What To Learn As A Beginner Guitarist (In Order)

About this video

• Video Title: What To Learn As A Beginner Guitarist (In Order)
• Channel: Andrew Clarke
• Speakers: Andrew Clarke
• Duration: 00:14:26

Overview

This video provides a structured roadmap for beginner guitarists, outlining 20 key areas to learn in a recommended order to maximize progress and avoid discouragement. The presenter emphasizes the importance of setting goals, proper technique, and gradually building skills from basic chords and strumming to more advanced concepts like music theory, scales, and improvisation.

Key takeaways

• Set Goals: Establish both short-term (e.g., learning a few songs) and long-term goals (e.g., playing in a band) to maintain motivation and track progress.
• Posture and Position: Learn correct posture to avoid bad habits and potential injury, ensuring the guitar is held parallel to your body.
• Guitar Basics: Familiarize yourself with the parts of the guitar and essential terminology, as well as how to tune the instrument accurately.
• Strumming and Chords: Develop basic strumming techniques with a relaxed grip, learn to read chord charts and tabs, and practice essential open chords. A simple song like "A Horse With No Name" is suggested for an early win.
• Rhythm and Theory: Progress to constant strumming techniques, where your hand movement is continuous, and begin learning fundamental music theory, including the major scale and how chords and keys fit together.
• Dexterity and Versatility: Improve finger independence with exercises like chromatic scales and spider walks, and learn to play in different keys using a capo.
• Advanced Techniques: Gradually work on bar chords, explore more dynamic strumming patterns (thinking like a drummer), and incorporate musicality by learning songs you enjoy and connecting with the music.
• Improvisation and Ear Training: Begin basic lead guitar techniques, simple improvisation using scale shapes, and learn to play by ear to develop a deeper connection with the instrument and become a more well-rounded musician.