THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GUITAR
The ultimate free resource for purchasing, setting up and playing your first guitar.
"Everyone's a beginner at some point. You get better at things by doing them more. You may be a beginner, but you'll get better."
- MIKE DIRNT, GREEN DAY
EVERYONE CAN PLAY GUITAR
This guide is designed for beginner guitarists of all ages, because it's never too early or too late to bring more music into your life. Follow in the footsteps of your musical idols and embark on your guitar journey. In this guide, you’ll learn:
CHAPTER 1:HOW TO BUY A GUITAR
Get tips and advice on finding the right guitar for you. Learn how to shop for one in person or online, new or used.
CHAPTER 2:HOW TO SET UP YOUR GUITAR & EQUIPMENT
Learn how to properly maintain your guitar. From tuning to changing your strings, to setting up your amp, pedals and practice space.
CHAPTER 3:HOW TO PLAY GUITAR
From chords to scales to putting techniques into practice to play a song, learn more about the fun and fundamentals of playing guitar.
A DEEPER DIVE INTO EACH CHAPTER
CHAPTER 1:HOW TO BUY A GUITAR
Regardless of your skill level, you should choose a guitar that sounds and feels good to you. After all, you’ll want to play a guitar you like more often. Here is everything you need to consider when shopping for the perfect guitar.
IN THIS CHAPTER:
- Get advice on choosing a guitar that’s right for you, from the look to the feel to the sound.
- Acoustic or electric? No matter which style you prefer, see our picks for the best beginner guitars.
- Get pointers on shopping for a guitar at a store, online or buying used. Learn what you should look for to make sure you take home a quality guitar.
CHAPTER 2:HOW TO SET UP YOUR GUITAR & EQUIPMENT
Knowing how to tune and take care of your guitar is one of the most important skills for a beginner. Find out how to set up your guitar and learn about amps, pedals and more.
IN THIS CHAPTER:
- Learn how to tune your acoustic or electric guitar.
- Discover different types of guitar tuners, including free apps.
- Learn about guitar maintenance, re-stringing and setting up your guitar.
- Understand more about amp settings, pedal effects and how to properly set up a signal chain.
- Get pro tips for setting up an inviting practice space that will make you want to pick up your guitar and keep playing.
CHAPTER 3:HOW TO PLAY GUITAR
Learn the basics, the right way, from experts. This chapter is packed with free video lessons and articles, designed to get you playing quickly.
IN THIS CHAPTER:
- Learn how to play basic chords and read chord charts.
- Try your hand at playing four easy chords for beginners.
- Understand strumming patterns and tips to hone your strumming technique.
- Learn to play a new song: “She Loves You” by The Beatles.
- Find out why scales are important to developing dexterity and a knowledge of music theory.
- Warm up with some tips for finger exercises.
- Learn a few new guitar skills, including how to fret a note and the hammer-on and pull-off techniques.
ABOUT FENDER PLAY
LEARN AT YOUR OWN PACE
Learning an instrument is proven to boost concentration, emotional intelligence and overall IQ. Fender Play makes learning guitar an achievable goal because of its unique approach. Short videos featuring bite-sized lessons make it possible to learn new skills, chords and songs in minutes. Learn at your own pace. Play as little or as often as you like. We promise you’ll get there!
COMMITTED TO BUILDING ARTISTS
Fender builds more than just guitars. Since 1946, Fender has been committed to crafting the highest quality instruments and using our expertise to inspire the next generation of guitarists. Tap into decades of experience anywhere, at any time, with the world-class instructors of Fender Play.
CHOOSE YOUR GENRE PATH
Guitar is for everyone. Fender Play recognizes that while every person who picks up an instrument has a love of music, they also have unique tastes. With Fender Play, you can choose from several different paths to play the songs you love and build skills within specific genres. Choose from Pop, Rock, Country, Blues or Folk.
NEVER STOP LEARNING
Fender Play also offers lessons for bass and ukulele, giving aspiring musicians the opportunity to learn and play a variety of instruments. Build skills and an appreciation for music that will last a lifetime with Fender Play.
17K+ 5-STAR REVIEWS
I was using a different app (rhymes with musician) to learn guitar for over a year which is still great for learning chords and scales but doesn’t have music that I’m interested in. Fender Play uses real songs in different genres. I feel like I have reached a new level after 1.5 months with these lessons.
JUDOSANCH
App Store
Tried other online courses before this, but hadn’t found one that helped me improve as quickly as this one did. The videos are short and easy to follow. I love that they let you choose to learn different styles, when the other things I’d tried didn’t teach you based on a style at all. Couldn’t figure out how to learn blues until I found this app. Very thankful for stumbling upon it.
STILL WATER
Google Play
This is a great app that lets you go at your own pace!! I was taking lessons at a local music shop and the teacher was starting me off with complicated strum patterns that were frustrating me to the point of almost quitting guitar. Found this app and quit the lessons and in one week with the app progressed more than one month of lessons.
JAKE B.
Google Play