(Anders Mouridsen)
1: Ragtime Fingerstyle Guitar
In this tutorial, Anders Mouridsen will teach you ragtime, or country-blues, fingerstyle guitar. Anders will introduce this style and discuss the history a bit, then teach thumb independence. Then it's time to add chords and melodies, after which we'll learn some examples inspired by Blind Blake, Rev. Gary Davis, and Scott Joplin.
(Anders Mouridsen)
2: Strumming Technique
Strumming is essential to playing the guitar, and in this tutorial Anders Mouridsen will teach you some basic techniques and patterns to give you a solid strumming foundation. We'll start with holding the pick and right hand/arm technique for optimum strumming. Next we'll examine a basic 8th note strumming pattern and a basic 16th note pattern in 4/4 time, followed by a pattern in 3/4. Anders will conclude with a synopsis of everything he taught. You'll be strumming in no time!
(Anders Mouridsen)
3: Harp Harmonics
In this tutorial I'll show you how much cool stuff you can do with harmonics on the acoustic guitar. We're gonna break down the open harmonics and how to use them to play scales, melodies, and chords. I'll show you how to do the classic “cascading chords” and much more. This is one of those techniques that is nearly impossible to figure out just from listening, but after watching this tutorial you'll know everything you need to go learn some more harmonic tricks on your own!
(Ben Lindholm)
1: Boom Chick Blues
In this series of lessons I will teach you a nice way to play unaccompanied blues on just the acoustic guitar. I will show you what to play over the I chord, the IV chord and the V chord, and I'll show you a cool turnaround that you can add to your personal library of turnaround licks. Let's go!
(Ben Lindholm)
2: Boom Chick Blues II
In this second tutorial in my Boom Chick Blues series, we will build upon what we learned in the previous tutorial and take it to the next level. We will add a few licks to the mix, and play around with the chords a bit more. Watch out for the blazing fast ending lick! The very last lesson contains a slowed down performance to make it easier to follow.
(Ben Lindholm)
3: Dance of the Little Swans
In these six lessons, I will guide you through a small section of The Swan Lake ballet, adapted for guitar. We will play it in the key of Am to make the fingerings easier. First I'll show you the thumb part, then we'll add the melody, and finally we'll put it all together.
(Ben Lindholm)
4: Boom Chick Fingerpicking
I will start by introducing you to boom chick fingerpicking, and in the four lessons that follow, I will teach you a little song I wrote just for this tutorial. We will start with the thumb, then add some chord hits, and ultimately we will learn the melody and put it all together. Let's dive in!
(Caren Armstrong)
1: Caren's Free Lessons
Here are four separate free lessons by Caren Armstrong.
(Caren Armstrong)
2: Guitar Quick Start: Easy One Finger Chords
This three part series is designed to get eager beginners making music and having fun with the guitar. If you already have a little bit of experience, we recommend skipping ahead to Chapter 1 of Guitar Fundamentals, as this tutorial is designed for people who are picking up the guitar for the very first time.
(Caren Armstrong)
3: Guitar Quick Start: Sweet Home Alabama
This three part series is designed to get eager beginners making music and having fun with the guitar. If you already have a little bit of experience, we recommend skipping ahead to Chapter 1 of Guitar Fundamentals, as this tutorial is designed for people who are picking up the guitar for the very first time.
(Caren Armstrong)
1: GT Channel: Acoustic with Caren
Caren Armstrong's Guitar Tricks Channel debut goes back to the basics. You'll see why Caren is a beginner's favorite teacher, with fantastic descriptions like "third finger first" of just what you need to do to break through the toughest beginning guitar roadblocks.
(Caren Armstrong)
2: How To Use A Capo
A capo is a device used to the neck and strings of a guitar that shortens the playable length of the strings & as a result raising the pitch. There are numerous advantages to this result and we’ll explore the most important ones in this tutorial.
(Caren Armstrong)
1: Travis Picking Simplified
In this set of lessons, Caren Armstrong will teach basic Travis picking technique. We'll start with an overview of Travis picking, then get into basic terminology and orientation. Next up is the important hand position, the we'll detail the basic picking pattern and counting the rhythm. A simple exercise follows; then we'll review some reminders of what not to do. Then we'll play some examples in 3 keys, and end with increasing your speed.
(Caren Armstrong)
2: Travis Picking (Advanced)
Caren will show you to take the basic Travis picking skills learned in an earlier tutorial and play a more advanced version of this this acoustic guitar style technique.
(Douglas Showalter)
1: The Jack Johnson Style
In this tutorial we'll be covering topics ranging from moving chord shapes, to hammer-ons, to right hand strumming techniques. Each lesson will help showcase a different aspect of Jack Johnson's style, and will help you learn how using the acoustic guitar primarily as a songwriting tool can serve to better any player's approach to the instrument.
(Douglas Showalter)
2: The John Mayer Style
Focusing on Mayer's style on acoustic guitar, this tutorial provides 10 examples, all of which showcase a different element of his style on guitar. By the end of these lessons, you should have a greater insight into using percussive techniques, dropped tunings, and interesting chord voicings - and be able to see how you can introduce these elements into your own playing.
(Lisa McCormick)
1: Acoustic Fingerpicking, Step-by-Step, Level 1A
In this tutorial I'll teach you the first level of acoustic fingerpicking. We'll get started with a basic four-step pattern, then learn how to change chords with it. We'll then do some 2 and 3 chord practice drills followed by two songs. Then it's time for drills to build your speed and play another song. Next we'll learn different styles, play another song, and finish with more drills - and a final song!
(Lisa McCormick)
2: Acoustic Fingerpicking Step-by-Step, Level 1B
Now that you have mastered the 4-Step Pattern, let's take things to the next level by adding variations of that pattern to create full-measure classic patterns. Along the way, you'll learn to play several classic songs, including Thyme, Blow Ye Winds of the Morning, and Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor. Get ready to ramp things up!
(Lisa McCormick)
3: Acoustic Fingerpicking Step-by-Step, Level 1C
Now that you have mastered the 4-Step Pattern and full measure variations in 4/4 time, let's take a look at new patterns in 3/4 time and 6/8 time. Along the way, you'll learn to play several classic songs, including Star of the County Down, Do You Love an Apple, and a beautiful arrangement of Scarborough Fair with an impressive fancy figure you can play!
(Lisa McCormick)
4: Acoustic Fingerpicking Step-by-Step, Level 1D
Let's ramp it up yet again by taking fingerpicking patterns in 4/4 time, and combining them to create interesting song arrangements. Learn a secret tone-mellowing technique, and how to play the song Cindy. Then get ready for Acoustic Fingerpicking Step-by-Step, Level 2. Congrats!
(Lisa McCormick)
5: Acoustic Fingerpicking Step-by-Step, Level 2A
Welcome to Acoustic Fingerpicking Step-by-Step, Level 2! In the Fingerpicker's Goldmine featured in this tutorial, you'll find over a dozen ornaments and fancy tricks you can play to add new life and complexity to your song arrangements. Impress your friends with these awesome tricks of the trade. Let's get fancy!
(Lisa McCormick)
6: Acoustic Fingerpicking Step-by-Step, Level 2B
In this segment, we'll bring all your hard work and solid skills to work in learning to play 3 full songs, complete with fancy ornamentations and arrangements to learn. You'll learn to play The Water is Wide, John Riley, and Lord Franklin's Lament. Prepare to add these beauties to your repertoire.
(Lisa McCormick)
7: Fingerpicking Instrumental: Rainy Spring Day
This instrumental song project uses a single fingerpicking pattern, and some chord variations There are no other fancy moves, which makes this a great piece for the Advanced Beginner to Intermediate student.
Mastering a Song Project is a great way to solidify your skills and build your repertoire.
(Lisa McCormick)
1: Acoustic Fingerpicking 7: Combining Patterns
Welcome to Acoustic Fingerpicking, Intermediate Level.
In this set of lessons, we'll build on the skills learned in Acoustic FIngerpicking for Beginners, Levels 1 through 6. We'll take patterns and pattern variations learned in the Beginner section, and begin combining them within a single song. This will allow you to create song arrangements that are more interesting, varied, and dynamic.
Learning to combine patterns leads to refined coordination, and lays the groundwork for adding in some exciting fingerpicking figures, which will be presented in Acoustic Fingerpicking 8, Fingerpicker's Goldmine.
(Lisa McCormick)
2: Acoustic Fingerpicking 8: Picker's Goldmine!
Fingerpicker's Goldmine is a treasure trove of classic fingerpicking figures, perfect for adding flavor and complexity to fingerstyle guitar songs. From Hot Tuna to Jack Johnson, Joni Mitchell to James Taylor, these classic figures have been used extensively by acoustic music's icons.
This tutorial is a continuation of the Acoustic Fingerpicking Series, created by Lisa McCormick. All prerequisite skills and concepts necessary to master these figures are taught in earlier lessons in the series.
(Lisa McCormick)
3: Acoustic Fingerpicking 9: Learn the Theme Song!
This tutorial is the graduation ceremony for Acoustic Fingerpicking, Levels 1-8. Learning to play this tune will draw on skills you have learned in the previous levels, and give you a nice instrumental tune for your repertoire.
(Lisa McCormick)
4: Fingerpicking Instrumental: It's Never Too Late
This fingerstyle instrumental uses skills you've learned in Acoustic Fingerpicking, Step-by-Step. Enjoy learning this piece - and don't worry - you don't have to sing a single note!
(Lisa McCormick)
1: Acoustic Strumming Step-by-Step, Level 1
Let's start with the basics of strumming, and then teach you to strum in a variety of keys, tempos, and time signatures. Along the way, you'll learn to play 10 songs! A solid foundation in strumming basics is essential to playing folk, rock, pop, blues, and more. Get started right here!
(Lisa McCormick)
2: Acoustic Strumming Step-by-Step, Level 2
In Acoustic Strumming Level 2, we build on the foundation created in Level 1, and move into the Classic Must-Know Strumming Pattern that underlies much of folk, rock, pop, country, and blues music. We'll learn several songs and variations along the way.
(Lisa McCormick)
3: Acoustic Folk Strumming: Learn 'Black Jack Davy'
Using folk strumming techniques learned in the Acoustic Strumming Step-by-Step tutorials, this classic folk ballad also features a fun new challenge: a melody solo you can blend right in to the arrangement.
(Lisa McCormick)
1: John Barleycorn
This traditional ballad is a lot of fun to learn to play, with a great little acoustic melody solo and upbeat strumming technique. The story is great too. They really had it out for this poor guy, John Barleycorn. Have fun with this one!
(Lisa McCormick)
2: Oh Danny Boy
In this tutorial, we'll take a note-for-note look at how to play the beautiful traditional tune, "Oh Danny Boy". We'll look at all the various elements of the song and how to play it fingerstyle on acoustic guitar, and do two play alongs: one in slo-mo and one at tempo. Plus, we'll discuss the underlying principles of practice that will make learning to play this tune much much easier!
(Lisa McCormick)
3: The Butterfly: Irish Jig in 9/8 time, DADGAD
Learn this haunting Celtic tune, played in 9/8 time and DADGAD tuning. Legend has it, this tune is too beautiful and mysterious to have been written by human hands. Its composition is credited to the Faeries of Ireland.
(Mike Olekshy)
1: Behind Blue Eyes (Made Easy)
Mike will show you this classic rock tune in a Made Easy format with simplified chords and a straight forward strumming pattern. Any guitar, acoustic or electric, can be used to play this song.
(Mike Olekshy)
2: Chandelier (Made Easy)
Mike will show you how to play along with this modern pop hit in a made easy format with simplified open and barre chords, straight forward strumming and dynamics.
(Mike Olekshy)
3: Happy Xmas (Made Easy)
Mike will show you how to play this song on an acoustic guitar to strum along with the band in a made easy format. We'll use simple open chords and the occasional barre chord with a very simple strumming pattern to play this song.
(Mike Olekshy)
4: Honky Tonk Women (Made Easy)
Mike will show you how to play a made easy version of this classic rock song. He also includes a bonus lesson that expands upon the open chords to include some suspended chord extensions that is a hallmark of the Stones sound.
(Mike Olekshy)
5: I Can’t Explain (Made Easy)
Mike will show you this classic rock tune in a Made Easy format with simplified chords and a straight forward strumming pattern. Any guitar, acoustic or electric, can be used to play this song.
(Mike Olekshy)
6: Imagine (Made Easy)
Mike will show you how to use an acoustic guitar to strum along with the band in a made easy format. He'll cover open chords and barre chords, a simple strumming pattern, and dynamics.
(Mike Olekshy)
7: Just Dance (Made Easy)
Mike will show you how to play along with this song in a made easy format with simplified chords and straight forward strumming. If you’re up for a challenge, we’ll learn a few of the cool synth parts on guitar in a bonus lesson.
(Mike Olekshy)
8: (Just Like) Starting Over (Made Easy)
Mike will show you to use an acoustic guitar to strum along with the band in a "made easy" format, using open chords and barre chords to play the chord progressions with a simple strumming pattern.
(Mike Olekshy)
9: Nobody Told Me (Made Easy)
Mike will teach this tune in a made easy format with some simplified chord shapes and straight forward strumming pattern on an acoustic guitar. He'll cover open chords and barre chords, and a simple strum pattern.
(Mike Olekshy)
10: Over My Head (Made Easy)
Mike will show you this tune in a made easy format with some simplified chord shapes and an easy strumming pattern.
(Mike Olekshy)
11: Perfect (Made Easy)
These Perfect chords and tabs have been modified into a simpler arrangement that use open chords and an easy strumming pattern. You can play this song with any acoustic guitar and we even have the Perfect lyrics for you to sing along with! Learn how to play Perfect by Ed Sheeran.
(Mike Olekshy)
12: Pinball Wizard (Made Easy)
Mike will show you this classic rock tune in a Made Easy format with simplified chords and a straight forward strumming pattern. Any guitar, acoustic or electric, can be used to play this song.
(Mike Olekshy)
13: Rocket Man (Made Easy)
Mike will show you how any acoustic guitar is suitable to play along with this tutorial. To play this song using easier open chord shapes, you’ll need a capo placed at the 3rd fret. If you’re up for a challenge, we’ve included a bonus lesson that teaches the song without a capo using barre chords.
(Mike Olekshy)
14: Seven Bridges Road (Made Easy)
Mike will show you the single acoustic guitar layer that accompanies the 5-part harmony vocals. We'll learn this song in a Made Easy format, breaking down the progression to open chord shapes and a simple strumming pattern.
(Mike Olekshy)
15: Stay (Made Easy)
Mike will show you how to play this modern R&B pop ballad that we’ll learn on acoustic in a made easy style with open and barre chords and a simple strumming pattern.
(Mike Olekshy)
16: The Night We Met (Made Easy)
Mike will show you this modern pop ballad using open and barre chords and a simple strumming pattern. We’re also including a bonus lesson that shows a few advanced approaches to make the parts sound more like the original recording.
(Mike Olekshy)
17: Watching The Wheels (Made Easy)
Mike will show you how to use an acoustic guitar to strum along with the band in a made easy format, using open and barre chords with a simple strumming pattern. We are also including a bonus lesson that shows how to mimic the piano riff on guitar.
(Mike Olekshy)
18: Woman (Made Easy)
Mike will show you how to play a made easy version of this song using a capo, open and barre chord shapes, suspended chords, and chord arpeggiation.
(Lisa McCormick)
12-String Guitar
Take a close up look at the 12-string acoustic guitar. Find out why and how it makes such a rich harp-like sound, and how you can adapt your 6-string skills to a 12-string guitar and make magic happen!
(Caren Armstrong)
Better Strumming
In this technique tutorial, Caren Armstrong will get you focused on your strumming. Caren will start by look the right hand with basic 1/8th notes, then she'll spice it up in the next lesson. Caren will explain her concept of "zoning" in the following lesson, and get into some syncopation. Next up is a look at "extreme zoning", then a look at damping (or muting). To finish, Caren will take all the elements and mix them up.
(Dale Turner)
Campfire Chords With Character
In this style tutorial, Dale Turner will teach you some ways that you can spice up your common "campfire" style chords. You'll learn how to create chords like add2/sus2, add4/sus4, and major 7 in C major and A minor. Dale will also show you upper register common tones. He'll then demonstrate some strumming and fingerpicking styles used by well known acoustic players, and finish it all off by putting it all together in a performance.
(Lisa McCormick)
GT Channel: Acoustic with Lisa
In this collection of lessons, Lisa McCormick is the guest host for the GT channel and teaches you tips and tricks on using a partial capo, suspended chords, and a special holiday episode on Christmas acoustic guitar.
(Neal Walter)
GT Channel: Acoustic with Neal
Neal Walter is best known for his classic rock tone and style, but beneath the noise is a softer "sweet sounds of acoustic" style. This is a collection of acoustic guitar lessons from the Guitar Tricks Channel host.
(Mick Leonardi)
John Prine Style Artist Study
In this artist study Mick Leonardi will teach you several guitar techniques in the John Prine style, used to support the storytelling in his songwriting. First we'll look at fingerpicking that incorporates the vocal melody and bass lines; then the use of boom-chick strumming. Then we'll look at the use of hammer-ons in 6/8 time, and strumming with a melody. We'll finish it all off with a look at banjo roll fingerpicking.
(Douglas Showalter)
New Age Guitar
"New Age" playing is used to describe acoustic guitar playing in its solo form that demonstrates a mixture of technical prowess and song-writing. Soloists such as Andy McKee, Antoine Dufour, and others demonstrate exceptional playing on the instrument, all the while writing meaningful songs and great melodies. Artists such as Kaki King and the late Michael Hedges have taken such ideas a step further, employing the style alongside other instrumentation (i.e. drums, bass, vocals, samples, etc.) The "New Age" style can both be used as a solo technique, as well as a great addition to a live band set-up.
This tutorial works to showcase a variety of rhythmic, harmonic, and compositional ideas to bring out the "New Age" acoustic style in every guitar player. The acoustic guitar, like the players of the genre have worked to do, is taken into new territory and allows for students to see how the "New Age" style of playing has opened the doors for the instruments possibilities. All 10 examples showcase a different way that guitarists can take this new approach to their instrument.
(Bobby Howe)
Restring & Tune Your Acoustic Guitar
Every guitar player should have a working knowledge of how to change his/her guitar strings. What happens if you break a string on a gig? You should know how to put on a new one. You become a better player if you know your instrument better. This tutorial will help you do that.
(Lisa McCormick)
Stringband Guitar: O Brother, This is Fun!
Learn how to play basic Stringband guitar in the 4 most popular keys. The acoustic guitar has a specific and important role to play in traditional Stringband music. It's a lot of fun, and easier than you might think!
(Christopher Schlegel)
Tuning Nylon Strings
Christopher will cover some of the basic of tuning nylon strings if they are new & tips about them if you are new to them!
(Ben Lindholm)
Two-Note Chords
In these six lessons, I will introduce you to the concept of two-note chords. Then I will show you a small example song, so you can see how they can be used in a musical context.
