Welcome to beginner guitar lessons with Marty Schwartz! If you’ve never touched a guitar before or you’re still learning the basics, you’re in exactly the right place. These lessons will take you from complete beginner to confidently playing your first songs.
No music theory required. No confusing jargon. Just clear, step-by-step instruction that gets you playing real music right away.
What You’ll Learn
In these beginner lessons, Marty breaks down everything you need to know:
- Essential Open Chords – G, C, D, Em, Am – the foundation chords that appear in thousands of songs
- Basic Strumming Patterns – Simple down-up strums that work with any song
- Finger Positioning – Proper technique to avoid pain and build speed
- Chord Transitions – How to smoothly switch between chords without stopping
- Easy Songs – Popular songs using just 3-4 basic chords
- Reading Tabs – The simple way guitarists share music (no sheet music needed)
Essential Techniques for Beginners
Proper Hand Position: Keep your thumb behind the neck, fingers curved, and wrist relaxed. This prevents strain and makes chord changes easier.
Building Finger Strength: Your fingers will be sore at first – that’s normal! Practice for short sessions (10-15 minutes) multiple times per day rather than one long session.
The One-Minute Trick: Can’t switch chords smoothly? Practice changing between two chords for just one minute. Do this daily and you’ll be amazed at your progress.
Popular Beginner Songs to Learn
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan (4 chords, simple strumming)
- Horse With No Name – America (2 chords!)
- Wonderwall – Oasis (Great for learning rhythm)
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley (Perfect reggae strumming practice)
- Let It Be – The Beatles (Classic chord progression)
Tips for New Guitarists
Start Slow: Speed comes with accuracy. Play each chord change slowly and cleanly before trying to speed up.
Use a Metronome: Even beginners benefit from practicing with consistent timing. Start at 60 BPM and gradually increase.
Tune Regularly: An out-of-tune guitar sounds bad even if you’re playing perfectly. Tune before every practice session.
Enjoy the Process: You’re learning a skill that will bring you joy for the rest of your life. Don’t stress about perfection – just have fun making music!
Ready to Start?
Grab your guitar, pick a lesson below, and let’s begin your musical journey. Thousands of people just like you have used these exact lessons to learn guitar. You can do this!