Level 1 - Beginner Guitar Method - Garage Band University

Getting Started

What You Need

Welcome to your first ever lesson! Here we’ll talk about gear you’ll need to get rockin!

Parts of the Guitar

So you’ve got a guitar, but what the heck do call everything? We’re here to help :)

How to Hold a Guitar

Learn the proper way the hold the instrument to make it as easy and comfortable to play as possible.

How to Hold a Pick

Time to learn the correct way to hold a pick! Everyone’s got a different technique, but we’re going to teach you the universally accepted way.

Names of the Strings

Next up we’re going to learn the names of the strings! These are going to be the actual musical notes, and we’ve got a nifty little trick to memorizing them!

Using a Tuner

No matter your skill level, you’ll only sound good if you’re in tune! Today we’ll show you how!

How to Tune by Ear

Today we’re taking off the training wheels and teaching you how to tune by ear! This one may take a while to master, but you will in time!

All About the Left Hand

Time to look at proper left hand technique! We want to develop good habits early on, so really absorb what we’re talking about here!

Basic Picking Technique

A lot goes into proper picking, and good technique will help make you a faster better player as you develop. Get the scoop here!

How to Read Tab

Tab, short for tablature, is the main way guitarists read music. It’s super easy, and we’ll break it down nice and slow to make sure you get it!

1234 Finger Exercises

Time to learn one of the best exercises for getting your fingers into shape. Finger strength is at the heart of guitar playing, and this is one of the best exercises you can do!

Melodies 1 Series

Led Zeppelin – “Dazed and Confused” (Riff)

Welcome to melodies 1! Today we’re learning the Led Zeppelin riff “Dazed and Confused,” which is super easy yet super heavy. Enjoy!

Chicago – “25 or 6 to 4″ (Riff)

Learn to play the main riff from this Chicago classic.

Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams (lead)

Here we’ll be learning the lead part to Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” In a future lesson, we’ll be looking at the chords, but for now, just have fun with this cool little solo!

Queen – Another One Bites the Dust (Riff)

Badu bum bum bum, here comes “Another One Bites the Dust!” Everybody knows this riff for a reason – because it’s awesome. The picking is getting a bit trickier, but you guys should be ok!

Melodies 2 Series

Nirvana – “Come As You Are” (Riff)

Nirvana helped start the alternative rock movement and brought with them some classic guitar riffs. Here’s one of Kurt’s best.

White Stripes – “Seven Nation Army” (Riff)

Dig out your red shirt and pants, cause today we’re learning the main riff to “7 Nation Army”

Cream – “Sunshine of Your Love” (Riff)

Hey guys, today we’re checking out the main riff of “Sunshine of Your Love.” This is a must know in every guitar player’s arsenal, and another step in our melodies 2 series.

Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run (Riff)

In this lesson we’ll be learning the main lead riff to “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen. We’ll use three strings so this might require more coordination than our previous riffs!

Iron Butterfly – “Inna Gotta Davida” (Riff)

One of the trippiest songs ever made, “Inna Gotta Davida” is one of the first truly heavy riffs ever. Enjoy folks!

Judas Priest – “Breakin the Law” (Riff)

We’re going old school metal for the main hook of this Judas Priest song. Grab your leather and get rockin!

Roy Orbison – “Pretty Woman” (Riff)

Grab your black suit and sunglasses for this one (purring optional)!

Intro to Chords

How to Read Chord Diagrams

Welcome to the world of chords! Our first step: learn to read chord diagrams

Your First Real Chords – The E Family

Finally, time to learn our first three chords! We’ve got three on the table for today: E, E minor, and E7

A Family of Chords

The next family of chords is the A family! Only one more to go after this and then we can start learning some real songs!

D Family of Chords

Now on to the D family of chords! Three new chords but nothing you guys can’t handle!

Proper Strumming

Proper strumming can make the difference between an amateur a pro. We’ll get you started strumming the right way!

The Kingsmen – “Louie Louie” (Chords)

Straight out of “Animal House,” it’s “Louie Louie.” A great song to practice your new chords with!

Basic 12 Bar Blues

In this lesson, we’ll take the chords we already know and apply them to a blues progression. This is a great one for jamming!

ACDC – “Back in Black” (Riff)

A must know for every guitar student. This is the opening riff that combines chords we know with single note picking.

Melodies 3 Series

Jethro Tull – “Aqualung”

We’re getting back to our melodies with Jethro Tull’s “Aqualung.” Sitting on a park bench!

Heart – “Crazy On You” (Riff)

This song really has it all, but today we’ll be looking at the main riff. Who says girls can’t rock too?

Michael Jackson – “Beat It” (Riff)

This is an all time great guitar riff and an 80′s classic. An awesome rocker from the usual dance-pop of Michael Jackson

4 Main Acoustic Chords and Rhythm Concepts

Basic Note Values

Here we’re going to look at some rhythmic music fundamentals and how to count basic note values! Fun Fun!

Time Signatures

Another back to basics lesson, this time looking at time signatures. Get ready to get groovin!

The Four Main Acoustic Chords

The four most important chords you’ll ever know! These four make up countless songs and are the secret weapon behind most songwriting.

Chord Changing Tips

Having some trouble changing chords? Then look no further!

Bob Dylan – “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”

To get some practice with the four main acoustic chords we are going to learn the Bob Dylan classic “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” Enjoy guys!

Melodies 4 Series

Alternate Picking

Today we’re going to learn a brand new technique called alternate picking. This is essential to playing efficiently and quickly and is one of the secrets behind shredding.

Led Zeppelin – “Heartbreaker” (Riff)

To practice our alternate picking we’ve got a great riff from the mighty Led Zeppelin. “Heartbreaker” is super heavy but certainly within your reach. Good luck!

Bon Jovi – “Living On A Prayer” (Riff)

Grab your talk box because we’ve got a classic riff from the garden state native, this time it’s the main riff to Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer.”

34 Strumming

34 Strumming Basics

We’ve looked at the 34 time signature previously, but today we’re going to learn some of the most common strumming patterns you’ll need to play in this time signature.

John Lennon – “Working Class Hero”

“Working Class Hero” is a politically driven song about social injustice, but underneath the message lies a super catchy song in 34. We’ll teach you how to play it!

Staind – “So Far Away” (Chords)

To get some more practice with the 34 time signature we’ve got a great song from the alternative rock band Staind. We hope you like it!

Bob Dylan – “The Times They Are A Changin”

This Dylan masterpiece uses the 34 time signature to deliver a powerful message about an evolving world. Today we’ll show you how to play it.

The Left Over Chords

Bonus Chords – C, C7, G, G7, B7

We’ve got a new batch of chords today to check out today, including C, C7, G, G7, B7. With these, you’re well on your way to having a great handle on the open chords.

Weezer – “Undone” (Chords)

Grab your horn rimmed glasses because we’re taking a trip back to the 90′s to check out the Weezer classic “Undone (The Sweater Song).”

Jimi Hendrix – “Hey Joe” (Chords)

We’ve got a Hendrix classic to get some extra work with our newest batch of chords. This is an easy version that even a beginner can play and have fun with!

More Strumming Concepts

Misses, Ties, and Half Notes

We’ve got a series of new strumming concepts in this lesson including missing, ties, and half notes. If you understand this lesson you’ll be well on your way to strumming mastery!

Guns N’ Roses – “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (Chords)

Today we’re learning the Guns N’ Roses classic “Sweet Child O Mine” to get some practice with our misses and folk strumming. Enjoy guys!

How to Use a Capo

Today we’re going to learn about a nifty device every guitar player should have – the capo. We’ll show you what it is and how to use it!

Oasis – “Wonderwall”

In this lesson we’re going to learn a 90′s classic and all time great song, Oasis’s “Wonderwall.” This will be a fun way to get some practice with the capo.