If you are a complete beginner to the guitar then for your first guitar lesson we will go through all the basics you need to know to get you started. 

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Here's a few things we'll go through in the first guitar lesson: ​​

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• How to hold the guitar

• Learning the string names on the guitar. 

• What certain parts of the guitar are called 

• How to hold a plectrum & how to pick a note / strum through the strings

• What a chord is 

• How to read chord boxes 

• How to read guitar tablature (guitar tab for short) 

• Get you started with some basic strumming patterns 

• Learn part of a song with either some chords or with a riff

• How to avoid fret buzz

• How to tune your guitar

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You don't need to own a guitar for the first lesson, I have a spare Classical acoustic guitar that you can use, however I strongly advise on getting your own guitar so you can practice what you've learnt at home. 

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BUYING YOUR FIRST GUITAR

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There are 3 types of guitars that you'll come across when searching and they're all very different!

These are: Electric guitars, Acoustic guitars and Classical guitars. 

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Electric guitars can be amplified and so you'll need to buy an amp and a cable with the guitar. These use nickel plated steel strings.

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Acoustic guitars can make enough sound without the need for an amplifier. Acoustic guitars come with steel strings. There are also electro acoustic guitars available that have electronics built into the guitar which give you the option to amplify the guitar if you were to play it at a gig for instance. You can save money by getting an acoustic guitar without electronics. 

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Classical guitars are also an acoustic instrument, however they require nylon strings. These strings are softer and therefore easier to play, because they are less demanding on the fingertips of the beginner. The downside of these guitars is that the neck can be too wide and chunky for smaller hands and sound not bright or loud enough for modern pop & rock music.

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Here are a few starter guitars on a low budget that I'd recommend: 

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Yamaha F310

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This guitar falls into the Acoustic guitar catagory, and is only £100 from Amazon. Perfect for adult beginners. 

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