The First Steps in Guitar Instruction: Effective Methods and Musical Beginnings

As a guitar teacher, one of the most rewarding moments is witnessing a beginner student's first accomplishment on the instrument. To effectively guide novices, it's crucial to choose songs and exercises that are both accessible and engaging. In this article, we will explore the strategies and methods I use when starting my students on their guitar journey.

Choosing the Right Song for Beginners

When working with a student who is completely new to the guitar, the first song or piece I often work on is Simplicity. This selection serves multiple purposes:

Familiarity and Accessibility

Simplicity is a recognizable riff that uses only a few strings and basic fretting techniques, making it incredibly accessible to beginners. This simplicity allows students to feel a sense of accomplishment quickly, which is crucial for maintaining their motivation and confidence in learning.

Technique Development

The song introduces fundamental techniques such as power chords, which are essential for many rock songs. By focusing on these techniques early on, students can develop their finger strength and coordination, setting a strong foundation for their guitar journey.

Immediate Reward

Students can quickly play a popular riff, which not only boosts their confidence but also gives them an immediate sense of achievement. This positive reinforcement is vital in encouraging them to continue their learning.

A Comprehensive Beginner Curriculum

For absolute beginners, I often start with the iconic ”Jaws” theme, featuring two notes a fret apart. Within minutes, they can play their first song. Next, we progress to ”Bad to the Bone” (one-string exercise) or ”Peter Gunn”. This hands-on approach allows students to feel a sense of accomplishment early on and builds their confidence.

Teaching Structure and Chord Progressions

Structure is key in teaching guitar to beginners. In my teaching approach, I lay out a clear structure over the first three lessons, gradually introducing complexity and ensuring students retain what they've learned:

First Lesson: Introduction to Basic Chords

In the first lesson, I introduce six essential chords: E, A, D, G, C, and B7. I then provide students with exercises to get comfortable switching between these chords, focusing on fluency and smooth transitions.

Second Lesson: Further Exploration and Variety

Building on the foundation from the first lesson, the second lesson introduces nine more variants of E, A, and D: Em, E7, Esus4, A7, Am7, Am, D7, Dm, and Dsus4. These additional chords are combined with exercises from Lesson One, helping students broaden their chord vocabulary and transitions.

Third Lesson: Application and Fundamentals

In the third lesson, we combine the chord progressions from the first two lessons, providing a more comprehensive understanding of chord progressions. I also introduce the basics of good strumming habits, taking students beyond simple downstrokes to more complex techniques.

The Power of Chord Connections

A key element in the teaching process is the concept of “chord connections”. Understanding how chords are related and how they can be transitioned smoothly is crucial for students. To illustrate this point, I use ”Yellow Submarine” as a practical example:

Chord Connections in "Yellow Submarine"

Chords in ”Yellow Submarine” are: D, C, G, Em, Am, C, and the chorus is just G and D. By demonstrating that every chord is connected to the next through identical fingering or simple movements on the same string, students begin to see that forming and transitioning between chords need not be as complex as they might think.

This understanding helps ease the burden of chord changes and can significantly improve a student's fluency on the instrument.

Online Guitar Lessons via Skype

I offer online guitar lessons via Skype, providing reasonable rates. For more details on my teaching methods and availability, please feel free to message me.