I would like to delve into the world of 12 string guitar so I naturally searched ā12 string guitarā on this website. I got 0 results. So, I went out to youtube and did a search. Low and behold, I found a video of Justin doing an introductory lesson on 12 string dynamics! The video intro listed the lesson as TE-501. When I searched TE-501 on the JG website a lesson on harmonics was returned, with no video.
Is there any information about 12 string guitars and how to play them on the site anymore?
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Holy crap Iāve been on this forum a long time, I member when Justin bought that 12 string and that lesson is from 12 years ago.
You play a 12 string the same way you play a 6 string everything is the same unless you tune down a 1/2 step or full step. Then you just use a capo to go back to standard.
The only lesson I can remember is Hole Hearted by Extrerme
https://www.justinguitar.com/songs/extreme-hole-hearted-chords-tabs-guitar-lesson-sb-301
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Great call. I remember dropping on this yonks ago as I loved Pornograffitti.
Thanks for sharing that, Robert. There was a time when the lessons and videos were re-organised and it is likely a consquece of that.
@FannyJustinGuitar please can you look into this and re-integrate that lesson if appropriate.
Thanks for the reply and the link, Stitch.
I did note in the lesson I found (TE-501) on youtube Justin commenting that 12 string playing is not for beginners, so I am not surprised a song lesson shows up in Grade 5. Definitively, the fingering must be spot on as any flaws are magnified.
Any suggestions for playing fingerstyle?
Appreciate the effort, David. It occurred to me that 12 string playing might be considered an advanced endeavor and best left out of any beginnerās lessons to keep the frustration level down 
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You can play a 12 string just like a 6 string. Simply strumming chords is probably the most common way to play a 12 string. You can also finger pick.
Donāt think of a 12 string any different than a 6 string other than it will take some time to get used to the wider neck and stiffer strings.
Go check some out next time your at a music store.
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@ChasetheDream Thanks for flagging this! Youāre right ā¦ this lesson seems to be missing or may have been removed from the website.
Iāve reported it as a bug on our feedback hub and for now, the video is only available on YouTube.
My first ārealā guitar was a Sigma (made by Martin) back in 1983. I still own that guitar. In some regards itās easier to play than a six string while in other regards itās harder. Finger style is one thing I havenāt gotten down as the sweet sound is by hitting both the regular and the octave string. If you miss the octave string itās just sounds like a six string.
There are a ton of 12 string songs - Wish You Were Here, Gallows Pole, Whole Hearted and bunch of others that arenāt coming to mind at the moment.
Do a search on YouTube for 12 string. There seems to be a lot of discussion around here lately about 12 strings and that must have fed My YouTube feed for a few sites dedicated to 12 string playing. This guy seems to do a lot with 12 strings. https://youtube.com/@gwguitarstudio?si=kUUbdV0tOkAFs9-B
Here is another guy that focuses on 12 strings
https://youtube.com/@8minuteaxe?si=HHJ17MQGOWJqfza2
Finally, check out some of Justin Johnsonās 12 string videos and Leo Kottke videos.
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Frito, thank-you for the links. I will definitely check them out.
I concur with your assessment on the comparison of a 12 and 6 string guitar. For me, it is those additional octave strings on the 12 that create the need for a more nuanced approach to playing it well. Strumming is not so different but picking out individual notes, arpeggiating chords, hammer-ons and flickoffs require a more targeted approach to get the full effect of those octave strings. What I am looking for are a few exercises that might help achieving the desired results.
I am probably over thinking this, but I canāt help noticing playing with the same techniques I use on the 6s isnāt cutting it. Too many muted notes and bar chords that suck. I am sure the wider neck and somewhat higher action on my Fender 12 arenāt helping.
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The action doesnāt have to be higher on a 12 string.
The best exercises are to play songs and pay attention to whatās not quite right and figure out how to fix it.
Yes you are. With practice you can play everything on your 12 you play on your 6, even bends. You wont be doing full tone bend but 1/4 and senitone bend are possible.
The wider neck is just something youāll have to get used to. If the action is high, you probably need to get the guitar set up professionally. Also, restring your 12-string with ultra-light strings, which is to say 9s instead of 10s. DāAddario EJ41 are 9-45 and Ernie Ball Earthwoods in both phosphor bronze and 8020 come in 9-46. Dean Markley Vintage Bronze DM2202 are 9-46 and are round-core, which are more flexible than hex-core and are therefore easier to play. The ultra light gauge will help your playing, especially with barre chords. Another advantage is that it will put less strain on the neck, and so might help keep the action lower, but it shouldnāt be high in the first place.
As for exercises, picking the open strings in succession up & down the string courses without fretting is a great exercise for learning to pick both courses consistently. Do it with a metronome starting at 60 bpm working up to 120 bpm. Also, do the beginner finger stretching exercise, making sure to avoid any fret buzz. This takes a lot of practice, but itās great for strengthening your fingers. Practice barre chords, particularly the difficult ones like F, B-min, etc.
This has been my 12-string practice routine for years. Then I play the Wish You Were Here riff repeatedly and then the entire song.
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I appreciate the advice, Rick. The action is higher on my Fender is high due to neck bow. I have adjusted it about as far as I dare. The guitar is old and did not get the best of care previously. It actually smells like someone poured a beer in the sound hole! I picked it up for a song at a guitar show.
I have an appointment in November at my favorite guitar shop as part of a Taylor demo event. I want to be able to play something by then. They are bringing in a couple of 12 strings, a 150ce and a 254ce, for me to check
out. A 300 or 400 series would be nice, but I canāt justify the expense given my level of skill.
Jonathan, thank-you for information and advice. I have work to do! 
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What song did you play to get a free guitar, Rob? Whichever song it was, Iām going to learn it straightaway!!! 
My 12 string is a Seagull. It was handmade in Quebec before Godin bought the company & it plays like a sweet dream with a sound to match!
As Stitch mentions, I play most of the ānormalā 6-string songs on it for a fuller, more ā60sesque vibeā¦ I think this thread has given me the urge to bring it to work & play it for a while!!! 
Tod
Godin has always owned Seagull, Robert Godin started the brand in the early 80ās and theyāre still made in Quebec
Robert, Hereās a link to the lesson about playing open strings that I described. I still do this exercise on 12-string as a warm-up to make sure I always pluck both strings in the course.
https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/picking-individual-strings-bc-166