Learn to Play Guitar Archives | Page 2 of 4

Lesson 15: The Guitarist’s Essential Chord Guide

Learn to Play Guitar | Chords Intermediate

Jimmy Yeary takes you through the essential chord shapes all across the neck, showing how each major chord (A–G) can be played in multiple positions. From open chords to bar chords and higher up the fretboard, you’ll see how learning these shapes expands your ability to play songs, licks, and scales anywhere on the guitar. While challenging at first, this lesson is foundational for truly understanding the neck and becoming a versatile player.

Lesson 14: Avoiding Discouragement and Building Dexterity

Learn to Play Guitar | Dexterity Intermediate Practice

In this lesson, Jimmy Yeary steps away from teaching songs to share encouragement for staying motivated on your guitar journey. He talks about setting goals, learning from other players, handling nerves, and trusting the slow-but-sure process of practice. Jimmy illustrates this with personal stories about learning mandolin and banjo, reminding you that progress often feels invisible until it suddenly clicks. To wrap up, he demonstrates a simple but powerful dexterity exercise that will prepare you for future licks and scales.

Lesson 13: Playing “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”

Learn to Play Guitar | Intermediate Songs Strumming

Jimmy Yeary teaches you how to play his hit song Everything’s Gonna Be Alright, recorded by Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy. Along with a new strumming pattern, he walks through the chords you’ll need (G, C, D, A minor, and F as the flat seven) and even shares a few shortcuts and passing notes to make the transitions smoother. This lesson blends rhythm and chord work while showing how real songs can fast-track your growth as a guitarist.

Lesson 12: Strumming Patterns with “Bone Dry”

Learn to Play Guitar | Intermediate Songs Strumming

Jimmy Yeary introduces strumming patterns by teaching you how to play his number-one bluegrass song Bone Dry. You’ll learn a down–up pattern that turns your right hand into the “drummer” of the song, keeping rhythm steady from start to finish. Along with practicing the chords in the key of A (A, D, E, and G as the flat seven), Jimmy shows how repetition and playing full songs accelerate your growth more than anything else. This lesson blends rhythm, chords, and practice into one fun challenge.

Lesson 11: Supporting Chords for Every Key

Learn to Play Guitar | Chords Intermediate Songs

In this lesson, Jimmy Yeary reveals a powerful secret behind nearly every song: the three-chord foundation. Walking through each of the seven major chords (A–G), he shows you the two supporting chords that complete the trio in any key. Using “Happy Birthday” as a simple example, Jimmy makes it clear how songs are built and why chords fit together the way they do. This is an eye-opening step that helps guitarists move from strumming shapes to truly understanding music.

Lesson 10: Playing “Country Roads”

Learn to Play Guitar | Intermediate Songs

Jimmy Yeary takes everything you’ve learned so far and applies it to a classic—John Denver’s Country Roads. In this lesson, you’ll practice the chorus in every key (A through G), learning how to combine the 1-4-5 progression with the right minor chord for each key. Along the way, Jimmy explains chord placement options, strumming patterns, and how practicing songs in multiple keys will sharpen your ear and expand your playing.

Lesson 9: How to Restring and Tune Your Guitar

Learn to Play Guitar | Beginner Tuning

In this practical lesson, Jimmy Yeary shows you step-by-step how to change your guitar strings and get them tuned properly. From loosening and removing old strings to installing new ones with a string winder, clipping excess, and stretching them to hold tune, you’ll learn Jimmy’s personal method for keeping your guitar sounding fresh. He also demonstrates using a phone tuner and offers tips to make restringing quicker, easier, and more reliable.

Lesson 8: Finishing the Minors – F and G Minor

Learn to Play Guitar | Beginner Chords Minor Chords

Jimmy Yeary teaches the last two minor chords—F minor and G minor—rounding out the full set of majors and minors on this part of the guitar neck. You’ll also learn a new bar chord position that adds variety and opens the door to more advanced playing. With majors and minors now complete, you’re ready to start learning full songs in the next lesson.

Lesson 7: D Minor and E Minor Chords

Learn to Play Guitar | Beginner Chords Minor Chords

Jimmy Yeary expands your chord knowledge by teaching two of the most widely used minor chords—D minor and E minor. With step-by-step instruction on finger placement and practice tips, you’ll add two essential sounds that appear in countless songs. Mastering these shapes will bring you even closer to playing full songs with confidence.