Sit in a comfortable chair and make sure your guitar is in tune. Follow the instructions that came with the tuner. To increase the pitch of each string, slowly tighten it by turning the nut at the end of the string. To decrease the pitch, loosen the string. Eventually, your ear will become accustomed to the notes each string should play and the guitar tuner will become less important.
Practice the finger position of the A-minor chord. This is one of the easiest chords for a beginner to play. Put your index finger on the second string from the bottom just behind the first metal bar (a fret). Then place your middle finger behind the second fret of the fourth string, and your third finger on the second fret of the third string. Do not touch the metal frets and do not touch more than one string with each finger. Press no harder than necessary to make the notes clear, or your hand will quickly become tired.
Strum one string at a time with a pick by pulling the pick downwards across each string in the center of the body of the guitar. On acoustic guitars, this is above the hole. On electric guitars, this is four or five inches from the pickups.
Practice strumming by starting from the top string down to the bottom. Hold the pick gently. Then strum the guitar upward beginning on the bottom string. Strum slowly until you become accustomed to the movement, then gradually increase your pace. Practice this for your first day.
Practice the finger position of the E-chord. First place your fingers in the position for the A-minor, then move each finger up one string. Your first finger is above the first fret of the third string, your middle finger is above the second fret of the fifth string, and your third finger is above the second fret of the fourth string.
Practice strumming the E-chord in the same way as the A-minor chord.
Strum the A-minor chord downward. Then move your fingers to the E-chord and strum downward once again. Practice alternating these two chords for your second day.
Position your fingers for the D-chord by placing your first finger on the second fret of the third string, middle finger on the second fret of the first string, and third finger on the third fret of the second string.
Practice strumming the D-chord, then change chords between A-minor, E, and D as you strum. Repeat this practice for your third day.
Position your fingers for the G-chord by placing your index finger on the second fret of the fifth string, middle finger on the third fret of the sixth string, and third finger on the third fret of the first string.
Practice strumming the G-chord, then change chords between A-minor, E, D and G as you strum. Continue practicing these chords for your fourth and fifth days.
Put your fingers in the position for the G-chord. PIck the sixth string, then strum down on the other five strings. Pick the second string, then strum down on the bottom strings. Practice this technique with the G-, D-, A-minor and E-chords for your sixth and seventh days.
Alternate your strumming by placing your fingers in the position for the G-chord. Pick the sixth string, then strum up on the other five strings. Pick the second string, then strum down on the bottom strings. Repeat this pattern until you are comfortable with it.
Alternate from one chord to another as you play, using the picking technique in Step 13. Practice this technique for days eight, nine and 10.
Experiment with new chords, picking and strumming techniques after you have perfected the techniques above in your first 10 days.