4.8
stars
2,208 ratings

Thaddeus Hogarth

291,043 already enrolled

Offered By

Berklee

About this Course

52,238 recent views

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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 23 hours to complete

English

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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

Tablature
Music notation
Guitar scales
Guitar chords
Guitar

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 23 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.85/5 (226 Ratings)

Thaddeus Hogarth

Offered by

Berklee

Established in 1945, Berklee is at the forefront of contemporary music education, bringing its award-winning curriculum to more than 3.5 million students around the world. Currently comprising Berklee College of Music, Berklee Online, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee NYC, Berklee Summer Programs, and more, Berklee is shaping the key players of tomorrow’s music industry. With innovative programs in performance, production, business, theater, dance, and more, students come away from their Berklee experience with a professional portfolio, practical job skills, and a strong sense of community.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(49,291 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Welcome to Introduction to Guitar

1 hour to complete

5 readings

4 hours to complete

Acoustic / Electric Guitar and the Basics

4 hours to complete

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

7 videos

Choosing Acoustic Or Electric Guitar3mChoosing the Right Guitar: Right-Handed vs Left-Handed3mEssential Accessories for Acoustic Guitar7mEssential Accessories for Electric Guitar4mParts of the Guitar (Electric)6mChord Block Diagrams and Fretboard Maps2mA Minor and E Major Chords5m

5 readings

Parts of the Guitar (Acoustic)5mGuide to Chord Block Diagrams and Fretboard Maps10mA Minor and E Major Chord Block Diagrams10mJoin Your Study Group10mComparing Major and Minor Chords1h

4 practice exercises

Essential Accessories15mIdentifying the Parts of the Guitar30mChord Block Diagrams and Fretboard Maps25mLesson Reflection30m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Getting Started: Fundamental Guitar Skills

4 hours to complete

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

7 videos

String Names and Numbers2mTuning Your Guitar with a Tuner8mTuning Your Guitar by Matching10mTuning Your Guitar with Harmonics4mPicking Technique10mFinger Picking8mStrumming the Guitar6m

6 readings

Online Guitar Tuner from Berklee Online10mGuide to Picking15mGuide to Fingerpicking15mGuide to Strumming15mJoin Your Study Group10mExercise: Picking and Strumming10m

4 practice exercises

String Names and Numbers30mTuning Your Guitar20mFinger Picking10mLesson Reflection30m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

The Twelve Half Steps and Basic Notation

4 hours to complete

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

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Scales: Construction and Fingerings

3 hours to complete

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

Reviews

4.8

643 reviews

5 stars
83.80%
4 stars
12.52%
3 stars
1.86%
2 stars
0.77%
1 star
1.04%

TOP REVIEWS FROM GUITAR FOR BEGINNERS

by NPSep 17, 2015

loved it, I took guitar lessons when I was a kid and hated it. this course made it fun! it took the mystery out of it so I can see the big picture and got me playing the guitar

by DCSep 30, 2016

Great introduction to guitar, before this course I already played acoustic guitar but with this course I've got many techical info I didn't know, e.g. on guitar positions and scales

by RFDec 26, 2015

This is a guitar class, done with class. Loved the teacher, Thaddius. After taking this class I got a job at a church playing guitar. This class increased my income by thousands a year.

by RYJun 27, 2020

Too good,very much informative & extremely knowledgeable, practical course for beginners in Guitars.

Thanks to Berklee College of Music & Coursera for such a wonderful course.

View all reviews

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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Guitar for Beginners

About this Course

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Skills you will gain