Learn guitar: The ultimate guide for beginners to start playing guitar sooner – with expert lessons on chords, scales, licks, and more

My 5 tips for guitar learners

So now you know some fundamentals of learning guitar, the next natural question is: “How can I get better, faster?”

Faster isn’t always better. That being said, there are certainly some ways to ensure you progress as efficiently as possible.

Guitar learning for beginners is a scary

#5 - Track your progress

Keeping a record of your progress is incredibly motivating. 

Whether it's a journal, an app for learning guitar, or simple videos of your playing, seeing how far you've come can be a powerful encouragement.

When I first started, I struggled with feeling like I wasn't improving at all. But when I looked back at old recordings, I realized just how much progress I’d made. 

This isn't just about hitting milestones; it's about acknowledging and celebrating every small victory along the way 🎉

#4 - Keep it fresh

Learning guitar should be fun, not a chore. 

Mix up your practice routine to keep things exciting. 

• Learn new songs
• Experiment with different genres
• Mess around with your amplifier settings
• Try out new techniques

I remember getting stuck in a rut, practicing the same chords over and over until I was bored out of my mind. Now I regularly change things up and keeps me looking forward to practice time.

This variety prevents burnout and stops you from falling into the comfort zone of doom!

#3 - Make it a habit

We’re all human – sometimes the motivation to practice just isn’t there. 

So what keeps me picking the guitar up on those ‘off days’?

Routine! Routine! Routine! 

Learning how to play guitar needs to become a habit, just like brushing your teeth – and do it at the same time each day.

It’ll help you stay committed and after a few weeks you won’t even have to think about it – guitar practice will be ingrained into your daily life.

#2 - Seek out guidance

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

Whether it’s a teacher, online tutorials, or joining a community of fellow learners, having guidance will make a huge difference. 

Personalized feedback can help you overcome specific challenges, and being part of a community can provide support and motivation. 

I remember feeling stuck and frustrated when I was trying to self-teach. Finding a guitar tutor gave me the direction and encouragement I needed. 

Everyone needs help sometimes; seeking it out is a sign of dedication, not weakness.

#1 - Set clear goals

Having clear, achievable goals gives your practice direction and purpose. 

Whether it’s mastering a particular song, learning a new technique, or playing a gig, setting specific targets helps you stay focused and motivated. 

• My initial goal was simply to play some of my favorite songs, but that seemed a long way off.
• Breaking that goal down into smaller, manageable steps made the process less daunting and more rewarding. 
• Knowing what you’re working towards can make your practice sessions more meaningful and rewarding.

Speaking of goals, what type of guitarist do you want to be?

Different types and genres of guitar to learn

A headbanging metal head, a smooth jazz cat, a serenading strummer?

Guitar is easy to learn when you have a goal in mind.

The choices are seemingly endless, but it’s good to have a general idea of which direction you’d like to take once you’ve made it past the beginner stage.

Classical

Classical guitar is all about precision and technique. 

It typically involves playing nylon-stringed guitars with a focus on fingerpicking and intricate compositions. 

• Learning classical guitar can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. 
• It gives you a strong foundation in music theory and fingerstyle techniques that can translate into other genres. 

Fingerstyle

Fingerstyle guitar involves plucking the strings directly with your fingers, allowing for a complex and layered sound. 

• This genre is versatile, covering everything from folk and pop to more intricate arrangements. 
• It’s perfect for those who enjoy creating rich textures and dynamic melodies with their guitar.

Singer-songwriters often learn fingerstyle guitar techniques to add some variety to their compositions.

Country

Country guitar often features a combination of fingerpicking and strumming, with a focus on storytelling through music. 

• The genre is known for its twangy sound, and tricky techniques like bending, sliding, and double stops.
• If you love the idea of playing heartfelt ballads and upbeat, foot-tapping tunes, country guitar lessons could be for you.

Neo Soul

Neo-soul guitar combines elements of soul, jazz, hip hop, and R&B, often featuring smooth progressions and intricate chord voicings. 

• Learning to play neo soul involves mastering complex chords and syncopated rhythms.
• Don’t be fooled by the laid-back vibe – this genre requires a lot of skill and knowledge.

Although it can be a challenge, neo soul is a great style to learn as it opens the door to lots of other genres like…

Jazz

That’s right! If learning to play music was a video game, jazz would definitely be a boss level. 

• Jazz guitar is known for its complexity and improvisational nature. 
• It involves a deep understanding of music theory, you’ll learn guitar scales, modes, and chord extensions. 
• Jazz guitarists often play with a clean tone, which tends to highlight any minor errors in technique.

If you enjoy the idea of spontaneous creation and sophisticated harmonies, learning jazz might be the way to go.

Blues

This is the bedrock for many of the world's most influential guitarists, from Jimi Hendrix to Guthrie Govan – it's a great place to begin your journey.

• Blues guitar is all about emotion and expression, with less focus on theory. 
• It often features simple yet powerful chord progressions and a heavy use of bending, vibrato, and slides.
• You can learn one scale shape and start soloing!

If you’re drawn to the raw, soulful sound of artists like B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Muddy Waters, learn blues guitar!

‍

Rock

This is a natural follow-on from blues. Many of the techniques, scales, and styles are the same… just turned up a little.

• Rock is characterized by driving rhythms, power chords, and memorable riffs. 
• It’s a versatile genre that ranges from the classic rock sounds of the 60s and 70s to modern alternative and punk. 

If you love the idea of playing loud, high-energy music and even shredding some big solos, rock guitar will provide.

Metal

It’s like a family tree! Metal follows on from rock and once again, boosts the intensity🤘

• Metal guitar is intense and technically demanding, characterized by fast tempos, heavy distortion, and complex riffs. 
• It often involves techniques like palm muting, alternate picking, sweep picking, and tapping. 

If you’re drawn to the aggressive sound of bands like Metallica all the way through to Meshuggah – learn metal guitar.

Stages of learning guitar, beginner to advanced: What to expect

Standing at the bottom of the mountain and looking up can be a daunting prospect 🗻

The best approach with guitar is to break things down into smaller sections.

These are the main points you’ll focus on during each stage of your learning journey. 

Beginner: What you’ll learn

As a beginner, you’re just getting to know the guitar. Everything is new, from holding the instrument to strumming your first chord. 

Here are some things you’ll learn as a beginner.

• Playing notes: Practice simple, single-note lines to build finger strength.
• Basic chords: This is your main focus as a beginner – learning major and minor open chords.
• Strumming patterns: Simple strumming patterns to develop your sense of rhythm.
• Basic songs: Using the chords and strumming patterns you’ve learned to play simple songs.

Intermediate: What you’ll learn

At the intermediate stage, you start to feel more comfortable with your guitar. 

The basics are becoming second nature, and you’re ready to take on more challenging techniques and songs.

Here are some things you’ll learn as an intermediate guitarist:

• Barre chords: Mastering barre chords, which are essential for playing a wider range of songs and styles.
• Scales and modes: Delving into the major scale, minor scale, and pentatonic scale to enhance your soloing and improvisation.
• Fingerpicking: Developing fingerstyle techniques to add complexity and texture to your playing.
• Music theory: Gaining a deeper understanding of chord construction, harmonic progressions, and key signatures.

Advanced: What you’ll learn

As an advanced guitarist, you’ve developed a solid foundation and are now focusing on refining your skills to a professional level. 

This stage is about mastery, creativity, and honing your own individual style.

 Here are some things you’ll learn as an advanced guitarist:

• Improvisation and soloing: Perfecting your ability to improvise and create dynamic solos using advanced scales and modes.
• Complex chord voicings: Exploring sophisticated chord shapes, jazz chords, and alternative tunings to add depth to your playing.
• Composition: Learning how to write, arrange, and structure your own songs.
• Genre proficiency: Becoming competent in multiple genres and mastering your favorites.

What is the best guitar to learn on?

There’s no “best” guitar for everyone. It’s a very individual choice, and if you stick with guitar for a while, you’ll own more than one… believe me.

Once you’ve decided how to learn to play guitar, you need to choose what guitar to learn on – let’s check out some popular options.

Gibson Les Paul (Electric)

Channel your inner Slash with this solid choice for rock and blues, offering a rich sound and versatile humbuckers, though it’s heavier than other beginner options.

Budget option: Epiphone Les Paul

Fender Stratocaster (Electric)

For fans of *big inhale* Hendrix, Gilmore, Clapton, Frusciante, Mayer, Beck, Malmsteen, SRV… 😮💨 the Strat could be for you. It’s a versatile guitar, but the pickups might not pack enough punch for heavier genres.

Budget option: Squire Stratocaster

Ibanez ‘Superstrat’ style (Electric)

If you’re into the speed and precision of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, this guitar is ideal. Perfect for rock and metal with its thin guitar neck and aggressive tone, though the floating bridge can be a deal-breaker for some.

Taylor GS Mini (Acoustic)

If you’re inspired by singer-songwriters like Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran, or are interested in learning acoustic guitar, this one offers a rich tone and premium quality, making it perfect for beginners willing to invest a bit more.

Cordoba C5 (Classical)

If you’re inspired by the great Andrés Segovia you should learn on a classical guitar This nylon-string guitar offers a warm, mellow tone, perfect for classical, flamenco, and fingerstyle playing.

People often think of nylon-stringed guitars as a “learner acoustic guitar”, because the softer strings make them a little easier on the fingers.

"Sometimes you want to give up the guitar, you'll hate the guitar. But if you stick with it, you're gonna be rewarded." – Jimi Hendrix

Learn guitar yourself vs online courses vs private tutor

So I’ve given you answers to the ‘what’ questions, now it’s time to talk about the ‘how’.

Like most choices with guitar, it’s personal. 

Some folks prefer finding their own way by studying alone, others prefer having a teacher guide them every step of the way.

There are free guitar learning options available, but they might not always get the best results.

I’ve have experience with all of these options, so I want to give you my personal opinion on them.

DIY guitar

This method is all about independence and self-discipline.

Guitar learning books aren’t for everyone, but if you have patience you can learn a lot from this approach.

You set your own pace and choose what you want to learn, making it a great option for those who enjoy exploring and figuring things out by themselves. 

You can learn how to play guitar by yourself however, it can be challenging without guidance, and you might struggle to identify and correct bad habits early on.

This is not an option I’d recommend for beginners. 

Online guitar courses

Online courses offer a structured learning path with the flexibility to learn at your own pace. 

They include video lessons and practice exercises – some top platforms even offer personal feedback from instructors. 

In the last few years, online guitar lessons have come leaps and bounds. 

The low cost and wide variety of content make them a great option regardless of their skill level.

Private guitar tutors

This is still considered the premium choice by many guitarists, but it comes at a cost.

Working with a private tutor provides personalized instruction tailored to your skill level and goals. 

Whether you’re just interested in shredding and learning scales for guitar, or you want to learn songwriting – you should find someone suitable.

You’ll receive immediate feedback and guidance, helping you progress faster and avoid common pitfalls. 

This option is ideal for those who prefer a hands-on approach and can commit to regular lessons.

But remember – they’re only one person so they can’t cover all musical styles. I’ve had personal experiences where a guitar tutor was unable to teach certain topics or techniques. 

Guitar learning options compared

Let’s compare each learning method and see which one ticks the most boxes.

*Not all online platforms provide 1:1 feedback

Improve your guitar playing starting today

Guided lessons and awesome community support so you can progress faster…
Free 14 trial with full access to the Beginner Learning Pathway

FAQs

How hard is it to learn guitar?

Of course, it’s challenging at first, but with consistent practice, structure, and guidance, you’ll get there in no time!

Remember: If you struggle to find the time, or can’t afford one-on-one lessons – learn guitar online!

How long does it take to learn guitar?

It typically takes 6 months to a year of regular practice to reach a comfortable playing level – but it totally depends on your goals and how much time you commit.

What are some easy guitar songs for beginners?

Wonderwall by Oasis, Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan, and Horse with No Name by America.

These tunes are campfire favorites and the guitar chords are easy to learn.

What are some easy guitar songs for intermediates?

Blackbird by The Beatles, Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Hotel California by The Eagles (maybe not the solo!)

How important is it to learn guitar theory?

This depends on your goals – but it enhances your understanding of music and improves your playing versatility, so I’d recommend it.

A handful of guitar chords for learners is enough if you just want to strum some tunes, but if you’re serious about guitar, you’ll need to learn some music theory.

What are the best guitar methods?

Your approach should always include learning through structured lesson plans, practicing regularly, and focusing on technique, style, and theory.

Learning guitar online for free via YouTube is a popular method these days, but if you’ve tried it yourself, you’ve probably gone around in circles and ended up a little frustrated.

The same goes for these “best guitar learning app” claims. Apps are great for some things, but you need some human feedback as a beginner.

Where to learn guitar: Online vs in-person (worldwide)

No matter where you are in the world—whether it's the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, NZ you can easily find local guitar instructors by searching for ‘guitar lessons near me’ on Google. 

This will give you a list of local teachers that you can contact for one-to-one instructional tutorials.

In-person

The pros of face-to-face guitar lessons include:

• They’ll show you how to learn guitar from the beginning.
• You receive immediate, real-time feedback on your technique.
• Your teacher likely has connections within the local music community.
• You can jam or play along with your teacher in real-time.

The cons of face-to-face lessons include:

• In-person lessons generally come with a higher price tag.
• Commuting to lessons takes time and can add to your expenses.
• It can be harder to stop lessons with a teacher you've become attached to, even if they're no longer meeting your needs.
• Advanced students with specific goals might struggle to find a suitable teacher locally.

In-person tutorials can be a fantastic option if you have the time and budget to commit to a regular, structured program.

Online

Online courses and lessons, on the other hand, offer more flexibility, reduced costs, and around-the-clock support from a community of members who share your passion for learning guitar.

If you’re an adult learning guitar, you’ll be better suited to this style (it can be hard for kids to stay focused without someone there to keep them on track.

Pickup Music (Free Trial + Paid Upgrade Option)

The most structured way to learn guitar. 

Our Beginner Learning Pathway course is straightforward, offering daily lessons led by experts, and 1:1 feedback on your playing through video submissions. 

There’s also an active and supportive community forum and masterclasses where you can interact with others.

YouTube videos (Free)

There’s always a cost to ‘free’ video tutorials.  

With free guitar lessons on YouTube, the cost is that you won’t have someone pointing out the mistakes that are holding back your progress.

They might show you how to learn guitar chords, but without guidance, you’ll waste time going down rabbit holes and might end up watching more guitar videos than playing your instrument.

What’s the easiest way to learn guitar?

Ultimately, the choice between in-person and online lessons depends on your time, budget, and learning preferences. 

If you opt for online learning, we're excited to support you here at Pickup Music. 

Our global community of guitar enthusiasts is active 24/7, so you’ll always have someone to connect with, whether you're in NYC, LA, Vancouver, Toronto, London, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, or beyond.

Wrapping up

Great! Now you know how to learn guitar – you’re equipped with the knowledge to start your musical journey. 

Remember, the key to success is consistency, patience, and the willingness to explore different learning methods until you find what works best for you.

"The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you." – B.B. King

Whether you choose to learn guitar at home on your own, through online courses, or with a private tutor, the most important thing is to keep playing and enjoying the process.

And if you decide to join us at Pickup Music, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Yes, I’d Love A Free 14-Day Trial Of Pickup Music To Learn Guitar From Experts >

‍

Author: Richard Spooner

Richard Spooner is a writer and musician originally from the UK. After studying contemporary guitar at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in London, he toured the UK with various groups, playing styles ranging from acoustic to metal.

Richard's diverse experience gigging, studying music, working in guitar stores, and managing rehearsal studios has given him valuable insight into guitar and what it means to be a working musician. Since 2019, he has been traveling and working as an editor for Pickup Music, while also contributing to Total Guitar, Killer Guitar Rigs, and Guitar Pro. After a decade of performing, he now enjoys creating songs, writing about guitar, and taking long walks on the beach.