About The First Fret
A patient, beginner-first guide to the guitar for anyone who has always wanted to play but isn't sure where to begin. We start with the questions that actually stall people on day one: acoustic or electric, what to look for in a first guitar without overspending, how to tune it and keep it in tune, and why your fingers hurt at first and what to do about it. From there we build the real foundations one step at a time — reading a chord chart, fretting cleanly so every string rings, your first open chords, and the changes between them that feel impossible until suddenly they don't. Then come the parts that make it feel like music: steady strumming and rhythm, simple picking, short daily practice that actually works, and your first real songs played start to finish. We cover the gear without the hype too — strings, picks, a capo, a tuner, and the small bits of maintenance that keep a cheap guitar playing well. No theory degree required and no expensive rig to start: just clear, friendly guidance from the very first time you pick it up to the first song you can play for someone else.
The First Fret is an independent resource focused on guitar for beginners — chords, strumming, buying your first guitar, tuning, and practice routines. We publish practical, carefully researched guides for readers who want clear answers without the fluff — whether you are just getting started or looking to sharpen what you already know.
What we do
Every article is written and edited to be genuinely useful: accurate, easy to follow, and grounded in real-world experience. We cover topics across Getting Started, Chords & Theory, Strumming & Rhythm, Technique & Practice, Gear & Maintenance, Songs & Playing and update our guides as best practices evolve. We are not affiliated with any of the brands, products, or organizations we may reference; mentions are for the reader's benefit, not an endorsement.
Who writes The First Fret
The First Fret is written by Dez Coleman. Dez picked up guitar as an adult, fought through the barre-chord wall, and writes lessons for beginners practicing in stolen minutes.
How we stay free
The First Fret is supported by advertising. We display ads (including ads served by third parties such as Google AdSense) so that our content can remain free to read. Advertising never dictates our editorial recommendations. See our Privacy Policy for details on how ads and analytics work on this site.
Editorial standards & disclaimer
The First Fret is an independent guitar-learning resource. Our guides are researched and written in-house; we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Fender, Gibson, Yamaha, Taylor, Martin, Epiphone, Squier, Ibanez, D'Addario, Ernie Ball, Boss, Fishman, or any other instrument, string, pedal, or accessory brand we mention. Guitars vary widely in setup, string gauge, and action, and every player's hands and ears are different, so treat our chord shapes, fingerings, tunings, and practice timings as starting points rather than rules and adjust them to your own instrument and comfort. If you feel sharp or lasting pain in your hands, wrists, or shoulders while playing, stop and rest, and seek qualified medical advice for anything that persists. Information here is general educational guidance for hobbyist players, not professional instruction or a substitute for lessons with a qualified teacher.
Our content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always use your own judgment and consult a qualified professional where appropriate.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, or feedback are always welcome. Reach us at runbookify@gmail.com or visit our contact page.