Guitar. This section focuses on furthering your understanding of the guitar and polishing what you've already learned.
Want to learn the F Major Chord? You're in the right place. Check out this beginner guitar lesson for the infamous F Chord!
Guide to the C-A-G-E-D
Hear note-to-chord relationships, and use chords and licks purposefully in your music.
E MAJOR ANCHORS
In this lesson, we explore using the Anchor Finger concept for the E and A chords and why it's so useful!
PRACTICE SESSION
For the D minor chord, we’re going to learn it here using the 1st, 2nd, and 4th fingers.