Basics. How to hold, id the strings (notes), tune ect. Then I’d start with scales.

Start with holding it properly then the string names

Start with holding it properly, what the strings are, how to tune it, and a few names of the parts of the guitar and how it works. Next start with simple open chords, and eventually simple songs, then teach her to read tablature or music, whichever you prefer, and then from there there’s about a million things she can learn and she can begin to take her own direction.

Hello Austin,

basically you should know what kind of music she likes, what she wants to do (if it’s about a serious career or a hobby), help her choose her instrument – maybe even go with her to the music store.

Then, the practical things begin: correct position when playing, knowing the name of each string and the notes of the grif, tuning the guitar, being able to play simple songs (melodically at first).

Combine theory and playing in each session, so that the teen doesn’t get bored: take a song that she likes, adapt it so it’s easier for her to play it and while teaching it to her, explain the theory behind the song (chords / keys / strumming patterns).

Good luck!

If you think teaching TABS is the way to teach GUITAR then YOU ARE NO GUITAR TEACHER. A beginner can learn REAL MUSIC NOTATION just as easily as those stupid TABS that are used by people who are either too STUPID or too LAZY to learn how to read music. If YOU can’t READ MUSIC then YOU ARE NO GUITAR TEACHER.

You START by teaching her how to HOLD the guitar and how to place her fingers and how to TUNE THE GUITAR. because it’s probably some cheap piece of crap and it will need constant tuning.. then you give her a CHORD CHART to work with.. you DO hand out CHORD CHARTS.. right? and then you start teaching HOW to play some of those chords and you teach basic STRUMMING TECHNIQUES at the same time.

Can you REALLY play the guitar as well as you seem to THINK you can? becaus if you can’t.. then you will just be passing on YOUR mistakes on to somone else and that isn’t honest. When I was still teaching I had to WASTE the first few sessions just to clean up the lousy techniques that some halfassed “Guitar teacher” passed on.

Hey ,

I understand that you need a guide on how to take your guitar playing to the next level…

In my opinion the best online school is Guitar Tricks. They’ve been around for ages and offer tons of free lessons to get you started and costs just $15/month to access over 1500 lessons with 45 different teachers.

Good Luck!!

I’d recommend starting with the basics and music sheets. To get some ideas I’d recommend visiting http://www.shredacademy.com as well as they are great for learning music, finding guitar lesson material, DVDs, videos, etc. They also have a friendly community where you can get advice.