Learn Guitar: The Expanded Beginners Guide from Skillshare

“Learn Guitar: The Expanded Beginners Guide” is a popular course on Skillshare designed for people who are just starting out with the guitar or who have some basic knowledge but want to solidify their skills. The course covers fundamental techniques, basic music theory, and practical exercises to help beginners build a solid foundation in guitar playing.

Skills you will gain

By taking the “Learn Guitar: The Expanded Beginners Guide” course on Skillshare, you will develop a wide range of guitar-related skills. These skills will help you become a confident and versatile guitarist, whether you’re interested in playing for personal enjoyment, performing, or even composing your own music. Here are the key skills you’ll gain:
1. Guitar Fundamentals:

  • Guitar Anatomy Knowledge: Understand the parts of the guitar and their functions, which is essential for proper playing technique and maintenance.
  • Tuning Skills: Learn to tune your guitar accurately, which is crucial for ensuring that your playing sounds good.

2. Musical Literacy:

  • Reading Chord Boxes and Tabs: Develop the ability to read guitar chord boxes and tablature (tabs), allowing you to play chords, riffs, and melodies from written music.
  • Basic Music Theory: Gain a foundational understanding of music theory, including chords, scales, and how they work together.

3. Playing Techniques:

  • Strumming Patterns: Master various strumming patterns, helping you play a wide range of musical styles.
  • Fingerpicking Techniques: Learn basic fingerpicking methods, adding complexity and texture to your playing.
  • Hammer-On and Pull-Off Techniques: Add expressiveness to your playing with these essential lead guitar techniques.
  • Power Chords: Learn to play power chords, a staple in rock and other genres.

4. Song Performance:

  • Playing Full Songs: Develop the ability to play complete songs, helping you build confidence and repertoire.
  • Timing and Rhythm: Improve your timing and rhythm, which are key to playing music that feels and sounds cohesive.

5. Lead Guitar and Improvisation:

  • Scales Mastery: Learn and practice major and minor scales, the foundation for lead guitar playing and improvisation.
  • Improvisation Skills: Develop the ability to improvise and create your own solos using scales and lead techniques.

6. Creativity and Composition:

  • Songwriting: Gain skills in composing your own music, including creating chord structures and working within keys.
  • Creative Expression: Explore and develop your unique musical style and expression.

7. Guitar Maintenance:

  • Restringing Your Guitar: Learn how to properly restring your guitar, an important skill for maintaining your instrument.

8. Confidence in Playing:

  • Overall Technique Improvement: Through various exercises and practice routines, you’ll improve your finger strength, dexterity, and independence, making you a more confident and capable guitarist.

These skills will provide you with a strong foundation in guitar playing, enabling you to explore different musical styles, perform confidently, and even create your own music.

What you will learn

What You Can Expect to Learn:

  1. Basic Guitar Setup and Tuning:
    • How to properly tune your guitar.
    • Understanding the parts of the guitar.
    • How to hold and position the guitar for optimal playing.
  2. Chords and Strumming Patterns:
    • Introduction to basic chords (major, minor, and some 7th chords).
    • Various strumming patterns for different musical styles.
    • Transitioning smoothly between chords.
  3. Reading Tabs and Sheet Music:
    • How to read guitar tablature (tabs).
    • Basics of reading sheet music and understanding musical notation.
  4. Playing Simple Songs:
    • Step-by-step guides to playing simple songs using basic chords.
    • Applying strumming patterns to these songs.
    • Techniques for practicing and improving song playability.
  5. Basic Fingerpicking Techniques:
    • Introduction to fingerpicking and using the fingers to pluck strings individually.
    • Simple fingerpicking patterns to start with.
  6. Rhythm and Timing:
    • Importance of rhythm in guitar playing.
    • Exercises to improve timing and coordination.
  7. Introduction to Scales and Improvisation:
    • Basic major and minor scales.
    • How to use scales to start improvising.