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Learn How to Play the Guitar - The Beginners Guide

4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 320 ratings
see reviews
Tomas George, Jeffrey Hewer, and Digital Music Masters

Have you always wanted to learn to play the guitar, but you didn't know where to start?

Have you got a guitar sitting at home gathering dust, and you wish you could pick it up and play some songs?

If so, then this is the course for you.

This course is for anyone who's brand new to guitar and is ready to learn the basics of the guitar as soon as possible.

What will you learn?

• How to Strum the Guitar

• Guitar Picks or Plectrums

• How to Tune your Guitar

• Names of the Strings and Some Notes on the Fretboard

• Basic Scales and Chords

Read more

Have you always wanted to learn to play the guitar, but you didn't know where to start?

Have you got a guitar sitting at home gathering dust, and you wish you could pick it up and play some songs?

If so, then this is the course for you.

This course is for anyone who's brand new to guitar and is ready to learn the basics of the guitar as soon as possible.

What will you learn?

• How to Strum the Guitar

• Guitar Picks or Plectrums

• How to Tune your Guitar

• Names of the Strings and Some Notes on the Fretboard

• Basic Scales and Chords

• How to Play some Simple Well Known Songs

• How to Play Power Chords

• How to Play an 8-Bar Blues

• How to Play some Minor Chords

• How to Play 6-String Bar Chords

• How to Play Chord Arpeggios

• Minor Pentatonic and the Blues Scale

• How to Play a Blues in E

• How to Read Chord Charts and Tabs

• How to Use a Capo

• The Anatomy of the Guitar

• Recommended Guitars

• Guitar Amplifiers and Pedals

• And More.

Who is your lead instructor for this course?

Jeffrey Hewer is a professional guitarist, composer, and teacher. He has both his Bachelor's of Music and Masters of Music degrees and over 25 years of experience.

Friendly and engaging, Jeffrey demystifies music and the guitar and gets students excited about playing the guitar.

In this course, Jeffrey will show you the essential skills and techniques, so by the end of this course, you'll be able to pick up your guitar and start playing songs :)

This Beginner's Guitar Course is a fast and effective way to learn the essentials of the guitar.

Ready to Play the Guitar?

So go ahead and click the enroll button, and we'll see you in lesson 1.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn the essentials of playing the guitar
  • Learn how to play basic chords and scales
  • Learn to play some move advanced chords
  • Learn how to read chord charts and tabs
  • Play some well known songs
  • Learn about the anatomy of the guitar and recommended guitars
  • Learn about guitar amps, strings and accessories

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction and What you're going to Learn in this Course

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, Jeffrey will talk about an introduction to the Guitar

Read more

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn about the basics of playing the Guitar

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn about how to strum the Guitar

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn about picks or plectrums

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to tune a Guitar with a Tuner

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to tune a Guitar by ear

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn the names of the Guitar Strings and some note names on the Fretboard

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the Simple C and G Chords

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the A and E Chord

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play a Major Scale

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the song Ode to Joy

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the D Major and E Minor Chords

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn Simple ways to play E, A + D Chords

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play Power Chords

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the full G and C Chords

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play some more basic chords

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the I IV V Chord Progression

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the 8-Bar Blues

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play some Minor Chords

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play 6-String Bar Chords

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the A Shape Bar Chord

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play Chord Arpeggios

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play Dominant Chords

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play a Minor Pentatonic and the Blues Scale

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play a Blues in E

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the Song Greensleeves

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the song Happy Birthday

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to play the song Take me out to the Ball Game

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to Read Guitar Tablature

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to Read Chord Diagrams

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn how to use a Capo and also when you might want to use one

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn about Drop D Tuning

In this Learn Guitar in a Week - Essential Chords, Songs and Songs course, you will learn an overview about Acoustic Guitars

Thank you for watching this course!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to tune a guitar by ear and with a tuner, which are essential skills for any guitarist to develop early on in their learning journey
Explores the anatomy of the guitar, recommended guitars, amps, strings, and accessories, which helps beginners make informed decisions about gear
Taught by Jeffrey Hewer, a professional guitarist with a Master's degree and 25 years of experience, which can provide learners with expert guidance
Covers how to read chord charts and tabs, which are essential skills for learning new songs and progressing as a guitar player
Includes instruction on playing songs like Ode to Joy, Greensleeves, and Happy Birthday, which can be highly motivating for new learners
Focuses on essential chords, scales, and techniques, which may not cover advanced topics or specialized genres in great depth

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Beginner guitar: clear, engaging, practical first steps

According to learners, this course is an excellent starting point for absolute beginners looking to learn guitar. Many praise the instructor, Jeffrey Hewer, for his clear, patient, and engaging teaching style, which makes learning feel approachable and fun. The course structure is described as logical, building skills step-by-step, and learners appreciate the focus on quickly getting them to play practical chords and simple, well-known songs. Some reviewers mention that while the course provides a solid foundation, it is strictly for novices and may lack depth for those seeking more advanced theory or techniques.
Well-organized lessons at a good pace.
"The lessons are well-structured and progress logically."
"The pace is perfect for a beginner, not too fast, allowing time to practice each step."
"I liked how the course broke down concepts into bite-sized lessons."
"Each module built nicely on the previous one."
Learn useful chords and play songs fast.
"Being able to play simple songs relatively early was a huge motivator. The chord choices were practical."
"I appreciated learning real songs like Happy Birthday and Ode to Joy; it made practicing fun."
"The course focuses on essential chords that you can use to play a lot of different songs."
"Getting to play actual songs quickly kept me engaged."
Ideal for those new to the guitar.
"This is a great course for someone just starting out with the guitar. It covers the basics and gets you playing quickly."
"As an absolute beginner, I found this course incredibly helpful and easy to follow."
"I had zero experience before this course, and now I feel confident playing basic chords and songs."
"Definitely recommended if you are picking up the guitar for the very first time."
Jeffrey is praised for clarity and patience.
"Jeffrey is a great teacher. He is very clear, easy to follow and makes learning the guitar enjoyable."
"The instructor is really patient and explains everything in a way that makes sense, even if you've never touched a guitar."
"I really liked the instructor, he is very clear and his method of teaching makes you feel comfortable learning the basics."
"Instructor has a good teaching style and pace suitable for absolute beginners."
Mostly covers foundational concepts.
"While great for starting, the course doesn't go very deep into music theory or more complex techniques."
"If you're already playing or looking for intermediate skills, this might be too basic."
"I finished the course wanting more challenging material; it really just scratches the surface."
"It's a beginner's guide, so don't expect advanced lessons here. Good foundation, but limited scope."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn How to Play the Guitar - The Beginners Guide with these activities:
Review Basic Music Theory
Solidify your understanding of fundamental music concepts like rhythm, melody, and harmony. This will make learning guitar chords and scales much easier.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review the basics of rhythm and timing.
  • Study basic chord construction and harmony.
  • Practice identifying intervals and scales by ear.
Read 'Guitar for Dummies'
Supplement the course with a well-regarded beginner's guide. This book offers a broader perspective on guitar fundamentals.
View Classical Guitar For Dummies on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Guitar for Dummies'.
  • Read the sections on tuning, chords, and strumming.
  • Practice the exercises and songs in the book.
Chord Transition Exercises
Improve your ability to switch smoothly between chords. This will make playing songs much easier and more enjoyable.
Show steps
  • Choose a set of common chord progressions.
  • Practice transitioning between each chord slowly and accurately.
  • Gradually increase the speed of the transitions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice with a Friend
Learn from and motivate each other. Practicing with a friend can make learning more fun and engaging.
Show steps
  • Find a friend who is also learning guitar.
  • Schedule regular practice sessions together.
  • Share tips, techniques, and songs with each other.
Explore 'The Complete Guitar Player'
Use a structured textbook to reinforce your understanding of guitar fundamentals. This book provides a progressive learning path.
View The Complete Guitar Player Books 1, 2 & 3... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of 'The Complete Guitar Player: Book 1'.
  • Work through the lessons in order, focusing on chords and strumming.
  • Complete the exercises and practice songs in each lesson.
Record Yourself Playing a Song
Assess your progress and identify areas for improvement. Recording yourself provides valuable feedback on your playing.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple song you can play.
  • Record yourself playing the song.
  • Listen back to the recording and identify areas for improvement.
Learn a Full Song
Apply your skills to learn a complete song from start to finish. This will solidify your understanding of chords, strumming patterns, and song structure.
Show steps
  • Choose a song that interests you and is within your skill level.
  • Find the chords and lyrics for the song.
  • Practice the chords and strumming pattern separately.
  • Put it all together and play the song from start to finish.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn How to Play the Guitar - The Beginners Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Guitar Teacher
A career as a guitar teacher involves instructing students of all ages and skill levels on how to play the guitar. You will guide students through basic techniques, music theory, and song learning. This course helps build a foundation in essential guitar skills, covering everything from strumming and tuning to playing basic scales, chords, and well-known songs. Learning the anatomy of the guitar and recommended guitars is particularly helpful for making informed decisions about instruments for yourself and your students. With the knowledge of power chords, minor chords, bar chords, and chord arpeggios, you can offer a comprehensive learning experience to your students.
See salaries and explore the career path for Guitar Teacher
Guitar Technician
A guitar technician repairs and maintains guitars, ensuring they are in excellent playing condition. This role requires a deep understanding of guitar anatomy and functionality. This course covers the anatomy of the guitar and recommended guitars, giving you a solid base of knowledge. Also, you will learn about guitar amps, strings, and accessories, This background will help you diagnose and fix various issues, from restringing to adjusting intonation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Guitar Technician
Music Store Salesperson
As a music store salesperson, you help customers find the right instruments and accessories for their needs. Having a good understanding of guitars is essential for providing informed recommendations. This course helps provide information on recommended guitars, amplifiers, strings, and accessories, enabling you to guide customers through their choices. You will also gain knowledge of basic guitar techniques and chords, allowing you to demonstrate instruments and answer customer questions effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Store Salesperson
Songwriter
The role of a songwriter requires a strong understanding of music theory and the ability to create original compositions. Songwriters craft melodies, harmonies, and lyrics to produce compelling songs. This course may be useful because it covers basic scales and chords, as well as more advanced techniques like playing power chords, minor chords, and bar chords. The course also introduces chord progressions and the blues scale, which are valuable tools for writing diverse and engaging songs. Familiarity with how to read chord charts and tabs helps one to write and communicate their musical ideas effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter
Session Musician
As a session musician, you support recording artists in the studio. You will need to be proficient in playing various styles and adapting to different musical arrangements. This course may be useful because it covers a wide range of essential guitar skills, including strumming, tuning, and playing basic scales and chords. Learning how to play power chords, minor chords, bar chords, chord arpeggios, and the blues scale is valuable for enhancing your versatility as a session musician. The introduction to guitar amplifiers and pedals gives you a better understanding of how to create different sounds and effects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Session Musician
Music Producer
Music producers oversee the recording process, making creative and technical decisions to bring an artist's vision to life. Knowledge of various instruments is valuable for a music producer. This course may be useful because it provides a foundation in guitar playing. With an understanding of guitar techniques, chords, and scales, you can communicate more effectively with guitarists and contribute to the arrangement and overall sound of the music. The course also introduces guitar amplifiers and effects, providing insight into creating interesting guitar tones.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer
Music Journalist
A music journalist writes about music-related topics for various publications, including reviews of albums, concerts, and interviews with musicians. This course may increase your understanding of guitar playing, allowing you to write more informed and insightful articles. The course covers essential skills such as strumming, tuning, basic scales and chords, and more advanced techniques. The overview of guitar anatomy, recommended guitars, amplifiers, and accessories are helpful when writing about gear-related topics. Learning to read chord charts and tabs provides a foundation for analyzing and discussing guitar-based music effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist
Music Therapist
Music therapists use music to help patients with emotional, physical, and mental health needs. This course may be useful because it gives you the ability to learn to play the guitar. This course covers the essentials of playing guitar, covering strumming, tuning, basic scales and chords, and even playing simple songs. The course introduces minor chords and the blues scale. The ability to play guitar can be an invaluable tool in your therapeutic practice.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist
Music Director
A music director leads musical performances, such as in a church, school, or community theater. This requires a broad understanding of music theory and performance practices. This course may be useful because it covers the basics of guitar playing, including chords, scales, and strumming techniques. The ability to play guitar can be valuable for leading rehearsals, arranging music, and accompanying vocalists. The course's introduction to different chords and scales may broaden your musical knowledge and help you succeed in your role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director
Music Librarian
A music librarian manages and organizes music collections in libraries and archives. This requires a broad knowledge of music literature and resources. This course may be useful because it is an introduction to guitar playing, covering the basics of guitar playing, including chords, scales, and techniques like strumming. The understanding of chord charts and tabs will greatly enhance your ability to categorize and assist patrons with guitar-related materials.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian
Acoustic Engineer
An acoustic engineer focuses on the science of sound and vibration. Knowledge of the physics of musical instruments, such as guitars, may be valuable. This course may be useful as it describes the anatomy of the guitar, guitar amps, strings, and accessories. The course helps provide an enhanced understanding of how these components interact to produce sound. This understanding helps inform design and improve acoustic quality.
See salaries and explore the career path for Acoustic Engineer
Band Manager
Band managers handle the business aspects of a band's career, including booking gigs, negotiating contracts, and promoting the band. Understanding the basics of music can be helpful in communicating with band members and making informed decisions. This course may be useful because it introduces you to guitar playing, and the course covers essential skills such as strumming, tuning, and playing basic chords. This exposure also builds a foundation for engaging in musical discussions and supporting the band's artistic goals.
See salaries and explore the career path for Band Manager
Live Sound Engineer
Live sound engineers are responsible for the audio quality during live performances, ensuring that the audience hears a clear and balanced sound. This course may be useful because it introduces guitar amplifiers and pedals. This helps provide insight into how guitars are amplified and processed in a live setting. This knowledge is valuable for making informed decisions about microphone placement, equalization, and effects processing, ultimately enhancing the overall sound quality of the performance.
See salaries and explore the career path for Live Sound Engineer
Instrument Designer
Instrument designers blend engineering and artistic abilities to create new musical instruments or improve existing ones. A solid grasp of an instrument's mechanics and acoustics is indispensable. This course may be useful because it examines the anatomy of the guitar. The course explores the importance of guitar amps, strings, and accessories. Knowledge that is gleaned from this course helps inform the design process.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instrument Designer
Arts Administrator
Arts administrators oversee the operations of arts organizations, such as music schools, theaters, and concert halls. Understanding the needs of musicians and the artistic process is beneficial in this role. This course may be useful because it introduces you to the basics of guitar playing, covering essential skills such as strumming, tuning, and playing basic chords. This exposure may build empathy for musicians and contribute to making informed decisions about programming and resource allocation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Administrator

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Learn How to Play the Guitar - The Beginners Guide.
Cover image
Classical Guitar For Dummies
Save
Comprehensive guide for beginners, covering essential techniques, chords, and songs. It provides a step-by-step approach, making it easy for anyone to learn guitar. It useful reference tool for reinforcing the concepts taught in the course and expanding on them with additional exercises and songs.
Classical Guitar For Dummies
Paperback
$$
Classical Guitar For Dummies
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Complete Guitar Player: Book 1
Save
Popular choice for beginner guitarists. It offers a structured approach to learning chords, strumming, and basic music theory. It's particularly useful for students who prefer a more formal and progressive learning path. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
The Complete Guitar Player Books 1, 2 & 3 Omnibus...
Paperback
$$
COMPLETE GUITAR PLAYER BLUES & RAGTIME (Guitar...
Mass Market Paperback
$$
The Complete Guitar Player Songbook: Omnibus,...
Paperback
$$$
COMPLETE GUITAR PLAYER CHORD BOOK (Complete Guitar...
Mass Market Paperback
$$
Complete Guitar Player Tablature Book (Complete...
Mass Market Paperback
$$$
THE COMPLETE GUITAR PLAYER - BOOK 1 (NEW EDITION)...
Paperback
$$
The Complete Guitar Player Book 1 - New Edition
Paperback
$$
The Complete Guitar Player Songbook - Omnibus...
Paperback
$$

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Course image
Rating
4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructors
Tomas George
Jeffrey Hewer
Digital Music Masters
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to tune a guitar by ear and with a tuner, which are essential skills for any guitarist to develop early on in their learning journey
Explores the anatomy of the guitar, recommended guitars, amps, strings, and accessories, which helps beginners make informed decisions about gear
Taught by Jeffrey Hewer, a professional guitarist with a Master's degree and 25 years of experience, which can provide learners with expert guidance
Covers how to read chord charts and tabs, which are essential skills for learning new songs and progressing as a guitar player
Includes instruction on playing songs like Ode to Joy, Greensleeves, and Happy Birthday, which can be highly motivating for new learners
Focuses on essential chords, scales, and techniques, which may not cover advanced topics or specialized genres in great depth
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