Hi,

Once you know all the basic open position and barre chords, as well as a few inversions, then you can start "noodling".

Just strum the guitar as often as possible. Strum while you're watching tv. Don't even try to work out any given song yet. Just strum and get used to the feel of some chord progressions. For example, just play G - Em - C - D a few times and you'll start hearing songs like "Stand by Me" in it and a host of others. Many times over the years in the course of trying to figure out a song, I'll find myself playing something that sounds familar.

I would steer away from trying to figure out Richard Thompson or Dougie MacLean songs right out of the starting gate. They tune their guitars differently, so the record won't sound like a standard tuning. Start with basic stuff. See if you can work out the intro to "Lola" by the Kinks.

Happy hunting!

Rich