Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar Lessons: Getting Started Course Syllabus

Overview: This beginner-friendly course is designed to get you playing guitar confidently from day one. With a structured, hands-on approach, you'll learn essential skills across 6 modules, totaling approximately 4 hours of focused instruction. Each lesson builds practical ability quickly, using real songs and immediate playability techniques. Perfect for absolute beginners, the course guides you through tuning, chords, strumming, reading tabs, and simple fingerstyle, culminating in two full song performances. Lifetime access allows you to learn at your own pace.

Module 1: Guitar Setup & Tuning

Estimated time: 0.3 hours

• Identify the parts of the acoustic and electric guitar
• Learn the names of the six strings
• Use a tuner app to tune your guitar accurately
• Understand standard tuning (EADGBE)

Module 2: Basic Open Chords

Estimated time: 0.8 hours

• Form basic major chords (C, G, D, A, E)
• Play common minor chords (Am, Em, Dm)
• Learn the dominant seventh shape (G7, D7, A7)
• Practice proper finger placement and hand posture

Module 3: Strumming & Rhythm Patterns

Estimated time: 0.8 hours

• Master downstroke and upstroke techniques
• Apply consistent down-up strumming patterns
• Use a metronome to develop rhythm and timing
• Practice muting and syncopated rhythms for groove

Module 4: Chord Transitions & Practice Drills

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Change smoothly between common chords (e.g., G to C, Am to F)
• Reduce string buzz and improve finger accuracy
• Use timed drills to increase transition speed
• Build muscle memory with repetition exercises

Module 5: Reading TAB & Playing Simple Melodies

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Interpret guitar tablature (TAB) notation
• Read timing and note duration in TAB
• Play single-note riffs and simple lead lines
• Apply TAB reading to short melodic phrases

Module 6: Introduction to Fingerstyle & Song Playthroughs

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Learn basic fingerpicking patterns
• Coordinate thumb and index finger for alternating bass
• Play two beginner-level songs combining chords and melody
• Integrate strumming, fingerstyle, and chord changes musically

Prerequisites

• No prior guitar experience required
• Access to an acoustic or electric guitar
• Smartphone or device for tuner apps and course access

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Tune your guitar and identify all strings and parts
• Play major, minor, and seventh chords confidently
• Strum in time with a metronome using varied patterns
• Read tablature and play simple melodies and riffs
• Perform two complete songs using chords and basic fingerstyle