| If you have a six-string, a pick and a solid but | | | | three different strokes on each string: downward, |
| comfortable armless chair, you are ready for some | | | | upward and alternate down and up. Once you get the |
| easy guitar lessons. Here are some of the basic things | | | | hang of it, you will learn the best pressure to put on the |
| you should learn. | | | | string to produce the proper sound. |
| Know your instrument. | | | | Learn the chords. |
| The topmost portion of your guitar is called the head | | | | Get a chord book and begin practicing the chords. You |
| or the headstock. This is where you well find the | | | | can practice doing them one by one as shown on the |
| tuners, which are used to adjust the pitch of the six | | | | book until your mind and fingers memorize them. Only |
| strings. The long part attached to the head is the neck. | | | | problem is that this can get a little boring. There is just |
| Down the neck is the body of the guitar. If you are | | | | no sense playing a bunch of chords that do not sound |
| using a classical or acoustic guitar, you will find a sound | | | | like a real melody. |
| hole in the middle. This serves to project and amplify | | | | The better alternative would be to learn the most |
| the sound. Electric guitars, on the other hand, do not | | | | common chords first. These are: C major, D major and |
| have holes. Instead, they have pickups, which intensify | | | | G major. Play one chord first until you memorize it and |
| the sounds coming from your instrument. Of course, | | | | then move to the other. You can then practice moving |
| you have the strings that are attached to the tuners, | | | | from one chord to the next, keeping both the sound |
| run down over the neck, over the hole and attached | | | | and the movement as fluid as possible. Practice on |
| to the bridge. | | | | songs that play these chords until you have mastered |
| Hold your guitar properly. | | | | them. When you do, move on to other songs using |
| The thickest guitar string should be the topmost when | | | | other chords. |
| you hold the guitar and the neck should be parallel to | | | | Where to find your lessons online |
| the ground. The body should rest comfortably on one | | | | There are plenty of resources you can turn to for |
| of your thighs. | | | | easy guitar lessons books, magazines and online |
| Tune your guitar. | | | | resources. If you want free lessons, here are some |
| Before you can learn how to play the guitar, you will | | | | websites you can check out for help. |
| have to learn this skill first. You can refer to a book, an | | | | If you know the basics of playing the guitar, this site is |
| online source or a friend to learn how to tune. You can | | | | a great resource for learning easy songs. Do not |
| tune your guitar three ways: by ear, with a piano or a | | | | worry, because lessons are designed for beginners. A |
| tuning flute. | | | | few sessions online and you should learn enough |
| Next, decide on your fret hand. This is the one that will | | | | songs to surprise anyone in no time. |
| be spending a lot of time on the neck of your guitar, | | | | Not only does this site feature easy step by step |
| pressing on the chord. If you are right handed, it is your | | | | lessons on guitar playing, there is also a link to a page |
| left. If you are left handed, it's your right hand. Your pick | | | | featuring songs made popular in the 1960s. Bring back |
| hand is the other hand. This is the one that will hold the | | | | the groovy years with easy to follow instructions. |
| pick and strum the guitar. | | | | All the easy guitar playing secrets you have always |
| When using your pick to strike the strings, make sure | | | | wanted to learn are here, plus you get to learn how to |
| not to strike too hard or too soft. You are a beginner | | | | play lead guitar. You can also order their instructional |
| and need to hear how you sound like. Use only your | | | | CD-ROM to learn easy guitar lessons at your own |
| wrist when you play and not your whole arm. Practice | | | | pace. |