Start Playing Guitar: From basics to your first song
A course by Michelle Joyce , Musician

Join Michelle Joyce and learn to play guitar. Master the basics with structured lessons on chords, rhythms, and practice routines.
Discover the magic of playing the guitar with Michelle Joyce, also known as Guitar Goddess on YouTube, as she guides you step by step to play your first song from day one.
You'll start by choosing the guitar that best fits your style and preferences, as well as learning how to tune it, and practicing specific yoga exercises to improve your posture and avoid tension.
You'll learn to play your first notes and chords, how to make smooth transitions between them, and how to structure your practice sessions effectively to maximize your progress.
With a light and fun methodology, you'll not only learn to play your first song but also acquire the necessary tools to continue your musical journey independently.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 11 downloads
- 97% positive reviews (35)
- 6,875 students
- 15 lessons (2h 21m)
- 11 additional resources (2 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
The final project involves using the chords you've learned to play a song based on those chords. By the end, you'll have applied everything you've learned and be able to confidently perform your first song.
Who is this online course for?
This course is designed for beginners who want to learn to play the guitar from scratch. It's also ideal for those with basic knowledge who want to improve their technique.
No prior experience is required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Requirements and materials
You will need a guitar, either acoustic or electric, depending on your preference. It will also be useful to have a pick and a tuner to ensure your guitar is always correctly tuned.
Additionally, have a notebook handy to take notes and track your progress.
Reviews

Michelle Joyce
A course by Michelle Joyce
Michelle Joyce is a musician and the creator of Guitar Goddess, a popular YouTube channel dedicated to teaching guitar. Her friendly and accessible approach has helped thousands of students around the world learn to play the guitar and enjoy the process.
Since 2009, Michelle has been sharing her passion for music and teaching. Her love for Taylor Swift's music led her to create tutorials on YouTube, where she quickly gained a loyal audience.
Michelle has collaborated with various brands and worked on multiple projects that have strengthened her expertise and recognition in the musical community.
Content
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U1
Introduction to Guitar and Influences
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Stairway to History
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Influences and Inspirations
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U2
Getting Started with Your Guitar
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Choosing Your Guitar
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Guitar Anatomy
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Tuning and Ear Training
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Guitar Yoga + Form (Proper Posture and Handling)
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U3
Basic Techniques and Chords
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Using a Pick vs. Fingers
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Your First Note and Chords
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Tips for Perfect Chords
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Chord Transitions
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U4
Advancing with Chords and Strumming
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Structuring Your Practice
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Progressing with Chords and Strumming
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Introduction to Fingerpicking
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U5
Let's play the first song!
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Playing Your First Song
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Exploring Music Theory
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FP
Final project
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Guitar for beginners
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for absolute beginners and covers all the basics you need to start playing guitar, including chords, strumming, posture, and tuning.
You need a guitar (acoustic or electric), a tuner or tuning app, and a guitar pick. Optional accessories like a capo and strap are also helpful. No prior experience is required.
You’ll learn foundational guitar skills such as chords, strumming patterns, tuning, posture, reading chord charts, and how to break down and play your favorite songs step by step.
Yes, the course explains the differences between acoustic and electric guitars and teaches basic setup, playing techniques, and how to choose the right guitar for you.
You'll learn what to consider when choosing your first guitar, including size, comfort, tone woods, acoustic vs electric, and tips for buying new or used instruments.
Yes, the course breaks down how to play popular songs step by step, including music by artists like Taylor Swift and Michelle Branch, using beginner-friendly techniques.
Yes, you'll learn how to tune your guitar using both electronic tuners and tuner apps, as well as tips for tuning by ear and memorizing string names.
Como recibo las lecciones?
Prima Kurs, tolle Lehrkraft und verständliche Übungen
Good, basic beginners course to get you started.....you won't be a stage performer at the end, but you will start to feel comfortable with the guitar, start learning your way around the fretboard and some basic plectrum and finger picking. You will learn some simple tunes along the way. I consider this as a "gateway" course.
Un curso excelente, perfecto para principiantes y una gran base para seguir aprendiendo. La profesora es muy agradable y explica con mucha claridad, lo que hace que el curso se pueda seguir con facilidad y motiva a continuar con el aprendizaje. Cubre distintos conceptos y otorga las herramientas necesarias para comenzar a tocar la guitarra, además, la profesora motiva a los alumnos a disfrutar de la práctica y a adaptarla a las necesidades de uno mismo, lo cual resulta de mucha ayuda.
Excelente para iniciación. A mi me ha ayudado a reconectar luego de tener más de 15 años sin agarrar una guitarra. Muy recomendado.