Berklee College of Music

About this Course

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Grasp the essentials needed to begin playing acoustic or electric guitar. You'll learn an easy approach to get you playing quickly, through a combination of exploring the instrument, performance technique, and basic music theory.
For students who have long thought about picking up the acoustic or electric guitar, this course will provide an easy-access foundation that will get you playing. When first learning guitar, it is important to have the material presented in stages, in an enjoyable way that allows you to grasp the basics of the instrument and music. The course begins simply with the parts of the guitar, the names of the strings, tuning, and technique—whether finger-style or pick. It then explores the basics of music theory with such topics as scales, triads, power chords, and fingering and shapes.

At the end of this course, students will understand the structure, parts, and accessories of the instrument, in addition to an understanding of its basic maintenance. Electric guitar players will learn the operation of their instrument along with basic options for amplification, effect pedals, and sounds. Students will also learn to develop correct technique and apply theory concepts to their playing. They will have the foundational knowledge necessary to pursue most intermediate guitar courses.

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

started a new career after completing these courses

33%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

25%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 24 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Catalan, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Russian, English

What you will learn

Identify string names and numbers and read music notation, tablature, chord block diagrams, and fretboard maps

Practice picking, finger picking, and strumming patterns

Play various chords including major and minor triads, open, barre, and pose chords

Read and play a lead sheet

Skills you will gain

TablatureMusic notationGuitar scalesGuitar chordsGuitar

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

started a new career after completing these courses

33%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

25%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 24 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Catalan, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Russian, English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.86/5 (119 Ratings)

Thaddeus Hogarth

Offered by

Berklee College of Music

Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music. For more than half a century, the college has evolved to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. Berklee serves distance learners worldwide through its award-winning online extension school, Berklee Online.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(44,259 ratings)

Week

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Welcome to Introduction to Guitar

Welcome to Guitar for Beginners! Before you begin the course, we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your Berklee massive online course.

1 hour to complete

5 readings

5 readings

Meet Your Teaching Assistants10m

Connect with Your Classmates10m

Course Resources10m

Earn A Course Certificate10m

Join the Discussion!10m

1 practice exercise

What Are Your Goals?30m

4 hours to complete

Acoustic / Electric Guitar and the Basics

In this first lesson, we will take things slow. We will focus on how to choose the right guitar for you and what accessories are essential for any guitar player. We'll also learn the parts of the guitar and get you comfortable with your instrument.

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 33 min), 5 readings, 4 quizzes

7 videos

Choosing Acoustic Or Electric Guitar3m

Choosing the Right Guitar: Right-Handed vs Left-Handed3m

Essential Accessories for Acoustic Guitar7m

Essential Accessories for Electric Guitar4m

Parts of the Guitar (Electric)6m

Chord Block Diagrams and Fretboard Maps2m

A Minor and E Major Chords5m

5 readings

Parts of the Guitar (Acoustic)5m

Guide to Chord Block Diagrams and Fretboard Maps10m

A Minor and E Major Chord Block Diagrams10m

Join Your Study Group10m

Comparing Major and Minor Chords1h

4 practice exercises

Essential Accessories15m

Identifying the Parts of the Guitar30m

Chord Block Diagrams and Fretboard Maps25m

Lesson Reflection30m

Week

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Getting Started: Fundamental Guitar Skills

In this lesson, you will learn how to tune and you will start playing your instrument from the ground up! Be patient and remember: focus on being accurate and play in consistent time with your metronome. These things are far more important than playing with speed.

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 52 min), 6 readings, 4 quizzes

7 videos

String Names and Numbers2m

Tuning Your Guitar with a Tuner8m

Tuning Your Guitar by Matching10m

Tuning Your Guitar with Harmonics4m

Picking Technique10m

Finger Picking8m

Strumming the Guitar6m

6 readings

Online Guitar Tuner from Berklee Online10m

Guide to Picking15m

Guide to Fingerpicking15m

Guide to Strumming15m

Join Your Study Group10m

Exercise: Picking and Strumming10m

4 practice exercises

String Names and Numbers30m

Tuning Your Guitar20m

Finger Picking10m

Lesson Reflection30m

Week

Week 3

4 hours to complete

The Twelve Half Steps and Basic Notation

While you don’t need to be an expert on music theory to play guitar, it is important to know the basic building blocks of music. With this understanding, music will no longer be shrouded in mystery or complexity. This lesson presents fundamental musical ideas in a fun, non-intimidating way.

4 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 29 min), 3 readings, 5 quizzes

4 videos

Twelve Frets and Twelve Half Steps8m

Notes on the Fretboard8m

Rhythm Basics5m

Music Notation and Tablature6m

3 readings

The Note Wheel10m

Join Your Study Group10m

Exercise: Playing Notes10m

5 practice exercises

Twelve Frets and Twelve Half Steps30m

Notes on the Fretboard30m

Rhythm Basics30m

Music Notation and Tablature30m

Lesson Reflection30m

Week

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Scales: Construction and Fingerings

In this lesson, you will dig into scales. Don’t be intimidated. Some of you may have heard of, or practiced, scales. It might have been during piano lessons. Most likely it wasn’t very exciting for you. Hopefully you'll find the approach to scales in lesson 4 much easier and even fun.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 45 min), 3 readings, 4 quizzes

6 videos

Position Playing3m

The Chromatic Scale on a Single String7m

The Chromatic Scale in First Position8m

The Chromatic Scale in Other Positions9m

Major Scales9m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Guitar for Beginners

About this Course

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

33%

25%

What you will learn

Skills you will gain

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

33%

25%

Instructor

Thaddeus Hogarth

Offered by

Berklee College of Music

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week 1

Welcome to Introduction to Guitar

Acoustic / Electric Guitar and the Basics

Week 2

Getting Started: Fundamental Guitar Skills

Week 3

The Twelve Half Steps and Basic Notation

Week 4

Scales: Construction and Fingerings

Week 5

Chords: Building Easy Triads and Power Chords

Week 6

Putting it All Together: The Pentatonic Scale and Songs

Reviews

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Guitar for Beginners

About this Course

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

33%

25%

What you will learn

Skills you will gain

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

33%

25%

Instructor

Thaddeus Hogarth

Offered by

Berklee College of Music

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week 1

Welcome to Introduction to Guitar

Acoustic / Electric Guitar and the Basics

Week 2

Getting Started: Fundamental Guitar Skills

Week 3

The Twelve Half Steps and Basic Notation

Week 4

Scales: Construction and Fingerings

Week 5

Chords: Building Easy Triads and Power Chords

Week 6

Putting it All Together: The Pentatonic Scale and Songs

Reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM GUITAR FOR BEGINNERS

Frequently Asked Questions

Coursera Footer

Top Online Courses

Top Online Specializations

Online Certificates

Online Degree Programs

Coursera

Community

More