Learn about tuning your instrument, strumming and picking, simple chords for pop songs, scales and chord symbols on this starter course. Use any acoustic guitar for this introductory course in playing pop, rock, blues and folk styles.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
You will be introduced to essential guitar technique and you will develop understanding of the instrument and its possibilities. You will learn about guitar notation and chord symbols, fretboard technique, strumming and picking patterns, negotiating chord changes, and playing in time.
What will we cover?
This course introduces the instrument and how to play accompaniment for folk and pop tunes. Each week a particular area of guitar technique and harmony will be explored through carefully chosen songs and exercises. Study of song form is also an essential part of your education.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Play essential folk chord shapes and read chord symbols - Demonstrate finger-picking and strumming patterns - Demonstrate you can keep time well - Understand and play rudimentary scales - Demonstrate essential accompaniment techniques
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is ideal for beginners, so no previous experience is necessary. You will need to have an instrument, any acoustic guitar is suitable.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
In class the emphasis will be on playing and listening together. You will be taught through tutor demonstration, playing together with the opportunity for some individual attention. Practice between classes is essential to your progress and the momentum of the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All music materials and learning resources will be provided by the tutor, for class and in the google classroom. You must have your own acoustic guitar.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The course will continue as 1B and 1C to span the academic year.
David Harrison studied at Oxford Brookes university before taking a post-graduate diploma in saxophone performance at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. David has been teaching at City Lit since 1994. In 2004 he wrote a guitar player’s guide for Collins and joined Music Sales in 2005 to update the famous A Tune A Day tutor series, eventually producing over 40 titles as series editor of the relaunched A New Tune A Day books, which has since become the biggest-selling music tutor series worldwide. Since 2010, David has worked freelance writing, editing and producing mainly educational titles, including Abracadabra Beginning Theory (Collins Music); The Complete Ukulele Player (Music Sales) and most recently the Bob Dylan Complete (Hal Leonard), the authorised collection of every Dylan song, together with an extensive introduction covering Dylan’s acoustic guitar technique, his song-writing and Dylan’s place in the American folk music revival. Aside from his guitar and saxophone classes, David runs a course in song writing. a series of talks on the music of The Beatles, and a series on the songs of Bob Dylan’s 1960s albums.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/folk-and-pop-guitar-1a174920Folk and pop guitar 1Ahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/e/me616a_folk_pop_guitar_1a-_1024.jpg229229GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Jazz & popular music/Courses/Courses for beginners/Courses/vm/Beginners music & dance courses offer22851314135113581839292512285131413511653Learn about tuning your instrument, strumming and picking, simple chords for pop songs, scales and chord symbols on this starter course. Use any acoustic guitar for this introductory course in playing pop, rock, blues and folk styles. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">You will be introduced to basic guitar technique and you will develop understanding of the instrument and its possibilities. You will learn about guitar notation and chord symbols, fretboard technique, strumming and picking patterns, negotiating chord changes, and playing in time. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.</div>54.83034246Folk and pop guitar 1A229229https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/e/me616a_folk_pop_guitar_1a-_1024_1.jpgInStockEveningThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-09-17T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2026Performing artsME616A229229Folk and pop guitar 1A229160229David Harrisonfolk-and-pop-guitar-1a/me616a-2627Learn about tuning your instrument, strumming and picking, simple chords for pop songs, scales and chord symbols on this starter course. Use any acoustic guitar for this introductory course in playing pop, rock, blues and folk styles.0000-Available|2026-09-17 00:00:00You will be introduced to essential guitar technique and you will develop understanding of the instrument and its possibilities. You will learn about guitar notation and chord symbols, fretboard technique, strumming and picking patterns, negotiating chord changes, and playing in time.Learn about tuning your instrument, strumming and picking, simple chords for pop songs, scales and chord symbols on this starter course. Use any acoustic guitar for this introductory course in playing pop, rock, blues and folk styles.This course introduces the instrument and how to play accompaniment for folk and pop tunes. Each week a particular area of guitar technique and harmony will be explored through carefully chosen songs and exercises. Study of song form is also an essential part of your education.<p>- Play essential folk chord shapes and read chord symbols<br/>- Demonstrate finger-picking and strumming patterns<br/>- Demonstrate you can keep time well<br/>- Understand and play rudimentary scales<br/>- Demonstrate essential accompaniment techniques<br/> </p>This course is ideal for beginners, so no previous experience is necessary. You will need to have an instrument, any acoustic guitar is suitable.<p>In class the emphasis will be on playing and listening together. You will be taught through tutor demonstration, playing together with the opportunity for some individual attention. Practice between classes is essential to your progress and the momentum of the course.</p>All music materials and learning resources will be provided by the tutor, for class and in the google classroom. You must have your own acoustic guitar.The course will continue as 1B and 1C to span the academic year.MusicJazz & popular musicvirtual229229160ME616ANONEThu17/09/26 - 26/11/2619:45 - 21:1519:4521:1511 sessions (over 11 weeks)1111 weeks or longerEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetDavid HarrisonBeginnersAvailable courses2026-09-17T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Performing arts229229Folk and pop guitar 1Afolk-and-pop-guitar-1a/me616a-2627Learn about tuning your instrument, strumming and picking, simple chords for pop songs, scales and chord symbols on this starter course. Use any acoustic guitar for this introductory course in playing pop, rock, blues and folk styles.0000-Available|2026-09-17 00:00:00You will be introduced to essential guitar technique and you will develop understanding of the instrument and its possibilities. You will learn about guitar notation and chord symbols, fretboard technique, strumming and picking patterns, negotiating chord changes, and playing in time.Learn about tuning your instrument, strumming and picking, simple chords for pop songs, scales and chord symbols on this starter course. Use any acoustic guitar for this introductory course in playing pop, rock, blues and folk styles.This course introduces the instrument and how to play accompaniment for folk and pop tunes. Each week a particular area of guitar technique and harmony will be explored through carefully chosen songs and exercises. Study of song form is also an essential part of your education.<p>- Play essential folk chord shapes and read chord symbols<br/>- Demonstrate finger-picking and strumming patterns<br/>- Demonstrate you can keep time well<br/>- Understand and play rudimentary scales<br/>- Demonstrate essential accompaniment techniques<br/> </p>This course is ideal for beginners, so no previous experience is necessary. You will need to have an instrument, any acoustic guitar is suitable.<p>In class the emphasis will be on playing and listening together. You will be taught through tutor demonstration, playing together with the opportunity for some individual attention. Practice between classes is essential to your progress and the momentum of the course.</p>All music materials and learning resources will be provided by the tutor, for class and in the google classroom. You must have your own acoustic guitar.The course will continue as 1B and 1C to span the academic year.MusicJazz & popular musicconfigurable
13581351Jazz & popular musichttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/jazz-and-popular-music1/2/285/1314/1351/13581/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Jazz & popular music
Composition techniques: intensive workshopFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £111.00
