Learn to play guitar: Ultimate guide for beginners

Taking your first steps to play the guitar can be immensely gratifying and exciting. There’s a lot to learn, but mastering the guitar is fun and easy with the right approach.

Every milestone on your guitar-learning path as a beginner brings a sense of accomplishment, whether it’s learning the first basic chords or playing an entire song for the first time.

We’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to help you on your guitar-learning journey. Read on as we provide an extensive overview of learning the guitar, with insights, tips, and advice crafted for beginners grabbing their guitar for the first time!

Selecting your beginner guitar

Before you can start learning, you need an instrument to play with. There are many to choose from, so it’s no wonder many beginner guitarists find this step daunting.

Fortunately, you have two main options: acoustic and electric guitars. Your choice depends on your goals and preferences. When choosing between an acoustic or an electric guitar, consider these questions:

• What kind of music do you want to play? Acoustic guitars are great for genres like folk, country, and singer-songwriter, while electric guitars are better for rock, blues, and pop music.
• Where do you want to play? If you value portability and the ability to play unplugged, an acoustic guitar may be the better choice. Electric guitars require amplifiers, making them less portable but better suited for amplified performances.
• What is your budget? Buying a guitar doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find affordable entry-level instruments or look for second-hand gear. However, don’t go for the cheapest option if you’re committed and plan to continue playing for years to come.
• What are your personal preferences? Try playing different guitars to find one that fits your needs. Comfort is key to staying motivated and avoiding frustration in the beginning stages of your guitar journey.

If you’re not yet familiar with the different parts of a guitar, check out our guide to the anatomy of a guitar.

Acoustic guitars

Acoustic guitars are a popular choice for beginners due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. One of the easiest options for beginner players is an acoustic guitar with nylon strings. As opposed to steel strings, nylon strings are easier on your fingers, which helps minimize pain.

An acoustic guitar could be your best choice if you want to strum along to songs or practice fingerstyle. Some acoustic-friendly music genres include folk, country, and singer-songwriter music. However, you can play almost any guitar song as an acoustic arrangement.

Electric guitars

If you’re looking to rock out and play solos on your guitar, you should definitely go for an electric guitar. In fact, some playing styles are much easier on an electric guitar. Besides, an electric guitar offers a characteristic sound and tone that’s just impossible to replicate with an acoustic guitar.

You can begin with an acoustic guitar and transition to an electric one once you’ve learned the basics. Although electric guitars tend to be more expensive, you can find a good one that won’t break the bank. Remember that you need an amplifier to get the most out of your electric guitar!

Getting ready to play: Tuning your guitar

Once you have your guitar, there’s one more thing to take care of before playing. Setting up your guitar before each playing session is essential to make the learning experience enjoyable. A well-maintained guitar sounds better and is more comfortable to play. Let’s start with a skill no guitar player can live without: tuning your guitar.

One of the first things you should do any time you play is ensure your guitar is in tune. As a beginner, you should learn standard tuning, where the strings are tuned to E, A, D, G, B, and E, from lowest to highest.

Here are a few tips to help you stay in tune:

• Use a tuner: Many guitarists rely on a tuner device to tune their instrument. There are various types of guitar tuners. One option is a clip-on tuner that you attach to the headstock of your guitar. Play a note, and the tuner detects the pitch and tells you whether it is too high, too low, or just right. However, one downside of a tuner device is that you have to carry it around with you. They can also be expensive.
• Mobile tuning apps: Many apps, such as GuitarTuna, make it fast and easy to tune your guitar with your phone. These apps use your phone’s microphone to listen to each string and guide you to the correct pitch. With an app, the tuner is always with you on your phone. And better yet, a great guitar tuner app doesn’t have to cost a cent.
• Tune by ear: Once you’re more advanced, you might choose to tune by ear, using a reference pitch from another instrument. It’s common to tune the low E string and then tune the other strings using the low E as a reference point. This technique is great for small adjustments in the middle of playing sessions if you notice your strings going out of tune.

Remember, tuning is crucial for every guitar session. Even small changes in your tuning can make a big difference in how the guitar sounds. Beginners should learn to tune their guitar and practice listening to identify when any strings are out of tune.

Picking strings

Now that your guitar is in tune, we can start learning how to pick. For a right-handed player, the picking hand is your right hand. Lefties can choose to pick with either hand.

Make sure you have a guitar pick (also known as a plectrum) ready. This way, you have greater control over your picking and can play notes much faster.

• Position your guitar: Place the guitar on your right leg and lay the forearm of your picking hand on the front of the guitar. Make sure that you can comfortably reach the strings. Adjust your position if necessary.
• Hold the pick: Hold the pick across the widest part with your thumb. Place your index finger underneath the pick and ensure the tip is pointing at the guitar when you play.
• Play the strings: Start by lightly picking the low E string (the thickest string), strumming downward toward the floor. Pick the open string and let it ring freely. Playing an open string means not touching the string with your finger.
• Play other strings: Move your hand over the bridge to find a comfortable position. Once you’re in position, you can play other strings.

Playing notes on the guitar fretboard

Ready to add your other hand into the mix? Your other hand presses the strings against the guitar’s fretboard. It might not come as a surprise that this hand is known as your fretting hand.

• Position your hand: Place your thumb on the top of the neck and the base of your index finger on the bottom of the neck. Keep your hand relaxed without twisting your arm.
• Fret a note: To play a note, gently press and hold the string with your fingertip. Your finger should be just above the fret. Frets are the small metal strips that divide the fretboard into smaller parts. Make sure you’re not pressing too hard or soft to ensure a clean sound.
• Use your fingertips: Press the string against the fretboard with the tips of your fingers. Curl your fingers to use only the tips rather than the entire top part of your finger. Make sure your finger is just above the fret, not directly on it.
• Play different notes and strings: Frets are numbered, starting from 1 at the top of the fretboard. Each fret corresponds to a different note. You can play the same note on different strings by changing the position of your hand.
• Use different fingers:  Start with your index finger and use it to fret a note. Once you feel comfortable using your index finger, move on to the middle, ring, and pinky fingers to play on different frets. The thumb is rarely used to fret notes. Instead, it provides support by pressing against the back of the guitar neck.

Playing guitar chords

Now, you’re ready to explore one of the most important concepts of playing the guitar: chords. To play chords, you need to play multiple notes simultaneously. Chords are essential for supporting melodies, whether you’re playing an acoustic or an electric guitar.

There are so many chords to learn (just check out our library of chord charts). Luckily, you don’t have to memorize them all right away. One of the best ways to expand your repertoire is to learn them as you encounter new chords in the songs you play.

Strumming technique

Playing guitar chords requires coordination between your fretting and picking hands. To get started with chords, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with basic strumming techniques.

To strum a chord, you can use your thumb, the nail of your index finger, or a pick. The technique you choose influences what the chord sounds like; using your thumb will create a softer tone, while playing with a pick sounds brighter and punchier.

When strumming, make sure to keep your wrist relaxed. Practice strumming both up and down for a balanced strumming technique. You’ll also notice that the chord sounds different depending on whether you play it strumming up or down. Just remember not to strum any strings that don’t belong in the chord.

Pay close attention to strumming patterns. Start with simple downstrokes and add upstrokes into the strumming pattern as you speed up and improve.

Read chord diagrams

When learning chords, it’s helpful to both hear and visualize them. Guitar chord diagrams or chord charts are a great way to visualize chord shapes on the fretboard.

Once you know how to read a chord chart, it’s incredibly easy and intuitive to learn new chords. Here’s how they work:

• Vertical lines in a chart represent the six guitar strings, starting from low E (the thickest string) on the left to high E (the thinnest string) on the right.
• Horizontal lines are the frets that divide the guitar fretboard. The thickest line on the top of the chart is the nut, where the fretboard ends and the headstock begins. The empty space below that is the first fret.
• Some strings are not played in a chord. These are marked with an X. Make sure you don’t strum these strings.
• An open string (not fretted) is shown with a circle. An open string should ring freely without your fingers accidentally muting it.
• A solid circle on the chart shows which strings you should fret. These are often numbered to indicate which finger you should use to play each string. Number 1 is your index finger, 2 is your middle finger, 3 is the ringer finger, and 4 is the pinky.

Remember that chord charts can be either vertical (the strings run from top to bottom) or horizontal (the strings go sideways), depending on how the designer chose to depict the chord.

Play your first chord (E minor)

Let’s learn your first chord on the guitar: E minor (or Em). This one is simple because it only requires two fingers on the fretboard. You’ll strum all six strings, so you don’t have to worry about hitting any extra strings that shouldn’t be played.

Here’s how to play the E minor chord on the guitar:

• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the A string (second-thickest string).
• Place your ring finger on the second fret of the D string (third-thickest string).
• Strum all six strings. Press firmly with your fingertips to avoid accidentally muting adjacent strings.

Take the time to adjust your fingers and check that all the strings sound clear when you strum them. Play all strings one by one to check that each one rings out nicely.

Play the E major chord

Next, we’ll transition to the E major chord. You might wonder what the difference is between a major and minor chord. The difference lies in one key detail: a single additional note that changes the chord’s sound.

E minor has a melancholic or somber tone. E major, on the other hand, has a brighter and happier tone. It builds upon the E minor shape but changes one note, the G#. It transforms E minor into a major chord by introducing a “major third” interval, giving the chord its uplifting and positive sound.

Here’s how to play the E major chord (or simply E):

• Start with the E minor shape, keeping your middle and ring fingers in place.
• Add your index finger to the first fret of the G string (the third-highest string).
• Strum all six strings and press down with your fingertips.

See how easy it is to transition from E minor to E major and back? Pay attention to maintaining the correct shape and listen each time to make sure the chords sound clean.

A minor chord

Let’s change things up a bit and play a chord that is built on the A note: A minor (Am). In this case, the chord is named after its root note, which is A. The root note is E for both Em and E.

Look at the chord chart, and you’ll notice that the chord shape (that is, the shape your hand creates to play the chord) is the same for Am and E. To play A minor, do this:

• Start with the same chord shape as in the E major chord above. Then shift everything up by one string.
• Position your middle finger on the second fret of the D string.
• Place your ring finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Put your index finger on the first fret of the B string (the second-thinnest string).
• Strum down starting from the A string. Avoid playing the low E string.

If you find yourself accidentally strumming the open low E string, you can reach your thumb from behind the guitar neck and press it against the string to mute it.

A chord

Let’s end our introduction to basic chords with A major. Look at the chord chart, and you’ll notice that the chord shape is different this time. However, transitioning from Am to A is easy: just move one fret higher on the G string. You might want to change the fingering a bit when transitioning from Am to A.

• Start by positioning your index finger on the second fret of the D string.
• Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string.
• Finally, place your ring finger on the second fret of the B string.
• All three fingers should be close to the fret strip without overlapping or touching adjacent strings.
• Strum the correct strings. Start from the A string, avoiding the low E string (the thickest string). You can lightly touch the low E string with your thumb to mute it.

Chord transitions

Changing from one chord to another can be tricky when you’re still getting the hang of different chord shapes. However, smooth transitions are a requirement for playing chord progressions.

Check out our tutorial for chord transitions to learn how to move quickly from one chord to another.

Learn more chords on the guitar

These are just a few simple chords to get you started. However, there’s so much more to learn as you progress and expand your chord repertoire. Playing guitar chords is an essential skill for beginners, so keep improving and learning.

Besides learning other basic chords, you can soon start exploring other chord types:

• Open chords
• Barre chords
• Power chords
• Suspended chords
• Diminished chords
• Augmented chords

Reading guitar tabs

One thing that may stand in the way of learning the guitar is cracking the code of sheet music. Luckily, there’s a way to read music without having to understand sheet music. It’s called guitar tablature, or tabs for short.

Guitar tabs are a visual representation of the guitar’s fretboard, strings, and notes. They’re an accessible alternative to traditional sheet music. It’s no wonder that tabs are popular among beginners and more advanced guitar players.

Reading tabs is intuitive, and learning how to interpret them is simpler than you think:

• A guitar tab consists of six horizontal lines. Each line represents a string on the guitar. The bottom line corresponds to the low E string (the thickest string), the one above that is the A string, and so forth. Finally, the line representing the high E string (the thinnest string) is at the top.
• Small numbers on top of the lines show the notes you should play.
• Multiple numbers stacked on top of each other make up a chord.
• A zero (“0”) means that the string is open.

In its simplest form, a tab doesn’t necessarily indicate the length of a note, so make sure to listen to the song while you practice. Looking at the tabs and listening to the song will help you get the timing right.

Start learning to play with tabs by picking a song you’re familiar with. It’s even better if the song has a short passage or a guitar riff that’s easy enough to learn. Start with an individual riff and move on to other parts of the song once you’re comfortable with the previous part. Soon you’ll find yourself playing the entire song from start to finish!

Playing guitar scales

We already looked at guitar chords, the building blocks of the song’s rhythm guitar section. As you progress on your guitar journey, you’ll be ready to dip your toes into the world of scales.

Scales are sequences of notes arranged in a specific order, forming the building blocks of melodies and solos on the guitar. Playing guitar scales is a fundamental skill that improves your finger strength and understanding of the fretboard.

Pentatonic scales

Just like chords, there are different types of scales to learn. To get you started, let’s look at the minor pentatonic scale. Pentatonic in this context means that there are five notes per octave in the scale.

A pentatonic scale is relatively easy to memorize and spans several frets. If you’re looking to improvise but can’t come up with anything, go for the minor pentatonic – it goes with nearly everything.

The G minor pentatonic scale is among the first scales many players learn. Let’s look at it on the guitar fretboard. If it seems daunting, don’t worry! You’ll soon get the hang of it.

The red note indicates the scale’s root note, which also gives the scale its name. In this case, it’s G.

We’ve already learned how to read and play with tabs. Here’s the G major pentatonic scale in tab form:

Practice ascending and descending through the scale. Start off slow and up the tempo without compromising on accuracy. Understanding scales improves your music theory, and scales are essential for improvising guitar solos.

Pro tip: You can speed up your playing by alternate picking. This means that you play every other note with an upstroke, instead of just strumming down.

Guitar maintenance

Good job! You’re getting the hang of playing the guitar. You must be excited to start practicing your new skills. While playing the guitar is fun, don’t forget to take good care of your instrument.

Regular maintenance ensures your guitar remains in good condition, allowing you to enjoy it for years to come. Here are some basic guitar maintenance tips for beginners.

• Clean your strings: Use a soft cloth to wipe the strings and remove any sweat or dust. This can cause strings to rust and wear out.
• Care for your fretboard: Wipe the guitar fretboard to get rid of dirt. You can look for special cleaning products specially made for guitars, such as fretboard oil.
• Replace worn and broken strings: Over time, your guitar strings will start to wear and lose their tone. As they age, they may not retain their tune and will eventually break. How often you have to change your strings depends on how often and what kind of music you play. Notice your strings starting to sound flat or feel rough? Time for a change.
• Proper storage: When not in use, store your guitar in a case, gig bag, or stand. Storing your instrument in an enclosed location protects it from dust and moisture. This is also a great way to protect your guitar while traveling. Use a stand to keep your guitar ready for action.

Guitar lessons online or in person?

Every guitar player is different, so it’s important to find the learning method that best motivates you. In the past, learning to play guitar often meant finding a teacher, attending weekly lessons, and practicing with books or video tutorials.

Thanks to interactive guitar learning apps like Yousician, you can learn guitar at your own pace, whenever and wherever you want.

• Learn at your own pace: Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced guitarist, an interactive guitar learning app allows you to level up your skills at your convenience. You’ll be in control, learning at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
• Immediate feedback: One of the standout features of apps like Yousician is their ability to provide real-time feedback. The app listens to you play using the device’s built-in microphone. You’ll always know if you’re hitting the right notes and if your timing is right.
• Stay motivated with rewards, levels, and scores: Approaching music learning as a game is a great way to keep you excited. Besides hearing yourself improve, a game-like approach to learning the guitar makes practicing even more fun.
• Cost-effective learning: In-person lessons can be expensive, especially when combined with travel and material costs. A music-learning app is an affordable alternative to traditional music lessons. Apps like Yousician also offer a free trial.
• Play real songs: Look for a music-learning app that supports a vast library of real songs to learn and play. Yousician’s song library includes numerous musical genres and styles of guitar playing. With new tracks added on a regular basis,  you’ll never run out of new ones to play.
• Multi-device support: Would you rather learn on your computer or on your phone? Whatever you prefer, a versatile guitar-learning app works on all your internet-connected devices with a built-in microphone.
• Learn guitar and more: Are you a versatile musician who wants to learn more than just the guitar? Yousician helps you master the bass guitar, piano, ukulele, and singing as well!
• Share the joy of music with others: In addition to learning at your own pace, you can learn with your family with Yousician’s Premium+ Family plan.

With Yousician’s online guitar lessons and learning path, you don’t have to worry about what to learn next – all you have to do is learn to play guitar and have fun!

Yousician’s guitar-learning path covers everything you need to become a well-rounded guitarist, including a range of musical styles and playing techniques. The path guides you step by step, and it lets you focus on what matters most to you.

Yousician has 10 playing levels that are divided into themes. You can focus on just one theme at a time or change between them at your own pace. Start at the beginner level to learn the basics and advance to intermediate and advanced levels as you improve your skills

Tips to learning guitar as a beginner

• Slow down the hard parts: Focus on the challenging sections of a song or technique and practice them slowly until you get them right. Then gradually increase the speed.
• Use a metronome: A metronome helps you keep time, develop rhythm, and build precision by ensuring you’re playing the right tempo.
• Return to familiar songs: Revisit songs you know well to build confidence, reinforce your skills, and measure your progress over time. You might find that songs that were hard at first get easier with time.
• Record yourself playing: Recording yourself allows you to listen and identify areas where you can improve. Think of it as a way to hear and see yourself play from someone else’s point of view.
• Play with other musicians: Jamming is great fun, but it also improves your timing, teaches you new guitar tricks, and lets you get feedback from other musicians.
• Learn from the pros: Watching professional guitarists can inspire you, teach you new techniques, and expose you to different playing styles.
• Stay curious: Keep exploring new songs, genres, and techniques to continuously expand your musical knowledge.
• Celebrate your successes: Acknowledge your achievements, whether big or small. This helps you stay motivated and see your progress.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I learn to play the guitar on my own?

Many guitarists teach themselves to play by using online resources, such as guitar-learning apps and interactive online sessions. Getting feedback on your playing is crucial to improving and staying motivated. A pre-made learning path is also a great tool so you don’t have to decide what to learn and in what order.

Is it easier to learn on an acoustic or an electric guitar?

Both have their pros and cons. Acoustic guitars are a great starting point for many beginners, while electric guitars are generally easier to play due to their lower string tension. However, acoustic guitars have a larger body, which can make it harder to play. Instead of thinking about which instrument is easier to play, consider your own preferences and what kind of music you want to learn.

How long does it take to learn the guitar?

The time it takes to learn the guitar depends on a number of factors, such as the amount of time you practice and your prior musical experience. Practicing more often will also speed up your learning, but requires a more serious approach to studying the guitar.

Most beginners can play guitar chords and simple songs within a few weeks with regular practice. Keep at it, and you’ll reach the intermediate level in about a year or two. Becoming an advanced player takes years of practice and learning the guitar. Every learner is different, so don’t compare yourself to others. Learn at your own pace and have fun!

How often should I practice guitar?

Regular practice is key. Aim for at least 15-30 minutes a day. Make sure to incorporate a variety of exercises in addition to playing entire songs. It’s okay to skip a day here and there. Remember that consistent practice in the long term is what matters.

Do I need to learn to read music to play guitar?

While it’s not absolutely necessary, learning to read music can broaden your understanding of music in general and make you a more versatile player. Luckily, reading sheet music is no longer a requirement for playing guitar. Guitar tabs are a much more accessible and easy-to-learn form of musical notation. You can find guitar tabs for almost any song.

My fingers hurt from playing. What should I do?

Finger pain is common for beginners, but it should lessen over time as your fingers develop calluses. Regular breaks during practice and shorter playing sessions can help you avoid injury. Take good care of your hands and fingers by warming up and stretching before each playing session. You can also focus on music theory and technique if you need to take a break from playing.

How do you play guitar and sing at the same time?

Playing guitar and singing at the same time can be challenging, but it gets easier with practice. Choose a simple and familiar song with easy chords, a steady rhythm, and a simple chord progression and strumming pattern. It’s best to start by practicing the guitar and vocals separately. Combine them once you feel comfortable with each on their own.

Humming the melody while playing can also help before adding the lyrics. Memorize the lyrics before playing the guitar and singing. With consistent practice, your coordination will improve, and you’ll feel more comfortable.