Beginner Guitar - 38 Easy Lessons You Needs to Get Started

HOW THE STEEL STRING ACOUSTIC GUITAR WORKS

This type of guitar is well known for its large and hollow body.

When played, the vibration of the steel strings causes the air inside the hollow body to reverberate and come out of the sound hole as acoustic sound.

STEEL STRINGS

Steel strings are made with a steel core that is wrapped with a different type of metal (usually copper, nickel or bronze).

Steel strings are generally the toughest/stiffest type of string and therefore can be the most difficult to play for a beginning student.

STEEL STRING ACOUSTIC GUITAR MUSIC & MUSICIANS

• Rock: Dave Matthews, Ben Harper, Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley, Matt Nathanson, Paul Simon, Jason Mraz, Neil Diamond…

• Folk: Bob Dylan, Ray LaMontagne, Indigo Girls, Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Peter Paul & Mary, John Denver, James Taylor…

• Country: Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Pat Green, Kenny Chesney, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Robert Earl Keen…

• Bluegrass: Dolly Parton, Steve Ivey, Emmylou Harris, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, Lester Flatt…

LESSON SUMMARY: THE NYLON STRING GUITAR

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

THE NYLON VS. THE STEEL STRING GUITAR

Similar to the steel string guitar, the nylon has a large hollow body—although it is typically not quite as large as the steel string.

Unlike the steel string guitar, which uses bridge pins, the strings on a nylon stringed guitar are fed though holes in the bridge and fastened using knots.

At the other end of the guitar the strings are fastened to the head (headstock) using rollers instead of bridge pins.

Typically the nylon string guitar is played fingerstyle, although it can be played with a pick as well.

Note: The nylon string guitar is also commonly referred to as a Classical Guitar.

NYLON STRINGS

All nylon strings are generally softer and more flexible than than those used on a steel string guitar.

• Strings 6-5-4: A silk core wrapped with a light metal (silver or bronze) wire.

• Strings 3-2-1: A plastic or nylon filament.

NYLON STRING GUITAR MUSIC AND MUSICIANS:

• Brazilian: Raphael Rabello, Romero Lubambo, Yamandu Costa, Laurindo Almeida, Luiz Bonfa, Baden Powell, Brian Moran (StrumSchool’s personal favorite!)

• Flamenco: Tomatito, Manolo Sanlucar, Vicente Amigo, Miguel de la Bastide, Charo, Sabicas, Paco de Lucia, Paco Pena, Juan Serrano, Tomatito, Vicente Amigo, Gerardo Nunez, Gipsy Kings, Ottmar Liebert...

• Classical: Julian Bream, Antonio de Lucena, Andres Segovia, John Williams, Elliot Fisk, Christopher Parkening, Julian Bream, Narciso Yepes, Scott Tenant...

LESSON SUMMARY: THE ELECTRIC GUITAR

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ABOUT THE ELECTRIC GUITAR

Electric guitars have the thinnest bodies, which generally makes them more comfortable to play than acoustic guitars at first.

Unlike an acoustic guitar, which uses its large hollow body to create sound, an electric guitar requires an amplifier to get its full sound.

THE PICKUPS

Pickups are the set of magnets placed where the sound hole would be on an acoustic guitar; they measure the vibration created when you pluck a string.

ELECTRIC GUITAR ACCESSORIES

Strings: Similar to the strings used on a steel string acoustic guitar, electric guitar strings are made from a steel core wrapped in other metals such as bronze or nickel. However, electric guitar strings come in a lighter gauge (thickness of string) than acoustic guitar strings, thus making them more flexible and easier to play.

Cord: The wire that transmits the signal created by vibrating guitar strings from the guitar to its amplifier. Electric guitars universally use a 1/4 inch cord.

Amplifier (A.K.A. Amp): The piece of equipment that interprets the vibrations sent from a guitar’s pickups and broadcasts them through a set of speakers. Guitar amplifiers have various controls—including volume, tone and distortion—this can change the original sound coming from the guitar.

Whammy Bar: A lever attachment to the guitar that, when pushed, flexes a joint in the bridge that increases or decreases the tension on the strings. This change in tension creates changes in the pitch being played.

ELECTRIC GUITAR MUSIC AND MUSICIANS

• Classic Rock: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Who, Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, The Eagles, The Doors...

• Alternative Rock: Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Kings of Leon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Shins, Soundgarden, Fiona Apple, Alanis Morsette...

• Punk Rock: Green Day, The Ramones, Rancid, Blink 182, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Sum 41, The Misfits...

• Metal: Metallica, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, System of a Down, Pantera, Anthrax, Motley Crue, Korn...

• Jazz: Charlie Christian, Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Pat Martino, George Benson, Kenny Burrell...

• Blues: Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, John Mayer Trio, T-Bone Walker, Robert Johnson, Buddy Guy, Albert King...

LESSON SUMMARY: BUYING A GUITAR

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THE ACTION

Action = the distance between the strings and the frets or fretboard.

High Action: When the strings are very far away from the fretboard, a guitar with high action is harder to play because it requires more finger strength to press the strings down against the frets.

Low Action: When the strings are very close to the fretboard. A guitar with low action is usually easier to play, but can also give off a “buzz” sound because the strings may hit the fretboard in multiple places.

THE SADDLE

The piece of plastic or bone on the bridge that raises the strings away from the body of the guitar. The height of the saddle can be adjusted to raise or lower the guitar's action.

STRING SLOTS

The spaces carved out of the nut that hold the strings in place. The depth of the slots determine the height of the action on the neck of the guitar the same way the saddle does on the bridge.

THE SCALE LENGTH

The distance from saddle to nut. The longer the scale length, the more tension there is on the strings.

STRING SPACING

The distance between each string. The larger the string spacing is, the more finger flexibility is required.

• Classical Guitars often have wide string spacing to accommodate plucking individual strings one at a time.

• Acoustic & Electric Guitars generally have less string space which makes it easier to strum multiple strings at a time.

ACOUSTIC GUITAR PICKUPS

To enable an acoustic guitar and make sounds louder than those naturally produced by its hollow body, a pickup, cord and amplifier are needed. While some acoustic guitars have pickups installed, most do not. If you decide you want to amplify an acoustic guitar that does not have a pickup, an aftermarket one can either be clipped onto the sound hole or permanently installed inside.

GUITAR SETUP

When a professional technician adjusts the action and intonation (making sure the guitar plays in tune at all points of the instrument) and makes any other adjustments necessary. When you buy a guitar, always ask if the first setup is included with the price.

LESSON SUMMARY: TOOLS FOR STRINGING YOUR GUITAR

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

CHOOSING THE CORRECT STRINGS:

Important Tip: Make sure to use strings that are designed for your type of guitar. For example, if you're playing an electric guitar, only use strings that say "Electric Guitar Strings" on the packaging. Using strings that are not designed for your guitar can cause permanent damage.

STRING WINDER:

A tool that is primarily designed to help you twist the tuning pegs, and depending on the direction you twist, loosen or tighten the tension of your strings.

String winders usually come with a built-in string cutter and a notch that makes it easier to remove the bridge pins from the guitar.

LESSON SUMMARY: REMOVING A STRING

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LOOSEN THE STRING:

Drag your finger all the way to end of the string that you want to change to make sure that you are loosening the correct tuning peg. Use the string winder (or your fingers) to rotate the tuning peg which loosens the strings. Pluck the string you are loosening.

If the tone of the string you pluck gets lower, you are turning the right tuning peg in the correct direction.

• The Top 3 Strings (6-5-4): Rotate the tuning peg clockwise.

• The Bottom 3 Strings (3-2-1): Rotate the tuning peg counter-clockwise.

CUT THE STRING

Make sure you loosen the tension on the string before cutting. Use the wire cutter or a string cutter to cut the middle of the string.

REMOVE THE STRING

Use the notch on the back of the string winder (or a pair of pliers) to pull the bridge pin up and out of the bridge. Use your hand to carefully unwind the string from the tuning post and be careful, string ends can be sharp!

• Nylon String Guitars: For guitars that don’t have bridge pins, once the string is loosened and cut, simply untie and remove the string from the bridge.

LESSON SUMMARY: STRINGING AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR

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FIND THE RIGHT STRING

Be sure to select the correct string. Packaging varies by string manufacturer.

Some strings are color-coordinated, some are organized by string size (in inches).

FASTEN THE STRING TO THE BRIDGE

Find the end of the string that has a ball on it and insert it into the open hole in the bridge.

Place the bridge pin into the hole. The groove in the bridge pin should point toward the nut when you put the pin in the hole.

Gently push the pin almost all the way into the bridge.

While holding the bridge pin, pull the string with the other hand so that the ball on the string locks into the groove in the bridge pin.

Push the pin all the way down.

Pull on the string to make sure the bridge pin is well fastened.

FASTEN THE STRING TO THE HEADSTOCK

Feed the string into the correct slot on the nut.

Lay the string against the inside of the tuning peg.

Wrap the string around the tuning peg 1-3 times. Make sure you are wrapping the string below the hole in the tuning post.

Feed the string through the hole in the post. Exit the hole above the loops you've made to ensure that the string is locked into position on the post.

When you begin tightening by turning the tuning peg, make sure you are going in the right direction. Test a neighboring tuning peg if you aren’t sure.

TIGHTEN THE STRING

Use your sting winder (or fingers) to rotate the tuning peg. Be careful not to tighten it so much you risk breaking the string.

Top 3 strings (6-5-4): Rotate tuning peg counter-clockwise to tighten.

Bottom 3 strings (3-2-1): Rotate tuning peg clockwise to tighten.

Pluck the string you are tightening. If the tone gets higher while you tighten, you are rotating in the correct direction.

CUT THE EXCESS STRING

Use your string cutter to clip off any loose ends like you did when you removed the string. Remember, be careful of the sharp ends of the strings.

LESSON SUMMARY: STRINGING AN ELECTRIC GUITAR

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REMOVE THE OLD STRING

Loosen and cut the old string. On most electric guitars, you will need to push the ball end of the string though the back of the guitar.

FASTEN THE STRING TO THE BRIDGE

Select your string. Be careful to choose the correct replacement string! Feed the non-ball end of the sting through the correct hole in the back of the guitar. Pull the non-ball end of the string though the hole in the front of the guitar until the ball end of the string catches in the back of the guitar.

FASTEN THE STRING TO THE HEADSTOCK

Feed the string into the correct slot on the nut. Lay the string against the inside of the tuning peg. Wrap the string around the tuning peg 1-3 times, depending on which string you are fastening. Make sure you wrap the string below the hole in the tuning post. Feed the string through the hole in the post. Exit the hole above the loops you've made to ensure that the string is locked into position on the post.

When you begin tightening by turning the tuning peg, make sure you are going in the right direction. Test a neighboring tuning peg if you aren’t sure.

TIGHTEN THE STRING

Use your string winder (or fingers) to rotate the tuning peg. Be careful not to tighten so much you risk breaking the string. Unlike stringing an acoustic guitar, the tuning posts for electric guitars are normally all on the same side. Pluck the string you are tightening. If the tone gets higher while you tighten, you are rotating in the correct direction.

• If the tuning pegs are on the top of the headstock, turn the tuning peg counter-clockwise to tighten the string.

• If the tuning pegs are on the bottom of the headstock, turn the tuning peg clockwise to tighten the string.

CUT OFF THE EXCESS STRING

Use your string cutter to clip off any loose ends.

LESSON SUMMARY: STRINGING A NYLON STRING GUITAR

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SELECT THE RIGHT STRING

Be careful to choose the correct replacement string!

• Wound Strings (Bass Strings): A string with a metal core wound with silk. These are used for strings 6-4-5.

• Nylon Strings: Clear and unwrapped plastic-like strings that are used on strings 1-2-3.

FASTENING THE STRING TO THE BRIDGE

Feed the non-braided end of the string through the correct hole in the back of the bridge.

Pull the non-braided end of the string through the hole in the front of the bridge until there is 2-3 inches of string remaining behind the bridge.

Take the short end of the string and loop it under and around the longer length of string.

Wrap the short end of the string around the loop you just made. Do this once for wound strings and 2-3 times for the nylon strings.

Tuck the short end of the string behind the bridge.

Pull the string tight and secure the knot on the back of the bridge.

FASTEN THE STRING TO THE HEADSTOCK

Feed the string into the correct slot on the nut.

Twist your tuning peg so the roller faces up.

Wrap the string all the way around the roller twice and feed the string through the hole from the bottom of the roller.

Wrap the short end of the string around the long end of the string 2-3 times.

TIGHTEN THE STRING

Use your string winder (or fingers) to rotate the tuning peg. This will use the loops you’ve created to lock the string in place. Be careful not to tighten so much as to break the string.

Pluck the string you are tightening. If the tone gets higher while you tighten, you are rotating in the correct direction.

CUT OFF THE EXCESS STRING

• To secure the other end of the string to the tuning roller, wrap it around the roller twice. Then feed the string end through the hole in the roller.

LESSON SUMMARY: TIPS FOR STRINGING YOUR GUITAR

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STRETCH YOUR STRINGS

Once your string has been fastened, grab it and gently pull up and down the length of the string. Stretching strings helps to prevent them from going out of tune.

HOW TO AVOID BREAKING A STRING

Use your finger to follow the string you want to tighten to make sure you are using the correct tuning peg.

Pluck the string you are trying to tighten. If the tone is changing while you rotate the tuning peg, you are tightening the right string. If the tone doesn’t change, check to see which tuning peg you are twisting.

WHEN TO CHANGE YOUR STRINGS

Check the color of your strings. If they are old and brown or rusty, it’s time for a change.

If you notice that the sound of the strings isn’t crisp, it’s time for a change.

In general, we recommend you change your strings every 2-3 months but you can get away with leaving old strings on for longer.

REPLACING A STRING

Everyone breaks strings… Always keep extra strings with you!

If you break a string, you don’t have to buy a full pack. Most guitar shops will sell you individual strings at a time.

LESSON SUMMARY: INTRODUCTION TO TUNING YOUR GUITAR

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WHEN TO TUNE YOUR GUITAR

It is very important to make sure your guitar is in tune EVERY time you play! If your guitar is not in tune, you will not sound good even if you play the right hand positions with the correct rhythm.

TYPES OF TUNERS

Pitch Fork: A metal fork that, when struck, makes a specific tone which matches the tone your guitar makes when you pluck a string.

Microphone Tuner: An electronic tuner that uses a microphone to listen to the tone a string makes. These are much easier to use than a tuning fork but require that you tune in a quite environment.

Vibration Tuner: An electronic tuner that clips onto the headstock of your guitar and measures the vibration from a string that you pluck. Because this type of tuner doesn’t use a microphone, you can use it in a noisy room.

LESSON SUMMARY: READING A GUITAR TUNER

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READING AN ELECTRIC TUNER

Electric tuners use either the string number and/or letter names:

E(6)

A(5)

D(4)

G(3)

B(2)

e(1)

In Tune: Make sure that the name or number on the tuner corresponds correctly to the string you are plucking. If the tuner points at the center mark in its display dial when you pluck a string, that string is in tune.

Sharp: When a pitch is too high. When tuning, if the needle goes past the center mark of the dial that string has too much tension and is sharp.

Flat: When a pitch is too low. When tuning, if the needle does not make it to the center of the display, the string you are tuning needs more tension and is flat.

TUNING TIPS

• When you turn your tuning pegs on your guitar, a little goes a long way!

• The musical alphabet goes in order, and repeats: A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B…

  • If you are tuning your D string, and the tuner says C, or C#, that means you are flat and need to tighten the string until the tuner reads D.

  • If you are tuning the C string, and your tuner shows a D, the string is too sharp. Loosen the string.

• Most tuners work best when you pluck each string close to the 12^th fret.

• Keep plucking your string to give the tuner the best chance at reading your pitch correctly.

LESSON SUMMARY: PLAYING GUITAR WITH PROPER POSTURE

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GUIDELINES FOR PLAYING GUITAR WHILE SITTING:

Sit in a comfortable chair with your chest up and your feet on the ground. Keep your knees at a right angle to the floor (90 degrees). Some prefer to elevate one leg to help raise the guitar.

POSITIONING AN ACOUSTIC OR ELECTRIC GUITAR:

Both electric and acoustic guitars should rest against your right leg.

Push the bottom of the guitar away from your body a few inches and angle the top of the guitar towards you. This will help you see the strings while you play.

Angle the guitar neck slightly up towards your eyes. This will help you see the fretboard while you play. In general, it is better to bring the guitar to you than for you to lean over to see the guitar.

GUITAR STRAP:

A piece of cloth, nylon, leather or plastic that attaches to the guitar goes over your right shoulder to hold the guitar in place while you play.

The guitar strap should keep your guitar pressed into the same place on your body whether you are sitting or standing.

POSITIONING A NYLON STRING GUITAR

Nylon string guitars should be placed on the left leg. This allows you to rest your wrist on the guitar so you can easily pluck strings with your right hand.

Keep the neck of the guitar at a higher angle than you would for an electric or acoustic guitar so that you can see the strings easier.

Rest the top back edge of the body of the guitar against your chest. By not pressing the whole back of the guitar against your body, you avoid deadening the guitar's vibration and allow the sound to project.

LESSON SUMMARY: HOLDING THE GUITAR

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STABILIZING THE GUITAR

Place the crease of your right elbow onto the top edge of the front of the guitar to lock the guitar against your body.

Keeping your arm in this position will keep the guitar secure while still giving you enough range of motion to reach all of the strings.

If you remove your arm the guitar's head should fall towards your feet and not away from you.

SWINGING YOUR RIGHT ARM

Your arm should be placed in a position that allows you to freely swing your forearm from the elbow. If held correctly, nothing on the guitar should impede the motion of your forearm swinging.

When you swing your arm, your right hand should pass by the pickup (on your electric guitar) or sound hole (on your acoustic guitar).

EXERCISE:

Practice dragging your right thumb over all of the strings slowly. This will get your arm used to swinging and get you ready to start strumming. While doing this exercise, try to get all six strings to ring out equally as loud.

LESSON SUMMARY: PLAYING THE GUITAR WITH A PICK

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PICKS:

An tool used to help pluck the strings of the guitar. Picks are made from various materials (plastic, nylon, shell, etc.) and come in different thicknesses and sizes.

We suggest you try out different types of picks to find the shape and size that is comfortable for you. You should also load up, because picks tend to get lost very easily.

HOW TO HOLD A PICK

Make a relaxed fist so you can see a one-inch circular hole in the middle.

Balance the pick on your index finger so the tip points away from the palm of your hand.

Lightly place your thumb on the pick to secure it against your index finger.

MAKING THE STRUMMING ARCH:

While you strum, the pick should start away from the guitar and dip down into the strings, then raise back away from the guitar in a fluid arching motion. Slowly swing your arm from the elbow.

Rotate your wrist in rhythm with the movement of your elbow. Rotate counter-clockwise while your arm is moving down and clockwise as it returns.

Bend your wrist so it's far from the guitar at the top and bottom of your arc, and close to the guitar in the middle.

Flex your thumb slightly to angle your pick. This will stop the pick from getting caught on the strings and round out the sound when you strum.

EXERCISE:

1. Practice making a strumming motion against all six strings.

2. As you get more comfortable, minimize the motion so you're strumming only a few strings at a time while still making an arching motion.

3. Work your way down to strumming one string at a time by making very small arches.

LESSON SUMMARY: PLAYING THE GUITAR WITH YOUR FINGERS

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FINGERSTYLE GUITAR

Playing the guitar using your fingers (without a pick). This is possible with any guitar but mostly used when playing a classical (nylon string) guitar.

BASIC POSTURE

Rest your right thumb on the 6^th string, allowing your hand to stay in place over the strings. Try to keep your thumb reaching out towards the head of the guitar, so it doesn't collide with your other fingers when you use it to pluck.

Curl your fingers up so that your index finger rests on the 3rd string, Middle finger rests on the 2nd string and your ring finger rests on the 1st string. Try to avoid putting your pinky finger down to anchor your hand.

FREE STROKE

When your fingers pluck inward toward the palm of the hand to pluck a string and then follow through in a natural motion. Any finger can make a free stroke, including the thumb. When playing free strokes, try to keep your hand on the guitar. Free strokes are generally used when playing chords.

REST STROKE

When you pluck the string by pushing the string downward into the face of the guitar, and the follow-through lands the finger on whatever string is adjacent. Rest strokes are generally used when playing a melody.

COMMON TECHNIQUES:

• Alternating Fingers: Playing a note with your thumb, followed by a note with your finger.

• Chording: Playing all notes at once.

• Arpeggiating: Letting a note you play with your thumb ring out while you play a series of notes with your fingers.

EXERCISES:

1. Practice plucking with your fingers, while keeping your thumb totally still.

2. Practice alternating plucking a note with your thumb, followed by plucking all three strings with the index, middle and ring fingers.

3. Practice plucking all strings in succession. Start plucking with your thumb. Then pluck with your index finger, followed by your middle finger and then your ring finger. As each finger plucks, it hovers above the strings. Do not return the finger to the string you just plucked. When you get to the ring finger, begin the cycle again.

4. Try exercise #3 but this time as one finger plucks, the next finger immediately goes to rest on the string it will pluck. This way, there is always at least 1 finger touching a string, which provides stability and consistency for your hand.

LESSON SUMMARY: TIPS FOR YOUR RIGHT HAND

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WHY THE RIGHT HAND IS IMPORTANT

Since the right hand is responsible for plucking or strumming the strings, it is the hand that is responsible for both making sounds and keeping rhythm when you play.

HOW TO BE ACCURATE WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND:

Try letting the three fingers that are not holding the pick brush up against the pickguard on the body of the guitar. This will give you a better sense of where you are in relation to the strings.

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN STRUMMING

• Don't Anchor Your Wrist to the Bridge: If you anchor your hand behind the strings you won't be able to reach the pickups or sound hole. If you strum too closely to the bridge, the tone your guitar makes won't be as rich.

• Don't Make a Tight Fist: Whether you are playing with a pick or with finger style, making a tight fist will restrict your accurate and natural movements. Try to keep your hand loose and flexible.

TIPS FOR ACCURACY WHILE PLAYING FINGERSTYLE:

• Move from the Large Knuckle: The best way to stay accurate while using your fingers is by using your whole finger and not just the last joint. Think of it like you were kicking a ball... you wouldn't just move your leg from the knee down because that joint doesn't have the mobility you need to make the motion you want.

LESSON SUMMARY: POSITIONING YOUR LEFT HAND

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BASIC LEFT HAND PRINCIPALS

• Keep Your Wrist Straight: Bending your wrist too far either forward or backward can cause injury over time.

THUMB PLACEMENT:

Place the pad of your thumb on the back of the neck of the guitar. Point the thumb at a 45-degree angle, away from the body of the guitar so your fingers are slightly farther away from the headstock than your thumb. It is OK to roll onto the outside of the thumb or move your thumb below the middle of the neck at times.

FINGER PLACEMENT

Secure your thumb on the back of the neck of the guitar. Move your hand forward so the line where your fingers connect to your hand is slightly beyond the bottom edge of the fretboard. Curl your fingers so they are arched and the tips face the fretboard. Push the tips of your fingers (not the pads) against the strings.

FINGER NAMES

• 1: Index Finger

• 2: Middle Finger

• 3: Ring Finger

• 4: Pinky Finger

• Thumb: Thumb

EXERCISE

Bounce the tip of your finger on the strings. Starting with your first finger (1) and moving in order to your fourth finger (2... 3... 4). When you get to your fourth finger, move your first finger up to the next string and make the same motion. When you get to the top string (6th string) work your way back down making the same motion.

LESSON SUMMARY: FRETTING NOTES

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FRETTING NOTES

Press a string down until it is firmly pressed against the frets. As a reminder, the frets are the little metal bars laid into the fretboard, which is the thin piece of wood glued across the top of the neck.

HOW TO FRET A NOTE

Place your left hand in the proper position on the neck.

Place the tip of your finger onto one of the frets.

Slide the finger back so it is placed slightly behind the fret.

Press your finger down until it rests firmly against the fret.

TIPS FOR FRETTING NOTES

• Don't Press Too Hard: You don't need to make the string you are pressing touch the fretboard. If you press too hard, your hand will get tired very quickly.

• When to Press Harder: If the string you are fretting makes a "buzz" sound or no sound at all, you need to press a little harder.

• Keep your Fingers Close to the Fretboard: If you can keep your fingers hovering over the fretboard, you will have an easier time pressing the right fret at the right time.

THE SPIDER EXERCISE:

• Using your right hand, either pluck the first string with a pick using all down strokes, or play using fingerstyle and use rest strokes with your 1st finger.

• Align your hand so that each finger can easily touch a fret in sequential order (similar to the exercise in lesson 24).

• Fret and pluck one note at a time, in order; starting with your first finger and ending with your pinky while trying to get an even and consistent tone from each note.

• When you fret a note with your pinky finger move your first finger to the next string up and repeat the same motion.

• When you reach the top (6th) string, work your way back down the strings until you reach the fret that you started on.

LESSON SUMMARY: INTRODUCTION TO READING THE GUITAR

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THE BASICS OF CHANGING THE TONE:

You can change the tone your guitar makes by changing the note you fret when you strum or pluck.

• Up or Down: As you move from a fretted note on the 6th string down towards the 1st string, the tone you play gets higher. If you move the opposite direction, your tone will get lower.

• In or Out: As you fret notes in closer towards the soundhole and away from the headstock, the tone you make gets higher. When you move out away from the soundhole towards the neck, your tone will get lower.

MELODY

The tune—or series of note played one after another. Melody is generally the part of the song that you can hum or sing.

HARMONY

Chords, or a series of tones played all at the same time. Harmony is generally used for the background of a song, which is known as accompaniment.

GUITAR SYSTEMS

As the guitar can play both melody and harmony, it is an amazing instrument and somewhat complicated. This being the case, guitar players have developed multiple systems to be able to communicate what notes to play and when.

• Standard Music Notation: This is the shared language between all instruments. It is comprised of lots of little dots and other figures on a long staff. Because standard music notation is not a guitar-specific system, we don't focus on it that much on this site.

• Chord Diagrams: A graphical representation of a guitar neck that tells you which finger to use and where to put it. Chord diagrams are useful because they are easy to read but they don't tell you anything about when to play (i.e. rhythm).

• Tableture (A.K.A. Tabs): A mixture of chord diagrams and musical notation that can express what notes to play and when to play them. Tabs are great for giving a guitar-specific language that can express melody and harmony, but they don't tell you which fingers to use.

LESSON SUMMARY: READING GUITAR TAB

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

TABLATURE (A.K.A. TABS)

A system used by guitar players to understand what notes to play and when. Tabs are organized so they look similar to the strings of your guitar and are laid out like a timeline.

TAB STAFF

The 6 horizontal lines that are meant to represent the 6 strings on your guitar. The strings on a tab staff are laid out in the opposite order from your guitar:

• The 6th string (E) is represented by the bottom line on the tab staff.
• The 1st string (e) is at the top of the tab staff.

NUMBERS ON THE TAB STAFF

The numbers on a tab staff are meant to represent the note that is fretted. Numbers on a tab staff are NOTwhat fingers you use or what strings to press.

PLAYING ONE LINE OF THE SPIDER EXERCISE

The numbers get higher when you read them from left to right. This means the 3rd fret on the 6th string was played first and the 6th fret on the 6th string was played last.

PLAYING MULTIPLE LINES OF THE SPIDER EXERCISE

The numbers on the 6th String (E) are placed before the numbers on the 5th string (A). This means that you should play the notes on the 6th string first.

USING TAB FOR PLAYING HARMONY

Notes placed on top of each other are strummed at the same time. Lines without a number are not strummed.

OPEN STRINGS

An open string is a string that you strum without a pressing any of the frets.

Zeros (0) on a tab mean open strings.

EXERCISE: A-MINOR (AM) PENTATONIC SCALE

6th String (E): Press 5th fret then 8th fret.

5th String (A): Press 5th fret then 7th fret.

4th String (D): Press 5th fret then 7th fret.

3rd String (G): Press 5th fret then 7th fret.

2nd String (B): Press 5th fret then 8th fret.

1st String (e): Press 5th fret then 8th fret.

LESSON SUMMARY: READING CHORD DIAGRAMS

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

CHORD DIAGRAM

Sometimes known as a "chord grid," this is a chart that is used by guitar players as a snapshot of where to put their fingers to play multiple notes/strings at once at a time.

READING CHORD DIAGRAMS

Chord Diagrams are displayed like the guitar neck is being held so it is pointing into the air. Lines that run from left to right represent the frets on the guitar. Generally, the top line represents the nut unless there is a number outside the grid that indicates otherwise.

VERTICAL LINES ON CHORD DIAGRAMS

Lines that run up and down represent the strings of the guitar.

The farthest line on the left represents the 6th (E) string. The line on the right represents the 1st (e) string.

FRETTING ONE WITH CHORD DIAGRAMS

2nd finger > 5th String (A) > 2nd fret

FRETTING MULTIPLE NOTES WITH CHORD DIAGRAMS

2nd Finger > 5th String (A) > 2nd Fret

3rd Finger > 4th String (D) > 2nd Fret

OPEN STRINGS ON CHORD DIAGRAMS

Stings that have the number zero (0) on the top of the chord diagram represent open chords.

UNPLAYED STRINGS

Lines with an "X" over the top of the chord diagram represent strings that you should not play.

EXERCISE

• Switch between these two chord diagrams.

• Try to move your fingers at the same time.

• Try to keep your fingers controlled.

• Make the smallest movements possible.

LESSON SUMMARY: REVIEW OF READING THE GUITAR

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

SIMILARITY BETWEEN CHORD DIAGRAMS AND TABLATURE

Both guitar tablature and chord diagrams are systems used by guitar players to explain which strings and frets to use to play a particular tone or set of notes on the guitar.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHORD DIAGRAMS AND TABLATURE

Chord Diagrams: A grid that gives you a snapshot of what strings and frets to press at a single point in time. Chord diagrams also tell you what fingers to use.

Tablature: A set of six lines that tells you what strings and frets to press in a timeline format. Tabs can express both harmony and melody.

TABS AND CHORD DIAGRAMS REPRESENTING THE SAME THING

E-Minor in Chord Diagram	E-Minor in Tablature

EXERCISE: PLAYING MELODY AND HARMONY IN TABLATURE

• 1st String (e): Open > 3rd Fret > 2nd Fret > Open

• Strum: E-Minor (eM) Chord

• 2nd String (B): 1st Fret > Open > 1st Fret > Open > 1st Fret > Open > Open

• Strum: E-Minor (Em) Chord

LESSON SUMMARY: INTRODUCTION TO CHORDS

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

CHORDS

Chords are three or more different pitches played at the same time. On the guitar, any time you are playing three or more strings at once, you are technically playing a chord.

THE D MAJOR (D) CHORD

First Finger (1): 3rd String (G) > 2nd Fret

Middle Finger (2): 1st String (e) > 2nd Fret

Ring Finger (3): 2nd String (B) > 3rd Fret

Play the open 4th String (D)

Don't strum the 6th (E) or 5th (A) strings.

TIPS FOR PLAYING THE D CHORD

Keep your wrist straight.

Place your thumb about 3/4 the way up on the neck of the guitar.

Keep your fingers curled in a tight arch shape.

Try to put your first two fingers down together and then place your third finger.

Strum slowly & listen to which strings are buzzing. Adjust your fingers to make each string ring out.

LESSON SUMMARY: TRANSITIONING BETWEEN CHORDS

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

E MAJOR (E) CHORD

2nd Finger (Middle): 5th string (A) > 2nd fret

3rd Finger (Ring): 4th string (D) > 2nd fret

1st Finger (Pointer): 3rd string (G) > 1st fret

Strum all six strings

A MAJOR (A) CHORD

1st Finger (Pointer): 3rd string (B) > 2nd fret

2nd Finger (Middle): 4th string (G) > 2nd fret

3rd Finger (Ring): 2nd string (B) > 2nd fret

Strum open 5th (A) and 1st (e) strings

Don't strum the 6th (E) String

TIPS FOR TRANSITIONING CHORDS:

• Strum slowly!

• Make your movements as small as possible.

• Keep as many fingers as you can on the guitar.

• Try to put all of your fingers on the guitar at the same time.

EXCERCISE

Strum E-Major (E) chords four times in an slow and even pace.

Let each chord ring out for two seconds.

Slowly switch chords moving your fingers as little as possible.

Strum 4 A-Major (A) chords four times in an slow and even pace.

Let each chord ring out for two seconds.

Slowly switch chords moving your fingers as little as possible.

LESSON SUMMARY: OPEN MAJOR CHORDS

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

OPEN CHORD

An open chord is a combination of three or more fretted notes played in combination with a series of open tones. These chords are a some of the most full sounding chords made by a guitar.

OPEN MAJOR CHORD

The happy-sounding chords! Open major chords use a combination of open and fretted strings. Also know as the "campfire chords," these are the building blocks of playing the guitar. Most of the chords that you've learned up to this point (E-Major, A-Major, D-Major) are open major chords.

C-MAJOR (C) CHORD

1st Finger (pointer): 2nd String (B) > 1st Fret

2nd Finger (middle): 4th String (D) > 2nd Fret

3rd Finger (ring): 5th String (A) > 3rd Fret

Play the open 3rd (G) and 1st (e) strings

Don't play the 6th (E) string

G-MAJOR (G) CHORD

4th Finger (pinky): 1st String (e) > 3rd Fret

3rd Finger (ring): 2nd String (B) > 3rd Fret

2nd Finger (middle): 6th String (E) > 3rd Fret

1st Finger (pointer): 5th String (A) > 2nd Fret

Strum all six strings

It is OK to move your thumb up to the top of the neck to keep your wrist straight

F-MAJOR (F) CHORD

4th Finger (pinky): 2nd String > 1st Fret

3rd Finger (ring): 3rd String > 2nd Fret

2nd Finger (middle): 5th String > 3rd Fret

1st Finger (pointer): 4th String > 3rd Fret

Don't strum the 6th (E) or 1st (e) string (mute 1st string)

MUTING A STRING

Using one of your fingers to deaden the vibration made when you strum a string. This is done on the F-Major chord on the 1st string to prevent that string from ringing out.

EXERCISE

You now know 6 open major chords... Have some fun with them! Try switching between all the various combinations that you know and figure out easy ways to get from one chord to an other.

LESSON SUMMARY: MUSICAL KEYS

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

MUSICAL KEYS

A family of seven notes (or chords) that sound good together. Of the seven notes that make up a musical key, three of them are always major. There are a total of twelve musical keys, but the most commonly used by guitar players are C, G, D & A.

KEY OF C

C-Major (C)

F-Major (F)

G-Major (G)

KEY OF G

G-Major (G)

C-Major (C)

D-Major (D)

KEY OF D

G-Major (G)

C-Major (C)

A-Major (A)

KEY OF A

A-Major (A)

D- Major (D)

E-Major (E)

EXERCISE

• Memorize the major open chords in the four most common keys.

• Practice switching between the chords in each of the most-used keys.

LESSON SUMMARY: MINOR CHORDS

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

MINOR CHORDS

Unlike major chords, which generally sound happy and triumphant, minor chords are the sad and brooding sounding chords. For each major chord there is a minor chord. Unlike major chords, which are simply referred to by their letter names (A, E, D, G, etc), minor chords are always labeled "minor."

E-MINOR CHORD (EM)

2nd Finger (middle): 5th String (A) > 2nd Fret

3rd Finger (ring): 4th String (D) > 2nd Fret

Strum all six strings

A-MINOR CHORD (AM)

2nd Finger (middle): 4th String (D) > 2nd Fret

3rd Finger (ring): 3rd String (G) > 2nd Fret

1st Finger (pointer): 2nd String (B) > 1st Fret

Strum the open 5th (A) and (e) 1st strings

Don't strum the 6th (E) string

D-MINOR CHORD (DM)

1st Finger (pointer): 1st String (e) > 1st Fret

2nd Finger (middle): 3rd String (G) > 2nd Fret

3rd Finger (ring): 2nd String (B) > 3rd Fret

Strum the open 4th string (D)

Don't strum the 6th (E) or 5th (A) strings

EXERCISE:

Strum each minor chord one time in this order:

• D-Minor (Dm)

• E-Minor (Em)

• A-Minor (Am)

LESSON SUMMARY: POWER CHORDS

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

POWER CHORDS

Chords that only use two or three fretted notes to make a chord. Power chords always use the same two hand positions and allow you to move quickly between notes without a ton of finger gymnastics.

While they are super easy to use when transitioning between chords quickly, power chords don't have the same rich sound of an open major chord.

ROOT-6 POWER CHORD

When your 1st finger is on the 6th string (E). This type of chord can be played with either 2 or 3 fingers.

F-POWER CHORD (F5)

1st Finger (pointer): 6th String (E) > 1st Fret

3rd Finger (ring): 5th String (A) > 3rd fret

Don't strum the non-fretted strings. You can do this by flattening out your first finger to mute the non-fretted strings.

3 STRING POWER CHORDS

These are played the same as the 2 string power chords but with an added pinky finger in the same fret on the string below your ring finger. Playing your power chords with three fingers will make the tone of your chords slightly richer.

A-POWER CHORD (A5)

• 1st Finger (pointer): 6th String (E) > 5th Fret

• 3rd Finger (ring): 5th String (A) > 7th fret

ROOT-5 POWER CHORDS

When your first finger is placed on the 5th string (A). These chords can also be played with 2 or 3 fingers.

D-POWER CHORD (D5)

First Finger (pointer): 5th String (A) > 5th Fret

Third Finger (ring): 4th String (D) > 7th Fret

Only strum the fretted notes

EXERCISE

Practice Sliding with Power Chords

• Strum Root-6 Power Chord on the 1st Fret

• Strum Root-6 Power Chord on the 3rd Fret

• Strum Root-6 Power Chord on the 5th Fret

• Reverse this pattern to return back to the 1st fret

Practice Changing Power Chords

• Strum the Root-6 Power Chord on the 1st fret

• Strum the Root-5 Power Chord on the 1st fret

• Strum the Root-5 Power Chord on the 3rd fret

• Reverse the strumming pattern to return to the Root-6 Power Chord 1st fret.

LESSON SUMMARY: BASIC BARRE CHORDS

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

BARRE CHORDS

Similar to Power Chords, Barre Chords are easily movable chords that only require you to master a few hand positions.

While these hand positions are some of the more difficult ones to master, Barre Chords are also like Open Chords in that they allow you to play as many as six strings at a time. This type of chord gives guitar players the best of both worlds because it is a full-sounding chord and easy to move around the neck of the guitar.

A BARRE

When you use one finger to press multiple strings at the same time. This is used to make all Barre Chords and requires a fair amount of hand strength.

BARRE TECHNIQUE

• Lay the flat part of your finger on the strings you want to barre.

• Move your left elbow into your ribs, which will roll the fleshy part of your finger off of the neck of the guitar.

• Press the bony edge of your finger down across the string you are trying to barre slightly behind the fret.

• Don't bend the knuckle joint on your thumb.

ROOT-6 MAJOR BARRE CHORD: F-MAJOR (F)

3rd Finger (ring): 5th String (A) > 3rd Fret

4th Finger (pinky): 4th String (D) > 3rd Fret

2nd Finger (middle): 3rd String (G) > 2nd Fret

1st Finger (pointer): Barre 1st (e), 2nd (B) and 6th String (E) > 1st Fret

ROOT-5 MINOR BARRE CHORD: B-MINOR (BM)

3rd Finger (ring): 4th String (D) > 3rd Fret

4th Finger (pinky): 3rd String (G) > 3rd Fret

2nd Finger (middle): 2nd String (B) > 2nd Fret

1st Finger (pointer): Barre 1st (e), 5th String (A) > 1st Fret

Don't Strum the 6th (E) string

EXERCISE:

Sliding Barre Chords

• Strum Root-6 Barre Chord > 1st Fret

• Strum Root-6 Barre Chord > 3rd Fret

• Strum Root-6 Barre Chord > 5th Fret

• Reverse and repeat the strumming pattern to return to the 1st Fret

Switching Barre Chords

• Strum Root-6 Barre Chord > 5th Fret

• Strum Root-5 Barre Chord > 5th Fret

• Strum Root-5 Barre Chord > 7th Fret

• Reverse and repeat the strumming pattern to return to the 5th Fret on the 6th string (E)

LESSON SUMMARY: MAJOR AND MINOR BARRE CHORDS

Here's a review of what was covered in this video lesson. Feel free to print this page out so you have something to review while you practice.

TYPES OF BARRE CHORDS

There are two variables that determine what type of Barre Chord you are playing. The first variable is the root, which is the string your 1st finger (pointer) anchors on. The second is whether the chord you are playing is a major or minor chord.

This means there are four possible Barre Chords: Root-6 Major, Root-6 Minor, Root-5 Major and Root-5 Minor.

ROOT-6 MINOR BARRE CHORD

3rd Finger (ring): 5th String (A) > 3rd Fret

4th Finger (pinky): 4th String (D) > 3rd Fret

1st Finger (pointer): Barre 1st (e), 2nd (B), 3rd (G) and 6th (E) Strings > 1st fret

Strum all six strings

ROOT-5 MAJOR BARRE CHORD

3rd finger (ring): Barre 2nd (B), 3rd (G), 4th (D) strings > 4th fret

1st Finger (pointer): 5th string (A) > 2nd fret

Don't strum the 6th (E) or 1st (e) string

EXERCISE

Root-6 Major and Minor Barre Chord Strum Pattern

• Strum F-Major (F) Root-6 Barre Chord - Fret 1

• Strum G-Major (G) Root-6 Barre Chord - Fret 3

• Strum A-Minor (Am) Root-6 Barre Chord - Fret 5

• Reverse the strumming pattern to return to Fret 1

Root-5 Major and Minor Barre Chord Strum Pattern

• Strum D-Minor (Dm) Root-5 Barre Chord - Fret 6

• Strum C-Major (C) Root-5 Barre Chord - Fret 4

• Strum B-Major (B) Root-5 Barre Chord - Fret 2

• Reverse the strumming pattern to return to Fret 6

Using All 4 Barre Chord Types

• Strum E-Major (E) Root-5 Barre Chord - Fret 7

• Strum B-Major (B) Root-6 Barre Chord - Fret 7

• Strum C-Minor (Cm) Root-5 Barre Chord - Fret 4

• Strum A-Major (A) Root-6 Barre Chord- Fret 5

• Reverse the Strumming pattern and return to Fret 7