Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar Lessons: Getting Started from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Establish a firm method for understanding music
Develop your foundation which will be used for all styles of playing

Get you started on "the right foot"
Fingerpicking guitar, strumming, chords, theory

Establish a firm method for understanding music
Develop your foundation which will be used for all styles of playing
Get you started on "the right foot"
Fingerpicking guitar, strumming, chords, theory

Syllabus

In this video you will learn the basic picking technique that will be the cornerstone of all your picking. Picking technique is crucial for being a well-rounded player.

In this video you will learn the basic fretting technique that will be the cornerstone for all fretting.

1. Play directly on your fingertips (make sure nails on “fret” hand are always
trimmed.
2. Play right behind the fret (this is for leverage). Remember the see-saw example.
3. Play with ALL your fingers (each finger plays a specific fret)
4. It is best to leave some space between the palm of you hand and the guitar neck,
This will give you much needed leverage to play on your fingertips. Sometimes
dropping the shoulder can be helpful as well.

In this video you will quickly master the art of reading tablature, also known as "tab". this type of musical notation is a quick way to learn the exact place on the neck of the guitar, where a guitarist plays a particular riff.

There is blank tablature paper attached to this post, so that you can start doing your own tablature.

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In this video I discuss the anatomy of the acoustic guitar.

In this video you will learn the nine essential guitar chords that you cannot live without. Learning these guitar chords will allow you to play in millions of songs!

How to play guitar chords and the nine chords you CAN’T live without

Playing guitar chords can seem like a daunting task for new players, but remember EVERY player goes through this…SO HANG IN THERE! First of all, remember the importance of playing on your fingertips. If you play on the pads of your fingers, you will NOT be able to play chords well! Observe your hand when you are playing. If something does not sound right, it’s PROBABLY NOT! Play with the specified fingers to start off. If you want to change fingerings after you have mastered these chords, then great! But for now, stick to the specified fingering and you will quickly see your discipline pay off. Arpeggiate (pick slowly) through the chord so that you can hear each note as it is being played. You will only cheat yourself by being sloppy, so pay close attention to your fingerings and technique. When transitioning from one chord to the next, be aware of your fingers; which ones need to move where and what fingers stay in place, (i.e. The 3rd finger never moves when going from a D to a G chord, or from a G to a D. For E to A-, all the fingers move together.)

Here are some key things to remember when playing chords on the guitar:

1. Play directly on your fingertips - make sure nails on “fret” hand are always trimmed.
2. Play right behind the fret (this is for leverage).
3. It is best to leave some space between the palm of your hand and the guitar neck. This will give you much needed leverage to play on your fingertips. Curling the last knuckle on your fingers is also helpful.

Fingerpicking or finger style is the art of playing the guitar strings with your fingers instead of using a guitar pick. This video is an introduction to that technique.

Once you have your basic guitar chord technique mastered, you will soon want to start integrating the thumb for muting notes and/or playing notes.

This is a ninja strum technique that I developed for my students that were having an issue with strumming.

Here are my other course here on Udemy(75% Off Each):

1. Complete Guitar System - Beginner to Advanced

2. Blues and Advanced Guitar

3. Beginners Guide to Playing Guitar

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Breaks down essential techniques like picking, fretting, and tablature reading, which are foundational for anyone starting their guitar journey

Covers both acoustic and electric guitar basics, providing a versatile starting point for exploring different guitar styles and sounds

Includes instruction on nine essential guitar chords, enabling learners to play a wide range of songs early on in their development

Explores techniques for transitioning between chords, which is a common challenge for beginners and a key skill for smooth playing

Discusses proper posture and pick holding, which are often overlooked but crucial for developing good playing habits and preventing injuries

Recommends other courses from the same instructor, which may be useful for learners seeking a more comprehensive and structured learning path

Reviews summary

Solid guitar basics for beginners

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation and is ideal for absolute beginners picking up the guitar for the first time. Students found the instructor's style highly engaging and clear, making complex techniques easier to grasp. The course effectively covers essential basics like proper posture, picking, fretting, and the most important chords needed to start playing simple songs. Reviewers appreciated the practical exercises and felt they made significant progress quickly, highlighting the course's great value, especially as a free resource. While highly praised by novices, some reviews suggest it might be too basic for those with prior experience. Some learners also noted the course serves as an introduction to the instructor's paid content.

Features promotional content for the instructor's other courses.

"It's clear this is an intro to get you to buy other courses."

"Received promo codes for his other paid courses."

"The bonus videos mention other courses quite a bit."

"Be aware that this course leads to paid content."

Offers significant value as a free introductory course.

"Incredible amount of information for a free course."

"This course offers fantastic value and is a great starting point."

"Can't believe this is free, it's better than some paid lessons I've seen."

"Amazing resource for zero cost to get you started playing."

Helps learners master basic chords and transitions.

"Finally got the hang of changing chords smoothly after this."

"The section on the 9 essential chords was very practical."

"Struggled with chords before, but the technique taught here helped a lot."

"The chord lessons were clear and made practice effective."

Perfectly suited for those starting from scratch.

"As someone who had never touched a guitar, this was the perfect starting point."

"If you are an absolute beginner, this course is made for you."

"Might be too basic if you already know some chords."

"A great course for anyone picking up a guitar for the first time."

Provides a strong introduction to fundamental guitar techniques.

"The course really nailed the fundamentals like proper posture and hand positioning."

"I finally understand fretting correctly thanks to this course."

"Covers the absolute essentials needed to just start playing."

"Excellent coverage of the core mechanics of guitar playing."

Instructor's method is highly effective and motivating.

"Erich's enthusiasm is infectious and his explanations are crystal clear."

"The instructor makes learning fun and breaks down complex steps."

"His teaching method really kept me engaged and motivated."

"The teacher is very clear and explains everything step by step."

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 Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar Lessons: Getting Started with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental music concepts like rhythm, notes, and scales, which are essential for grasping guitar techniques.

Browse courses on Music

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Review the basics of rhythm and timing.
Study basic note reading and scales.
Practice identifying intervals and chords.

Read 'Guitar for Dummies'

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Supplement the course with a well-regarded beginner's guide to guitar playing, reinforcing concepts and providing additional practice material.

View Classical Guitar For Dummies on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Guitar for Dummies'.
Work through the chapters on basic chords and strumming.
Practice the exercises provided in the book.

Chord Transition Exercises

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Improve your chord changes by practicing common chord transitions repeatedly, focusing on speed and accuracy.

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Select a few common chord progressions.
Practice transitioning between chords slowly at first.
Gradually increase the speed as you improve.

Four other activities

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Explore Online Guitar Tabs

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Expand your repertoire by learning to read guitar tablature and using it to learn new songs.

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Find a website with guitar tablature.
Select a song you want to learn.
Follow the tablature to play the song.

Record Yourself Playing a Song

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Assess your progress by recording yourself playing a simple song using the chords and techniques learned in the course.

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Choose a simple song with basic chords.
Practice the song until you can play it smoothly.
Record yourself playing the song.
Listen back and identify areas for improvement.

The Complete Guitar Player

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Deepen your understanding of guitar playing with a comprehensive guide that covers various styles and techniques.

View The Complete Guitar Player Books 1, 2 & 3... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Complete Guitar Player'.
Explore the sections on different guitar styles.
Practice the exercises and songs provided.

Compose a Simple Melody

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Solidify your understanding of music theory and guitar techniques by composing a short, original melody.

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Choose a key and time signature.
Experiment with different notes and rhythms.
Write down your melody in tablature or standard notation.
Practice playing your melody on the guitar.

Career center

Learners who complete Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar Lessons: Getting Started will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Guitar Instructor

A guitar instructor guides students in learning to play the guitar, and this course provides a solid foundation for anyone considering this career. The course emphasizes core practice habits, essential chords, and techniques such as fingerpicking, strumming, and chord transitions, all crucial aspects of teaching guitar. One who wishes to be a guitar instructor should take this course because it covers the fundamentals, offers insight into effective technique, and provides a structured approach to learning, all of which are essential to planning lessons for others. Furthermore, the course provides over two hours of video lessons, which can inform a potential instructor how to deliver information online. This is especially pertinent as the course instructor has built a large online following.

See salaries and explore the career path for Guitar Instructor

Performer

A performer entertains audiences through musical performance, and this course provides a great launch point for such a career. This course is a thorough overview of many essential elements of guitar, including picking and fretting technique, chord transitions, strumming and fingerpicking. Because the course emphasizes core techniques, essential chords, and practice, it is helpful to a performer who is working to build their musical abilities. A performer who takes this course may rely on its modules to improve their overall technique and presentation. The course uses over two hours of video instruction, which is a valuable overview for a prospective performer.

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Music Educator

A music educator teaches music in schools, universities, or private settings, and this course provides a valuable foundation for those wishing to enter this field. While the course does not specifically cover teaching, it lays out basic guitar techniques, such as picking, fretting, and chords, that are often part of a music education curriculum. Specifically, the course’s emphasis on the nine essential chords and chord transitions may be highly relevant to a music educator. A music educator should have extensive knowledge of musical instruments, and this course may greatly assist a prospective educator who wishes to teach the guitar as an instrument.

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Songwriter

A songwriter crafts original songs, and this course can be a launching point for someone wishing to enter this field. While this course does not specifically cover songwriting, it provides a thorough foundation of essential guitar technique, including chords, strumming, and fingerpicking. These are the building blocks for writing guitar based songs. Specifically, the course has an extensive module on chords, including the nine essential chords, which are valuable to songwriters. Learning guitar techniques from this course may be particularly useful for those who intend to write their own music on the guitar.

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Instrument Retail Salesperson

An instrument retail salesperson helps customers select and purchase musical instruments. While this course does not directly teach sales skills, it may be helpful to someone wishing to work in instrument sales as it offers a thorough overview of guitar basics. The course focuses on such topics as picking, fretting, chords, strumming, and fingerpicking, equipping a potential salesperson with valuable knowledge to assist customers. Specifically, the course's focus on choosing both acoustic and electric guitars may be beneficial for a salesperson. A salesperson who is also a guitarist is better able to help their customers achieve their musical goals.

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Session Musician

A session musician is a skilled instrumentalist hired to play on recordings or live performances, and this course may greatly help someone begin this career path. This course introduces core techniques, such as proper picking and fretting, that will be valuable to a session musician. The course also offers over two hours of video instruction, providing potential session musicians a thorough overview of the basics. Additionally, the focus on chord transitions and the nine essential chords may be especially pertinent for a session musician who needs to play different songs with varying styles. While a career as a session musician may require extensive experience, this course may give some learners the fundamental skills they need to begin to pursue this career.

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Community Music Program Coordinator

A community music program coordinator organizes and manages music programs, and this course may be useful to someone wishing to enter this field. While this course does not teach program management explicitly, it provides a foundation in guitar playing, which may be helpful for a program coordinator. This course teaches core guitar techniques, such as picking, fretting, chords, and strumming, all of which are frequently included in community music programs. Specifically, if a community music program has a guitar component, a program coordinator may draw on their knowledge of chords and fingerpicking to structure appropriate instruction. This course may enable aspiring program coordinators to better understand the needs of their students.

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Music Therapist

Music therapists use music to address clients' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. While this course does not directly teach those particular skills, it may be helpful to someone wishing to become a music therapist because it builds a foundation in instrumental technique and music theory. These skills may assist a music therapist in performing live or recorded music for their patients. Specifically, the course's focus on chord transitions, strumming, and fingerpicking may be relevant to a music therapist's practice, as these basic techniques are often used in therapeutic settings. The guitar instruction in this free course may also assist a music therapist who lacks instrumental training to begin building those skills.

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Music Arranger

A music arranger adapts existing musical pieces for different instruments or ensembles, and this course may be beneficial for someone pursuing this career. This course teaches the fundamentals of guitar playing such as chord transitions, strumming, and fingerpicking, which may be useful to a music arranger as the guitar is used in many ensembles. Specifically, learning the nine essential chords and basic strumming techniques may be particularly helpful for a music arranger who needs to understand the guitar as an instrument. While arranging often involves more advanced music theory, this course may act as a solid first step for someone with little or no experience of playing the guitar.

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Music Producer

A music producer oversees the recording and creation of music, and this course may be valuable for those wishing to enter this field. This course will be useful for a prospective music producer by providing insight into the guitar's function as an instrument within a song. The course teaches valuable fundamentals including chord transitions, strumming, and fingerpicking. A music producer must have a deep understanding of musical instruments, and this course’s two hours of video instruction can be used to gain valuable insight into the guitar. As producers are often responsible for the final sound of a song, a foundation on the guitar may help them better understand this versatile instrument.

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Music Licensing Specialist

A music licensing specialist works to secure the legal rights for music used in various media, and this course may be helpful for someone wishing to enter this field. While this course does not directly teach licensing, it may provide some valuable knowledge of how copyrighted works are performed and used. Specifically, the course's focus on essential chords, fingerpicking, and strumming may be relevant to a licensing specialist, who often needs to understand musical compositions. The course also offers over two hours of instruction, giving a potential music licensing specialist an overview of the basic aspects of guitar. While music licensing specialists usually need to know music theory, taking this course may provide a helpful base.

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Audio Engineer

An audio engineer works with the technical aspects of sound recording and mixing, and this course may be useful for those wishing to enter this field. While this course does not directly teach audio engineering, it provides a foundation in guitar playing, which may be very useful for an audio engineer. This course focuses on technique, chords, and the anatomy of the instrument, all of which may assist an audio engineer in improving their mixing and recording skills for guitar based music. The course’s focus on nine essential chords and fingerpicking may be particularly pertinent to audio engineers, who often need to understand how different musical elements function.

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Music Journalist

A music journalist writes about music for newspapers, magazines, websites, and other media outlets. While this course does not directly teach journalism skills, it may be helpful for someone wishing to become a music journalist by providing a strong foundation in playing the guitar. This course covers many aspects of the guitar, from basic picking and fretting to chords, strumming and fingerpicking. Because a music journalist often must have a great understanding of the technical and artistic aspects of music, this course may provide a useful starting point. The course's focus on essential chords and common techniques may be particularly relevant for a journalist who wishes to write about guitar-based music.

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Band Manager

A band manager oversees the business aspects of a musical group, and this course may be helpful for someone wishing to enter this field. While this course does not teach management skills, it does give insight into the world of guitar playing, which may be useful to a band manager. Learning the nine essential chords and basic strumming techniques may be particularly helpful for a band manager. Because band managers are often responsible for the overall image and sound of the band, it may be useful for them to have a basic understanding of musical instruments. Specifically, this course’s two hour overview of video instruction may give an aspiring band manager a well rounded introduction to guitar.

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Instrument Repair Technician

An instrument repair technician repairs, maintains, and restores musical instruments, and this course may be useful to someone interested in this career. This course, while not specifically about instrument repair, does cover the anatomy of both acoustic and electric guitars. A foundation of guitar playing can improve understanding of the instrument, which may be helpful to those wishing to work with instrument repair. The course covers important details of guitar technique, such as fretting, picking, fingerpicking, and strumming. Through this course, a potential repair technician may improve their knowledge base and better serve their clients.

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Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar Lessons

Getting Started

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Solid guitar basics for beginners

Activities

Career center

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