Beginner's Guide to Acoustic Guitar with David Butler
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Course Structure Beginner's Guide to Acoustic Guitar with David Butler
Each lesson builds on the last, taking you from zero to hero!
Start your acoustic guitar journey from the very beginning. Over 100 lessons take you step-by-step from your first chords, to strumming and fingerpicking techniques to get you playing the music you love quickly and confidently.
Guitar Basics
Section 1
Learn essential chords, strumming, and scales to start playing simple acoustic songs. Explore G, C, and D chords with steady rhythm to begin playing familiar tunes. Build a strong foundation with basic chords and patterns used in acoustic music. Start playing folk and pop songs using beginner-friendly chord progressions. LEARN YOUR FIRST THREE CHORDS: Start by learning three basic chords and how to change between them smoothly. The lessons in this section will guide you through the early challenges and get you off to a great start.
Section 2
Learn to strum in time, change chords with ease, and play a simple folk tune using a pick. Explore the basics of rhythm, picking, and strumming through clear, easy-to-follow songs. Build steady rhythm and smooth chord transitions as you prepare to play your first full song. LEARN YOUR FIRST SONG: This section introduces rhythm and strumming patterns and your first song.
Section 3
Learn the C and G major scales, fretboard basics, and simple songs to support your progress. Explore scale patterns and melody playing while becoming familiar with the fretboard. Build confidence with major scales, note reading, and easy songs for early skill development. THE MAJOR SCALE & MELODIES: This section focuses on single-note playing and introduces basic scales and the fretboard. You'll play some familiar tunes and develop pick control.
Section 4
Develop rhythm and 7th chords while playing familiar folk and country songs with ease. Strengthen tone, strumming, and technique through classic tunes like “Amazing Grace.” Refine picking skills and discover new rhythms while adding 7th chords to favorite songs. PICK CONTROL & RHYTHM: This section covers dynamics, tone quality, and adds new rhythm (strumming) patterns including alternating bass. You'll use these skills in three new songs.
Section 5
Strengthen rhythm and add 7th chords while playing classic folk and country songs. Work on tone and strumming through well-known tunes like “Amazing Grace.” Expand picking skills and apply 7th chords to familiar songs with flowing rhythms. PUTTING IT TOGETHER: Delve further into chords including minor chords. You'll learn more rhythm patterns, and put it all to good use in four new tunes.
Section 6
Develop chord skills and strumming through songs like “500 Miles” and “Ho Hey.” Practice B, B7, and F#m chords while adding steady rhythm and simple bass lines. Expand your chord knowledge and play classics like “I Walk the Line” with confidence. FOLK & COUNTRY: This section will teach you all you need to know to play iconic tunes like 500 Miles and I Walk the Line.
Section 7
Explore 12-bar blues with slides, 9th chords, and simple licks to support classic blues songs. Learn foundational blues forms, boogie lines, and soloing techniques at a comfortable pace. Develop blues skills through familiar songs using steady rhythm, melody, and expressive slides. BLUES AND THE ROOTS OF ROCK: Learn about the blues and boogie forms and guitar techniques like bending notes, slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs.
Section 8
Understand barre chords and capo use while playing songs with the 1-6-4-5 progression. Apply barre chord shapes and capo techniques to well-known songs at your own pace. Develop smooth transitions using barre chords and capos in familiar classic tunes. BUILD YOUR REPERTOIRE: Learn professional versions of songs like Brown Eyed Girl, Surfer Girl and Sugar Mountain. You'll also learn how to use a capo and all about barre chords.
Section 9
Explore Travis picking, major 7th chords, and open tunings through well-loved acoustic songs. Learn fingerpicking patterns and alternate tunings while playing classic folk-inspired tunes. Develop skills in open D tuning, major 7ths, and picking through familiar, expressive songs. INTRODUCTION TO FINGERSTYLE GUITAR: Time to wake up your right-hand fingers :) Learn Travis picking and other right-hand techniques employed in finger-style tunes. Oh the possibilities!
Section 10
Develop confidence with open, barre, minor, and 7th chords through smooth transitions. Strengthen chord knowledge and practice common progressions like the 1-6-4-5 groove. Discover how essential chords and progressions bring rhythm and blues songs to life. CHORDS: A collection of all chord lessons from the course.
Introduction
Learning Tips
Music Theory
Bonus Lessons
About Beginner's Guide to Acoustic Guitar with David Butler
If you join the course, you’ll get unlimited access to hundreds of step-by-step guitar lessons, taught and recorded by an accomplished guitarist who teaches as masterfully as he plays. Each important concept is patiently explained, broken down into manageable steps, then played and often put into context of a song you’ll recognize and enjoy learning. You will also have the option to submit videos to your online teacher for personal feedback through our invaluable Video Exchange Learning® experience that you can’t get anywhere else. We’re here to help new players get the best instruction and have the most productive environment for learning to play acoustic guitar. You can become the player you always dreamed you could be by learning at the ArtistWorks "Beginner’s Guide to Acoustic Guitar".
About David Butler
David Butler is the Chairman and Cofounder of ArtistWorks, and a lifelong acoustic guitarist. He grew up listening to and playing the guitar-centric music of the 60’s, surrounded by the many music influences of his hometown Memphis Tennessee. David shares his lifetime of acoustic guitar knowledge and skill in the new online Beginner’s Guide to Acoustic Guitar. His goal is to provide comprehensive, step by step, deep instruction that fills in gaps that often cause first time players to get frustrated. Normally behind the camera at ArtistWorks, he now steps to the other side to teach all the adult beginners who wish to play and enjoy the acoustic guitar.
What students are saying!
Great Course for Learning the Guitar
This is a well thought out and structured course. Each lesson builds on the last technique, so that you do not get frustrated trying to learn chords and picking by doing too much a...
So much better than you tube
David is obviously and experienced teacher. And the platform is so much better than just watching videos online. You can slow the lesson video down and it sounds the same and the v...
Lesson 1-2
I tried to upload the video but received a message the file was too large at 500, so I've re-recorded and submitted it but it's in Lesson 2 . I need to work on the technology a bit...
Na
Na
Beginners
Well built and easy to follow format that had me playing guitar in what felt like instantly.
So far so good
I think the classes are working. I did submit a video a while back but have not received any feedback. Hope everything is okay
Very detailed.
Very detailed.
Beginners Guide to Acoustic Guitar
A nice course in many respects. If only new lessons could be added from time to time... This would be a big plus!
Beginners
Love the slow pace of lessons. Just what I need
Beginner Guide to Acoustic Guitar
Beginner Guide to Acoustic Guitar
4.6 (16)