Getting to Know Your Guitar
This is the only lesson before you start playing songs. Get comfortable, get in tune, and by Lesson 2 you’ll be playing chords used in hundreds of your favourite songs.
Watch Lesson 1
Bruno’s Lesson 1 video goes here
Watch the full lesson first, then use the notes below to recap and practise.
This is the only lesson where you won’t be playing songs yet. After this — it’s all music.
What you’ll learn in this lesson
- ✓The parts of the guitar — just the ones that matter
- ✓How to hold your guitar comfortably from day one
- ✓How to hold a pick correctly
- ✓How to tune your guitar in under two minutes
- ✓How to make your very first sounds
The parts you need to know
You don’t need to memorise all of this — just enough so you know what Bruno’s talking about in the lessons ahead.
The top of the guitar where the tuning pegs sit. Turn the pegs to tune each string.
The long part of the guitar. Your fretting hand wraps around the neck to press down the strings.
The flat face of the neck, divided into sections by metal frets. Frets are numbered 1, 2, 3 upward from the nut.
The big part of the guitar. On an acoustic, sound resonates here and comes out through the soundhole.
A standard guitar has 6 strings, numbered 1 (thinnest) to 6 (thickest).
How to hold your guitar
Sitting
Rest the guitar on your right leg (if right-handed) with the neck angled slightly upward. Relaxed and comfortable — the most common beginner position.
Standing
Use a strap adjusted so the guitar sits at roughly the same height as when seated. Don’t let it hang too low — it looks cool but makes playing much harder.
Keep your fretting hand thumb relaxed on the back of the neck. Don’t let it creep up and hook over the top — it limits your finger movement and slows down your chord changes later.
How to hold a pick
Hold the pick between the tip of your index finger and your thumb. The pointed end should poke out just enough to strike the strings — about 5–8mm. Don’t grip it too tightly. A relaxed grip gives a better sound and reduces hand fatigue.
Start with a medium thickness pick (around 0.7mm). It gives you enough control without being too stiff or too floppy. Buy a variety pack — you will lose them constantly.
How to tune your guitar
A guitar that’s out of tune sounds bad no matter how well you play. Tune every single time you pick it up — it takes less than two minutes.
The 6 strings in standard tuning (low to high):
Remember with: Every Amazing Dog Grows Big Ears
Using a clip-on tuner
Clip to the headstock, pluck each string one at a time, and turn the peg until the display shows the right note and turns green.
Using an app
GuitarTuna (free) is excellent for beginners. Hold your phone near the guitar, pluck each string, and follow the on-screen guide.
Today’s practice — 10 minutes
Do this today, and once more before moving to Lesson 2:
- Pick up your guitar and tune it
- Hold the pick correctly and strum all six strings slowly — just feel the motion
- Pluck each string one at a time, thickest to thinnest
- Put the guitar back on your stand — not in the case
Even 10 minutes a day builds muscle memory fast. Consistency beats length every time.
Here’s what you’re working towards
With just five chords from the next few lessons, you’ll be playing all of these:
…and hundreds more. Every new chord adds dozens of songs to your list.
Ready for Lesson 2?
Once you can tune your guitar and feel comfortable holding it, you’re ready. Lesson 2 is where we learn the notes of the strings — the foundation that makes everything else click faster.
Go to Lesson 2 — Notes of the Strings →