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Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic Guitar, Steel-string

Borrow an acoustic guitar from the library and learn how to play it with the resources below.

Choosing a Guitar

VPL offers left- and right-handed guitars in a variety of sizes: ½, ¾ and full size guitars. The guitars also come with nylon or steel strings.

Which guitar size is right for me? A general rule to follow is to gauge the guitar size based on the height of the player:

Guitar Size Height of Player* Age Recommendation*
1/2 Size 3'10" - 4'5" 5-8 years
3/4 Size 4'6" - 4'11" 8-12 years
Full Size 5' & over 12+ years

*Approximate sizing and measurements

For more information about choosing a guitar size, see Shepherd Guitar Studio's Guitar Sizing Guide.

Instructional Books
Cover Image for Guitar for Dummies

Mark Phillips

Call Number
787.6107 P56g3
Publication Year
2016
Cover Image for Guitar Chord Bible: 500 More Chords

Phil Capone

Call Number
787.6107 C24ga MUSIC
Publication Year
2015
Cover Image for Learn to Play the Guitar

Phil Capone

Call Number
787.6107 C24L MUSIC
Publication Year
2007
Cover Image for The Only Guitar Book You'll Ever Need

Marc Schonbrun

Call Number
787.6107 S37o
Publication Year
2014

Instructional DVDs
Cover Image for Conquer the Challenge of the Steady Thumb! The Ultimate Fingerpicking Starter Method
Call Number
787.6107 T77c
Publication Year
2016
Cover Image for Basic Theory That Every Guitarist Should Know
Call Number
787.6107 T77bt1
Publication Year
2009
Cover Image for 200 Acoustic Licks
Call Number
787.6107 T97h MUSIC
Publication Year
2011
Cover Image for Learn to Play Acoustic Guitar
Call Number
787.6107 L438a
Publication Year
2013

Guitar Magazines

A selection of digital magazines can be accessed through OverDrive Magazines and PressReader. For example:

Guitar Player Magazine Cover
Total Guitar Magazine Cover
Guitar Techniques Magazine Cover

Print Magazines

Cover Image for Guitar Player
Call Number
787.61 G968
Cover Image for Guitar World
Call Number
787.6105 G9683
Call Number
787.6105 A18

Online Tutorials

Free guitar lessons available on the Internet.

Free guitar lessons for players of all skill levels.

Features online lessons on guitar technique, guitar theory, music theory and more.

Online guitar lessons.

Learn to play different guitar styles (blues, classical, fingerstyle, flatpick, jazz and rock) by watching the videos created by ArtistWorks music teachers.

Recommended Apps

Free tuner for guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin and ukulele.

Free tuner for guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin and ukelele.

App to learn songs for piano, guitar or ukulele.

App to learn songs for piano, guitar or ukulele.

Chord positions for guitar, ukulele, mandolin and banjo.

Chord positions for guitar, ukulele, mandolin and banjo.

Additional Resources

Search engine of guitar tabs.

Features an interactive guitar chord finger, including split chords and chord variations.

Virtual guitar chordbook scales and tuner.

Online guitar tuner.

An archive of guitar, bass and drum tabs. It is also an online tab player - tabs are accompanied with audio.

Website of guitar tabs.

Digital Library Resources

Arts and Recreation Subject Icon

A music streaming service featuring classical, jazz, folk and world music.

Access:
Everywhere for VPL cardholders
Arts and Recreation Subject Icon

A jazz music streaming service with an extensive collection from over 150 jazz labels including Blue Note and Fantasy Jazz.

Access:
Everywhere for VPL cardholders
Arts and Recreation Subject Icon

The complete Smithsonian Folkways catalogue, featuring folk music from more than 150 countries.

Access:
Everywhere for VPL cardholders
Education Subject Icon

LinkedIn Learning offers video courses in business, computer technology, software, and creative skills, all conducted by experts in their fields.

New to LinkedIn Learning? View a video tutorial or visit the LinkedIn Learning FAQ page for more information.

Access:
Everywhere for VPL cardholders
Arts and Recreation Subject Icon

The largest classical music streaming library in the world featuring over 1,600 classical music videos, concerts, operas, ballets, documentaries and more!

Access:
Everywhere for VPL cardholders

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