Want to learn guitar but don't know where to start? This guide walks you through the first essential steps — perfect for beginners who want to make quick progress.

You'll receive valuable insights on choosing the right guitar, proper playing and posture techniques, and how to read music and tablature. You'll also learn how to play chords, take care of your guitar, and discover the secrets of effective practice to continuously improve your playing. Let's get started!

Step 1: Learning Methods – How Can You Learn to Play Guitar?

There are many ways to learn guitar – and each has its advantages. Whether you’re self-taught, take lessons or follow an online course depends on your personal learning style and goals. Here are the most common methods:

Self-learning with free resources	Many guitarists start by teaching themselves. With the right materials – from YouTube tutorials to learning apps – you can pick up the basics and learn your first songs. This method is flexible and low-cost, but requires a lot of discipline and self-motivation.
Guitar Lessons at a Music School with a Teacher	If you prefer structured guidance, lessons with a teacher are a great choice. A teacher can give you direct feedback, correct mistakes, and help improve your technique. However, this method is often more expensive and time-bound, as you'll need to stick to scheduled appointments.
Online guitar courses	Learning online is becoming increasingly popular, as it allows you to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. You get access to videos, lessons, and exercises you can repeat as often as you like, whenever you like and wherever you like. It often costs less than private lessons while still offering structured learning – ideal for people with limited time.

Many guitarists combine several approaches to improve their skills. For example, you might start learning basic chords on your own, then take an online course to deepen your understanding and techniques.

Step 2: Buying a Guitar & Accessories – What Should You Consider?

To start playing guitar, you obviously need a guitar. The first decision you’ll make: acoustic or electric guitar? If you're planning to stick with it long-term, it's worth investing a little more. But how do you choose the right one?

Buying a guitar can be overwhelming for beginners. There are so many guitar types and models that it can be hard to decide. So, which guitar is best for you?

Difference Between Acoustic and Electric Guitar

The main difference between an acoustic and electric Guitar lies in the sound and amplification. Let’s take a closer look at the features of both types:

Feature	Acoustic Guitar	Electric Guitar
Body	Hollow	Solid
Strings	Nylon (classical), steel (western)	Steel
Sound	Warm (classical), metallic (western)	Clear to distorted
Sound Production	String vibration and sound hole	Pickups and amplifier
Sound in Band	Can get lost among other instruments	Versatile and easily audible in a band
Cost (beginner)	£90–£180 (€100–€200)	£180–£270 (€200–€300)
Genres	Classical, pop, folk, campfire music	Rock, pop, metal, jazz, blues

Acoustic Guitar

The acoustic guitar naturally produces sound directly through the vibration of the strings and the resonance of the body. It doesn’t use electronic amplification, so it's quieter and can get lost in a band setting, when not using a microphone setup.

There are two common types:

• Classical guitar:
  Wide neck and backwards-facing tuning pegs. The nylon strings are softer and easier on beginners’ fingers. Commonly used in classical and some pop music.

• Western guitar:
  Uses steel strings, giving it a brighter and more powerful sound. The narrower neck makes fretting easier. Popular in pop, rock, and folk music.

Electric Guitar

Unlike the acoustic guitar, the electric guitar has a solid body with no sound hole. The string vibrations are converted into electrical signals by pickups and made audible through an amplifier. The sound can be greatly modified and enhanced with effects like distortion, reverb, or chorus.

Key features of electric guitars:

• Thinner strings, making them easier to play

• Narrower neck for faster solos and complex chords

• Very versatile in genres like rock, metal, jazz, blues, and pop

• Hardly audible without an amplifier

If you go for an electric guitar, check out our special guide on learning electric guitar.

Guitar Costs

The price of an acoustic guitar typically starts around €100 and can go up to about €200. For an electric guitar, you’ll usually need to invest a bit more – beginner models generally range from €200 to €300.

For getting started, we recommend entry-level guitars from well-known brands like Fender (Squier), Yamaha, Ibanez, Ortega, Harley Benton, or Epiphone. These offer great value for money and are ideal for beginners. You can find more tips and comparisons in our post on "Best Guitars for Beginners".

Important: Expensive doesn't always mean better. While higher-priced guitars often use better materials and offer more precise craftsmanship, which can lead to a richer sound, a well-made beginner model is more than enough to get started.

If you’re confident that guitar is the instrument you want to stick with, it’s worth investing a bit more from the beginning. Another smart option: buying a used guitar from a trusted brand – this way, you can get high quality at a lower cost.

Guitar sizes: How big is the right size?

The right guitar size doesn’t depend on your age, but primarily on your body height and arm length. Choosing the correct size can make a big difference in how comfortable and enjoyable your playing experience is.

The key factor is the so-called scale length – the distance between the bridge and the nut of the guitar. This length determines both string spacing and tone, and it’s especially important if you have smaller hands or shorter arms.

• Classical Guitar (Nylon-String):
  Classical guitars are available in several different sizes. If you're a child or have smaller hands, you might feel more comfortable with a ½, ¾, or ⅞ size guitar. The standard full-size classical guitar is 4/4. Choose a smaller size if a full-size guitar feels too bulky or if you're struggling to reach the strings comfortably.

• Steel-String Acoustic Guitar (Western Guitar):
  Western guitars are generally slightly larger than classical guitars, and usually come in standard sizes. However, smaller models are also available, which are great for beginners or younger players.

• Electric Guitar:
  Electric guitars also come in various shapes and sizes. Most models are built in a standard size, but more compact versions are available and especially useful for people with smaller hands, making them easier to play.

Essential Guitar Accessories: What You Really Need to Get Started

To play and care for your guitar properly, you’ll need the right accessories. Some are absolutely essential, while others are optional but can significantly enhance your playing experience. Here's a list of the most important gear for beginners:

Guitar Strings: Which Ones Match Your Instrument?

Without strings, there’s no sound – simple as that. But not all strings are the same. String tension varies, and steel strings generally have more tension than nylon strings. Choosing the right strings depends on the type of guitar you're playing:

Tip: Never, ever put steel strings on a guitar built for nylon strings! You risk not only damaging the instrument, but also injuring yourself in the process.

String gauge describes the thickness of the strings, and it directly influences your guitar’s tone. Thicker strings provide a richer, warmer, and more powerful sound, but they’re also more difficult to press down and pluck. Thinner strings are easier for beginners to play, but don’t offer quite the same fullness of tone.

For electric guitars, the standard string gauge is usually .009 - .042 inches. For steel-string acoustic guitars, it’s commonly .012 - .053 inches. For classical guitars, string tension is typically labeled as light, medium, or high tension, instead of precise measurements.

Beginner tip: Start with lighter strings (e.g., light tension) to make learning easier. Once you're more confident in your playing, you can switch to heavier strings for a fuller sound.

Tuner for Acoustic or Electric Guitar

To make sure your guitar always sounds right, you need to tune it regularly. A digital tuner makes this process quick and easy, ensuring your instrument is perfectly in tune without guessing or relying on your ear. You'll find tuners for acoustic and electric guitars available.

Guitar Stand or Wall Mount

Don’t just leave your guitar lying around – this can lead to scratches and damage. Guitar stands and wall mounts are practical tools to help you store your instrument safely. You can choose between classic floor stands or space-saving wall mounts, depending on what works best in your room

Additional accessories

1. Pick (plectrum):
   A pick is a small plastic piece, usually shaped like a rounded triangle, used to strike the strings. It helps produce a clearer, more precise sound.

2. Amplifier for electric guitar:
   If you’re playing electric guitar, you’ll need an Electric Guitar Amplifier. It receives the signal from the pickups and amplifies it through a speaker. The wattage tells you how loud it can get—up to 15 watts is usually enough for home use.

3. Fretboard stickers:
   Fretboard stickers are a useful learning tool if you struggle with note recognition at first. These colorful stickers are placed on the strings and mark the notes of each fret. The different colors help you keep track and learn the fretboard positions faster.

You’ll find a selection of beginner guitar sets for both acoustic and electric guitars right here.

Step 3: Know Your Guitar – How Is It Built?

When looking at your guitar, you might wonder what all those little parts actually do. What are the knobs on the head for, and what’s the hole in the middle all about? Only by understanding the key components of your guitar will you be able to use it to its full potential and truly grasp how guitar playing works.

The construction of a guitar isn’t too complicated. It’s mainly made of wood (either solid or laminated) and metal. Solid wood delivers a better sound, as it has superior acoustic properties.

Headstock

At the head of the guitar, you’ll find the tuning pegs and the nut. The nut, which looks like a small white bar across the neck, sits beneath the strings and connects the neck to the fretboard. It makes sure the strings stay in the correct position. The tuning pegs (the little knobs on the side of the headstock) are attached to the guitar strings and allow you to tighten or loosen them in order to tune your guitar.

Neck

The neck consists of the fretboard and the frets. The frets are thin metal strips that run across the fretboard and indicate half-step intervals. Each fret raises or lowers the pitch by one semitone. When you press down a string, you shorten the vibrating length between the frets, which changes the pitch and allows you to play different notes and chords.

Guitar Strings

On acoustic guitars, the strings are tied to the bridge with knots, while electric guitars use ball ends (small metal balls), and steel-string acoustic guitars use bridge pins (small pegs) to hold the strings in place. The strings vibrate against the top of the guitar, which produces sound. The distance between the strings and the frets, called the action, affects how easy or hard it is to play. Lower action makes the guitar easier to play but can also cause unwanted string buzzing.

Sound Hole or Pickups

That mysterious hole in the center of your guitar is the sound hole. It amplifies the vibrations of the strings and makes the sound louder. Only acoustic guitars have sound holes, and they come in various shapes. In contrast, electric guitars use magnetic pickups that convert the string vibrations into electrical signals. These signals are then sent through an amplifier, producing the final sound.

Body of the Guitar

The body of an acoustic guitar is made up of the back, bridge, soundboard (top), and sound hole. The hollow wooden body helps amplify the string vibrations and projects the sound outward, making the instrument louder. The strings are anchored at the bridge.

For a deeper dive into your guitar’s structure, check out our detailed article on the architecture of a guitar.

Step 4: The Right Posture and Picking Technique

How to Hold Your Guitar the Right Way:

1. Sit up straight.

2. Rest the back of the guitar against your chest and stomach.

3. The body of the guitar should rest on your right thigh.

4. Make sure the thickest string is on top, and the thinnest is on the bottom.

5. Your left hand (fretting hand) holds the neck of the guitar and presses the notes.

6. Your right hand (strumming hand) hovers above the sound hole and strums the strings.

7. Keep your fretting fingers close to the frets to avoid buzzing notes.

8. Strum the strings lightly between the sound hole and the bridge.

9. Use your wrist for movement – your elbow should hardly move.

10. Press the string with the tip of your finger firmly enough so that it vibrates only between your finger and the bridge.

Strumming the Guitar Strings with the Right Technique

You can also use a pick (plectrum) to strum the strings – You can also strum the guitar strings with a pick – but did you know that there are different techniques for creating the perfect sound using various strumming patterns on the guitar?

Two of the most popular methods are fingerpicking and flatpicking. Both offer unique tonal possibilities and allow you to adapt your playing style.

Fingerpicking

With Fingerpicking (also called fingerstyle), you pluck the strings using the fingers of your strumming hand, without using a pick or any other tools. You use your fingertips or fingernails, typically relying on your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. The movement should come from the base joint of each finger, pulling toward your palm. Keep your fingers slightly curved. Your thumb should remain straight.

Flatpicking

In flatpicking, you use a plectrum along with your fingers. Typically, when playing with a pick, the middle, ring, and pinky fingers aren’t involved. But in flatpicking, you include them in the technique. The pick is held between the thumb and index finger, so the middle finger takes over the index finger’s role, and the ring finger takes over the middle finger’s role.

Step 5: Learn to Read Notes and Tablature

Enough theory – now it’s time to really get started and play some songs. To do that, you need to learn how to recognize the tones and find them on your guitar. There are two common ways to learn how to play the guitar: using standard notation or tablature. The best approach is to use both, so you can play a wider variety of music.

The Notation System 

Let’s start with standard notation. Unlike tablature, sheet music doesn’t just tell you which strings to play, but also how long you should hold each note. And let’s be honest: sooner or later, learning to read music will become unavoidable. The notation system consists of five lines where the notes are written. 

Clefs & Time Signatures

At the beginning of the staff, you'll find the so-called clef – for guitar, you’ll use the treble clef (also called the G clef). Right next to it is the time signature, which tells you how many beats are in a measure. For example, 4/4 means four beats per measure. Within each measure, there can be various note values that add up to the total length of the measure.

The Natural Notes

The most important notes you should remember are the natural notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. On the guitar, the open strings correspond to the following tones (from bottom to top): E – A – D – G – B – e. A handy memonic for the string names is: Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie  – E, A, D, G, B, e), where the first E is the low E, and the lowercase e is the high E.

The Notes on the Guitar

Each fret on the guitar raises the pitch of the string by a half step. You can memorize all the notes up to the 12th fret. Don’t panic – many of the frets are enharmonic, meaning they represent two names for the same pitch (like G♯/A♭).

Natural Notes	C, D, E, F, G, A, B
Sharpened Notes	C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯
Flattened Notes	C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, B♭

The order of these notes follows the chromatic scale: C, C♯/D♭, D, D♯/E♭, E, F, F♯/G♭, G, G♯/A♭, A, A♯/B♭, B

Accidentals and Key Signatures

What’s the deal with sharps and flats? These accidentals change the pitch of a note either temporarily or for the entire piece if placed at the beginning of the staff. They can be cancelled by a natural sign (♮).

• A sharp sign (♯) raises a note by a half step. Example: C becomes C♯.

• A flat sign (♭) lowers a note by a half step. Example: C becomes C♭.

Note Values and Rests

Now that you know which tones exist on the guitar and on the page, the question is: how long do you need to hold each note? That’s determined by the note values. Depending on whether a note is “filled in” or has a flag, it’s played for a longer or shorter duration.

When you see rests, you obviously do not play during those moments. The duration of a rest is shown with a symbol that corresponds to a specific note value – like quarter rest, half rest, or eighth rest.

Ties and Slurs

There are also ties and slurs that help you play notes more fluidly or extend their length.

• Tie:
  A tie tells you to connect two notes of the same pitch, so they’re played as one sustained note. For example, two tied quarter notes are held for two beats.

• Slur:
  A slur connects two notes of different pitch, and they are played without separation in one smooth motion.

And that’s it for standard notation! Not so scary after all, right?

How to Read Tablature

Tablature is a practical system that shows you exactly where to place your fingers on the strings, without needing to read music. A tab consists of six horizontal lines that represent the six strings of your guitar.

• The numbers on the lines tell you which fret to press.

• A 0 means you play the string open (without pressing a fret).

• An X means you should not play that string.

Tabs are a great way to learn songs without reading sheet music. The notes are played from left to right. When it comes to chords, you’ll recognize them in a tab when multiple numbers are stacked vertically. You can find everything else you need to know about reading tabs in our dedicated article on the topic.

Step 6: Learn to Play Different Guitar Chords

With just a few chords, you can already play a wide variety of songs. To make your start easier, we’ve compiled the most important guitar chords for you.

A chord consists of at least three notes that sound harmonious together. Maybe you’ve already heard of the CAGED system, which refers to the five basic chords (C-A-G-E-D). . In general, we distinguish between open chords and barre chords.

Open Chords: The Perfect Starting Point

As a beginner, open chords make it easier for you to start playing guitar. These are easier to play and form the foundation for many songs. They are quick to learn, although switching between the chords may take some practice at first. The best part: Once you master the following chords, you’ll be able to play many pop and rock songs.

Tip: Take your time and be deliberate when switching between chords. Pay close attention to which strings you play.

Here’s an overview of the open chor

C Major E don´t play A (3rd fret, ring finger) D (2nd fret, middle finger) G play open B (1st fret, index finger) E play open	A Major E don´t play A play open D (2nd fret, index finger) G (2nd fret, middle finger) B (2nd fret, ring finger) E play open	C Major E don´t play A (3rd fret, ring finger) D (2nd fret, middle finger) G play open B (1st fret, index finger) E play open	D Minor E don´t play A don´t play D play open G (2nd fret, middle finger) B (3rd fret, ring finger) E (1st fret, index finger)
E Major E play open A (2nd fret, middle finger) D (2nd fret, ring finger) G (1st fret, index finger) B play open E play open	E Minor E play open A (2nd fret, middle finger) D (2nd fret, ring finger) G play open B play open E play open	G Major E (3rd fret, middle finger) A (2nd fret, index finger) D play open G play open B (3rd fret, ring finger E (3rd fret, pinky finger)	A Minor E don’t play A play open D (2nd fret, middle finger) G (2nd fret, ring finger) B (1st fret, index finger) E play open

Barre Chords: Your Next Step

Barre chords expand your repertoire and allow you to play songs in all keys. In barre chords, you press down several or all strings at once with one finger, usually the index finger.

These chords require more strength and control, as all strings need to be pressed down evenly. Once you master the barre chords, you’ll be able to play almost any pop or rock song! Barre chords are more challenging, but with practice, you’ll quickly master them.

Tip: If you have difficulty with the strength in your fretting hand, start by practicing with less pressure to improve your technique.

Printable Guitar Chord Cheat Sheet

To make learning easier, we’ve created a cheat sheet of the most common guitar chords, which includes both open chords and barre chords. You can download it, print it, and keep it handy while practicing.

Download guitar chords as PDF

Step 7: Play Scales on the Guitar

Scales are an important foundation for guitar playing and make it easier for you to learn new songs. There are two main types: Major scales (cheerful, clear, and bright) and Minor scales (dark and sad). Each scale consists of eight notes (seven different notes) that are played in a specific sequence.

The starting point of every scale is the so-called root note (e.g., C in the C major scale or A in the A minor scale). Let’s first look at the major scale:

C Major Scale

The C major scale follows these notes: C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C. Every major scale follows these intervals: 1 – 1 – ½ – 1 – 1 – 1 – ½.

This means: From C, you go a whole step (two frets) to D. From D, you go another whole step (two frets) to E, and so on, until you return to C.

How to Play the C Major Scale on the Guitar

• C: Ring finger, 3rd fret of the A string

• D: Play D string open

• E: Middle finger, 2nd fret of the D string

• F: Ring finger, 3rd fret of the D string

• G: Play G string open

• A: Ring finger, 2nd fret of the G string

• B: Play B string open

• C: Index finger, 1st fret of the B string

A Minor Scale

Minor scales come in three varieties: natural, harmonic, and melodic. The differences lie in the intervals between the notes.

Scale Type	Natural	Harmonic	Melodic
Intervals	1 – ½ – 1 – 1 – ½ – 1 – 1	1 – ½ – 1 – 1 – ½ – 1½ – ½	1 – ½ – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – ½
Example: A Minor	A B C D E F G A	A B C D E F G♯ A	A B C D E F♯ G♯ A

Key Signatures for Scales

Depending on the scale, certain notes may be altered to produce the correct mood. These alterations are indicated with accidentals:

Key Signature	Major	Minor
Flats (♭)	F, B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭	A♭, E♭, B♭, F, C, G, D
Sharps (#)	G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#	E, B, F#, C#, G#, D#, A#

Step 8: Practice Makes Perfect

To become a true guitar pro, regular practice is key. It's better to practice 15 minutes every day than 3 hours once a week. Playing guitar can be painful at first, but it gets easier over time. Here are a few helpful tips to improve your practice routine and become better:

Step 9: Learn Special Guitar Techniques

To play like a pro, it’s worth learning from the best. Watch talented guitarists around you, go to concerts, or check out YouTube videos by legends like George Benson, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton. Observe how they play – what can you adopt from them?

Their guitar solos, in particular, offer a great way to combine expression and technique. If you want to learn how to play a solo, check out our article on the topic – it features solo examples that are perfect for practicing.

Important: Focus on precise playing first! Concentrated practice leads to faster success. 

Practice slowly and pay attention to these three points:

Pros master special techniques and tones that give their sound a unique character. Here are four must-learn techniques:

Harmonics (Flageolet Tones)

Play harmonics by lightly touching the string above a fret with your fretting hand without pressing it down. Pluck the string and then lift your finger to let the tone ring out. 

Tip: The higher the harmonic, the harder it is to make it sound right.

Palm Mute

The Palm Mute technique is all in the name: "Palm" (hand) + "Mute" (dampen). Use the side of your strumming hand to rest near the bridge and mute the strings. Pluck or strum while adjusting the hand position until the sound is neither too short nor too clear. Switching often between palm mute and normal playing adds excitement – used in many rock riffs.

Vibrato

Use vibrato to make sustained notes sound more expressive. On an acoustic guitar, use it subtly: move your fretting finger up and down while holding the note. This is easier on nylon strings. Electric guitars with a vibrato bar make this technique even easier.

Tip: Don’t overdo it – too much vibrato can sound unpleasant. Follow the beat!

Hammer-On and Pull-Off

These techniques increase your playing speed and create a smoother, more fluid sound.

• Hammer-On:
  With a hammer-on, you play a note by picking it as usual, but the next note (on the same string) is not picked – instead, it's produced by “hammering on” the next finger onto the fretboard. This eliminates the sharp and defined sound of the pick attack, resulting in a more connected and softer tone. The hammered-on note should still sound clearly! In the beginning, just practice this transition from the first finger to the hammer-on.

• Pull-Off:
  A pull-off is essentially the reverse of a hammer-on: fret two notes on the same string, pick the string, then "pull off" the finger that's playing the higher note by slightly flicking it downward across the string. This produces the second note without picking the string again. Tip: Practice the motion slowly until both tones sound clean and clear.

Step 10: Love Your Guitar – and Take Care of It

To get the most out of your guitar, one thing is crucial: love your instrument. It’s your companion on this journey, and proper care ensures it always sounds its best. Regular tuning and timely string changes are essential, but cleaning and storage are just as important.

Cleaning and Maintenance

After each session, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down strings and body. Regularly cleaning your guitar plays a major role in preserving its value and ensuring long-lasting playing enjoyment. After each playing session, it's recommended to wipe down the strings and body with a microfiber cloth to remove sweat and dirt.

Tuning Your Guitar

Changing Guitar Strings

Changing strings takes finesse. You can change all strings at once for a deep clean or one at a time to maintain neck tension. Use a soft cloth or neck support during the process. Tools like string cutters and winders make the job easier.

When restringing, thread the string through the bridge, wind it properly at the headstock, tighten, and tune. Gently stretch the string by plucking around the 12th fret – this helps it stay in tune longer.

With Dedication and Effort to Becoming a Guitar Pro

Learning guitar is a rewarding journey that takes patience and focus. Whether you're mastering posture and technique, navigating scales, or learning advanced tricks – consistent practice and attention to detail will steadily improve your skills. Most importantly, stay engaged and explore techniques like harmonics, palm mute, and vibrato to add expression and dynamics to your playing.

Don’t forget: With the right technique, regular practice, and a well-maintained guitar, you’ll make progress and reach your musical goals!