Audio clip #1: Introduction
Audio clip #2: Tune up

The acoustic guitar is the most popular instrument in the world today. One of the reasons for this is that with a little help from a good teacher or some instructional materials, you can make music the first time you pick up a guitar. All you need are two chords and a little strumming to accompany yourself on dozens of songs; once you have three chords, you can play thousands of tunes. If thatís all you are inclined to do, you can stop there and still get satisfaction playing for yourself and your friends.

If you want to take your playing to the next level, though, you can achieve some wonderful effects without great technical virtuosity. There are many small touches that can absolutely transform a song, turning even the simplest two-chord melody into a true performance piece. All it takes is a little extra knowledge, a few tricks of the trade, and (of course) some practice.

Here are some easy techniques from which you can pick and choose to create your own unique arrangements. The ones you decide to use will reflect your particular taste and musical inclinations, and hopefully you will then apply these ideas to other songs, in other keys. When you can do that, youíll be on your way to becoming a real guitarist.

To illustrate these techniques, I have chosen the wonderful old cowboy song "Down in the Valley." Itís one of those two-chord pieces that I would teach to a brand-new player on his or her first lesson.