Hello, future guitarists. This is a beginner guitar primer - the first in our series of lessons for the beginner. Now the most difficult part about guitar lessons when getting started isn't a technical issue, but the fact that you are not going to be an astoundingly great guitarist like the pros right away. My first tip is accepting that you are a novice and follow each lesson as you advance with patience and eagerness to learn.

In order to learn guitar you need knowledge of how to hold the guitar and know what the components are. That is what this guitar lesson will focus on - guitar basics and the components of the guitar.

So, you have the two main sections of the guitar - the body and neck. The neck is the extension of the guitar that sticks out from the body also having the headstock and tuning pegs on top connected by the nut, along with frets and fret markers along the neck. In this guitar lesson there's no need to worry about guitar tuning as that is for a later lesson.

The body is the heavier piece that holds the strings in place and gives your guitar sound as your guitar is played. Depending on your guitar, you could have a round hollow body typically seen on acoustic guitars, while electric guitars typically have heavy solid bodies. Regardless of size and shape, the body of the guitar has three important parts. The pickup is the means of amplification of the sound of the guitar in electric guitars, while in acoustic guitars amplification is achieved by the sound hole and sound box.

Also, you'll find the bridge and the tail piece, which function to anchor the strings to the body of the guitar. The bridge connects the strings and the tail piece is what actually locks down the stings. We will discuss strings and how to change and tune them in another guitar lesson.

As for holding the guitar, it is important to note if you are right or left handed. The professional that you buy or rent your guitar from should lead you in the right direction. This one tip can be the turning point if you want to learn guitar properly, because the motor skills that you possess in one hand might be greater.

Typically your dominate hand will be used as your picking or strumming hand. I find for most beginner guitar lessons it helps the student to place the guitar itself between the navel and the hip. Anything below the pelvic bone or closer to the chest is typically too awkward. And last but not least, you'll need a strap; adjust it until it feels natural.

Congratulations, that is your first lesson. I'm sure you're eager to continue on in your studies. Thank you for staying with us and rock on. For more guitar lessons and guitar learning tools, please visit www.theguitartoolbox.com