"Beginner" is a subjective term.
One can be a beginner guitar player but have a base knowledge of music theory from having learned another instrument. A beginner at guitar that understands even simple music theory can have a conversation on chords and chord arrangements.
Tabs are easy to read; it takes zero music knowledge. There is no reason why someone who can count to 24 can't read tabs. Saying you can't read tabs because you don't know guitar is like saying you can't read the instructions that Ikea gives you because you don't know how to put a bookshelf together.
https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/how-to-read-tab-and-chord-boxes-bc-108Also, just like when you learn to shoot a gun, you should start with knowing the parts to the guitar. You don't need to get into the inner workings of how pickups, pots, and caps work together, or how to wire it. But you should be able to define the following terms. If you can't, then learn today:
Body
Neck
Strings
Fretboard
Position Markers
Truss Rod/Cover
Fret
Nut
Bridge
Pickup
Tuners/ Tuning Pegs/ Machine heads
Headstock
Pickguard
Stop bar/Tailpiece (Electric)
Jack (Electric)
Tone/Volume Knobs (Electric)
Selector Switch (Electric)
If you are going to learn an instrument, you should at least have an understanding of the following:
Key - What key are you playing in? At least understand you ARE playing in a key. It is good to know what key that is, so you learn which chords are in that key. Otherwise you will never learn WHY you are playing what you are playing.
Triad - three note chord. You don't have to start out knowing every note in every chord, but know how to play a triad on the guitar. Basic Triad is the Root, the 5th, and the 3rd.
Chord (Major and Minor) - What chord are you playing, and is it a major or minor? Basics to play in a standard major key. Know what makes a Major and Minor chord, at least with your fingers. A Minor chord simply drops the 3rd of the Triad a half step. Should you know what this means? Not necessarily in words, but look at the difference between a C major and a C minor in tablature form. Anyone can see the difference and infer what the 3rd is and what a half step is.
Power Chord - Play the root and the 5th. Used in rock music. Basically doesn't play the 3rd of the triad. Sometimes you add the octave to the chord.
Root - the main note of the chord. A C major chord has the C as the root.
5th - Don't have to know exactly what the note is. At least know which finger is holding down the 5th of the chord you are playing. It's a simple shape you should learn immediately when the root is either on the E string or the A string.
Octave - This is simply the same note, but 8 steps higher, in the key. If you are playing a C chord, the octave is the next highest C note.
3rd - The last piece to the triad. Again, don't need to know the actual note to get started, but learn where it is, relative to the root, the 5th, and the octave.
When playing a barre chord, the Root, 5th, octave and 3rd can can be moved up and down the fretboard to make major and minor chords. It is the exact same shape if the root is on the E string, and the exact same shape if the root is on the A string.
