The strings of the guitar are tuned to six particular musical notes: E, A, D, G, B, and another E. When properly in tune, these notes will be the same exact tones that any other musical instrument would play, be it a piano, a bass, a flute, or violin.
This is what makes it possible for all different kinds of musicians to make music together, and have it all blend beautifully. Tuning your guitar every time you play is essential to training your ear to recognize and become familiar with the way the notes of the guitar should optimally sound.
If you skimp on the tuning, you shortchange yourself. Even the most fantastically advanced piece of music, if played on an out-of-tune guitar, is going to sound pretty bad.
This is what makes it possible for all different kinds of musicians to make music together, and have it all blend beautifully. Tuning your guitar every time you play is essential to training your ear to recognize and become familiar with the way the notes of the guitar should optimally sound.
If you skimp on the tuning, you shortchange yourself. Even the most fantastically advanced piece of music, if played on an out-of-tune guitar, is going to sound pretty bad.
Difficulty:

focus:
Musicianship
style:
Any Style
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1: Get to Know Your Guitar
Welcome to the Guitar!
- Common Models of Guitars
- How to Hold the Acoustic Guitar
- How to Hold the Electric Guitar
- Guitar Anatomy 101
- Essential Takeaways About Your Guitar
The Strings and Tuning
- Basic Concepts of Tuning
- Tuning with an Electronic Tuner
- Manual Tuning, or, Tuning 'By Ear'
- Let's Memorize the Strings
- Essential Tuning Takeaways
How Does the Guitar Work?
2: Lets Learn to Play!
Look Mom, Two Hands!
- Left & Right Hands Working Together
- What Does the Right Hand Do?
- How to Use a Pick
- What Does the Left Hand Do?
- The Basic Mechanics of Fretting
- The Opposable Thumb
- The 'One-Finger-per-Fret' Rule
- Spider Legs Warm-Up Exercise
- Essential Takeaways on Left and Right Hand Positioning
C and G
- What is a Chord?
- Simple C Major
- How to Read a Chord Diagram
- Simple G Major
- Changing Between C and G
- How to Count Off & Play in Rhythm
- Playing Simple G and C in Rhythm
- Learn the Song 'Walk Downtown'
- Play Along with 'Walk Downtown'
Simple Chords, A Minor and E Major
- Simple A Minor, 2 Fingers!
- Simple E Major
- Changing Between Simple Am and E
- Playing Simple Am and E in Rhythm
- Learn the Song 'I Believed You'
- Play Along with 'I Believed You'
More Simple Chords and Easy Songs
- Learn Simple G7
- How to Read a Simple Song Chart
- Learn the Song, 'Would You?'
- Play Along with 'Would You?'
- Learn the Song, 'Long Long Train'
- Play Along with 'Long Long Train'
Learning and Practice
- Understanding the Guitar-Learning Process
- How to Practice Guitar
- How Long Does it Take to Learn to Play Guitar?
- Pacing Yourself for Success
- Special Cases, Quirky Fingers?
- Let's Make a Practice Plan
Hot Tips for Better Tone
3: How to Play Simple Melodies
Simple Melodies on the First 2 Strings
- What is a Melody?
- Intro to Reading Tablature
- Play the the 1-String Melody, 'Higher Elevation'
- Let's Add the Second String
- Learn to Play 'Ode to Joy', Part 1
- Play Along with 'Ode to Joy', Part 1
Add the Middle 2 Strings
- Let's Add the Third String
- Learn the Melody, 'Early Bird Gala'
- Play Along with 'Early Bird Gala'
- Let's Add the Fourth String
- Learn the Melody, 'Cousin Dave's Blues'
- Play Along with 'Cousin Dave's Blues'
Melodies on All 6 Strings
- Let's Add the Fifth String
- Tame Your Melody Tone
- Learn the Melody, 'Five Miles Out'
- Play Along with 'Five Miles Out'
- Let's Add the Sixth String
- Learn the Melody, 'Six Days Till Sunday'
- Play Along with 'Six Days Till Sunday'
- Essential Takeaways on Melodies and Tablature
Melodies to Read, Learn, and Play
4: Your 5-Chord Power-Pack!
Learn the Chords E Minor, and D Major
- What is a 'Full Chord'?
- The E Minor Chord
- Learn the Song, 'Funky Holiday'
- Play Along with 'Funky Holiday'
- The D Major Chord
- Learn the Song, 'Do Something For You'
- Play Along with 'Do Something for You'
Learn the Chords C, G, and Am
- The C Major Chord
- The G Major Chord
- The A Minor Chord
- Major vs. Minor, What Does it Mean?
- Another Way to Make the G Chord
- Master Your 5-Chord Power Pack!
2-Chord Songs to Learn and Play
- Switching Chords in Rhythm
- Am and Em, Chord Change Tips
- Learn the Song, 'Cross the Line'
- Play Along with 'Cross the Line'
- D and Em, Chord Change Tips
- Learn the Song, 'Begin Again'
- Play Along with 'Begin Again'
Chord-Change Strategies for the 5-Chord Power Pack
- Am and C, Chord Change Strategies
- Am and D, Chord Change Strategies
- Am and G, Chord Change Strategies
- C and D, Chord Change Strategies
- C and Em, Chord Change Strategies
- C and G, Chord Change Strategies
- D and G, Chord Change Strategies
Songs to Play with Your 5-Chord Power Pack
5: Must-Know Basic Open Chords
More Must-Know Major and Minor Chords
- The E Major Chord
- The A Major Chord
- The F Major Chord
- The B Major Chord
- Let's Recap ALL Major Chords, A through G
- The D Minor Chord
- The B Minor Chord
- Let's Recap ALL Your Minor Chords
Seamless Chord Changes, Every Time!
6: How Chords Work Together to Make Songs
Playing Songs in the Key of G
- What is a 'Key'?
- Major Chords in the Key of G
- Minor Chords in the Key of G
- Master the Chord Changes in the Key of G
- Learn the Song, 'Darling Destination'
- Play Along with 'Darling Destination'
Playing Songs in the Key of C
- Major Chords in the Key of C
- Minor Chords in the Key of C
- Master the Chord Changes in the Key of C
- Learn the Song 'Keep That Faith'
- Play Along With 'Keep That Faith'
Playing Songs in the Key of D
- Major Chords in the Key of D
- Minor Chords in the Key of D
- Master the Chord Changes in the Key of D
- Learn the Song 'What Love Can Do'
- Play Along With 'What Love Can Do'
Playing Songs in the Key of A
- Major Chords in the Key of A
- Minor Chords in the Key of A
- Master the Chord Changes in the Key of A
- Learn the Song 'Shiny Objects'
- Play Along With 'Shiny Objects'
Playing Songs in the Key of E
7: Intro to Timing and Rhythm
Basic Strumming in 4/4 Time
- Intro to Timing and Rhythm in Music
- Surprise! You're Already a 4/4 Strummer!
- Let's Try a Variation, With an Upstroke
- Tweak That Strum, for a Whole New Sound
- Get More Mileage From Your Upstrokes
- All-Powerful Essential Strum Pattern!
- Essential Takeaways on 4/4 Strumming
Basic Strumming in 3/4 Time
- What is 3/4 Time?
- Simple Strumming in 3/4 Time
- Let's Try a 3/4 Variation, with Upstrokes
- Create Even More 3/4 Strum Grooves!
- Learn the Song, 'With You I Am Whole'
- Play Along With 'With You I Am Whole'
You're a Guitar Player Now!

More ReviewsI find it quite easy (so far!) to navigate, and found the "where do I start" to be very helpful! I'm getting there!!
I LOVE the forum, too. I've never been one to use forums, but the GT forum is full of great people and helpful information at ALL levels! Congrats on a WONDERFUL site!!
Good job!