Beginner guitar | Guitar World

Squier Bullet Mustang on a rusty metal backgroud

Best beginner electric guitars 2023: kickstart your musical journey with these epic electric guitars for beginners

By Chris Corfield last updated 15 November 22

So you're a budding guitarist? Get started with the best beginner electric guitars from Squier, Yamaha, and Epiphone

Epiphone Power Players SG on grey background

Best guitars for kids 2023: top electric and acoustic guitars for children

By Jonathan Horsley last updated 30 January 23

The top kid’s guitars available today and everything you need to know to get your child started with the guitar

Best acoustic guitars for beginners 2023: our pick of easy acoustic strummers for new players

By Chris Corfield last updated 30 January 23

The best beginner acoustic guitars, featuring epic affordable six strings from Epiphone, Taylor, Fender, Yamaha and more

Man playing Fender Stratocaster electric guitar

How to play guitar: a beginner’s guide

By James Uings published 26 September 22

This beginner guitar lesson takes you from tuning the guitar and strumming your first chords through to playing your very first guitar solos

Boss Katana combo amp on an orange background

Best beginner guitar amps 2023: top guitar amplifiers for beginners

By Chris Corfield last updated 21 October 22

Looking for the best beginner guitar amp? We’ve found ’em right here, and they don’t cost the earth either, thanks to Boss, Yamaha, Fender and co

How to play funk guitar – a beginner’s guide

By Jenna Scaramanga published 1 August 22

Here we unpack the rudiments of funk scratching in a lesson that will help you perfect your strumming technique and improve your rhythmic sensibility

A Squier Contemporary Jazzmaster on a pink/purple background

Best beginner guitars for metal 2023: 10 top axes to cover all your metal needs

By James Farmer last updated 21 October 22

Explore the very best in beginner metal guitars from the likes of Squier, Epiphone and PRS, including a selection of great options under $500/£500

How to get 5 inspirational sounds from your delay pedal

By Total Guitar editors published 21 June 22

Our pedalboard primer demystifies delay and will help you take your first steps toward transforming your guitar tone and songwriting with atmosphere, rhythm and space

Young woman playing acoustic guitar in front of laptop

10 things every beginner guitarist needs to know

By Jenna Scaramanga published 14 April 22

Chords and scales, rhythm and lead: these core skills set you up for success in any style

How to get started with alternate picking

How to alternate pick on guitar

By Total Guitar editors published 19 January 22

Beginner guitar: Improve your lead guitar skills with a technique used by indie kids, shredders and blues hounds alike

How to play the major scale on guitar

By Total Guitar editors published 21 December 21

Beginner guitar: This scale is the foundation for basically everything, so it's essential learning for all aspiring players

Close up of man's hand playing F chord shape on electric guitar

How to play the F chord on guitar

By Jonny Scaramanga published 17 December 21

Beginner guitar: Learning the F chord is often one of the biggest obstacles new guitarists face, but there are a variety of simple alternatives to make it easier to play

How to play the B chord on guitar

By Jonny Scaramanga published 13 December 21

Beginner guitar: the B chord is one of the trickier chords you'll learn as a beginner, but mastering it will close that gap and make you a more well-rounded player

How to play the D chord on guitar

By Jonny Scaramanga published 2 December 21

Beginner guitar: the D chord fuels countless rock classics and pop ballads alike. Here, we break it down for you, as well as some useful variations

How to play the G chord on guitar

By Jonny Scaramanga published 25 November 21

Beginner guitar: we introduce you to one of the most commonly found chords in guitar playing, as well as some useful variations

Close-up of man playing E chord on electric guitar

How to play the E chord on guitar

By Jonny Scaramanga published 11 November 21

Beginner guitar: Get to grips with one of the easiest and most useful chords you'll ever learn, as well as some tasty variations

How to fingerpick on guitar

By Total Guitar editors published 27 October 21

Beginner guitar: No pick? No problem! Improve your versatility and create intricate rhythm parts with fingerstyle

Close-up of a man's hand playing an A chord on an electric guitar

How to play the A chord on guitar

By Jonny Scaramanga last updated 11 November 21

Beginner guitar: The A chord is one of the most important chords you'll ever learn. Here, we show you how to play the essential open shape, as well as several variations

How to strum 16th notes on guitar

By Total Guitar editors published 15 October 21

Beginner guitar: Take your rhythm guitar skills beyond the basics with this lesson on 16th-note rhythms

How to play legato guitar licks

By Total Guitar editors published 16 September 21

Beginner guitar: these hammer-on and pull-off techniques appear in every genre of guitar and will rescue you if you run out of ideas mid-solo