Beginning Acoustic Guitar Music Lessons
Start playing acoustic guitar with practice-focused lessons
Beginning Acoustic Guitar Music Lessons is an online, beginner-focused course led by Jared Meeker and Greg Horne that teaches practical acoustic technique alongside basic music literacy.
It emphasizes hands-on mastery of chords, strumming, fingerpicking, and reading TAB and standard notation so learners can progress toward simple song performance and basic improvisation.
At a Glance
Beginning Acoustic Guitar Music Lessons is an entry-level, self-paced course taught by Jared Meeker and Greg Horne that introduces practical acoustic guitar technique and basic music literacy.
It covers holding the instrument, strumming, simple and barre chords, fingerpicking, improvisation, and foundational music theory across blues, rock, country, and folk styles.
| Level | Beginner |
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Duration | 3+ hours |
| Languages | English |
| Certificate | Certificate of Completion |
| Access | Access while your LinkedIn Learning subscription is active; mobile app downloads available |
| Course includes |
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| Price | Subscription-based (monthly or annual), free trial available |
What This Course Teaches
This course breaks the syllabus into observable, transferable competencies so learners can track progress from first chords to basic improvisation and musical expression.
By course end, students should be able to read simple TAB and notation, play common open and barre chords, perform basic fingerpicking and strumming patterns, and apply beginner-scale improvisation techniques.
How the Course Is Structured
The course is organized into 10 sections and comprises 67 short lesson videos in total, with a combined runtime of 3+ hours.
Sections group related lessons so learners can move steadily from orientation through fundamentals, reading, technique, stylistic modules, and a brief wrap-up.
Curriculum overview
01Introduction▾
Course orientation and instructor welcome with a brief overview of goals and how to use the materials.
02Getting Started▾
Fundamental setup: tuning, basic fretboard notes, reading TAB, and initial open-chord shapes with basic strumming guidance.
03Reading Music▾
Basics of notation and rhythm for guitar, covering notes by string, rests, rhythmic values, key signatures, and sight-reading practice.
04More New Chords▾
Expanded chord vocabulary including minor and genre-specific voicings, plus strumming and flatpicking patterns for country, bluegrass, and other styles.
05Basic Fingerpicking▾
Right-hand positioning and foundational fingerpicking patterns such as alternating bass, Travis picking, and waltz-time patterns.
06Improvisation, Music Theory, and Intervals▾
Core theory topics—major scales, movable fingerings, the circle of fifths, intervals, harmony basics—and introductions to improvisation.
07The Blues▾
Blues-focused techniques including the 12-bar form, blues rhythm, pentatonic scales, bending, and blues-specific chord shapes for beginner improvisation.
08New Techniques▾
A collection of intermediate techniques: switching chords mid-measure, split strumming, mute strokes, transposition, power and barre chords, and basic ornamentation.
09Expression, Phrasing, and Dynamics▾
Techniques for shaping musical lines through phrasing, dynamics, and expressive choices to enhance simple performances.
10Conclusion▾
Course wrap-up with practice recommendations and suggested next steps for continued development.
Audience & Requirements
This course is aimed at new and early-stage guitar learners who want a structured introduction to acoustic technique and basic musicianship, plus players with limited experience seeking to broaden their chord vocabulary and stylistic range.
It suits hobbyists, singer‑songwriters, and students preparing for informal performance or continued instruction who are willing to practice regularly.
- Complete beginners wanting a guided, self‑paced start on acoustic guitar.
- Hobbyist players and singer‑songwriters building accompaniment and fingerstyle skills.
- Learners with limited chord experience who want to add barre chords and stylistic techniques.
- Students preparing for informal performance or private lessons focused on folk, country, and blues styles.
- A playable acoustic guitar (steel‑ or nylon‑string) in good setup.
- Basic accessories: a pick and spare strings; capo optional.
- No prior experience required, but regular practice time is recommended.
Note: Although the course lists no strict prerequisites, some learners report it progresses quickly into barre chords and basic improvisation; absolute beginners should be prepared for steady practice or consider a shorter beginner primer if they struggle with early chord changes.
Final Verdict
For beginners and self-directed hobbyists, this course is a practical, cost-effective way to learn acoustic guitar because it delivers focused, sequenced instruction paired with platform features like mobile downloads and a shareable certificate.
If you already use the host platform subscription it represents good value and a clear next step; learners who need intensive one‑on‑one feedback or a much slower entry into barre chords should supplement it with targeted practice or private lessons.
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