Guitar guides
13 in-depth lessons on chords, rhythm, music theory and practice, written in plain English for beginners and returning players.
Rhythm
Understanding Rhythm and Time Signatures on Guitar
A friendly explanation of beats, bars, note values and time signatures (4/4, 3/4, 6/8, 12/8), with counting systems and exercises to improve your timing on guitar.
Guitar Strumming Patterns for Beginners (With Counting)
Learn to strum in time with six beginner strumming patterns, how to count eighth notes, the constant-motion technique and how to strum songs in 3/4 and 6/8.
Practice
Sore Fingertips From Guitar? What’s Normal and How to Build Calluses
Why guitar makes your fingertips sore, how long it lasts, how calluses form, and practical ways to practise comfortably — including string choice, action and session length.
A 20-Minute Daily Guitar Practice Routine for Beginners
A realistic 20-minute daily guitar practice plan for beginners and returning players: warm-up, chord changes, rhythm, a song and a little theory, plus how to track progress.
Theory
Major and Minor Scales Explained for Guitarists
Understand the major and natural minor scales, the pattern of whole and half steps, how scales create chords, the pentatonic scales and how to practise scales musically.
How to Find the Key of a Song (By Ear and From Chords)
Practical methods to work out what key a song is in: from its chords, from the last chord, by humming the home note, and using the bass. Includes major vs minor and relative keys.
How to Transpose a Song to a Different Key
A step-by-step guide to transposing chords: semitones, the chromatic scale, using numbers, choosing a key for your voice, and when to use a capo instead.
Chord Progressions Explained: I–IV–V, I–V–vi–IV and More
Learn why some chords sound good together, how Roman numerals describe progressions in any key, and the seven most common progressions in popular music with examples.
Chords
Barre Chords for Beginners: How to Finally Play F and Bm
A patient, practical guide to barre chords: E-shape and A-shape barres, how to get every string to ring, exercises to build strength, and how to move one shape to every key.
How to Use a Capo: Positions, Keys and Tips
What a capo does, how to put one on properly, how to work out capo positions for any key, and when a capo is better than transposing or barre chords.
Beginner
How to Read Guitar Chord Charts, Chord Sheets and Tabs
Understand chord diagrams, chord sheets with lyrics, slash chords, repeat signs and guitar tab, so you can play any song you find online.
How to Tune a Guitar: Tuners, by Ear and Alternate Tunings
A complete guide to tuning a guitar: standard tuning notes, using an electronic or online tuner, the fifth-fret method by ear, keeping strings in tune and popular alternate tunings.
The First 8 Guitar Chords Every Beginner Should Learn
Learn the eight open chords that unlock thousands of songs: E minor, A minor, C, G, D, E, A and D minor. Diagrams, finger tips, practice order and first songs.