Guitarist Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper) has launched Rock Guitar Fundamentals, an online teaching program with a simple goal - getting guitars in as many people’s hands as possible, and helping improve their playing. Nita developed a 3 module system where aspiring learners can jump in wherever their skill level is, from picking up the guitar for the very first time to advanced players who want to brush up on music theory or learn some “shred” tips and tricks.

She recently spoke to Guitar World about the project. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

Q: What was the genesis behind Rock Guitar Fundamentals?

Nita: "I love doing my clinics and have had so many requests for lessons via Skype and in person. There was no way to fit it all into my schedule but I thought how cool it would be to put something together that took all or the knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years playing guitar and putting it into the same lesson format I learned from."

Q: In your opinion, what’s the best guitar to start out on?

Nita: "The best first guitar is the one that feels right in your hands. I encourage people to start out with an electric guitar though, because it’s much easier to play. A lot of people are out buying their first guitar because of this course and I’ve been sending them straight over to the Ibanez Gio series. They’re great guitars that are very affordable. They’ve got good electronics and are well built with great finishes."

Q: What would you like people to take away from Rock Guitar Fundamentals?

Nita: "One of my reasons for putting this out is because music is therapy, and playing music is even better therapy. Whether you’re an experienced guitar player who just wants to brush up on the modes, learn sweep picking, two-handed technique, legato and whammy tricks, or if you’re just a fan who’s never picked up an instrument before and wants to learn to play some songs, I want everyone to come out of this course with a feeling of accomplishment."

Read more here.

Rock Guitar Fundamentals:

Module One is designed for the brand new player and goes over the anatomy of the guitar and all the basics like how to hold the pick correctly, fret the notes, tuning and more.

Module Two is highly focused on technique and theory, approached from a rock player’s perspective to be very easily understandable for the modern musician.

Module Three is where you start to find the "bells and whistles” of sweep picking, legato, whammy bar tricks, and more.

Sign up and start your rock guitar journey today. Further details here.

Says Nita: "I am INCREDIBLY excited to announce the launch of a brand new online guitar course that I've spent the past year working on! Introducing... Rock Guitar Fundamentals: From Ground Zero To Guitar Hero.

"The course is designed to take someone through the entire journey of playing guitar, from picking up the instrument for the very first time to playing all the techniques and licks in this video! If you've already been playing for a while, you can jump into the course wherever you'd like! It's a 3 module system of videos, tabs and backing tracks with lifetime access to the course and any future updates. I just have one simple goal- getting guitars in as many people’s hands as possible, and helping improve their playing!!

"Josh and I have been working so hard to make sure this is awesome and I can't wait to see what you guys do with it!!!!"