Play the Acoustic Guitar: The Songs of the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, and More

Have you always wanted to play guitar but worried it would be too hard to learn? This course makes guitar playing approachable and fun.

At a comfortable pace, students will learn basic chords and right-hand accompaniment patterns and apply them to easy folk and popular songs—including music by The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, and more.

Students will also learn elementary music reading on the instrument, building foundational musicianship skills and learning to play simple melodies from standard notation.

You will learn how to read form, chord symbols, and meter from sheet music, as well as practical skills such as tuning with and without a tuner, changing strings, using a pick, and knowing when to use a capo.

Toward the end of the course, students will form small groups and play easy ensemble pieces together.

This course is designed for those with little or no experience in playing the acoustic guitar.

Students should bring an acoustic guitar, tuner, pick, and portable music stand to each class session.