STEP 1: Make sure the tobacco chamber is free of any old tobacco or debris. I then crumble the tobacco into the chamber until it is full to the top. Next, tamp the tobacco down evenly and gently until it has a springy feel to it (ask your tobacconist for one of their free tampers, it looks like a nail, but they work great). Fill the bowl again to the top and repeat the procedure of tamping down the tobacco. You should be able to do this three times.
STEP 2: With a steady draw light the tobacco evenly until the whole top of the tobacco is red hot. Once it seems to all be lit, tamp down the ashes. This will put out the tobacco, so just re-light.
STEP 3: Now all you have to do is sit back relax and tamp as you go, not too often though. As a beginner, it is sure to take a few more lights as the bowl goes down. Don't worry about it, you'll get the hang of it. I have found pipe smoking to be an art, I'm sure I haven't perfected it, but I'll keep trying.