Before you can play a guitar, it helps to know your way around it. Guitars might look a little different, but they all share the same basic parts. Let's take a look at a standard acoustic guitar.

Here’s a quick rundown of what these parts do:

• Body: The large, hollow part of an acoustic guitar that amplifies the sound of the strings.
• Soundhole: The opening in the body that helps project the sound.
• Bridge & Saddle: The bridge holds the strings on the body, and the saddle is a small strip (usually plastic or bone) that the strings rest on.
• Neck: The long part you hold with your fretting hand.
• Fretboard: The flat, front side of the neck where you press the strings down. It has metal strips called frets embedded in it. Pressing a string against a fret changes its pitch.
• Headstock: The part at the very top of the neck.
• Tuning Pegs: These are the knobs on the headstock you turn to tighten or loosen the strings, which changes their pitch. This is how you tune the guitar.
• Nut: A small grooved strip that guides the strings from the fretboard to the tuning pegs.

An out-of-tune guitar never sounds right, no matter how well you play. Tuning is the first skill every guitarist learns. The goal is to make each string vibrate at a specific, correct pitch.

Standard tuning for a six-string guitar, from the thickest string (closest to you) to the thinnest, is E - A - D - G - B - E.

The easiest way to tune is with an electronic tuner. You can buy a clip-on tuner that attaches to the headstock, or simply download a free tuning app on your phone.

To use one, pluck a single string. The tuner will show you what note you're playing and whether it's sharp (too high) or flat (too low). Turn the corresponding tuning peg to adjust the pitch until the tuner indicates the note is correct.

How you hold the guitar is more important than you might think. Good posture prevents soreness and makes playing much easier. Sit up straight in a comfortable chair without armrests. Rest the guitar's waist on your right thigh (if you're right-handed). The guitar should feel stable and balanced.

Your fretting hand and strumming hand have very different jobs.

The Fretting Hand

This is the hand that presses on the strings to form notes and chords. For a right-handed player, this is the left hand. Keep your thumb on the back of the neck, roughly opposite your index or middle finger. Your fingers should curve over the fretboard, pressing down on the strings with just your fingertips. Avoid letting your palm rest against the neck, as this will limit your reach.

The Strumming Hand

This hand creates the sound by striking the strings. You can use your fingers or a pick. If you're using a pick, hold it lightly between your thumb and the side of your index finger. The motion for strumming should come mostly from your wrist and elbow, not your whole arm. Your hand should be relaxed as it moves across the strings over the soundhole.

Getting these fundamentals right sets a strong foundation. With your guitar in tune and a comfortable posture, you're ready to start making music.