I got an acoustic guitar for Christmas, and I would kind of like to learn how to play it...
Anyone know of a good teacher on YouTube? (Preferably someone who will go over maintenance and preparation, and everything. Especially tuning, without a piano. I could get an electric tuner -I had one for my electric guitar, but it plugs into an amp and everything, so it won't work with my new guitar.)

I recommend getting a tuning whistle/pitch pipe. Because you tune each string by ear you learn to really know what "in tune" is and will take on the ability to tune without it. ...And it never needs batteries. Actually one only needs to get the low E correct in order to tune the subsequent strings off of each other as you will see in the vids.

For YT sites, input in the search, "tune guitar ear". Then you can choose your preferred teacher/style etc.

#1 rule for practicing (at least when starting out); Frequent shorter sessions per day are better than one long one.
This is especially true when learning to form chords.

Depending on the finish of the wood, keeping a microfiber cloth handy is the best for cleaning off fingerprints.

Martyzsongs

He takes all the latest hits that you are probably most motivated to learn and makes them real easy, playing them (or parts of them) with very few beginner chords. He also links to other teachers, who talk about maintenance, tuning etc.

I find that the more easy songs you find that you are motivated to play, the faster you learn. Also, everything you learn from him is what people want to hear if you play at a bond fire or a party. Good stuff!

-Widding

Something else is that I have small hands...and it's hard to form some chords. Anything I could do about this?

other than bying a 3/4 guitar, or strengthening your hands... No...

They don't do that kind of procedures yet

But I remember my hands feeling small when I started out. They don't anymore. I think it's a "beginners" thing...


-Widding

Play the guitar app on the iPhone. ...or switch to the drums.

That guy Marty is great. I got an acoustic in August but have barely touched it cause I was at school. Starting to pick it up over break and I might take it back to school. Hopefully Beason will drop by this thread. He plays too and can give some advice.

Please, don't use small hands as an excuse...

I'm always one to put my input in on guitar related things here, but I usually just search song titles for guitar lessons and just learn from the one that sounds best to me and is easiest to follow. It's been a while since I picked up beginner guitar lessons as I have started teaching them to some of my friends (for free of course )

Some dudes I can think of off the top of my head

http://www.youtube.com/user/JustinSandercoeSongs Songs

http://www.youtube.com/user/deltabluestips Blues lessons

http://www.youtube.com/user/frettedamericana I greatly encourage you to watch these videos for inspiration and fun as well as learning about guitars themselves, my favorite guitarist demos all these vintage guitars for this shop and all of the videos are a blast, I've watched every one and learned a lot from them.

http://www.youtube.com/user/martyzsongs Songs and techniques

http://www.saskstrum.com/

and

http://www.mlr-guitar.com/index.html

They're both YouTube based, but only host a certain number of songs on there. Remainder are on their sites.