So you have started learning guitar that's pretty great, but there are some things you're gonna wanna know like how long it's gonna take and what exactly is meant by the guitar basics.
In this article, we're going to explore both of those questions and find what exactly you can learn for free.
"Give me a guitar, give me a piano, give me a broom and string; I wouldn't get bored anywhere."
- Keith Richards
A Guitar Beginner or Learning The Basics
Okay first of all I want to make things clear when people say they taught themselves guitar, usually what they mean is they did it without going to an instructor or lessons. They used free content as their guide or instruction. They didn't just pick up a guitar in magically know how to play it.
Not everybody is Slash.
"And, so, when I picked up the guitar, suddenly, just playing a couple of notes really, really spoke to me. It was almost like I should have been doing it prior to that. You know, it was something that just felt really natural."
- Slash
When you're starting out there is a lot to learn, typically, to learn a song or two, the basic chords and have some confidence it takes around 1-3 months.
You'll need to spend anywhere from half an hour to an hour going over chords, looking at some technique, and playing your favourite song or two, at least 3 to 5 days a week and you’ll be on your way to intermediate level.
How do you find all of this information? Online and in Books!
Learning Guitar Online for Free
Looking for free guitar lessons that actually work? If you want to learn the guitar, but aren’t sure where to start and don’t have a lot of money to spend you’re in luck! There are various methods of learning the guitar and many of them are free.
Whether you want to self-teach yourself the basics of an acoustic guitar or you’d rather have someone else teach you the ropes, picking up the basics of this instrument is easier than ever!
"I never wanted to sing. I just wanted to play rhythm guitar - hide in the back and just play."
- Kurt Cobain
YouTube
YouTube has something for every type of guitar student. Guitar videos are pre-recorded so they’re accessible at all times and there’s no limit to how many you can watch, making them another excellent option for beginners.
Below is a list of some YouTubers who start lessons from the very beginning:
- TheGuitarLesson.com - Created by Tom Fontana, this YouTube channel and website is dedicated to bringing quality guitar tutorials to beginner guitarists. Through creating fun and engaging guitar lessons, we aim to spread our love of the guitar to as many new players as possible.
- Andy Guitar - This is a guitar and ukulele YouTube channel, that provides lessons and song tutorials aimed at beginner to intermediate level players.
- rockongoodpeople - This channel has great guitar and bass lessons available. They teach all levels as well as all genres of music. Whether it's acoustic or electric they have something for everyone.
Free Guitar Lessons Apps
As is the case with everything in life, when it comes to finding free guitar lessons, there’s an app for that, too!
Turn to software such as:
- The Gibson App
- Fender Play
- AmpliTube
- BandLab
- Ultimate Guitar: Chords & Tabs
These guitar lesson apps will help you take your guitar lessons on the go so you can learn how to play guitar chords and even full songs from anywhere you might be at the time! These are just the most popular apps right now but there is always a newer fresher, better app about to come out so I'd always recommend keeping your eyes peeled.
String Names
Okay here is something every guitar player needs to know the names of the guitar strings. We're going to call them out from top to bottom or thickest to thinnest whichever way you want to remember it:
Every regular guitar has six strings are bass only has four. From top to bottom the six strings are:
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
A good way of remembering this is:
- Eddie.
- Ate.
- Dynamite.
- Good.
- Bye.
- Eddie.
Knowing what the strings are called is good, but it might also be a good idea to look up how to hold a guitar properly and make me a video or two on the layout of your guitar, find out what the different parts of a guitar are called, as well as how to tune your guitar properly.
Learning Different Chords on Guitar
Once you’ve got your guitar in tune and you’re holding it correctly, it’s time to have a go at some chords. You will want to start with easy chords, to begin with. The easier the better.
The 7 essential most used beginner chords ALL guitar players should learn first are E major, E minor, A major, A minor, D major, C major and G major. With these chords, you'll be armed with the power to play literally thousands upon thousands of different songs.
Ideally, you want to know your easy chords inside and out before you start trying anything tougher.
I know I said that there are seven essential chords to learn why don't you check out this YouTube video to start off with five easy guitar chords and see how you get on.
Guitar chords for beginners need to be super-easy to play. But they also need to sound musical so people feel inspired to play and practice.
Practise Makes Perfect
As mentioned earlier when you're starting out there is a lot to learn. You'll need to spend anywhere from half an hour to an hour going over chords, looking at some technique, and playing your favourite song or two, at least 3 to 5 days a week and you’ll be on your way to intermediate level.
If you want to practice for an hour or more per day, split that time up into 20 or 30-minute sessions for the best results. Shorter practise sessions are a better idea because practising the guitar requires a lot of focus and we can only focus for a limited time before our mind starts to wander or become tired.
The start of any practice session is an important time because it will stick in your memory due to what is called the ‘Primary Effect’. Make the most of the first few minutes of a practice session because whatever you practice then will stick in your mind.
The end part of a practice session is the most important part and it sticks in your mind the most due to what is called the ‘Recency Effect’. Finish your practice session with the most important thing you want to improve in your playing.
At the end of the day, the important thing to remember is that consistency is key.
Try to practice the guitar for at least 15 minutes per day, five days a week, but also follow these tips:
- Avoid long and unbroken sessions. (Ideally, in your first year you would not be spending more than 20 minutes straight playing the guitar)
- Don't practice for more than an hour at a time.
- Set short breaks if you plan on practising for more than 20 minutes. (those poor fingers need a two-minute break and your mind needs to rehydrate)
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