The guitar (normally having six strings) is a relatively simple musical instrument to learn. It is obviously easier to learn to play the guitar when one is younger, but personally I have learned the guitar at the ripe (or rotten) age of 40. If you like to listen to music you really should learn to play the guitar, it's a great feeling to hug your ax and shred (or strum, depending on your personality). As long as one has semi-functioning fingers and relatively operational ears, anyone can learn to play the guitar (also called the AXE since the shape of electric guitars are somewhat axe-y) .

Unlike other hobbies such as collecting stamps or TV Guides, playing the guitar requires a little bit of dedication and some free time. Expect to spend at least 15 minutes everyday for practice, or at least a half hour about two or three times a week at the very minimum. Unless you practice, you're never going to train your hands and your ears to make music. If you want your child to learn to play the guitar, jump to the Child Guitar lessons information page.

To learn to play the guitar, you need at least one guitar. If you can borrow one from a friend that is well and good, but if not - the first agonizing decision is wether to learn on an Acoustic Guitar or an Electric Guitar. One thing that should be mentioned is this, once you start playing you WILL end up with more than one guitar. Having ten and fifteen guitars is not uncommon for amateur guitar players, similar to women and their umpteen pairs of shoes - if it feels good, you have GOT to have it!

The first consideration is the kind of music you are interested in. If your taste is in Classical music, you will want to get a Classical Acoustic Guitar (with nylon strings). If you just want to play campfire songs or folk music, an acoustic guitar would probably be a good choice - if you want to play with a pick a steel string acoustic guitar; or if you want to play with your fingers (finger picking) then a nylon string acoustic guitar. Rock, blues, jazz and similar genres of music could do well with either acoustic or electric guitars; however if your taste is in heavy metal then stick with the electric guitar (you really can't shred metal on an acoustic guitar).

Not withstanding the above recommendations, here is one simple fact: electric guitars are easier to learn with. And not withstanding that fact - learning on an acoustic guitar, because it is harder and less forgiving, will enable you to play better much faster than learning on an electric guitar. Acoustic guitars have heavier strings (remember, they have to vibrate enough to make sounds), and are harder on your fingertips. Because there is no electronic correction to the sounds - what you strum is what you hear. Any mistakes or bad habits are cacophonously announced - which is actually a good thing as you learn to correct bad habits and errors quickly. The acoustic guitar also has a more delicate tone, as you practice you will be able to easily learn how to control your strumming and fretting fingers. Decent acoustic guitars can be more expensive than comparable electric guitars, however, an electric guitar requires an amplifier (amp) which also adds to the cost. The acoustic guitar also offers portability, since you don't need any amplification equipment. This makes practicing easier as you can lug the acoustic guitar around the house and yard (or attic, if your spouse banishes you there for making too much noise).

Personally, I learned to play on an electric guitar - but I would advise against it. The strings on an electric guitar are lighter and thus easier to handle. Electronic effects and amplification can cover up mistakes, which may sound good but it in reality it is not. I had to relearn finger positioning and strumming when I got my first acoustic guitar, because of the bad habits the electric guitar had covered up when I was learning.

Print out this page so you have the above picture front of you as a reference, then play the notes as shown. Leaving your fingers OFF the frets pick just the high E string (fattest string nearest your face), the open (unfretted) position shown as 0. The next beat has a 1 on the same string, so lower your index finger onto the first fret and pick the sixth string again. The next beat has a 3 so lower your third finger (middle finger) onto the 3rd fret and pick the sixth string, the next beat has a 4 so lower your pinky finger on the 4th fret and pick the same sixth string again. Measure 2 switches to the fifth string, again pick the open position (0) then lower your middle finger on the 2nd fret and pick, then lower your ring finger on the 3rd fret and pick, the last beat in this measure has a 0 so lift all fingers and pick the fifth string again in the open position.

The third measure has different strings being picked. The first beat is 0 on the 4th string (open), then 0 on the 3rd string (open), then 0 on the 2nd string (open), the last beat is 1 on the same 2nd string - so lower your index finger on the 1st fret. Remember to pick the appropriate string for each beat, use your metronome so your mental timing gets trained at the same time as your fingers are learning. The fourth measure starts with 3 on the 1st string, so lower your ring finger on the 3rd fret and pick the 1st string, then raise that finger and lower your index finger on the same 1st string and pick again. Then raise that finger and pick the open 1st string for the third beat (0), and the last beat jumps to the 2nd string so lower your ring finger on the 3rd fret on the SECOND string and pick that string. Similarly, the final fifth measure has fret 1 followed by open position on the 2nd string, then fret 1 and fret 3 on the first string.