Folk Music Guitar Lessons for Beginners

Learn how to play folk music on the guitar with these easy-to-follow, online guitar lessons for beginners.

Introduction to Folk Music Guitar

Welcome to folk music guitar lessons for beginners. In this first lesson, we’ll be discussing what folk music is and some of its history. We’ll also be learning some basic chords and strums that you’ll need to know to get started playing folk music on the guitar.

What is Folk Music?

Folk music is a genre of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation, and often has its roots in the oral tradition. It typically consists of songs that are meant to be sung, rather than played on instruments, and can be about any subject matter. Folk music has been around for centuries, and continues to be popular today.

Folk music can be divided into two main categories: traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. Traditional folk music is the older style of folk music, and is typically more simplistic in nature. It often consists of songs that have been passed down from generation to generation, and often has a more “traditional” sound to it. Contemporary folk music, on the other hand, is the newer style of folk music, and often incorporates more modern influences into the songs. Contemporary folk music often has a more “pop” sound to it, and often covers more modern topics than traditional folk songs.

What is a Guitar?

A guitar is a plucked string instrument with a neck and body that is typically played with the hands. The strings vibrate to create sound, and the player controls the pitch by pressing their fingers on the strings. Guitars come in many different sizes and shapes, and they can be played solo or in a band.

Folk music is a genre of music that typically uses acoustic instruments such as guitars, banjos, and mandolins. This type of music often tells stories or highlights the struggles of everyday life. Folk songs can be happy or sad, but they usually have a catchy melody that is easy to sing along to.

What is a Folk Music Guitar?

A folk music guitar is a guitar that is typically used to play folk music. Folk music is a genre of music that is traditionally passed down from generation to generation, and often has roots in the culture and traditions of a particular region or country. Folk music can be very eclectic, and can encompass a wide range of styles, including traditional folk ballads, work songs, dance tunes, and even modern pop songs. Guitars are often used to accompany folk singers as they perform, and can also be played solo as instrumental pieces.

The Basics of Folk Music Guitar Playing

Folk music guitar playing is a style that is often simple, yet intricate. It can be played on an acoustic guitar or electric guitar. If you are a beginner, you might want to start with some basic chords and strumming techniques. In this section, we will cover the basics of folk music guitar playing.

How to Hold the Guitar

Most guitarists play sitting down, which is fine. If you do play standing up, you might want to invest in a strap to help support the instrument. If you have an acoustic guitar, you might also want to buy a pickguard—a piece of material that protects the body of the guitar from being scratched by picks.

There are different ways to hold the guitar, depending on what position you’re playing in and what style of music you’re playing. In general, there are two ways to hold the guitar: with the neck pointing up (known as “classical position”), or with the neck pointing down (known as “flatpicking position”).

If you’re playing in classical position, you’ll likely be sitting down, and you’ll rest the guitar on your left leg (if you’re right-handed) or your right leg (if you’re left-handed). Your left hand will be positioned behind the guitar neck, and your right hand will pluck the strings.

If you’re playing in flatpicking position, you can either be sitting or standing. If you’re sitting, rest the guitar on your right thigh (if you’re right-handed) or your left thigh (if you’re left-handed). If you’re standing, letting the guitar hang from a strap will free up your hands. In flatpicking position, your right hand is positioned in front of the guitar neck and plucks the strings, while your left hand presses down on specific frets to change notes.

How to Tune the Guitar

In order to play folk music on the guitar, the first thing you need to do is tune the guitar. If the strings are not in tune, the music will sound “off.” There are a few ways to tune a guitar: by ear, by using a tuning fork, or by using an electronic tuner.

If you are tuning by ear, it is best to use a reference note. The most common reference note is the A string. To tune the A string by ear, pluck the string and then compare the sound it makes to another A string that is already in tune. You can also use a tuning fork to tune the A string. Simply strike the tuning fork and then hold it against the A string. The vibration from the tuning fork will cause the A string to vibrate and produce a sound. You can also use an electronic tuner to tune your guitar. Electronic tuners are small devices that you attach to your guitar that will tell you whether your strings are in tune or not.

Once you have tuned your guitar using one of these methods, you are ready to begin playing folk music!

How to Strum the Guitar

Now that you know how to hold the pick and how to make basic chords, it’s time to learn how to strum the guitar. Strumming is the basis for most folk music guitar playing. Follow these steps to learn how to strum correctly:

1. Place your thumb behind the neck of the guitar and position your hand so that the pick is pointing downwards.

2. Using a downward motion, strike the strings with the pick while moving your hand from the neck towards the body of the guitar.

3. Be sure to strike all of the strings evenly. You can practice strumming patterns by counting out beats as you strum. For example, you might strum four times in a row (1-2-3-4) or you might alternate between two and four strokes (1-2-3-4, 1-2-3). Experiment with different rhythms and strumming patterns to find what sounds best to you.

Folk Music Guitar Songs for Beginners

Folk music guitar lessons for beginners can be a great way to learn how to play the guitar. Folk music is a genre of music that is often passed down from generation to generation. Folk music guitar songs often have simple chords and melodies that are easy to learn. If you are a beginner guitar player, learning a few folk music guitar songs can be a great way to start your guitar playing journey.

“Down in the Valley”

“Down in the Valley” is a traditional American folk song, also known as “Valley Forge” and “Cindy.” It dates back to the 19th century, and has been recorded by many artists over the years. The most popular version was recorded by Pete Seeger in 1957.

This song is perfect for beginners because it only uses three chords: G, C, and D. You can use a capo on the second fret to make it even easier.

Here are the lyrics:

Down in the valley, valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Lonesome valley, lonesome valley go

“I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”

This classic American folk song dates back to the 19th century, and it’s a great one for beginning guitarists to learn. The chords are simple, and the strumming pattern is easy to master. You can find plenty of versions of this song online, so take some time to listen to a few before you start playing. Once you’ve got the hang of it, try adding in some basic embellishments to make your version sound unique.

“Oh! Susanna”

“Oh! Susanna” is a much-beloved American folk song written by Stephen Foster in 1848. It’s often one of the first songs that guitarists learn how to play, and it’s a great choice for beginners because the chords are relatively easy to finger.

Conclusion

Now that you know the basics of folk guitar, you can start developing your own style. As you explore different techniques and strumming patterns, you’ll start to develop a repertoire of songs that you can play for friends and family. With practice, you’ll be able to entertain crowds with your music. Who knows, you might even decide to pursue a career in music!