the trouble is that its a fair old while since some of us were beginners.

I'd give this advice though

1) use a felt pick when you start doesn't sound good but it is forgiving and sounds better than mistakes. it makes a woolier sound.

2) there lots of two chord songs. singing in the rain. how much is that doggy in the window, jambalaya, the wheels on the bus, whole world in his hand. Give a performance - either a kindergaten or an old peoples home - somewhere where they probably won't throw things. Anyway don't wait til you're Eric Clapton before you start performing - otherwise you won't learn anything up to performance standard - which should be aimed so high that its not pissing too many people off. Nothing worse than someone who can half play everything John renbourn and bert jansch ever put on record.

3) the guitar is only the accompaniment - sing out loud and expressively also. If possible in the correct key - but thats some way down the road - not really to be hoped for from a beginner.

4) songs are like little stories - sometimes they are happy - other times not so happy - let this be reflected in your singing.

5) buy an electronic tuner, lemon oil for the frets, guitar polish for the wodden bits, change your strings at least every 3 months.

6) practise silently when everybody is watching TV. If there is a tv programme that is on for an hour. Hold an unfamiliar chord down - till the first lot of adverts come on. then when the second half comes on, the second chord. In the third section, try moving from chord one to chord two. the more you practise the easier it gets.

7) sometimes you will think - this is horrible. I sound terrible and I'm not getting anywhere. Strangely enough this is often the day or two days before you make a breakthrough - keep plodding on as long as you can, before taking a break. But when you can't stand another minute - then its okay, you did your best.

8) if your hands are cold they don't work so well.

hope some of this is useful.