How to start playing guitar when you're a beginner
Struggling to start guitar? Learn how to choose the right gear and master basic chords so you can play your favorite songs in your first 30 days.
Best quote from How to start playing guitar when you're a beginner
Consistency beats intensity every single time. Most people think they need to practice for two hours on a Saturday to make progress, but in reality, twenty minutes every day is infinitely more powerful.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
I want to learn music instrument like guitar but I don't know how
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing between the two depends on your musical goals and physical comfort. An acoustic guitar is portable and excellent for building finger strength due to its heavier strings, making it ideal for folk or campfire-style playing. Conversely, an electric guitar is often easier for beginners because the strings have lower tension and sit closer to the fretboard, which is gentler on the fingertips. However, an electric setup requires additional investment in an amplifier and cables.
A professional setup by a luthier ensures the instrument is comfortable to play rather than a chore. The professional will adjust the truss rod and the height of the strings at the nut or bridge so that you do not need a "death grip" to produce a clear sound. This adjustment can be the deciding factor in whether a beginner sticks with the instrument or quits due to physical frustration.
The biggest mistake beginners make is "random YouTube surfing," which leads to fragmented knowledge without actual playing ability. To avoid this, you should follow a structured curriculum from platforms like Guitar Tricks, TrueFire, or Justin Guitar. These resources provide a linear path that builds a solid foundation, connecting riffs and scales into a cohesive skill set rather than a collection of random parts.
The "Two-Day Rule" is a consistency strategy where you vow never to miss more than two days of practice in a row. Because daily "neural reinforcement" is more powerful than long, infrequent sessions, this rule helps maintain the habit and keeps new neural pathways alive. Even if you only have five minutes to play a single scale, doing so prevents a "guilt spiral" and keeps your momentum going.
Music theory acts as a map of the fretboard, moving a player from memorizing random shapes to understanding formulas. For example, learning the Major Scale allows a player to understand how chords are built, while learning common chord progressions (like the I-IV-V) helps them recognize patterns in thousands of popular songs. This "shortcut" approach turns the fretboard into a logical landscape and builds the confidence needed for improvisation.
Discover more
Learn to play guitar from scratch
Learn to play guitar from scratch
Learning guitar opens doors to self-expression, creativity, and a lifelong skill that brings joy and connection. This plan provides a structured path from absolute beginner to confident player, ideal for anyone who's dreamed of playing guitar but doesn't know where to start.
Playing guitar
Playing guitar
This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between total beginner and creative artist by focusing on both technical mastery and expressive performance. It is ideal for aspiring musicians who want a structured path from playing their first chords to writing original compositions.
Learn guitar songs and tricks
Learn guitar songs and tricks
This plan is designed for aspiring guitarists who want to move beyond basic chords to become confident performers. It bridges the gap between technical skill and stage presence, making it ideal for hobbyists of any age who dream of playing for an audience.
guitar
guitar
This comprehensive guide is designed for aspiring musicians who want to move beyond basic chords and achieve true instrument mastery. It bridges the gap between technical skill and artistic performance, making it ideal for beginners and intermediate players seeking a professional edge.
Master fretboard as advanced guitarist
Master fretboard as advanced guitarist
Many advanced guitarists feel trapped in familiar positions and patterns, unable to freely navigate the entire fretboard or translate musical ideas into their playing. This learning plan bridges the gap between mechanical technique and musical expression, providing systematic approaches to fretboard mastery that transform how you think about and play the guitar. It's designed for players who understand basic theory but want to unlock the complete instrument and develop truly creative, spontaneous musicianship.
Master electric guitar like Lukather & Huff
Master electric guitar like Lukather & Huff
This comprehensive guitar mastery plan is designed for serious players who want to develop world-class technique and versatility across rock, pop, and blues styles. Whether you're a complete beginner with ambitious goals or an intermediate player ready to reach professional session guitarist level, this path provides the systematic training needed to master both technical precision and creative expression. By studying the approaches of elite studio musicians like Steve Lukather and Dan Huff, you'll gain the skills to perform confidently in any musical context.
Achieve Life Balance to learn guitar
Achieve Life Balance to learn guitar
This learning plan is designed for busy individuals who want to pursue their musical passions without sacrificing professional or personal responsibilities. It provides a unique blend of technical guitar instruction and productivity strategies to ensure long-term success and enjoyment.
Become a better boyfriend and guitar player
Become a better boyfriend and guitar player
This unique learning plan is designed for men who want to balance personal creative growth with emotional intelligence in their relationships. It provides a structured path to mastering both the technical demands of the guitar and the interpersonal skills required for a thriving partnership.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
