Guitar Basics

By Mark Harding
Practicing The Guitar -The guitar is fun and relatively easy to play if practiced regularly and in a structured way -Many people find it is best to maintain a regular practice time and to practice to a schedule. -It is possible to become quite skilled at the instrument with as little as 30 minutes a day of well-structured and focused practice. -It is important to develop all the skills needed in a balanced way, spending a little time on each. -Most people can only focus on one area for a few minutes so it is good to change the area of study often during a practice session. -your hands may become tired during practice, if this occurs, do not stop practicing but move on to a vocal or other non-playing practice exercise. -If you experience pain in the wrist, stop and take a long break. Examine your wrist posture when you play again, is the wrist reasonably straight when you play? Lower the thumb or bring the elbow out to straighten the left wrist. -Remember that slow practice brings fast results and vice versa. It is better to practice something slowly and get it right than to try to go fast and make mistakes -Avoid the mistake of practicing one aspect of playing for too long at the expense of the others, balance and repetition are the keys to long-term success. -As you develop on the instrument be sure to differentiate practice from playing: Practice is the act of studying material designed to enhance and improve your playing. It is not as much fun as playing, but the more you do it the more fun you will have when you do play, because your command of the instrument and the musical language will be in tip top shape. Playing is the fun part and is the reason for practice. It is hoped you will develop a drive to play and practice will help with this. -As soon as you gain some basic abilities on the instrument, seek out opportunities to play with others, this is not only essential for your complete development as a musician but is great fun and a wonderful social outlet. -Find a good teacher to help with your learning. Remember not all teachers are created equal. A good teacher should teach theory and ear training as well as technique. They should be able to teach note reading and to cover a variety of musical styles including some classical guitar. Ask any prospective teacher about how they teach these things: good clear, well thought out answers are a fair indicator of the teachers knowledge and teaching method. Most good teachers are also performers, so try to see you teacher play before you commit to lessons.

Practice Schedules Keeping a written schedule can help you focus on the different practice elements for an appropriate amount of time. Treat such a schedule as a guideline only and not a rigid regimen, but do try to maintain some regularity in your routine. -the following is a suggested 30-60 minute practice schedule for beginners: 1) 5 minutes warm up: -stretch the hands, neck and back. -prepare to play with a good posture. -Perform a finger stretching exercise. -Play a few chords, listen for good tone -perform a simple piece of music you already know (if you are ready for this). 2) 10-20 minutes chord studies: -practice the chords as suggested in the section on chords. -play as many of the exercises as your time and ability allows, go only as fast as you can change chords efficiently. -Listen for good tone and watch for a good angle between fingers and the neck. 3) 5-10 minutes rhythm studies: -begin with exercises that are away from the instrument such as clapping and singing. -Play rhythms at three ore more speeds, including very slow and very fast. -use a metronome or drum machine to enhance your rhythmic accuracy 4) 5-15 minutes scale studies -play scales slowly at first, listening for clear sound and smooth transition between notes. -As you develop skill, play the scales in many different speeds and rhythms -as for chords, a metronome helps. -improvise a little on each scale if you wish. 5) 5-10 minutes reading or playing tunes: -play new material and some you know. -when reading new music start very slow. -do not be afraid to memorize, whatever gets the music to flow is a good thing. -though reading will be difficult at first, if you persevere it will open vast realms of melody and harmony unknown to many guitarists -keep the tunes you have played together in a binder- this is your repertoire! AFTER YOU HAVE DONE ALL THIS, JUST PLAY!

Posture and Hand position -Though you may see stars play in all kinds of cool and unusual ways, they are already experts, and the best way to become an expert is to use correct posture. It will also help avoid stress injuries. -the main goal is to maintain physical comfort and efficiency, especially in the hands, wrists and back, so you can play well and for a long time. -for a seated position, you should sit toward the edge of a stool or armless chair which allows your feet to be flat on the ground. -Your back needs to be straight, and not in contact with the back of the chair. -Your legs can be slightly apart or crossed, and one foot or the other may be placed on a low footstool if you prefer. -for a standing position, again, a straight back is key. Adjust your strap so the top of the guitar body is somewhere on your lower ribcage. -Seated or standing, the body and neck of the instrument should be at a 15 to 30 degree angle to both your body and the ground, with the headstock furthest out from the body and up from the floor. -Your left hand should approach the guitar from a loose hanging position, with the wrist straight and fingers and thumb loosely curved. -Place the thumb squarely on the middle of the neck behind the second fret. -the Left Hand fingers should approach the neck at ninety degrees, as close to the fret as possible using the fingertips. -For melody, the fingers cover one fret each, and for chords they are placed as needed. -The right hand moves mostly from the wrist for strumming, with the pick held between thumb and forefinger, and the hand above the sound hole or pickups. -The thumb can also be used for strumming. -For fingerstyle, the thumb plays the bass strings and the fingers the treble strings, one finger per string or alternating fingers on a single string -It is possible to use many different approaches, and these are just intended to provide some basic ideas, but whatever right hand technique produces the desired sound is just fine. -Dont be afraid to experiment, many greats have found their own approach to the instrument. Tuning The strings on a guitar are numbered 1 through 6 from the thickest to the thinnest. -The Standard tuning is: 1:E, 2:B, 3:G, 4:D, 5:A, 6:E -You can tune with an electronic tuner or by ear. - tune the strings by turning the tuning machines on the headstock of the guitar until each string reaches the desired pitch, be careful not to over tighten. -It is easiest to tune if you let the notes ring out long and fairly loud, but do not play hard enough to distort or buzz the notes or cause the pitch to become erratic. -Most people find the pitches easier to hear if the string being tuned is dropped low and then raised, not lowered, to the correct pitch. This also tends to greatly enhance tuning stability. Four ways to tune a guitar by ear

1-Tuning from a piano or keyboard: First find Middle C, also called C3, this a white key to the left of a pair of black keys at center of the keyboard. Tune the strings as shown on the diagram below:

2-You can tune to a pitch pipe or tuning fork: There are pitch pipes available that correspond to the numbered strings of a guitar, or you can use a tuning fork to obtain one pitch and then follow the relative tuning method from there. 3- Relative tuning: If possible begin by obtaining a correct pitch (E) for the sixth string from another instrument or sound source. -Fret the sixth string behind the fifth fret, play this and the open fifth string in immediate succession and adjust the open fifth string until its pitch matches that of the fretted sixth string. -Fret the fifth string behind the fifth fret, play this and the open fourth string in immediate succession and adjust the open fourth string until its pitch matches that of the fretted fifth string. -Fret the fourth string behind the fifth fret, play this and the open third string in immediate succession and adjust the open third string until its pitch matches that of the fretted fourth string. -Fret the third string behind the fourth fret, play this and the open second string in immediate succession and adjust the open second string until its pitch matches that of the fretted third string. -Fret the second string behind the fifth fret, play this and the open first string in immediate succession and adjust the open first string until its pitch matches that of the fretted second string. 4-Tuning with Harmonics: this is the most difficult and most accurate way to tune by ear and requires that the player learn to obtain harmonics from the strings. These are obtained by lightly touching the string directly above frets 5, 7, and 12, and then plucking the string and removing the left hand. -Tuning by harmonics is for the experienced player but the beginner should begin to practice obtaining harmonics and can tune this way when ready. -The harmonics on an in tune guitar match as follows: String Harmonic = String Harmonic 6 fret 5 5 fret 7 5 fret 5 4 fret 7 4 fret 5 3 fret 7 6 fret 7 2 open 6 fret 5 1 open 2 fret 5 1 fret 7

Chords -These are the basic structures used to accompany songs. The strings are depicted left to right from the thickest to the thinnest (lowest to highest pitch). Horizontal lines represent the frets. Dots represent the finger placement upon the strings. The following are the basic open position chord fingerings, grouped in common progressions:

Chord Playing is the most important skill for a guitarist to develop because it is used to accompany songs. Practice the chords slowly at first and with the simplest possible rhythm. -Tap your foot or use a metronome to keep a steady beat.(shown as slash marks) -try playing: a) Whole note strums (one per measure), b) half note strums (two per measure), c) quarter note strums (four per measure) d) a more complex rhythm such as those found in the section on rhythm. -You can also practice without rhythm just to get the feel of how to change between the various shapes. -as you get more comfortable with changing chords, try speeding up the tempo and using more complex rhythms. -If you can play these chords comfortably, you are ready to perform thousands of popular songs in all styles. -once you have mastered these basics, there are thousands of songbooks available and online resources to find the songs you want to play. -If you learn to recognize the sound of these chord progressions, you will be well on the way to playing by ear. Try to figure out a favorite song without looking at a chord sheet. -look for as many playing opportunities as you can as you begin to develop skill, play alone, record yourself and jam along, use a metronome. -play by ear and from tablature and sheet music. -Jam with your friends, and with your favorite CD or Mp3s, go to an open mike or jam session, try to join or form a band even if its just for fun. -Dont be afraid to sing, if you listen it is within you, it can become great fun with practice, and it will help your ear enormously. -learning basic music theory and note reading are not absolutely necessary but both will help you become a more complete and able musician. -Chords provide the backbone of music and the better you know them the better you will play all aspects of music on the guitar. The Blues is the single most important form in American music, having deeply influenced all modern styles from country to jazz and rock. -guitarists should memorize the blues as it forms the basis of so much other music. -The blues is one of the easiest forms for a beginner to learn improvisation. -When musicians from all backgrounds get together to jam, they often begin with the blues. 3 Easy Blues progressions are shown to the left. These are a good starting point for learning the blues. They are: a 12-bar blues in A, A 12-bar blues in E, and an 8-bar blues in G -Practice in the same way as for the other chord progressions above Rhythm is the key to musical success. It provides the pulse, energy and sense of movement in music and contributes greatly to the general flavor and feeling of a piece of music. -Rhythm can be counted, but the goal is to feel the rhythm naturally, tapping ones foot or using a metronome helps to develop this feeling. -There are a number of ways to practice rhythm, all of which can be useful: -tap a beat or use a metronome and sing or say the rhythms on a single pitch. -count the beat and play the rhythms on your guitar, play them first on one chord or even one note, then as you become familiar with them, try playing the rhythms on a chord progression or a scale.

-you can improvise melodies using one or more of the rhythms and a scale just by moving up and down the scale as your ears dictate. This can also help build improvisational confidence. -You can improvise (scat) or make up words to help you sing the rhythms. -Clapping the rhythms can be fun and useful too. -Rhythmic notation is easy to understand and requires memorization of just a few symbols and sounds. It is an easy way to pick up new rhythms, and can help the ear greatly. -The basic units and notations of rhythm are presented below, each should be practiced and memorized both as a sound and as a symbol: Whole notes and Whole rests last for four counts or beats, Half notes and half rests last for two counts or beats, Quarter notes and Quarter rests last for one count or beat, Eighth notes and Eighth rests last for half a count or beat, Sixteenth notes and Sixteenth rests last for one quarter of a count or beat, The stem direction and grouping of the notes can vary as shown and does not affect the rhythmic effect at all

-This chart shows some of the most common time signatures:

Other time signatures do exist but are not very common in popular music, in order that you understand other time signatures when you see them. Just remember that in all time signatures, the top number tells you how many beats in a measure, and the bottom number tells you what rhythmic note value is used to form the beat.

Playing Rhythms on the guitar is a matter of right hand wrist and pick or finger control. The basic idea is to make very small movements from the wrist and fingers, not from the elbow. -If using a pick, it should be held lightly between thumb and forefinger. -It is a good idea to practice rhythms at first on a single chord before attempting to change chords in a particular rhythm. -The chart below presents a series of basic rhythms you should master. -Practice them in order over time as they are set out in order of difficulty. -Repeat the rhythms many times, until the need to count disappears and you are feeling the rhythm naturally. -Go slowly at first, then try the rhythms at a medium and faster tempo. -Be patient with yourself, these rhythms are difficult to master and the process does take time, especially when you try to change chords.

Time Signatures are the two numbers to the left of a piece of music, they define the number of beats in a measure of music. -A measure defines the pattern of accents or slightly louder beats within the music. Measures are divided by vertical lines in written music. -There is a slight emphasis on beat 1 of a measure, though a lot of modern music shifts the emphasis to beats 2 and 4 in 4/4 time -The most common time signatures are: -4/4: Four beats in the measure, accent on beat 1. - This is by far the most common time signature in contemporary music. Count: 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, etc (Modern music often shifts accent to beats 2 and 4) Count: 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4,, etc -3/4: Three beats in the measure, accent on beat 1. Count: 1 2 3 , 1 2 3 , 1 2 3 , 1 2 3 , etc

-2/4 Two beats in the measure, accent on beat 1. Count: 1 2, 1 2, 1 2, 1 2, etc -6/8: Six eighth note beats in the measure, accents on beats 1 and 4. this is called a compound time because it has two simultaneous beats. Count: 1 2 3 4 5 6, 1 2 3 4 5 6, 1 2 3 4 5 6, etc -12/8: twelve eighth note beats in the measure, accents on beats 1 and less strongly on 4, 7 and 10. This is also a compound time. Count: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12, etc Practice counting and clapping the basic pulse in all these different time signatures as well as playing them on your instrument. Scales are the building blocks of both chords and melody in all music. -practicing scales will build your dexterity and train your ear. -it is a good idea to sing the scales as well as playing them on your instrument. -scales are used for improvisation and will enhance note reading ability. -the scale fingerings presented are some of the most popular in modern guitar. -always practice scales slowly at first, building speed only as they are learnt. How to use the scale diagrams: -The basic idea is the same as for chord diagrams, with the thick string drawn on the left, the thin string on the right and the frets horizontal. Left hand fingers are numbered one through four from the index finger to the pinky. The thumb is not numbered because it is not used for fretting notes. -for scales the fingers are placed on the strings one at a time and walked across the strings. They should be placed close behind the fret. -pluck each note as your finger finds the fret so you develop a smooth sound. -Start with the circled note using the finger number marked at the side of the diagram, then keep this down and place the next finger on the same string. -Move the first finger to the next string and repeat the process with all notes on that string, then repeat this process on all the strings. -To descend, start each string with all the notes fretted then take fingers off to move down the scale one string at a time. Again, walk the fingers across the strings and try to pluck each note as it is fretted for a smooth sound. -the first finger should act as an anchor to keep you in position on the neck. -You can use these basic fingerings to play in all keys by starting on the frets marked in the list of keys below. -the pentatonic scale has two starting positions, each with its own sound. Start with the first finger for a minor sound or the fourth for a major sound -the correct name for the starting note is the tonic, also known as the key note..

Pentatonic scale

Blues Scale

Major scale

Table of Scale start frets To play in the key of : C start at fret number: 8 G 3 D 10 A 5 E 0 or 12 B 7 F sharp/G flat 2 or 14 C sharp/D flat 9 G sharp/A flat 4 D sharp/ E flat 11 A sharp/ B flat 6 F 1 or 13 Scale Practice tips : Always start slow and get faster only when you can do so confidently. Use a metronome to help guide your tempo. -Play the scales in various rhythms and sing them or name the notes or key. -Try improvising a little melody right after you practice a scale. -Play repetitive patterns made up of scale tones these can help dexterity greatly. -A few scale patterns include: -Three note groups: 123,234,345,456,567,678,789 etc -Skipped notes (called thirds): 13,24,35,46,57,68,79, etc -the numbers in these patterns refer simply to the notes of the scale numbered in order, starting with the tonic or start note and ascending. -There are many other patterns in common use, they are easy to find and worth the effort. These patterns are a very strong dexterity builder. Guitar notation comes in two forms, traditional notation and tablature. -Each form of notation had its disadvantages and disadvantages, the best solution for beginners is often to find music that is printed in both forms. -Tablature is very easy to read but does not usually give rhythmic information, it is also less effective than traditional notation for theoretical analysis. -Traditional notation is harder to read than tablature at first, but offers more complete information and gets easier with time. -the rules of rhythm apply to notated music as described on the rhythm page. -Pitch is defined in notation by moving up and down on the staff line. -A sharp symbol (#) is placed before a note to raise its pitch by one fret or half step, and a flat symbol (b) is placed before a note to lower its pitch by one fret. -These are called accidentals and they last until the next measure line. -A group of sharps or flats at the beginning of a piece of music is called a key signature and means the pitches marked will all be sharp or flat throughout the piece unless they are cancelled by a natural symbol. -In tablature, numbers show the frets at which to place the fingers to obtain a desired sound on a diagram of the strings, with the highest pitched string placed highest on the diagram and the lowest pitch placed lowest. Simply place a finger behind the appropriate fret and pluck the string. -Right hand fingers are sometimes marked on the music using the following letter names: P = Thumb, I = Index, M =Middle, A = Ring, C = Pinky.

-Begin by reading easy single note melodies and progress toward more difficult materials including chords and bass lines. -Play each passage you study very slowly at first, with and without rhythm. -Over time and with a great deal of practice you will memorize the notes and reading will get easier, but only if you persevere. -There are many resources available for note reading practice including guitar method books, classical guitar music, songbooks and music for other instruments, such as flute, saxophone and violin. -There are many online and book resources for tablature which has risen in popularity over recent years due to its ease of use. -Below is an overview of basic notation and tablature for guitar