How to Teach Yourself Guitar: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Learning to play the guitar is a rewarding journey, and the good news is you don’t necessarily need expensive lessons to get started. While professional guidance is beneficial, countless individuals have successfully learned guitar on their own. If you’re aspiring to become a self-taught guitarist, this guide will provide you with the essential resources, strategies, and mindset to embark on your musical adventure.

Essential Qualities for Self-Taught Guitarists

Embarking on the path of self-learning requires a unique set of personal attributes. Without a teacher to guide you, your success hinges on cultivating certain qualities:

Patience: Learning guitar is a marathon, not a sprint. Progress isn’t always linear, and there will be times when you feel stuck. A guitar teacher can streamline your practice and pinpoint exactly what you need to work on. When teaching yourself, you might explore different techniques and resources, some of which might not be immediately fruitful. Embrace the process, understand that setbacks are normal, and celebrate small victories. Patience will be your anchor during challenging phases.

Motivation: Self-discipline is paramount when you’re your own teacher. There won’t be scheduled lessons or external pressure to practice. Your motivation must come from within. Reflect on why you want to learn guitar. Is it to play your favorite songs? To express yourself creatively? To join a band? Keep these reasons at the forefront of your mind, especially when motivation wanes. Set realistic goals, track your progress, and reward yourself for milestones achieved to maintain momentum.

Kindness to Yourself: Self-learning can be frustrating at times. You might encounter concepts that seem difficult or feel discouraged by slow progress. It’s crucial to practice self-compassion. Learning any new skill involves a learning curve with inevitable ups and downs. Avoid harsh self-criticism. Instead, acknowledge your efforts, learn from mistakes, and remember that every guitarist, even the most accomplished, started as a beginner. Treat yourself with the same encouragement and understanding you would offer a friend learning guitar.

Curiosity: Without a teacher directing your learning path, curiosity becomes your compass. You’ll need to actively seek out information, experiment with different approaches, and explore various resources. Be inquisitive about music theory, different guitar techniques, and the styles of music that inspire you. Don’t be afraid to try new things, delve into topics that pique your interest, and view learning as an exciting exploration. This proactive approach will make your self-teaching journey dynamic and engaging.

Learning Guitar by Ear: Developing Your Aural Skills

Training your ear is a highly valuable skill for any musician, especially guitarists. Learning to play by ear enhances your musical intuition, improves your understanding of music, and allows you to learn songs and melodies without relying solely on written notation. While it may seem daunting initially, developing your ear is achievable with consistent practice.

Beginner Ear Training Exercises

Start with the fundamentals to build a solid foundation for ear training:

Guitar Tuning: Begin by learning how to tune your guitar by ear. Start with a reference pitch (like an online tuner or tuning fork) and practice tuning each string relative to the others. This exercise trains you to recognize pitch relationships and intervals.
Basic Techniques by Ear: Even without formal lessons, you can learn fundamental guitar techniques by observing and listening. Pay close attention to how guitarists hold their instruments, fret notes, and pluck or strum strings in videos and performances. Try to replicate these actions based on your observations.

Here’s how experienced guitarist Molly Miller demonstrates guitar and hand positioning:

Single String Exploration: Play each open string individually. Listen carefully to the pitch of each string. Then, experiment with fretting notes on each string. Focus on producing clear, buzz-free notes. Try to identify the relative highness or lowness of each note.
Fretboard Navigation: Practice moving around the fretboard, playing notes in different positions. Try to find the lowest and highest notes on your guitar. This helps you become familiar with the layout of the fretboard and the relationship between different notes.
Melody Replication: Choose simple melodies, like nursery rhymes or short musical phrases. Sing the melody aloud, then try to find those notes on your guitar by ear. Start with one or two notes at a time and gradually expand to longer phrases.
Harmonic Exploration: Play two different notes simultaneously and listen to the resulting harmony. Experiment with different note combinations to discover which pairings sound pleasing to you. Expand this exercise to three-note combinations, exploring richer harmonies.
Rhythmic Variation: Choose a single note and practice playing it with different rhythmic patterns. Experiment with long and short notes, accents, and syncopation. This develops your rhythmic feel and coordination.

Creativity is key to effective ear training. Don’t be afraid to improvise, experiment, and make mistakes. The more you play and listen actively, the faster your ear will develop. If you have prior musical experience with singing or another instrument, leverage that knowledge to accelerate your guitar learning journey.

Learning Guitar by Playing Songs: Putting Theory into Practice

Learning songs is a fun and practical way to apply your guitar skills and develop your musicality. It bridges the gap between theoretical exercises and real-world musical application.

Start Simple: Begin with songs that are known for their simplicity, such as folk songs, children’s songs, or beginner-friendly pop songs. These often have straightforward chord progressions and melodies, making them easier to learn by ear or with basic resources.
Focus on Sections: Don’t try to learn an entire song at once. Break it down into manageable sections, such as the verse, chorus, or intro. Work on mastering one section before moving on to the next.
Melody First: Begin by learning the melody of the song. Sing the melody repeatedly until it’s firmly in your ear. Then, try to find the notes of the melody on your guitar, one phrase at a time.
Identify Chords: Once you’re comfortable with the melody, focus on the chords. Listen to the bass line to help identify the root notes of the chords. Try to hum or sing the bass line. Then, try to figure out the full chords by listening to the overall harmony and experimenting with different chord shapes you know.
Play Along: Once you can play a section of the song, play along with the original recording. This helps you refine your timing, rhythm, and accuracy. Pay attention to how your playing aligns with the recording and make adjustments as needed.

For a deeper dive into this technique, explore resources specifically focused on learning songs by ear. Many websites and tutorials offer guidance on this valuable skill.

Top YouTube Channels for Self-Taught Guitarists

YouTube is a treasure trove of free guitar lessons and resources. Navigating this vast landscape can be overwhelming, so here are some reputable channels particularly beneficial for beginners:

Andrew Huang: While not strictly a guitar channel, Andrew Huang’s channel offers invaluable music theory lessons presented in an engaging and accessible way. Understanding music theory is crucial for any musician, including guitarists, and Andrew Huang makes complex concepts understandable for beginners.

JustinGuitar: Justin Sandercoe is a widely respected online guitar teacher, and his YouTube channel is a cornerstone for beginner guitarists. He provides comprehensive, free lessons covering everything from the absolute basics of holding a guitar and tuning to essential chords, strumming patterns, and beginner songs. His systematic approach and clear explanations make learning guitar accessible and enjoyable for newcomers.

Lauren Bateman: Lauren Bateman’s channel is excellent for concise, focused lessons. Her video on “four easy chords” is a perfect starting point for beginners. She clearly demonstrates how to play E minor, G major, C major, and D major – fundamental chords that form the basis of countless songs. Learning these chords unlocks a vast repertoire of beginner-friendly music.

Marty Music: Marty Schwartz is another popular and engaging YouTube guitar teacher. Following Lauren Bateman’s lesson, Marty’s video on “22 songs with four chords” is an ideal next step. He shows you how to apply the E minor, G major, C major, and D major chords you learned to play real songs. While some of his strumming techniques may be slightly advanced for absolute beginners, you can always simplify them by starting with basic down strums.

These channels offer a wealth of free, high-quality guitar instruction, making YouTube an indispensable resource for self-taught learners.

Best Guitar Books for Self-Learning

For a structured, step-by-step approach to learning guitar, books can be invaluable. Here are two highly recommended guitar method books for beginners:

The Guitar Lesson Companion by Susan Palmer: Susan Palmer, an experienced guitar teacher, has created the “Guitar Lesson Companion” series, specifically designed for self-learners. These books are meticulously structured and accompanied by video lessons that are part of Susan’s comprehensive free five-year online guitar course. This integrated approach provides a well-rounded learning experience, combining the structure of a book with the visual and auditory guidance of video instruction.

Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 by Will Schmid and Greg Koch: The “Hal Leonard Guitar Method” series is a classic and widely respected resource in guitar education. Book 1 is the foundational text for beginner guitarists. Hal Leonard publications are renowned for their quality and comprehensive approach to music instruction. Most guitarists, regardless of their learning path, have likely encountered and benefited from the Hal Leonard method at some point in their musical journey.

These books offer structured lessons, exercises, and songs, providing a systematic path for self-guided guitar learning.

Online Guitar Lesson Websites: Expanding Your Learning Resources

If you’re willing to invest a bit in your guitar education, online guitar lesson websites can offer a more structured and interactive learning experience compared to free resources. Many platforms offer structured courses, personalized feedback, and progress tracking.

While the original article mentions checking out online platforms if you can spend money, it’s also worth exploring if your local library offers free access to online learning platforms through your library card. This can be a cost-effective way to access premium online guitar lessons.

Finding Your First Guitar: Affordable Options for Beginners

Acquiring your first guitar doesn’t have to break the bank. There are numerous ways to find an affordable instrument, especially when you’re just starting out.

Getting a Guitar on a Budget

Borrow from a Friend: If you’re unsure about your long-term commitment to guitar playing, borrowing a guitar is an excellent way to test the waters without any financial investment. Ask friends, family members, or acquaintances if they have a guitar you could borrow for a month or two.
Library Loan Programs: Libraries are expanding their resources beyond books. Many libraries now offer musical instrument loan programs. Check with your local library to see if they have guitars available for borrowing. While you’re there, inquire about free online guitar courses accessible through your library card.
Local Guitar Store Rentals: Local guitar stores are valuable resources for beginner guitarists. Visit your local store and ask if they offer guitar rental programs. Renting allows you to play a quality instrument for a small fee before committing to a purchase.

Tips for Buying Your First Beginner Guitar

When purchasing your first guitar, prioritize playability. A guitar that is easy to play will make the learning process much more enjoyable and less frustrating.

Seek a Demonstration: Whether you’re buying in person or online, ask if someone can demonstrate the guitar for you. If buying in a store, ask a staff member to play it. If you know someone who plays guitar, bring them along to test the instrument.
Inquire About Setup: If buying online, confirm with the seller whether the guitar has been “set up.” A basic setup involves adjusting the guitar’s action (string height) and intonation to ensure comfortable playing and accurate tuning across the fretboard. A good setup significantly enhances playability, especially for beginners.
Consider Used Guitars: Used guitars are an excellent option for budget-conscious beginners. Guitar stores often have a selection of used instruments that are often more affordable than new ones and can offer great value.
Online Brands: Brands like Orangewood Guitars, which sell directly online, offer affordable beginner-friendly models. Research online reviews and beginner guides to buying guitars to make informed decisions.

What’s Next?

Learning guitar is a journey of continuous growth and discovery. Embrace the process, celebrate your progress, and don’t be afraid to explore different learning methods and musical styles.

If you’re ready to start learning immediately and want a structured approach, consider exploring free trials offered by online guitar lesson platforms like Pickup Music. Their Beginner Learning Pathway is specifically designed to guide absolute beginners from the fundamentals to playing songs quickly.

Start your self-taught guitar journey today, and unlock the joy of making music!