If you want to learn how to play guitar from me, be sure to check out my entire lessons program at www.the-art-of-guitar.com. 👍🎸🎸

I am here because I have been wanting to play guitar for many years. My beautiful son was an ace guitar player but he never got around to teaching me. I know that it was due to his depression as he took his own life so, now, I’m learning for Guy, my son. When we are reunited then we can play together. I have had much communication from him & I know he is still playing his guitar. Thank you. I know I have chosen the right teacher here. Hi to all from Scotland

This guy: Don't press too hard! You don't want to leave lines on your finger! My teacher: If your fingers aren't bleeding you're not pressing hard enough

Okay, now I just learned that this video is the #1 beginning electric guitar video on KZfaq. I honestly just shed a few tears. Thanks everyone for watching.

Thanks Markiplier

Good first lesson. A few things i’d add. 1. It’s going to take months of daily practice before you can play stuff that sounds good. Be patient. You have to be okay with the fact that you’re going to suck for quite a while. If you get discouraged easily or you’re used to instant gratification, you should choose a different hobby. If learning guitar was quick and easy then everyone would be a guitarist. 2. You’re not playing guitar just to learn an instrument. You’re playing guitar to learn how to play songs you love listening to and want to play yourself. You need that music connection to the instrument in order to have the desire it requires. 3. Keep playing, no matter how lacking your skills may be. It doesn’t matter if you have no clue what you’re doing. If you keep playing, you will only improve. You’ll have break throughs that will give you encouragement and excitement.

“E”very “A”cid “D”ealer “G”ets “B”usted “E”ventually

1 _ right hand basics / how to hold a pick 2 _ basic downstroke motion 3 _ fretting hand: hand posture / finger placement (finger curvature) 4 _ basic E major 4 _ some basic rhythm pattern 5 _ basic A major (switching back and forth with E) So while labeled as "The first lesson", what this really is, is "First few lessons." A couple of notes: A. When fretting an open string chord, at first, students usually mute the open strings with a part of a finger. It takes time and some adjustments to fix it. B. Regarding the 3rd point, when the next finger presses the string down, you want the previous finger(s) to release the pressure, so that the only finger that holds the strings down to the fretboard is the one you play (simply put, the right-most finger). Still, you wanna make sure, all the other fingers to the left of that one are still on the string (but not pressing it down to the board) or right above it. This releases the unnecessary tension in your hand. Also, when doing the 1-2-3-4 exercise on strings 2 to 6, make sure you don't mute the open string(s) below it. So, for example, if you fret the B string with your index finger on a given fret, make sure that the high E is free to vibrate (not muted by your index finger), if it's on the G string, then check both B and E and so on. This gonna help in later stages, when learning basic open-string chord shapes (see point A) C. Instead of A major as the second chord choice, I'd suggest A minor. First, A minor is literally the same as E major: every finger just goes up a string, and that's it. Second, beginners usually have some trouble with the A major shape, that is, how to fit three fingers on the same fret. In my lessons, it's one of the mid-late shapes I give them, once they're familiar with easier shapes like E, Em, Am, and Dm.. And finally, while it seems more relaxing to place the guitar on your right leg while playing (I think, a part of it is psychological, as we associate the left leg placement with classical "boring" lessons and the right leg placement with cool and relaxed ones), I highly recommend getting used to the left leg option: first, it's better ergonomically, and second, if it's an electric guitar, chances are at some point you're gonna wanna play it standing up, and the guitar is gonna be about where it would be if placed on your left leg. Not critical, but it takes some adjustments otherwise. Nothing wrong with the right leg placement but leave it for an acoustic or at least for later phases (or switch back and forth, at the very least). To anyone, who is about to start the journey, it takes time - be patient!

I'm 62, recently retired and learning the guitar was dream of mine. I bought and inexpensive Fender and picks and have been browsing beginner videos. Yours is very easy to follow and love your delivery. You're very easy to listen and learn from, will be checking back in. 👍

Quarantine 2020 who else trying to come out with a new skill

Once you get to the F chord you'll see why Eddie ate dynamite.

Im 13 and practicing on my dads guitar so when ive saved up enough to buy an electric one, i already know how to play some basic things- and this was BY FAR the best video ive found on basic things. It teaches you a bunch but not too much, gives you time to process everything but its not slow, its efficient and super helpful if you’re just starting out. I was pretty demotivated to practice this week, but you knocked the spark right back into me! Thanks man!

40 years old here and just picked up the guitar for the first time. going through this video just made me all the more amped to learn more! Thank you for the free tuning lesson on you site also. Was a great help figuring out what I was doing wrong.

The ad for this video was saying don’t learn guitar on KZfaq

my dad was literally played guitar, bass, keyboard, and sang and was in multiple bands and im sat here trying to learn guitar and realising im holding it upside down 12 mins in

I've taught 50 or 60 lessons per week for the last 30 years or so, and played 3 or 4 gigs a week as well. This is a top notch lesson. Good job. That's kinda how I do it but I will be adding a few things from this. I'm always watching and learning how to better help my students. Thanks.

Tips I found useful to be reminded of for us nonbeginners: Holding the pick 2:00. Use wrist not arm to strum 3:10. Tilt the pick 3:18. Forearm will hold a well-balenced guitar 3:45 Anchor index finger and keep all fingers curved when doing spider exercise. Pinkie should be perpendicular to the fretboard. Will add that doing all this slowly and mindfully even without right hand picking motion is a fantastic way to break into a new guitar regardless of how long you have played. Our hands need to develop muscle memory as each guitar will feel different in our hands.

I think his students kept coming baack just because he's such a nice guy lol

5:30. Unfortunately “goodbye Eddie” took on a whole new meaning 2 weeks ago R.I.P Eddie van halen

I see why you have a 98 percent success rate. I've taken lessons a bit as a kid and decided to pick it up again. I never knew I was holding the pick wrong before. Just with these two chords you've made me feel so confident in the process. I'll definitely be checking out your website to further my education with you. Thank you

I just love how simple, yet in-depth everything is explained. I’m still practicing, so I continuously forget a few details. That’s when I go back to this video and re-watch it. It’s a great reminder for the little things one might easily overlook when first learning. Downloaded. Thanks so much for this video. It’s truly such a godsend 👐🏼👐🏼

Thank you, Markiplier

Almost 2 years ago I started learning guitar from this lesson. I remember how hard It was not even play a chord but to catch it. Today I can play a lot of my favorites solos and basically any song I want to play, even by ear. So if you're trying to learn guitar and struggle with It remember to not give up and being consistent, everything takes time. Eventually you will be surprised what progress have you made.

This is my first time coming to your videos. The beginning of playing guitar was far better than I expected. Not only have I learned so much, but I really enjoyed it. Thank you.

I'm a beginner and this tutorial was so helpful. I love the patience you have and that you explain small details that others might think are "unesecarry", but it really helps a lot. Thank you and I will 100% look on other tutorials. :))

My dad has an electric guitar in his basement that he never learned how to play and now that we’re in quarantine I’m going to try to play it lol

6:48 When you get out of your car but leave your lights on

Hey there! Not sure if this will find you 3 years after you posted this. But I have sitting a few minutes a day with my guitar and I recently found this video. I followed your exact steps, and the progress I made as well as playing along at the same time was substantial. Thank you so much!

About 3 years ago I first saw this video. I had already been playing for about a month and had learned a couple songs but even then I remember it being very informative and helpful. Crazy to think that I’ve been watching your videos for 3 years now, and it’s even crazier just to think about how much your Metallica videos influenced me. While I’m currently dealing with wrist tendonitis from playing so much, I will always remember first stumbling upon this video as a newbie. Thanks so much Mike, you and plenty of other guitar channels here on KZfaq helped me fall in love with the guitar and music in general :)

First ever guitar lesson, thank you!! Definitely gonna be a returning student 😄

I randomly wanted to learn how to play guitar I don’t even have a guitar yet

Thank you. I wish I had found both you and this lesson 40 years ago, when I was told to simply put the guitar back in its case. It's a rare thing to have the kindness to freely pass so much knowledge for the benefit of others - t's truly valuable.

ive picked up guitar on and off for the past year because no online lessons I could find stuck with me and i couldn't get access to an actual teacher. this is the first lesson that actually clicked for me and things make sense now. thank you so much for finally making things click for me, you're a wonderful teacher!

starting at 67 years of age,,thank you very much!

Hello everyone who just got guitars for Christmas in 2020. I hope this video makes all your wildest dreams come true. -Napoleon Dynamite 🎸👍🤣👍❤️

This is the first video I used to learn, and I've been playing for 8 months. I instantly picked it up. Very good first lesson

Every Acid Dealer Gets Busted Eventually Heard this one once, remembered it forever xD

Why am I watching this so attentively under my blanket and I don't even own a guitar? 🤦🏾‍♂️

About a week ago, I told my art teacher that I was giving up learning how to play my guitar because I just wasn't getting it and couldn't remember anything. She told me that she was learning an instrument as well and that on the last day of school, she would bring hers in and I would bring my guitar and we could show each other how far we had come. So here I am!!!!!! I'm terrible, but I'm trying. Mental illness makes motivation really difficult, but this video is a LOT less intimidating than the other "Beginners" videos. Thanks for that!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, a video that is truly aimed at the novice which is NOT overwhelming and with great - easy to understand communication. Thank you for being a fantastic teacher, look forward to watching your other videos!

I've been looking for an online teacher for when I start learning guitar next week. I think your way of teaching is the best I've seen on KZfaq so I'll be subscribed to your online course from next week. Genuinely think you could really help me learn to play so thank you in advance and I look forward to the course.

I needed this. 50 years ago.

Him: Repeat after me! Me: Im ready! Him: Plays Stairway To Heaven Me: Plays Highway To Hell

So glad I found this!! I played a bit in High School back in 1983 and had a punk band. Now I'm 55 and want to play again and 'barley' remember anything. Bought a used IBENEZ EX350 and a used MARSHALL MG30 DFX amp and so I'm starting off from square one. I needed this video!! Thank you!!

That was a brilliant first lesson! I'm just starting know the notes and can play a chord or two. I understood everything you said and will now practice hard! Thank you.

Thanks everyone for making this the most viewed video on my channel. Can't believe I can go from teaching a handful of people in one city to reaching over 5 million students through this lesson.

ad : STOP WAIT A MINUTE THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING, DO YOU KNOW WHY PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY THEY WANT TO PLAY GUITAR BUT ONLY SOME CAN, ITS BECAUSE OF WANNABE GUITAR TEACHERS ON KZfaq me : *watches a 30 minute yt video* this is so helpful

Thanks for the pace and patience I needed for a first lesson. IMO this is the best beginner instruction I've seen on YT

i started practicing yesterday after getting my brothers old stuff out of the shed. couldn’t figure out how to play with different frets or how to use them this video is helping a lot so far

Thank you! I just ordered an acoustic guitar. I'm 71-years-old, and I want to play the guitar. After watching this video I think I can!

Just a note of encouragement to those who might have smaller hands. Don't give up. Keep at it, your hands aren't as small as you think. Big hands have problems too. It just takes time for your fingers to learn to stretch and find the right grip. You'll be fine. Your fingers are going to get sore at first, but they WILL stop hurting after a while. Practice in short bursts, a few minutes at a time, then come back half an hour later. Little and often works best. I've been playing guitar for 50 years plus and dropped in to this lesson to see how beginners might be taught and I think this guy is doing it great.

This was my first lesson a year ago and I've made leaps and bounds in my first year, I just recently learned the number of the beast including solos. Thanks for all the simple great advice.

Finally, someone who understands how to communicate the small details that make the difference between success and failure. This is the best guitar lesson I have ever seen. Well done!

I am 81 years old and for some reason, I have always wanted to play the guitar. What stopped me was who was the person teaching it. There are all kinds of apps learning how to play but some are not geared for people like me . At my age, I am slower than most and memory is not as it used to be. I came across this series or rather the book but the videos are quite nice. Using both will help. I wanted to have a means to enjoy playing but take my time in learning it. Learning how to play, will ease some of the stress in life that I face. This all started when I went to a thrift store and saw a real bargain in a guitar and bought it.

Wow, I'm really impressed with this guys teaching method. Patient and little tips and tricks that other teachers forget about because they can't remember being a beginner.

For everyone out there who just watched this tutorial. This is what a great educator looks like. One who conveys information without contempt for his audience. If you’ll notice he never talks down to the student observer, is patient, and has compassion for the journey, for which he understands all will now be part of. If some watching need to move ahead, video training allows that too. The idea is to keep students in a positive state. This artist/educator is more than qualified. Bravo! Good luck to all. Music, and music education, IS joy at any age.

I have been playing the guitar since 1987, but job and lack of motivation has kept me from practicing for many many years now. I search these beginner videos in order to get started again. I am using this to get rid of bad habits in my guitar playing. Like a fresh start. Alternate picking and coordination are important to me right now. Thanks for the video.

I bought my guitar today! I have a terminal illness and always wanted to learn how to play the guitar. After my diagnosis, I decided, why not? I am excited about learning.

My first lesson method is to have them give me a song they want to learn beforehand so I can immediately teach them a simplified version of what they actually want to do with the instrument. Feeling the satisfaction of hearing your favorite song come out of your fingertips is magical and gets people excited to continue more than anything else I’ve tried. I just remember how difficult it was to practice before having any amount of fun and I want to get them through that as quickly as possible so even if they do give up, at least they might remember their favorite song in case inspiration comes back.

i am a 61 year old beginner, i love the way you teach..excellent job, i have learned the E and A & few others, G,D with a book. i like your patience in teaching. great work thank you

I love your thorough teaching method that’s very easy to understand. I’ve been playing the electric guitar since 1966. Classic blues rock is what I like to play. I consider myself to be a lousy guitar player still in beginning stages. I learned something new from you in this video! My chord fingering is wrong and because of that I’ve been working unnecessarily hard to change chords. The A to E chords and back again. I am looking forward to learning so much more from you! Thank you!

Very helpful. Watched one time and this man is gonna teach me guitar. I will follow thru. I’ve written down so much useful info he’s thrown out there.

im 16 and i got my first guitar yesterday, it’s my birthday gift and this is so far the most helpful video i could find. tysm!! you’re a good teacher, when i went to music school, the teachers i had there weren’t that great. i know this is kind of an old video but once again, thank you for helpong me and all the other kids out there who want to learn as well, you’re an example of a great teacher!!

Thank you it was a great video I just purchased a guitar and I am 68 it is never to late to learn something new.

Beginner here! 👋🏻 Your video right here is what will keep bringing me back to your content. The way you “dumb” it down, how well you carry yourself, all of it man. Thank you for explaining this is a way that at least I can understand. Keep up the excellent content!

I was looking for a first lesson for the guitar and I’m glad I stumbled across your video. Great job and thank you for getting me started with a great lesson!

Ive never had lessons, ive been self taught for about 2 years and honestly, the effort is 100% worth it

As an amateur key board player and trainer of adult classes for many years, I have to say that your style of teaching is really excellent. You use a pace that makes everything easy to duplicate and understand. I am just starting to learn the guitar and this lesson really helped me a lot.

I'm 13 and Im getting a guitar fkr Christmas, just wanted to look at dome lessons to see what im getting into and this seems really simple and helpful. Will definitely be coming back here once I get ny guitar

You are not only personable, but you have the best beginner video I could find. I rarely leave comments, and you get a comment, a thumbs up, and a big thank you. Cheers mate.

I have had my guitar for 20 years now, I don't lie! And I haven't learned a thing because I am the type of person who needs to know how to do everything right away, I have no patience for the long time it will take to learn. HOWEVER, it is my New Year's Resolution to teach myself how to play. I did teach myself calculus and physics so....I just need to realize things take time... :)

There was literally an ad before this video saying how KZfaq guitar videos are 90% bad

Well, I'm back after almost a year. I watched this video as soon as I got my first guitar, and I haven't stopped learning since then! I'll always remember you as the guy who taught me the very basics :)

I just got a guitar yesterday for christmas, and I was looking up the basics. This video helped me a ton! Thank you form aking it! :D

Dude I love how you break everything down and put it all in laymen’s terms. Amazing. It’s all logic.

Just this little “okay?” At the end of the sentences is so comforting!!! Thanks for the video! It’s super helpful!!

Hello! I have looked at a few guitar lessons online, and thus far, from a blind persons perspective, this is one of the most descriptive that I’ve ever seen! I will look for the rest of the series, and will learn with you! My mission is to get good enough to play a song by one of my favorite artists, drab Majesty. Thank you for putting this out here!

This was my favorite video about playing guitar! I'm beginning to learn guitar and this definitely helped! Thank you!

2:07 he caught us offguard

This is probably the simplest and the most recommended video to a person who actually doesn't know anything about playing a guitar, I'm gonna stick to your channel right away!

My guitar just came in the mail today. I am so happy I am able to do those simple cords you were showing! I will definitely do those everyday for practice! Thank you for explaining so well! -Sincerely, a newbie ❤

You made this so easy to comprehend and why learning certain things are important.

E - every A - american D - dad G - goes B - bald e - eventually

Here are a couple of simple tricks that helped me with my form: 1) The number one reason people slouch over their guitars is to see what they're doing (even though this makes it harder to keep your left hand in a good playing position). Practicing in front of a mirror allows you to be able to see exactly where your hands are, while maintaining good posture. 2) When learning new chord shapes, I would pluck each successive string from the low E to the high E, so that I could identify any string I was accidentally muffling and make the necessary adjustments. I didn't strum until I got every string to ring true. That made it relatively easy (and fast) to develop good left-hand form.

I really appreciate your teaching style, tone and content. Thank you for your hard work!

Thank you so much for your this! So so nice of you! I have been wanting to learn to play like my dad all my life and this came across my feed as something I might like. Crazy nudge! Thank you!

I have really bad focusing issues like my dad said and I quote"you have the attention span of a squirrel" and I made it through 21 minutes of the video without getting majorly distracted so I'm happy

At 34, almost 35, I'm wanting to get a new hobby. I have been looking at guitars even though my musical childhood was miserable. I'm probably the dumbest person when it comes to instruments but I need something to take my mind off of things. As a combat vet, stuff gets rough sometimes and your video seems to go at a pace that I can easily keep up with. I will most likely get a guitar in the near future because of your easy to follow videos. Thanks a bunch.

Best guitar lesson for beginners on KZfaq. Everyone else just asks you to play a chord which never sounds right and moves along. Thank!

My sisters friend just got a guitar and Ive been looking for a video to help her start out. this is perfect, thank you :-)

Ok my Dad was a drummer singer guitarist. He has passed away now. He got me a Fender Telecaster, for my 21St bd. I sold it to my best mate for his sons 21st., years ago. It went to the perfect home. I became a house dj. I have now bought a squire tele. And this video has inspired me to learn again. Thanks so much. My dad would love to see me do this. :)

It’s honestly super inspiring to see all the beginners in this comments section. I’ve been playing guitar for about 8 years and piano for 14 but how to teach an instrument to someone starting from zero is still a mystery to me. Playing music and teaching music are definitely two very different skills.

I know I'm just echoing what so many others have said on here, but you really do have a patient manner in teaching, and do a great job of explaining it all. I'm a 58 yr old woman trying to brush up on my very amateurish guitar skills, and am glad I stumbled upon you.😊👍

thank you so much for this video! i just got a new guitar today and im so excited to begin learning to play it- im glad i found you online to help! thanks again!

learned so much from this!!

Me: *Casually says I kinda want to relearn guitar* Father: *Buys a really nice guitar for my birthday* Me: "Oh no... now I actually have to relearn guitar." Glad to have these really simple and easy lessons available!

Haha its been a year since I've first watched this, and although Im not good, guitar and music relating to the guitar has totally consumed my entire life. Im so glad that this video was the first step in my journey!

Hey, this is a great video. I've been playing for 20 years and have been making an effort of getting back into it. This video brought me back to my earliest days, and I will send it on to a beginner

Who else got a guitar for Christmas😁😂

My fingers are too sore to continue just a little over half in, BUT I'm NOT giving up! Used to play when I was about 10 yrs old, now 65! And my fingers are short but you're THE BEST SO FAR, that I've listened to! Thank you! Will be watching again! I'm remembering chords!