Guitar basics

Music Theory - The Fundamentals
(excerpt from members lesson 1)

There are 12 tones used in western music. Some cultures differ. 7 are named from the alphabet. A B C D E F G		The piano is such a great visual instrument we will use it occasionally when talking about music theory.

The white keys on the piano are simply the 7 letters repeating over and over. The remaining 5 (black keys on the piano) each have 2 names.
The sharp sign # raises a note a half step.	A# = Bb C# = Db D# = Eb F# = Gb G# = Ab		The flat sign b lowers a note a half step.

Terms to Know!

Half Step- is the smallest distance between two notes.
On the guitar, one fret to the very next fret. On the piano, one key to the very next key.

Whole Step- two half steps.
On the guitar, one fret, skip a fret to the next fret. On the piano, one key, skip a key to the next key.

Apply new knowledge to guitar!

Take a look at the piano again and note there are no black keys between: B and C or E and F

Tip: To help remember these think of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street.

					Anytime you land on a B (Bert), one half step higher to the next fret is C. Land on E (Ernie) and the very next fret higher is F.

Any other alphabet letter you land on will have a whole step to the next alphabet letter.

Music Notation!

The 7 alphabet letters (notes) are placed on the staff in order. The staff is made up of 5 lines in which notes can be put on a line or in between the lines on spaces.

Guitar Strings!

Open strings on the staff.

Eddie
Bought
Grandma
Doughnuts
And
Eggs

Notice: we have two E strings.

1st string (Eddie) is high E
6th string (Eggs) is our low E

Play Guitar!
Up and down open strings 6 3 2 1 (You do not need your fret hand at all).
Do not worry about the time signature or counting just yet.
Use your ears.

Metallica - Nothing Else Matters

finger picking open strings. Nothing Else Matters - Metallica

p = thumb
i = index
m = middle
a = ring

midi file right click to open in new window.for slower connections

This is a great exercise to practice with both a pick and your fingers. When using a pick the first 4 notes should be down picked and then up pick the last 2.

Next Free Lesson
Scales

The above lesson is taken from lesson 1 in the members section. For a complete online method designed to have lots of fun while learning the guitar, become a member today! Learn More

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