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Basic music theory The musical alphabet is the first seven letters of the alphabet - A-B-C-D-E-F-G. These represent the natural notes. In between these notes are accidentals - sharps (#) and flats (b). Each accidental can have two names eg the note between A and B could be called A# or Bb (the note one fret up from A is A#, the note one fret down from B is Bb).

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Notice that there are no sharps and flats (accidentals) between two pairs of notes:

Ø B and C Ø E and F

This is easiest to see on a piano keyboard, but applies to all instruments. (The white notes on the piano are the natural notes, the black notes are accidentals).

On guitar:

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Understanding Rhythm 1 Learning more about rhythm and timing will make everything you play sound better and make it easier to play with other people. It’s just as important as learning the right notes/chords (sometimes more important…)

The Beat First of all we need to understand the idea of a beat or pulse. Listen to some music and get used to the idea of clapping the beat, tapping your foot on the beat, and counting the beats out loud. Most music that you listen to will have the beats grouped into 4 – we call this a bar.

Notation We use notation to denote how many beats a note lasts for. Semibreve = 4 beats Minim = 2 beats Crotchet = 1 beat A rest = silence

Assignment Play the following exercises (you can clap them, play a chord or just one note). Make sure you count the beast out loud (each bar contains 4 beats).

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Parts of the Guitar The guitar, like a person, has a Head, Neck and Body.

String Names Each open string is a different note. Starting from the 6th string (thickest string), the notes are: E, A, D, G, B, E An easy way to remember these notes is using this phrase:

Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddie The first letter of each word gives you the name of each string.

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Technique Basics

Holding the Pick

ü Curl up the first 2 joints of your right-hand 1st finger ü Put thumb against the side of the top 2cm of 1st finger ü Grip the pick lightly in between thumb and 1st finger

Fretting Notes ü Use the tip of your finger behind the fret (as close to fret as possible without

touching).

ü Arch your finger and press down hard enough to make the note sound clearly (not too hard!)

ü Your thumb should be holding the back of the neck, pointing upwards.

ü Lift your fingers only slightly off the strings to move them.

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Reading TAB TAB has 6 lines that represent the 6 strings on the guitar:

The lines = Strings 1-6 Top line = the thinnest string, nearest the floor (1st) – the highest sounding. Bottom line = the thickest string, nearest the ceiling (6th) – the lowest sounding.

Numbers = Frets Numbers on the lines tell you which FRET to play.

0 = Open string 0 means that a string is played "open" with no fingers on it.

Chords Notes placed on top of each other are played at the same time (chords). In the example above

1) Play the 1st fret on the 1st string. 2) Then the 3rd fret on the 2nd string. 3) Followed by the open 3rd string. 4) Then play the following 3 notes together (chord):

open 3rd string, open 2nd string and 3rd fret on the 1st string.

Remember:

Lines = Strings Numbers = Frets

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Reading Chord Boxes These show you where to put your fingers on the fingerboard to play chords.

• Vertical lines = the six strings. (String on the left is the thickest string - E). • Thick line at the top of the box represents the nut. • Horizontal lines represent the frets.

The dots represent the places where you put your left-hand fingers, and they are numbered to show which finger to use.

• 1 is the index finger • 2 is the middle finger • 3 is the ring finger • 4 is your pinky (little finger)

This is different from piano finger numbering! X or O above each string show whether you should play the string or not

O means that you play the string ‘open' (no fingers holding it down) X means that you should not play that string

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Tuning Your Guitar with a Guitar Tuner Tune your guitar every time you pick it up to play – it should become a habit. You can’t play anything if your guitar is out of tune!

Basics Your tuner will have either a needle or lights. For each string you are tuning, you are aiming to get the needle/lights in the centre.

Ø If the needle/lights are left of centre, the note is flat - tighten the string. Ø If they are right of centre, the note is sharp - loosen the string.

Watch out! Make sure you turn the correct tuning peg for the string you are tuning.

Make sure you are tuning to the right note Use the circle below to help – moving clockwise represents tightening the string, anti-clockwise means loosening the string. Examples:

a) tuning the B string, tuner reads “C” – loosen the string to get back to “B” b) tuning the E string, tuner reads “Db” – tighten the string to get back to “E”

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Practising

Natural Talent? John Williams story J

Why does my guitarist need to practise? To get better… Long-term memory, habit and motor skills are only developed over time, through repetition. You play better with less thinking!

How long to practise for? Whatever they can manage – ideally 15-20mins, but even 5mins is better than nothing! Regular practice is the key – daily practice for shorter periods.

What to practise You’ll receive a Practice Email after your guitarist’s core class each week.

1) Print the email out for your guitarist 2) Hep them to practise what’s in the email, as directed

When to practise Find a regular time. Make it a habit.

What not to practise Mistakes. See “Your Guitarist Needs Your Help”

Tools “Slow down” software – to play with recordings.