GUITAR RESOURCE FILE

CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTS

1. Parts of a Guitar

2. Guitar Accessories

3. Tuning a Guitar : the 6 Strings

4. Holding a Guitar

a. Posture

b. The Left Hand

c. The Right Hand

5. Reading Music

a. Finger Notation

b. Standard Notation, Tablatures & Chord Diagrams

c. Reading Rhythm

6. Chord Chart

7. Online Resources

(Slides, softcopy of this file & Intro Video are at:

http://wlze.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/guitar-first-steps/ )

PARTS OF A GUITARPARTS OF A GUITARPARTS OF A GUITARPARTS OF A GUITAR

http://www.4playguitar.com/playguitar/acousticguitarparts-guitartechniques.html

The Important Parts to Know: 1. Tuners : to tune your guitar (Also known as

MACHINE HEADS) 2. Neck: Your Left hand grips this 3. Strings: Your fingers press ON these 4.4.4.4. Frets: Your fingers press BETWEEN these 5. Soundhole: Your Right hand should be above this

GUITAR ACCESSORIESGUITAR ACCESSORIESGUITAR ACCESSORIESGUITAR ACCESSORIES (Images from http://www.zzounds.com/ unless otherwise stated)

1.1.1.1. Pick/ PlectrumPick/ PlectrumPick/ PlectrumPick/ Plectrum

• A necessity if you cut the fingernails on your right hand. Also useful for playing an acoustic guitar with metal strings.

• Comes in three “stiffnesses”: Soft, Medium & Hard

2.2.2.2. CapoCapoCapoCapo

• Useful for changing key and playing higher up the fretboard, but not a necessity

• This trigger capo is the most popular, and easiest to use, allowing quick attachment & Release

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_pick

http://www.gibson.com/

3.3.3.3. Tuner/ Tuning Fork/ Pitch Tuner/ Tuning Fork/ Pitch Tuner/ Tuning Fork/ Pitch Tuner/ Tuning Fork/ Pitch PipePipePipePipe • Electronic tuners are very handy (esp. the clip on ones), but not cheap, and

not a necessity, unless your hearing isn’t that accurate

• Tuning forks & pitch pipes work the same as using another instrument to give the pitch, but require a good ear

4.4.4.4. String WinderString WinderString WinderString Winder

• Only if you break your guitar strings frequently.

5. FootstoolFootstoolFootstoolFootstool

• For the classical player.

TUNING THE GUITAR:TUNING THE GUITAR:TUNING THE GUITAR:TUNING THE GUITAR:

THE 6 STRINGSTHE 6 STRINGSTHE 6 STRINGSTHE 6 STRINGS (images from http://www.5-easy-guitar-lessons.com/tuning-your-guitar.html unless otherwise stated)

This is where an electronic tuner comes in handy. But if you have a good ear, you should do fine. Remember, in these diagrams, the thickest string (i.e. the lowest note) is to the left. When turning the pegs, turn ANTI-CLOCKWISE to INCREASE the pitch.

http://www.smshobby.com/

HOHOHOHOLDING THE GUITARLDING THE GUITARLDING THE GUITARLDING THE GUITAR 1.1.1.1. postureposturepostureposture (images from http://guitar-guide.biz/ )

Top left: Flamenco Top right: Classical Left: Casual (don’t really need the footstool) Choose one that feels comfortable, but take note of a few things: a. Make sure the guitar feels stable

b. Notice the position/ shape of the ELBOWS and WRISTS

2.2.2.2. The Left HandThe Left HandThe Left HandThe Left Hand (images from http://5-easy-guitar-lessons.com/ )

Points to note: a. Your FINGERS should be

• PERPENDICULAR to the FRETBOARD and • PARALLEL to the FRETS • IN BETWEEN the frets, closer towards the next fret on the right

b. Your THUMB should NOT: • Curve over the top of the neck • Rest Horizontally along the neck

To check if you are pressing the strings correctly, play the strings one by one. If a string buzzes or sounds mute, check that finger to see if you are pressing down properly.

3.3.3.3. The Right HandThe Right HandThe Right HandThe Right Hand (image from http://www.vasquezmusic.com/GuitarBasics/GuitarBasics3.html )

The thumb controls the top three strings, while the next 3 fingers control one treble (clear) string each.

Holding a pick/ Plectrum: a. Form an “OK” sign with your thumb and index finger

b. Keep your thumb perpendicular to the direction the pick is pointing

c. Make sure the tip of your index finger doesn’t stick out beyond the pick

your right forearm should be resting on the edge of the guitar, with your hand over/near the soundhole. Try not to rest your right palm or little/ring finger on the soundboard.

http://www.fretjam.com/how-to-hold-a-guitar.html

READING MUSICREADING MUSICREADING MUSICREADING MUSIC 1.1.1.1. Finger NotationFinger NotationFinger NotationFinger Notation (image from http://www.vasquezmusic.com/GuitarBasics/GuitarBasics3.html )

You can ignore the “T” on the left hand and the pinky on the right hand because they won’t be used. Take note, the left index finger is 1, not 2... and so on.

2.2.2.2. Standard Notation, Tablature & Chord DiagramsStandard Notation, Tablature & Chord DiagramsStandard Notation, Tablature & Chord DiagramsStandard Notation, Tablature & Chord Diagrams (images from http://www.5-easy-guitar-lessons.com/15-must-know-basic-guitar-chords.html and http://www.digitalmediaproduction.com/images/chords-first-position.jpg ) Standard notation, Tablature & Chord diagrams represent the SAME THING: which notes to play. But some features are only shown in Scores or Tabs.

a. Standard Notation (or music SCORE):

i. Learn this if you’re serious about reading music. ii. 5 horizontal lines, each representing a NOTE iii. Low notes are at the bottom iv. For guitar, the Treble clef is used v. The PITCH and DURATION of the note are indicated, but not which string/fret to press

vi. The FINGERING (1234 to tell you how to press & pima to tell you how to pluck) might be indicated above and below the score.

vii. Played from left to right. (Notes on top of each other are played simultaneously)

Chord diagram

Standard notation

Tab

b. Tablature (or TAB, for short) i. Learn this if you want a quick way to learn plucking. A well written tab has enough features to tell you as much as a score.

ii. 6 horizontal lines, each representing a STRING iii. The lowest string is at the bottom (refer to the

section on guitar tuning for the intervals) iv. The NUMBERS on the tab represent the FRET

at which that string is pressed v. Usually, the duration is not included vi. The FINGERING might be indicated above and

below the tab. vii. Played from left to right. (Numbers on top of

each other are pressed and played simultaneously)

c. Chord Diagrams i. If you’re only interested in CHORDS, then don’t bother with the other two. This is good enough for singin’ ‘n strummin’.

ii. 6 VERTICAL lines, each representing a STRING iii. The Lowest string is on the left iv. 3 or more HORIZONTAL lines, each representing

a fret. v. The lowest fret is at the top vi. The CIRCLES on the diagram indicate where you

should press: What you see is what you press vii. The NUMBERS in the circles indicate which finger

you should use (some chord diagrams don’t include these numbers)

3.3.3.3. RhythmRhythmRhythmRhythm Some basics on rhythm: (images from http://smu.edu/totw/rhythm.htm)

As a general rule, the more complicated the symbol (the more tails it has), the shorter its duration . Usually, songs are in beats of 3 or 4 quarter notes. It helps to count “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &” to keep time. The numbers are the BEATS (quarter notes) and the “&”s are the OFF-BEATS (eighth notes).

a. StrummingStrummingStrummingStrumming

When strumming, apart from the rhythm, there’s also the pickstroke: up or down.

i. The DOWNSTROKE is more forceful and is usually played on the BEATS.

ii. The UPSTROKE is lighter and is usually played on the OFF-BEATS.

Here are some simple, common rhythm patterns: First, count “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &”, Then try counting only the underlined beats:

First and third beats: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

All four beats: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

All eight half-beats: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

First beat and all the off-beats: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Some common rhythms: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & Once you think you’ve got the rhythm, try playing that rhythm from memory! Feel the beat!

b.b.b.b. PluckingPluckingPluckingPlucking

Plucking involves using the tips (i.e. nails) of your right thumb, index, middle and ring fingers (P, I, M and A) to pluck a string each. Usually, the THUMB (P) plucks ONE of the three BASS strings (the thickest three), while the other THREE FINGERS (I,M,A) each have their own TREBLE string (the thinnest three). You can pluck them all at the same time, or in any combination that you like! Try the patterns below!

http://www.i-love-guitar.com/fingerpicking.html

CHORD CHARTCHORD CHARTCHORD CHARTCHORD CHART Here’s a Chord Chart of the 15 most used chords. With these chords, you can play ALMOST any song decently.

The single letters (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) represent MAJOR chords. If there’s a small “m” behind it, it’s the MINOR chord. A “7” means the seventh note in the scale is played as well. More of this later.

ONLINE RESOURCESONLINE RESOURCESONLINE RESOURCESONLINE RESOURCES With the Internet, you can practically learn to play any song! Here are some good, simple sites to get you started: TunerTunerTunerTuner & Chord Directory & Chord Directory & Chord Directory & Chord Directory Lets you select chords and hear them being played. For tuning, just play all open strings (don’t click any notes/ chords) http://www.microtools.de/guitarcodex/ LessonsLessonsLessonsLessons With videos http://www.morphis.com Simple lessons with graphics http://www.guitar-guide.biz/ http://www.5-easy-guitar-lessons.com/ VideosVideosVideosVideos Lots of videos n lessons on youtube! Seek n you will find... TabsTabsTabsTabs & Chords & Chords & Chords & Chords User-generated content with almost any song you’ll want. Provides chords and tabs in a variety of formats (see software below) http://www.911tabs.com/ Very useful resource. Chord diagrams pop-up when you mouse-over the chord name. Has videos and lessons, too! http://www.e-chords.com/ SoftwareSoftwareSoftwareSoftware This one is free! There are others, but you have to buy them. Lets you play “powertab” (.ptb) files from the above sites. http://www.power-tab.net/guitar.php