Free guides and articles
Learn guitar at your own pace
Clear explanations of chords, technique, songs and practice. For beginners to advanced players, no sheet music and no rush.
How to start: pick the route below that suits you. If you don’t play yet, follow the complete guide to learn guitar: from your first guitar and your first chords to your first song, with articles at every step that go further.
Choose your route
Where do you want to start?
Each guide lays out the key steps and points you to the articles that explore the topic further.
I’m starting from scratch
From choosing a guitar to your first song, in five steps.
I want to learn chords
All the basic chords with diagrams, plus the order to learn them in.
I play electric
Gear, power chords, palm muting, bends and your first riffs.
I play acoustic
Types, buying, learning to play, fingerpicking and maintenance.
I’m looking for guitar lessons
Online, private or at a music school: how to choose the type of lesson that suits you.
I’m starting as an adult
Learning guitar alongside work and family, also later in life.
I have pain or discomfort
Posture, warming up and preventing pain, RSI and injuries.
In four steps
How to learn guitar
You learn guitar fastest with a fixed order and short, regular practice sessions. With 20 to 30 minutes a day, you can often play your first simple song within a few weeks.
1
Choose a guitar that suits you
Classical, acoustic or electric: choose based on the music you want to play and have the string action set up properly.
2
Learn four chords
With G, C, D and Em you can already play a lot of songs. Above all, practice switching between two chords.
3
Practice short and often
A fixed 15 to 30 minutes a day works better than a long session now and then. Tune your guitar before every session.
4
Play your first song
Choose a relaxed song with three or four chords and play it from start to finish, even if it isn’t perfect yet.
Want to know what to expect at each stage? Read how long it takes to learn guitar or follow the 30-day practice schedule.
Start right away
Your first four chords
These four open chords show up in countless pop, folk and campfire songs. Read the diagrams from the low E string (left) to the high e string (right): don’t play a string marked with an x, and let a string with a circle ring open.
All the basic chords
From E and Am to F and Bm, with diagrams and the order to learn them in.
Songs with these chords
Songs you can play with G, C, D and Em, from children’s songs to campfire classics.
Which chords go together?
Why certain chords sound good together and how to build a progression yourself.
Your instrument
Acoustic or electric?
The best guitar to start with is the one that suits the music you want to play. A classical guitar with nylon strings is gentle on your fingers, an acoustic guitar with steel strings sounds fuller, and an electric guitar plays easily but needs an amp.
- All about types, buying and maintenance: the acoustic guitar
- Gear and first techniques: learning electric guitar
- Still undecided? Read which is easier: electric or acoustic
Most read
Popular articles
For beginners and advanced players, sorted by level.
Chord combinations that always work, with diagrams.
Fingering, common mistakes and exercises.
Playing guitar with thick fingers →
Smart chord shapes and tips for wide fingers.
Practicing without disturbing the neighbors →
How to practice quietly, acoustic or electric.
Five maqamat with fretboard diagrams to get started.
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Learning method
Teach yourself, use an app or take lessons?
The best way to learn guitar is the one you stick with. Teaching yourself is flexible and free; a teacher gives you direct feedback and structure. Many beginners combine the two.
- Compare types of lessons: choosing guitar lessons
- Learning with your phone: the best apps to learn guitar
- Step by step with a book: the best guitar books
All topics
Browse by topic
All articles are grouped into ten topics, from getting started and chords to performing and recording.
Can I learn guitar for free here?
Yes. All the guides and articles on this site are free to read. Start with the complete beginner’s guide and follow the steps at your own pace.
Where do I start if I’ve never played guitar?
Start with a guitar that is in tune, good posture and the chords Em, Am, C, G and D. Practice switching in a relaxed rhythm, then play your first song with three or four chords.
How long should I practice each day?
As a beginner, 20 to 30 minutes a day is enough. Short, regular practice works better than a long session now and then.
Do I need to read music to learn guitar?
No. Most guitarists play from chord charts and tabs, which you learn to read much faster than sheet music.
Grab your guitar and start today
Tune your guitar, learn your first chord and build from there step by step. The guide shows you what to practice next.