Learn To Play Guitar In 5 Simple Steps
There are so many ways to learn to play guitar by yourself. Here we will describe some basics that will get you started and help you not get overwhelmed. Just follow these simple steps and you will be playing quicker than you imagined.
1. Learn These Chords: E, D, C, and G
Most realize that all music comes in the form of 8 keys – this is amazing to hear how all the combinations come together to form such great music. What’s even more amazing is that the majority of guitar songs use a few basic chords that – if you know them – you will be way ahead of the game.
The chords are E, D, C, and G. To make it easier, use this video:
Many simple, good, catchy, popular, and classic songs use these chords exclusively. Even others use these chords VERY heavily. Take the time to learn these chords, and just switch back and forth between them – most combinations go well together. Then go back and learn A, F, and B – in that order. F and B are generally the most difficult.
2. Practice Easy Songs First
Once you have mastered E, D, C, and G and a few of their variations, you will be able to play quite a few songs. We have a page totally dedicated to learning easy guitar songs and suggest you check out that page for tips. You can literally learn our top 5 songs in less than 5 minutes.
Here is a good example of where to start:
3. Be Totally Dedicated
We all know people who say things like “I wish I could play the guitar.” Talk is cheap. If you don’t REALLY want to play, you won’t. So decide in your mind how far you want to go. You don’t have to buy a $1000 guitar just to get started. The money investment can be minimal. The time investment can’t. If you aren’t willing to put in the time, you will never get good.
If you aren’t willing to get callused fingers, don’t start. If you are a girl that doesn’t want to have short fingernails, don’t start. If you are embarrassed to suck for a while, don’t even start. On a more positive note, it really doesn’t take a lot besides will power. Guitar is a beautiful instrument that anyone can play with little to no previous musical experience and/or refined instruction.
4. Challenge Yourself Beyond Your Ability
Once you get a small grasp of easy songs, start learning songs you do not have the ability to play. This is the only way to get better. A good buddy of mine or now rocks the guitar said the third song he ever learned was Creed’s “One Last Breath”. Here is a video of it:
He said he just liked the song and spent 5-6 hours a day for two or three days learning it. He says that did more for him than anything on the guitar – learning songs beyond his current ability.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice
Before you know it you will be amazing. Its totally cliche, but just practice. If you make a priority in life you will impressing the ladies in a few short weeks. Whatever your goal may be, it will take some practice to get to your level. Some people can learn to play guitar very quickly, others take a while. Just give it some time and before you know it, you’ll reach the level you want to be at.
At this point, if you need more practice, these simple free guitar lessons might not be enough. Find a trusted instructor to help you further your skills.
Here is some inspiration:
Learning to play the guitar is something that everyone should do in their life. Guitar provides the mobility that many instruments don’t. It is one of the few instruments that is easy to carry, easily fits in a car, and can be played anywhere from formal weddings to around the campfire with friends. Here we have provided 5 steps – or free guitar lessons – that will get you quickly on track. We hope this helped, and feel free to contact us for more detailed requests.
4 Replies to "Learn To Play"
paddy42ni on July 15, 2011
thanks dis site means a lot 2 me been trying to play 4 ages now (3yrs), your sites da best I’ve come across in ages and shows easy steps to follow.
ellaronella on August 21, 2011
a very good step..very inspirational..nice
keep it op.:))
AndyNJ on September 15, 2011
I totally agree with what you said here.. I just came across this site looking for good acoustic songs to play and figured I’d take a read at this article. I love your first line in the last paragraph and I have been saying that now for at least the last 6 months. Everyone should learn to play an instrument.. Not to be a musician but to hear and understand music.. I myself have only been playing for a little over a year.. (started with a guitar april of 2010, switched to bass sept 2010 cause I was no good at guitar.. Now that I understand the basics of music I moved back over to guitar and its a lot easier for me to follow and play)
This is something I have decided to give a try and I’ll tell you what.. I will continue to play an instrument for the rest of my life and I’m sorry I never picked one up sooner..
Fyi I am self taught. My buddy and I both got instruments at the same time and we love to jam together.. I’ve learned so many songs and they have all helped me in some form or shape. You may also want to add scales to the site if they’re not already on here. (Havent been on every page yet) I realize most music (typically in the solo’s) follow some type of scale/chord progression.
This is all coming from someone who hasn’t learned anything about music theory in school or played an instrument (I played trombone in 3ed grade and don’t recall anything)
Another good point in this article is that it takes practice and you must be willing to put in the time.. I was not willing at first but because it grew on me I find myself playing electric guitar/electric bass/acoustic guitar for hours each day. Not something I planned on, it’s just I love it that much.
I rate this article an A++ (100%) true and at least learn a few good songs.. Everyone in the world listens to music.. Why not learn a song or two and see where it takes you.
Keep in mind also, don’t let the fretboard (the wood with all the dots) scare you.. There are really only 7 notes total on the fretboard you can play.. With that being said, they will be A,B,C,D,E,F,G. Then you have the Sharps and Flats.
A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#.
(Note: There is no sharps for B and C)
You can find the same note in a different spot on the fretboard in a different octave.
With that said.. Standard Tuning being E, A, D, G, B, E, the E string will go from fret 0 – 12 in this order.
(0 fret, or open string) E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E (12th fret)
Follow the same pattern for the A string and so on and youll find the notes. Also take note of the similarities on the fretboard.
eg. an open E is the 2nd fret of your D string. a G on your E string is the 3ed fret, on the D string this will be your 5th fret. Similarity being whatever you play on the E string, you can typically skip a string and move 2 frets down to get the same note. (For the B and E strings you need to move 3 frets to find the same note)
I hope my ramble helps others that are looking to play and looking for guidance.. I am no instructor, just a 21 year old kid who started to play as of last year. 
azky_anz on May 4, 2011
nice step.. thanks a lot.. inspired me..