If you are interested in learning to play the guitar then the best method is to find a teacher with a good reputation. They can show you how to master the basics before moving on to more complex aspects, and also teach you to read music - essential if you are interested in playing different types of music and want to improve your technique.
You have to be committed if you really want to play the guitar well as it takes time and practice, so if you don't have either of these then don't go wasting your money on an expensive guitar to start with. Check that your teacher has experience and will teach you a style you are interested in, as tutoring can vary greatly from one teacher to another it's necessary to do your research before committing yourself to any particular one. If you are really motivated and put the time in it won't take you that long to learn a few basic tunes. Once you have mastered the basics it is just one step further to being able to play whatever you like.
The disadvantage to getting a personal tutor is the cost. If you don't have the funds for a professional then there is another alternative, and that is to teach yourself.
Look online and you'll find lots of help from experts in guitar playing who have set up their own websites. Incorporating short videos onto their website means you can see how your fingers are supposed to be positioned and learn simple chord progressions and scales much more effectively than from a book. It's also far more interesting than simply teaching yourself at home. Videos allow you to pause or stop the video whenever you choose so you can learn in your own time and take as long as you like without feeling pressured.
Many guitar professionals now also hold lessons online. Although you have to pay for them, the prices are lower and work out a lot cheaper than having a private tutorial. There are all kinds of guitar styles to start with, so choose a song you actually like and are familiar with as this will encourage you to play it more. It's a good idea to get together with a friend who wants to learn too and arrange a set time every day or week to practice. It can be de-motivating learning alone, and if you have a scheduled time with a partner then you are more likely to practice.
You can buy sheet music from any specialist music shop, or look online for a broad selection of legal digital sheet music and guitar tab downloads available for musicians. The ability to play real songs from a wide variety of musical genres is a great motivator to keep on practicing.
Be warned that you will get very sore fingers when you first begin to play, eventually your fingers will toughen up and you'll develop calluses. Don't give up just because of this, after the pain will come pleasure, we promise! Remember that you have to learn the basics before you can play the good stuff, so persevere and you'll be able to play great riffs and your favorite songs sooner rather than later.
Your first guitar doesn't have to be very expensive, or even a well-known brand name, but it is worth paying a bit extra for quality. It will last you a lot longer than a cheaper model and produce a better sound. Look online for affordable guitar sheet music and save yourself money and time.
If you don't want to be one of the thousands who invest in a guitar and then get bored or fed up as they can't master it quickly enough, then be motivated and learn online for speed and convenience. You can practice at any time of the day or night depending on your schedule and stop and start the lesson exactly when you decide. There is nobody else in the lesson to hold you back, so go and get started!