Beginner Practice Tutorials

Guitar Fundamentals 1

Artist / Title / Progress
Difficulty / style
Lisa McCormick
Learning and Practice

In order to make the most of your guitar-learning journey, it is very helpful to understand some important concepts about the learning process, and, how best to practice. Wondering how long it will take you to learn to play? We'll find out in this tutorial

Published: 10/09/2014 Upgrade

Musicianship Guitar Lessons

Artist / Title / Progress
Difficulty / style
Lisa McCormick
Mastering the Art of Practice

In this tutorial I'll map out a 10 point practice strategy for growing your guitar skills. I'll start by giving you an overview of the entire "map", then the ten point strategy: seeing familiar patterns and repeated elements, planning and economizing finger and hand movement, navigating transitions and maintaining good tone, the role of different notes and chords within a piece, dynamics, and a few tips on maximizing your practice regimen.

Published: 04/08/2011 Upgrade
Caren Armstrong
How To Practice

In this set of lessons, Caren Armstrong will delve into the concepts of how to practice. Caren will introduce the tutorial, then get you started on the beginner mindset. Next she'll tune you in to making a beginning with your practice, then how to stay focused. After that we'll talk about how to build muscle memory; then look at how to prioritize your practice, and multi-task. To finish things off, Caren will discuss getting better faster.

Published: 04/09/2013 Upgrade

Exercises

Artist / Title / Progress
Difficulty / style
Christopher Schlegel
Building Pinky Strength & Dexterity

In this tutorial we will learn an exercise that will help you build strength and dexterity in your pinky finger. This is a very simple and obvious exercise that can help beginners get their pinky in shape and ready for fretboard action!

Published: 08/01/2011 Upgrade
Christopher Schlegel
Warmup Stretches

Before playing or practicing guitar everyone can benefit from the basic hand, wrist and shoulder stretches in this tutorial. If done properly, these simple exercises can help build strength and loosen tight muscles.

Published: 09/09/2012 Upgrade
Lisa McCormick
Guided Practice Routine for Beginners

Welcome to the Guided Practice Routine for Beginners. Here, you can practice right along with me, and I'll guide you the whole way. This tutorial is divided into 5 stations. For a good well-rounded workout, do the drills that are right for your skill level in each of the 5 stations. Customize your routine to fit your skill level, and the time you have for practicing today. Make this Guided Practice Routine for Beginners a part of your daily guitar playing!

Published: 03/15/2012 Upgrade
Christopher Schlegel
Warmup Stretches

Before playing or practicing guitar everyone can benefit from the basic hand, wrist and shoulder stretches in this tutorial. If done properly, these simple exercises can help build strength and loosen tight muscles.

Published: 09/09/2012 Upgrade
Lisa McCormick
Easy Finger Warm-Ups for Beginners

You wouldn't head out for a 10k run without doing some stretches and warm-ups first, would you? Same thing with guitar. Wake up your finger muscles with these simple warm-up drills before you head into a practice or playing session, and you'll cross the finish line in fine style.

Published: 04/01/2012 Upgrade
Christopher Schlegel
Building Pinky Strength & Dexterity

In this tutorial we will learn an exercise that will help you build strength and dexterity in your pinky finger. This is a very simple and obvious exercise that can help beginners get their pinky in shape and ready for fretboard action!

Published: 08/01/2011 Upgrade
Christopher Schlegel
Trill Drills

If you combine a hammer-on and a pull-off you've got the beginning of a trill. A trill is a musical ornamentation technique hat consists of rapidly alternating between two notes. In this tutorial you'll learn some exercises that can help building your trilling technique. We'll systematically work each finger into the routine.

Published: 01/09/2014 Upgrade
Christopher Schlegel
Trill Drills

If you combine a hammer-on and a pull-off you've got the beginning of a trill. A trill is a musical ornamentation technique hat consists of rapidly alternating between two notes. In this tutorial you'll learn some exercises that can help building your trilling technique. We'll systematically work each finger into the routine.

Published: 01/09/2014 Upgrade

Guitar Technique Lesson

Artist / Title / Progress
Difficulty / style
Caren Armstrong
Left Hand Training

In this set of lessons, Caren Armstrong will teach you how to develop good left hand technique. We'll start with an overview of the lessons, then look at the elements of basic left hand technique. Following that we'll look at chord position and placement; then learn about strength versus finesse in making our chord shifts. Chord connections are up next, and we'll conclude by wrapping up all the concepts.

Published: 04/10/2013 Upgrade
Caren Armstrong
Left Hand Training

In this set of lessons, Caren Armstrong will teach you how to develop good left hand technique. We'll start with an overview of the lessons, then look at the elements of basic left hand technique. Following that we'll look at chord position and placement; then learn about strength versus finesse in making our chord shifts. Chord connections are up next, and we'll conclude by wrapping up all the concepts.

Published: 04/10/2013 Upgrade