Digital edition by Paul Boyd MBE
Learning The Guitar: Initial Series
The beginner's guitar book that teaches in the right order. 116 pages of tablature, chord charts and complete pieces, with 92 video lessons to match. Instant PDF download, £14.99.
Everything you need to start, in one download
- 116 pages, a fixed layout PDF personalised with your name, so tablature and chord charts look exactly as designed.
- 92 companion video lessons, grouped by topic in the lesson library on this site and opened from the pages themselves.
- 77 QR codes through the book. Scan them, or in the digital edition simply tap them, and the matching lesson opens.
- 1 sign-in. Use the login code printed in the book, or the button on your download page, and lessons stay open for 30 days on that device.
- 0 waiting. Your download begins the moment payment clears, the link is emailed too, and a resend page replaces it if you ever lose it.
Your copy opens on any phone, tablet or computer, and you can print the pages you want.
Included with your copy
Four practice tools, for members
Owners of the digital edition, and anyone with the login code printed in the book, get a members area with a chord generator, a guitar tuner, a metronome and a practice timer. They sit alongside the video lessons and run in your browser.
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Chord generator
Any chord, correctly spelled, with finger positions.
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Guitar tuner
Tune by microphone, with reference tones for each string.
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Metronome
From 20 to 300 beats a minute, with tap tempo and accents.
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Practice timer
Set a length, pause, and a chime to move you on.
Free with the book; there is nothing extra to buy. Already signed in? Open the practice tools.
Look inside
Seven real pages from the book. Drag, swipe, or use the arrow keys.
Types of guitar
What you will learn
The topics the book and its video lessons cover, grouped in the order you meet them.
Before you play
- How to use this book
- Different types of guitar
- Starter guitars
- Anatomy of classical, acoustic and electric guitars
- Correct posture
- The string names, and tuning
Chords
- Major chords
- Minor chords
- Seventh chords
- Sharps and flats
- Strumming with chord diagrams
Reading and technique
- Tablature and note values
- Picking
- Common scales
Songs to play
- Amazing Grace
- Greensleeves
- Ode to Joy
- Skye Boat Song
- Drunken Sailor
- When the Saints Go Marching In
Classical pieces
- Etude in Em
- Minuet in G
- Dance of the Knights
- And more, each in notation with tab
Blues
- The blues scale
- Blues Shuffle
- And more modern pieces with performance notes
Every piece has a video lesson to match. Browse the lesson library to see what is covered.
Who it is for
- Complete beginners who want a clear order to learn in.
- Returners who stopped playing and want to rebuild good habits.
- Parents and teenagers learning together from one book.
- Self-taught players who want to fill gaps in chords and reading tab.
Probably not for you if
- Advanced players looking for new repertoire or theory depth.
The book you read, the videos you watch
A book can show you where the fingers go. It cannot show you the rhythm in motion. That is what the videos are for.
Read a page, then watch Paul play it. Slow it down, stop it, replay it. Your purchase includes all 92 video lessons. Sign in once and they stay open on your device for 30 days, whichever QR code you tap.
- Format
- PDF, fixed layout, 116 pages, 1st Edition, 2024
- Language
- English (UK)
- Delivery
- Instant download after payment, and a link by email
- Your link
- Works for 30 days and up to 5 downloads. Resend any time.
- Personalisation
- Your name and order number are stamped discreetly on the pages
- Printing
- Print pages for your own use. See the terms.
The digital edition
Learning The Guitar: Initial Series
£14.99 Introductory price, rising to £19.99
- The 116 page book as a personalised PDF
- 92 companion video lessons, 77 tappable QR codes
- Members area with a chord generator, guitar tuner, metronome and practice timer
- Instant download, with the link emailed to you
- Read on phone, tablet or computer; print what you want
Instant PDF download. Your statutory rights are unaffected.
Secure card payment through Stripe Checkout, where you confirm your order and agree to the terms. No account to create.
Questions, answered
Anything else? Contact us and we aim to reply within one working day.
Is this a printed book?
This is the digital edition: a PDF that you can read on a computer, tablet or phone, or print at home. You receive it the moment your payment clears.
What do I get when I buy?
A personalised PDF of the 116-page book, with tablature, chord charts and dozens of pieces to play, plus access to Paul Boyd’s 92 companion video lessons. The download link appears straight after payment and is also emailed to you.
I have never played. Is it suitable?
Yes. The Initial Series starts with the types of guitar, correct posture, the string names and tuning, then builds chords, strumming, scales and pieces in a clear order. Pieces are shown in notation with tablature, so you can follow the tab alone.
How do the video lessons work with a PDF?
There are 77 QR codes through the book that open lessons. In the digital edition you can scan them, or simply tap them, to open the matching lesson on this website. You sign in once with the login code printed in the book, or open the lessons from your download page, and the lessons then stay unlocked for 30 days on that device.
Do I get the practice tools?
Yes. Owners of the book get a members area with four practice tools: a chord generator, a guitar tuner, a metronome and a practice timer. They are included with the digital edition at no extra cost, and a single button on your download page (or the link in your order email) signs you in. If you have the printed book, the same login code that unlocks the video lessons opens them too.
Do I need a login code to watch the videos?
Not if you buy the digital edition. A single button on your download page signs you in and opens your video lessons. The same lessons are available to everyone who owns the book.
What device do I need to read it?
Any device that opens PDF files. The pages are fixed layout, so tablature and chord charts look exactly as designed. A tablet or computer gives the clearest view.
What if something is wrong with my copy?
If the file is damaged, will not open or is not as described, email [email protected] and we will replace it or refund you, as the law requires. Your statutory rights are unaffected. The refund policy sets out how it works.
Why is there a personalised watermark?
Your name and order number are stamped discreetly on each page. It is not copy protection software, only a courtesy to discourage sharing, and it never gets in the way of reading.
How many times can I download it?
Your link works for 30 days and allows up to 5 downloads. If you lose it, the resend page emails you a fresh one.
I bought the printed book. Do I have to pay again?
No. Past buyers of the print edition can claim the PDF free of charge by entering the email address used for that purchase.
Can I pay by card or phone wallet?
Yes. Payment is handled by Stripe on a secure checkout page. Cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay are available where your device supports them. We never see or store your card details.
Which countries can buy?
Almost everywhere. The digital edition is sold worldwide, except to a small number of countries where we are not permitted to trade. Your bank converts the price to your own currency at checkout.