Learn to Play Guitar
Step into the world of music with award-winning songwriter Jimmy Yeary as your guide. In this series of beginner-friendly guitar lessons, Jimmy shares the same simple techniques he learned from his father—helping you go from holding a guitar for the first time to strumming real chords and songs. Each lesson builds on the last, giving you practical tips, clear demonstrations, and plenty of encouragement. Whether you dream of playing around the campfire or writing songs of your own, this series will get you started on a journey that’s both fun and rewarding.
Lesson 12: Strumming Patterns with “Bone Dry”
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
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”
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
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
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
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.
Lesson 6: Overcoming Frustration and Finding Joy in Playing
In this special lesson, Jimmy Yeary is joined by Austin Andrews for a conversation about persistence, practice, and the joy of making music. They talk openly about the challenges every beginner faces—sore fingers, slow progress, and frustration—and how repetition eventually leads to breakthrough moments. You’ll also see a live example of fingerpicking and how playing with others makes guitar both fun and rewarding.
Lesson 5: Learning Minor Chords – A, B, and C
Jimmy Yeary introduces you to minor chords, beginning with A minor, B minor, and C minor. These shapes may feel tricky at first—especially the bar chords—but they open the door to countless songs. With step-by-step guidance and plenty of encouragement, Jimmy shows how practicing these forms builds strength and prepares you to add real depth and variety to your playing.
Lesson 4: Completing the Seven Major Chords
Jimmy Yeary rounds out your chord knowledge by teaching the remaining three major chords: E, F, and B. You’ll practice finger placement, learn how to handle the tricky F and B shapes, and see why mastering all seven majors opens the door to playing nearly any song. With steady repetition, your fingers will strengthen, your ear will sharpen, and you’ll be ready to move from chords into full songs.
Lesson 3: Adding the C Chord and Playing Your First Song
Jimmy Yeary introduces the C chord and shows how it works alongside D and G to open up new possibilities. Using the hymn Amazing Grace as your first full song, you’ll practice a simple waltz strumming pattern while learning how chords shift between keys. This lesson helps you hear the difference between playing in D and G, giving you flexibility to match songs to your voice and style. With steady practice, these chord changes will start to feel natural.
Lesson 2: Your First Chords – D, G, and A
In this lesson, Jimmy Yeary gets you strumming right away by teaching three essential beginner chords: D, G, and A. With these alone, you can play countless songs. Jimmy breaks down finger placement step by step, explains the concept of 1-4-5 chord progressions, and offers practical tips for overcoming early challenges like finger pain and muffled notes. Stick with it, and these chords will become the foundation of your playing.
Lesson 1: Getting to Know Your Guitar
In this first lesson with award-winning songwriter Jimmy Yeary, you’ll get a hands-on introduction to the guitar itself. From tuning keys and frets to picks and string names, Jimmy walks beginners through the basics in a simple, encouraging way. You’ll even tune your guitar together—getting it ready for the chords and songs to come. Whether you’ve never held a guitar or just need a refresher, this lesson lays the foundation for your musical journey.