Beginner Guitar With David Isaacs

Beginner Guitar Course from David Isaacs

Don't get stuck learning chords, scales and theory with nowhere to apply the things you work on. Take the "David Isaacs" approach and learn the guitar by using real music. You'll be playing along with simple song examples after the second lesson!

37 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

92% Appoval

3537 of 3687 of our members have given this their approval.

Tabs & Info

Download tabs, helpers, JamTracks and docs included with lessons.

Included

Access this course, along with all other courses with Membership.

Full Course Breakdown

Whether you've never played before, or your coming back to guitar after brief startup attempt, you'll find everything you need to get going in this series. David uses real musical examples to teach even the most basic concepts and techniques.

Begin the Course

The Series Introduction

2:32 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

Strings & Things

Tune up, learn your way around your guitar, and explore a simple, musical picking exercise to help you learn the string names. You'll be playing right out of the gate!

22:20 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

Hands on the Fretboard

Learn hand position, posture and see how to set up your playing for success when it comes to your fret hand. Dave goes in depth with his discussion and demonstration of hand mechanics. Don't miss this lesson!

16:10 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

Your First Song!

Learn the E7 minor and Am chords and then immediately put them to use with a simple song. Play along to the provided backing track and feel like you're part of the band...It's only your 4th lesson! Keep up the good work!

15:32 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson

Power to the Chords

Power chords are some of the most simple and ubiquitous tools for playing and making great songs. Learn the most basic shapes and put them to use right here! Dave also discusses the beginnings of strumming and note values.

12:21 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Music & Melody

Learn a simple melody and take in a little info about what a 'key' is. You can learn the melody and have a friend strum the rhythm. Or, do it the other way around!

18:07 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Two Finger Chords & More

These simple, musical tools can take you a long way. Use your index and middle fingers to play a simple Am chord and a simple E chord. You'll also learn how to read chord charts and play through another fun real-world example that includes a slightly more advanced chord.

16:46 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

A Simple Melody

You will be introduced to a simple A minor scale and then learn a song that helps you get your new scale under your finger tips!

12:08 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Finger Independence

Do you ever feel like you are wearing mittens while you are trying to practice your guitar playing? If you have ever experienced this sensation, this lesson is for you!

11:04 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Let's Major on C Major

You'll be introduced to the C Major scale and then you'll be able to put it to use over a soothing acoustic guitar rhythm bed. Have fun!

10:37 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

The C Chord and G7 Chord

Here you'll get to spend some time applying some fundamental chord shapes. Dave shows how to switch between these two chords seamlessly and, as usual, has a creative example ready to go so you can put your new knowledge to good use right away!

18:39 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

G and C Working Together

I know what you're thinking..."I just learned these!" Well, you did learn a C chord and a G chord, but this lesson goes over ways to play these chords together in a chord progression that REALLY sounds great. The more ways you know how to play and use these basic chords, the more interesting your playing will become!

11:06 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

Playing Most Songs

You've probably heard it before, but most songs out there can really be played with just 3 or 4 chords. In this lesson, Dave gives you the tools to play most of the songs you know and love!

14:04 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Rhythm & Charts

We're moving into some new territory with this series now. You'll now be focusing more and more on material that you can play in a band setting. Up until now, you've been applying the basics to real music, but we're going to step it up a notch now! Get ready and have fun!

24:54 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

A Taste of the Blues

Learn about the blues form and strum along with a cool, laid back, bluesy track. You'll be able to take the material in this lesson a long way down the road! Don't forget to have fun with it now though too!

12:03 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Major Pentatonic Music

Learn the C major pentatonic scale and put it to good use over a catchy tune! You'll be surprised how simple this is and how very musical you can be with just 5 notes arranged in a musically interesting way.

8:38 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Four Fingers and a Chord

The mighty and intimidating F chord is one that most beginners see as a major hurdle in learning the basic chords on the guitar. Dave offers some ways to make the F chord more approachable. Once you examine the wrist and finger position for the F chord, you'll put it in a nice musical context for your practicing fun!

15:35 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Chord Shapes & Arpeggios

Work on precision with your picking hand and more finger independence with your fretting hand using a soothing practice track called "Chimes". You'll get a good taste of combining melody and rhythm playing in this lesson as well!

15:34 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Work Those Rhythms

Dave works you through eight different strumming variations, discusses how to feel the groove while keeping the rhythm, and shows you how to take a handful of examples and create any strum pattern you wish!

14:18 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Complete C

Look at the C major scale once again. This time however, you'll get to complete the first position C major pattern. You'll play every note within reach of your first 4 frets. You'll also learn a catchy tune that puts this knowledge to good use.

16:28 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

The Return to Chords

Work in the Am, Dm, and Em chords and play them in a melancholy, yet soothing example. You'll also get to work on your basic strumming.

12:18 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Shifty Pentatonic

Learn the E minor pentatonic scale with a small position shift that will get you out of the open position and moving around the neck a little bit. This is where it really starts to feel like you are owning your instrument!

13:53 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Let's Major on A Minor

Earlier in the series, we explored the C major scale. In this lesson, the A minor will get some love. Learn the basic open position and use it in a new melody.

15:43 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

In 7th Heaven

Back to some chords now. In case you couldn't tell from the title, we'll be focusing on 7th chords for this lesson. You learned A7 a while back, and now you'll learn E7 and B7.

13:32 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Walkin' The Blues

Take a moment to pat yourself on the back! You've covered a lot of ground so far! You've been playing real music now for some time, and in this lesson, we're going to learn a walking blues line. What is a walking blues line you ask? Well, you're in the right place!

10:50 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Moveable Chords

Chords that don't have any open strings in them AND chords whose open strings fit comfortably within the chord all called "moveable chords". Learn how to play a couple chords up the neck.

15:31 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Moveable Pentatonic

In this lesson, you'll take another big step forward when it comes to working outside of the open position. You'll feel like doing some jamming too!

8:44 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Syncopated Strumming

There are eight more strum patterns for you to dig into in this lesson. This time, they are a bit trickier. Follow along with the rhythm charts and take each example in chunks if needed. Combine them with the ideas in the previous strumming lesson for even more fun!

19:33 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

And Now...Barre Chords!

You knew it was coming! This is the lesson where we stop dancing around full fingered moveable chords and dive head first into the most common barre chord shapes. They're not as bad as you may be fearing. Isaacs' straight forward, musical approach particularly shines on this often avoided topic for beginners.

19:21 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Advancing with Blues

As the musical examples continue to distance themselves from that stereotypical beginner sound, Dave works through this track with a simple, moving melody inside a blues progression.

14:47 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

Make It up as You Go

Some of you may have been waiting for this one! Now we'll focus on some improvisation...Some lead playing. It's not about knowing all the scales or trying to be fancy. It is about using what you know to make a lasting impression on the listener, and you'll be surprised at how little you have to play in order to do just that!

12:45 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

Like a Drummer

Learn how to create motion and percussive interest with your strumming. If you look at and listen to how drummers accent general grooves, there is a lot of insight there in to how to make your rhythm playing groove.

17:29 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

New Chords, New Strums

Learn B minor chord and continue developing your feel and grooviness when it comes to strumming. Be sure that you are combing over older lessons as well so that you can incorporate many ideas into what you are playing.

21:19 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

A Start to Alternate Picking

Develop precision in your picking. Learn when it's best to use alternate picking. Get comfortable with a few exercises and then apply the technique in a musical context!

20:26 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

A Little Bluegrass

We're going to continue with rhythm playing and 16th note strumming, but this time we're going to touch on some laid back bluegrass playing. This is another simple style of playing to add to your arsenal.

10:06 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

A Bit More on Barre Chords

Learn a few more barre chord forms and get more advanced with your strumming. As you've come to know and love with these lessons, you'll have a chance to learn a new song!

13:51 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

Here You Are

You've made it a long way if you've made it to the end of this series! In this final lesson of Mr. Isaacs beginner course, you'll spend some dedicated time moving both major and minor barre chord formations around the neck.

21:58 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

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David Isaacs

3,537

Dave Isaacs Group

Nashville, Tennessee
Playing since 1980
478 lessons at JamPlay

Begin Course

Nashville-based Dave Isaacs has made a name for himself as one of Music City's top guitar instructors, working with both professional and aspiring songwriters and artists at his Music Row teaching studio. He is also an instructor in the music department at Tennessee State University and is the coordinator and artistic director of the annual TSU Guitar Summit.

A seasoned performer as well, Dave has released eight independent CDs and gigs steadily as a solo artist, bandleader, and sideman. He continues to write, record, and perform as well as arranging and producing projects for other artists.

Reviews & Feedback 92/100 with 3687 ratings

vonnie

Easy going and encouraging. A good way to begin again.

garymcelveen

Thanks David, it was the perfect start to this special journey. I really understood and followed, stopping making notes, (well understood notes). I really can't wait to see what you have coming up next. God Bless, Gary from S.C.

jplatt

I liked the teacher,he was easy to understand, and this was exactly what I needed. I like that I'm learning to read tabs as I go. I REALLY appreciate the supplemental info the accompanies the lesson.

librapondo

Excellent demonstration and approach.

mparker004

Excellent Teacher

DoTheTunes

Great lesson. I must have missed this along the way. I have been going back and watching the lessons again to help the information marinate. Thanks.

Esker

Fun being able to harmonise to the backing track.

Martijnn

Love the 4k resolution on my new monitor!

vguitar

I got the hint, and I could the frets gradually up to produce the same melody. Then I will just follow the style of strumming. I will practice it. Thanks.David.

ailes

Excellent teacher. I jumped ahead of my ability to play. This is where I belong. back to a solid foundation.

PJTILLY

I feel it man...

eman5700

Good teacher

myjamplays

great content

case42

When I try and download the guitar pro or the gpx the it links to lesson 25 not 23 :(

ronald101

dam good teacher

Nautilustears

Awesome!

1959Jewels

And easy to understand. Encouraging!

4thchild

What I've been looking for

Carvin01

All of the above

joejam65

This helped me with timing!

jcaputo1

I like that you are playing a tune on the second lesson. Also a tune that I like.

aloysius

I wish he could be the one to take me all through, from this stage up to the advanced stage.

Guitar Tracks

I like the teacher, but want to learn how to lay down my own tracks. Acoustic guitar recorded, then maybe electric guitar playing along with it. Might need to learn scales to go along the songs I like?

RTR

The teacher instills confidence. He knows this all takes time and there is a logic that will show up later regarding the patterns. This kind of understanding by the teacher inspires me as a student. Thank you, RTR

rbanks

All of the above!

Rammstein

I like Dave's calm teaching style

RobinHoodMtl

Nice choice for the playback

saddleman

Starting to make sense. Thanks

Tigdra

David's approach is really very helpful to me.

BklynDave

All the Above

Don.S

David always explains the lessons pretty well.

johnnysuz

Easy to follow along, and I like the teacher's manner and attitude.

Catharsis Blues

All of the above- I liked the teacher and it was easy to understand. More beginner barre chord lessons would be great for helping cross that major hurdle in a guitar player's learning path.

12barDavid

Really nice set of lessons. Ive picked up some bad habits over the years on guitar, so its nice to go back to basics. David's course is well presented & easy to understand. I'm sure the rest of the course will be just as much fun.

Ephne

I listened to Dave the other morning and I appreciated the fact that he believes that even seniors (I'm 73) and arthritic sufferers (like me) can learn to play the guitar. I'm taking him up on that!!

AesopAncestor

Liking the lessons so far. Been playing off and on again for a few years and didn't really want to admit that I was still a beginner, but it's totally worth it. Finding a lot of kinks in my playing and hammering them out is turning out to be a

machinehead1

very nice

Southern Cash

The best!

Tonia

Starting to play again after a while, sounds encouraging !

sc2jamplay

I looked at a few other teachers. I played classical guitar 20 years ago and am picking it up again. I con't see anyone of guitar jam holding their guitar the way I learned, but I got a "click" when I listed to this teacher...so I'm in...at l

dwaguado

I WAS playing along! What a rush! Thank you! Cheers, Dave

triarius

Great music, especially for this beginner level~!

JuanGrande

I like his approach to positioning the fretting hand.

lebauschki

Very good structured lesson. Easy to understand and follow along with.

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