What Should a Beginner Learn First on Guitar?

Intro

This article is for anyone who is just starting out and wondering what a beginner should learn first on guitar. There is so much information online now that it can be difficult to know where to begin.

Should you learn chords first? Scales? Songs? Music theory? Finger exercises? The answer is that you need a sensible mixture, but you do not need everything at once.

The best starting point is to build a few basic skills that allow you to make music quickly, while also giving you strong foundations for later on.

1. Learn How to Hold the Guitar Comfortably

Before worrying too much about chords and songs, make sure you are sitting or standing comfortably with the guitar.

If the guitar is slipping around, or your wrist is in an awkward position, everything will feel harder than it needs to. Try to keep the guitar stable and your shoulders relaxed.

Comfort matters. If something feels painfully awkward, do not just battle through it. A small adjustment can often make playing much easier.

2. Learn the Names of the Strings

You do not need to memorise the whole fretboard on day one, but learning the open string names is very useful.

From the thickest string to the thinnest string, the standard tuning is:

E A D G B E

Knowing this will help you tune the guitar, follow lessons more easily and understand basic guitar diagrams.

3. Learn How to Tune the Guitar

A well-tuned guitar is much more enjoyable to play. If the guitar is out of tune, even the correct chords can sound wrong, which can be very discouraging for beginners.

Use an electronic tuner or a tuning app to begin with. Take your time and learn what the tuner is telling you. This is a small skill, but it makes a big difference.

If you need help with this, take a look at my lesson on how to use your tuner.

4. Learn a Few Basic Chords

Basic open chords are one of the most useful things a beginner can learn. With just a handful of chords, you can begin playing real songs.

Good chords to start with include:

Em, G, C and D

You do not need to learn all of them at once. Start with two or three and get them sounding clear. Then gradually add more.

You may find my lesson on how to play easy guitar chords helpful here.

5. Learn How to Change Between Chords

Knowing a chord shape is one thing. Moving to it smoothly from another chord is the next step.

This is where many beginners get stuck, so please do not be surprised if it feels clumsy at first. Your fingers are learning new movements and they need repetition.

Start with simple two-chord changes. For example, practise moving from Em to G, or from G to D. Keep it slow and aim for clean movement rather than speed.

For more detail, read How to Change Guitar Chords Faster.

6. Learn a Simple Strumming Pattern

Once you can play a couple of chords, add a simple strumming pattern. This is where things begin to sound more like a song.

Start with steady down-strums. Try to keep them even and relaxed. Later, you can add up-strums and more interesting rhythms.

The main goal at first is to keep a steady beat. A simple rhythm played in time will usually sound much better than a complicated rhythm played unevenly.

7. Learn One Easy Song

Learning a song early on is fantastic for motivation. It gives all your practice a purpose.

Choose something simple that uses chords you already know, or something that can be simplified to your current level. You do not need to play it exactly like the recording straight away.

If you enjoy the song, you are much more likely to keep practising it. That matters more than people sometimes realise.

For ideas, have a look at 10 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners.

8. Learn How to Read Basic Chord Diagrams or Tab

Learning to read basic guitar diagrams will help you become more independent. You will be able to look up chords, follow simple lessons and understand written examples more easily.

Guitar tab is also useful, especially for riffs and melodies. It shows you where to put your fingers on the fretboard without needing to read traditional music notation.

You can start with my lesson on how to read basic guitar tablature.

9. Build a Small Practice Habit

One of the best things you can learn early on is the habit of regular practice.

You do not need huge practice sessions. Even 10 or 15 minutes on a regular basis can make a real difference when you are starting out.

Try to practise a small number of things carefully rather than rushing through lots of material. Clear, consistent practice wins.

My Beginner Guitar Practice Routine article gives you a simple structure to follow.

10. Do Not Try to Learn Everything at Once

It is very easy to get overwhelmed in the beginning. There are thousands of videos, exercises, songs and opinions online.

Try not to jump around too much. Build the basics first. Tune the guitar, learn a few chords, practise changing between them, work on simple strumming and play songs you enjoy.

That is more than enough to get started properly.

Outro

So, what should a beginner learn first on guitar? Start with comfort, tuning, basic chords, simple strumming, chord changes and easy songs. These skills will give you a strong foundation and help you enjoy the instrument right from the beginning.

Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Guitar can feel awkward at first, but that does not mean you are not musical. It simply means you are learning new movements and new habits.

If you would like some help getting started, contact me to book a lesson. My private one-to-one lessons are tailored to suit your current level, whether you are an absolute beginner or returning to the guitar after a long break. You can also read more about private guitar lessons in Leeds and what we can cover in lessons.

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