Easy Guitar Lessons for Beginners - First Part: Basic Beginner Guitar Classes

It's true! It really is possible now to learn to play guitar with easy lessons that will cost you nothing.
Here are 4 basic classes to help you get to grips with playing your guitar.
Basic Guitar Class No 1: Holding the guitar correctly.
In a sittingposition, assuming you are right handed, you will rest the guitar on your right leg, keeping the body of the guitar on your right side, and using your right hand to strum the strings.
If you pay too much attention to your left hand and how your are holding a chord, you may find the guitar will slide off your leg.
This is a typical beginnermistake that must try to avoid, so that you do not get into bad habits.
Make sure you keep the guitar close to your body and with the neck of the guitar horizontal (the reverse applies if you are left handed.
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Basic Guitar Class No 2: Learning chords from a chart.
We will start by learning 3 chords, all positioned on the first 4 frets of the fingerboard.
The fret refers to the space in between the raised metal strips, as well as the strips themselves.
The frets are shown on the chord diagram as the vertical lines, the 6 horizontal lines signifying the strings of the guitar.
Remember that the strings are numbered 1-6 starting from the bottom.
We will also number the fingers of your fretting hand, 1-3 starting with your index finger.
We will use the little finger (#4) later on.
Basic Guitar Class No 3: Your firstthree chords.
At the second fret, place your 1st and 2nd fingers on the 3rd and 1st strings respectively.
Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd string at the 3rd fret.
It will be easier than it sounds! Press the strings with the tips of your fingers and as close to the metal fret as possible.
Strum only the first 4 strings.
This is the "D" chord.
Leaving your 1st finger on the 3rd string at the 2nd fret, move your 2nd and 3rd fingers to the 4th and 2nd strings, all at the 2nd fret.
Strum the first 5 strings.
You are now playing the "A" chord.
Study the diagram on the chord chart.
Now with your 1st finger still on the 3rd string, slide it back to the 1st fret and place your 2nd and 3rd fingers on the 5th and 4th strings respectively, both at the 2nd fret.
Strum all 6 strings and you are playing the "E" chord.
Always refer to chord diagrams on your chart.
Basic Guitar Class No 4: Strumming patterns andchord changes.
Now play! Concentrate on keeping your the chords sounding clean, with no fret or string buzz.
This can be caused by not pressing firmly enough or your fingers touching the string "next door".
As mentioned before, fingertips pressing the string down as close as possible to the fret.
Strum with a regular pattern, only downward strokes to begin with and only striking the specified strings.
Make sure you are fretting cleanly by plucking each string individually.
Now practise changing from one chord to another.
With just these 3 chords, you can start to master regular strumming, clean fretting and swift chord changes.
It is a great help to use a metronome, or rhythm machine.
These classes are designed to help you to learn to play the guitar quickly and easily.
We hope you get the most from your guitar and keep playing!