Want to play guitar but don’t know where to begin? Pick one clear goal: learn three chords, play a song, or jam with friends. That focus keeps practice useful and stops you from feeling lost.
Decide acoustic or electric based on the music you love. Acoustics are simple—no amp, full sound right away. Electrics need an amp but feel easier on the fingers because of lower string action. Try a few in a shop to test comfort: hold it, fret a few notes, check the neck thickness. Size matters—smaller bodies suit teens and smaller adults. Don’t buy the cheapest thing you can find; a well-setup cheap-to-mid guitar is better than a poorly set-up expensive one.
If you want quick buying help, look for beginner-friendly lists like “Top 10 Electric Guitars for Every Budget” or guides on acoustic choices. A tuner, a strap, a handful of picks, and an extra set of strings are the essentials to add right away.
Short, consistent sessions beat rare long ones. Aim for 20–30 minutes daily instead of a three-hour weekend block. Split time: 5 minutes tuning and warm-up, 10–15 minutes chord changes or scales, 5–10 minutes song practice. Use a metronome to slow things down—play clean at 60–70 bpm before speeding up.
Start with open chords (G, C, D, Em, Am). Practice switching between two chords smoothly, then add a third. Pick one easy song that uses those chords and play it every day. That gives quick wins and keeps motivation high.
Work on technique too: keep your thumb behind the neck, press close to the fret, and keep your wrist relaxed. For strumming, move from your wrist and mute strings lightly when learning rhythm. If fretting hurts, shorten sessions but practice daily—fingertip calluses build fast with regular play.
Use simple gear tips: a clip-on tuner is cheap and accurate, light-gauge strings are easier to press, and a digital amp modeler can give many tones without a lot of gear. Record a short clip of yourself once a week to track progress—you’ll notice improvement faster than you think.
Maintenance matters: tune before every session, wipe the strings after playing to extend their life, and change strings every 2–3 months or sooner if sound dulls. Learn basic setup signs: buzzing at certain frets can mean high action or a need for a truss rod tweak. A local tech can set up your guitar affordably and make it feel played-in.
Next steps: learn a simple scale for solos, pick up basic music theory like the I-IV-V progression, and try playing with backing tracks. Mix lessons—online videos, short book lessons, or a teacher—to keep learning structured. Stick to small goals each week and you’ll build real skill without burnout.
Ready to try one thing now? Tune the guitar and learn two chords that form a simple song. Do that for a week and you’ll already be a better player.
