This Should Be Everyone’s First Guitar Lesson

*PLEASE SHARE WITH ANY NEWBIE GUITARIST ;)

[TheArtofGuitar]

If you want to learn how to play guitar from me, be sure to check out my entire lessons program at www.the-art-of-guitar.com. 👍🎸🎸

[caramelizedboi]

This guy: Don't press too hard! You don't want to leave lines on your finger!
My teacher: If your fingers aren't bleeding you're not pressing hard enough

[alisonrogerson]

I am here because I have been wanting to play guitar for many years. My beautiful son was an ace guitar player but he never got around to teaching me. I know that it was due to his depression as he took his own life so, now, I’m learning for Guy, my son. When we are reunited then we can play together. I have had much communication from him & I know he is still playing his guitar. Thank you. I know I have chosen the right teacher here. Hi to all from Scotland

[TheArtofGuitar]

Okay, now I just learned that this video is the #1 beginning electric guitar video on Youtube. I honestly just shed a few tears. Thanks everyone for watching. <3

[marthagrace]

my dad was literally played guitar, bass, keyboard, and sang and was in multiple bands and im sat here trying to learn guitar and realising im holding it upside down 12 mins in

[glitch]

“E”very “A”cid “D”ealer “G”ets “B”usted “E”ventually

[scottwondrow]

I'm 62, recently retired and learning the guitar was dream of mine. I bought and inexpensive Fender and picks and have been browsing beginner videos. Yours is very easy to follow and love your delivery. You're very easy to listen and learn from, will be checking back in. 👍

[tigranayvazyan]

1 _ right hand basics / how to hold a pick
2 _ basic downstroke motion
3 _ fretting hand: hand posture / finger placement (finger curvature)
4 _ basic E major
4 _ some basic rhythm pattern
5 _ basic A major (switching back and forth with E)


So while labeled as "The first lesson", what this really is, is "First few lessons."

A couple of notes:

A. When fretting an open string chord, at first, students usually mute the open strings with a part of a finger. It takes time and some adjustments to fix it.

B. Regarding the 3rd point, when the next finger presses the string down, you want the previous finger(s) to release the pressure, so that the only finger that holds the strings down to the fretboard is the one you play (simply put, the right-most finger). Still, you wanna make sure, all the other fingers to the left of that one are still on the string (but not pressing it down to the board) or right above it. This releases the unnecessary tension in your hand. Also, when doing the 1-2-3-4 exercise on strings 2 to 6, make sure you don't mute the open string(s) below it. So, for example, if you fret the B string with your index finger on a given fret, make sure that the high E is free to vibrate (not muted by your index finger), if it's on the G string, then check both B and E and so on. This gonna help in later stages, when learning basic open-string chord shapes (see point A)

C. Instead of A major as the second chord choice, I'd suggest A minor. First, A minor is literally the same as E major: every finger just goes up a string, and that's it. Second, beginners usually have some trouble with the A major shape, that is, how to fit three fingers on the same fret. In my lessons, it's one of the mid-late shapes I give them, once they're familiar with easier shapes like E, Em, Am, and Dm..

And finally, while it seems more relaxing to place the guitar on your right leg while playing (I think, a part of it is psychological, as we associate the left leg placement with classical "boring" lessons and the right leg placement with cool and relaxed ones), I highly recommend getting used to the left leg option: first, it's better ergonomically, and second, if it's an electric guitar, chances are at some point you're gonna wanna play it standing up, and the guitar is gonna be about where it would be if placed on your left leg. Not critical, but it takes some adjustments otherwise. Nothing wrong with the right leg placement but leave it for an acoustic or at least for later phases (or switch back and forth, at the very least).

To anyone, who is about to start the journey, it takes time — be patient!

[lolsflint]

Once you get to the F chord you'll see why Eddie ate dynamite.

[blastofo]

Good first lesson. A few things i’d add.

1. It’s going to take months of daily practice before you can play stuff that sounds good. Be patient. You have to be okay with the fact that you’re going to suck for quite a while. If you get discouraged easily or you’re used to instant gratification, you should choose a different hobby. If learning guitar was quick and easy then everyone would be a guitarist.

2. You’re not playing guitar just to learn an instrument. You’re playing guitar to learn how to play songs you love listening to and want to play yourself. You need that music connection to the instrument in order to have the desire it requires.

3. Keep playing, no matter how lacking your skills may be. It doesn’t matter if you have no clue what you’re doing. If you keep playing, you will only improve. You’ll have break throughs that will give you encouragement and excitement.

[DMSBrian]

Every
Acid
Dealer
Gets
Busted
Eventually

Heard this one once, remembered it forever xD

[nep]

Im 13 and practicing on my dads guitar so when ive saved up enough to buy an electric one, i already know how to play some basic things- and this was BY FAR the best video ive found on basic things. It teaches you a bunch but not too much, gives you time to process everything but its not slow, its efficient and super helpful if you’re just starting out. I was pretty demotivated to practice this week, but you knocked the spark right back into me! Thanks man!

[rastabrian]

I think his students kept coming baack just because he's such a nice guy lol

[christopherproeber]

The ad for this video was saying don’t learn guitar on YouTube

[DEATHMgck]

40 years old here and just picked up the guitar for the first time. going through this video just made me all the more amped to learn more!
Thank you for the free tuning lesson on you site also. Was a great help figuring out what I was doing wrong.

[claudiafrers]

Tips I found useful to be reminded of for us nonbeginners: Holding the pick 2:00. Use wrist not arm to strum 3:10. Tilt the pick 3:18. Forearm will hold a well-balenced guitar 3:45 Anchor index finger and keep all fingers curved when doing spider exercise. Pinkie should be perpendicular to the fretboard. Will add that doing all this slowly and mindfully even without right hand picking motion is a fantastic way to break into a new guitar regardless of how long you have played. Our hands need to develop muscle memory as each guitar will feel different in our hands.

[weenyboi]

6:48 When you get out of your car but leave your lights on

[kylesoares]

Quarantine 2020 who else trying to come out with a new skill

[StokesMusicStudiosOnline]

I've taught 50 or 60 lessons per week for the last 30 years or so, and played 3 or 4 gigs a week as well. This is a top notch lesson. Good job. That's kinda how I do it but I will be adding a few things from this. I'm always watching and learning how to better help my students. Thanks.

[Chris-xkop]

I see why you have a 98 percent success rate. I've taken lessons a bit as a kid and decided to pick it up again. I never knew I was holding the pick wrong before. Just with these two chords you've made me feel so confident in the process. I'll definitely be checking out your website to further my education with you.

Thank you