Introduction to Guitar

Guitars have six strings and each of those strings has a name and number. The name of the string is given by the note that the string produces. The number is assigned by place; the highest string is the first string, and the lowest is the sixth string. This is easily visible in a form of musical notation designed specifically for guitarists called Tablature. Example of Guitar Tablature: Standard Tuning Tablature 1st String e-----2nd String B-----3rd String G-----4th String D-----5th String A-----6th String E------

In standard tuning the guitar has two strings that produce the note of E. The first string produces a high E which is noted by the use of a lower case e while the sixth string produces a low E conversely noted by the use of an upper case E. Well go over tablature more in the next section. Each string of the guitar runs from the Bridge to the Tuning Pegs. The Bridge holds the string in place at the base, and the Tuning Pegs increase and decrease the tension on the strings which changes the note that the string produces. The strings lay across the Neck of the guitar, which is where we find the Fret Board. Along the Fret Board are raised notches called Frets. By placing a finger on the Frets the length of the string is changed which also changes the note that is produced. By changing the notes of the strings we are able to form guitar chords and play scales. Chords and scales are the building blocks for any song classical or modern. Guitar Chords and Tablature Guitar Chords are an assembly of notes that are played together to make a unified sound. By placing a series of chords together we are able to play songs! Guitar Chords can be drawn out in a number of ways either through Chord Diagrams or Tablature. We will become familiar with both, however, for starting off tablature is an easy way to learn chords. Tablature (or TAB, for short) is a form of musical notation designed for guitarists only! It has six lines; just as the guitar has six strings. Each line of tablature represents a string of the guitar. On each line of tablature there will be a number. This number indicates on which fret you will place your finger to produce the desired note. Example of a Guitar Chord notated by Tablature: G(add9) e----3---B----3---G----0---D----0---A----2---E----3---In the example above all six strings will be strummed to make a G chord. The strings marked 0 will be left open and only the strings marked with numbers will have a finger pressing down on them.

Other marks can be used in TAB to indicate that a chord will not use a particular string. As in the below example of another guitar chord: (example at the top of the next page) C(add9) e----3---B----3---G----0---D----2---A----3---E----X---This example shows that all the strings except for the low E will be used to play the above chord.

Guitar Scales/Solos and Tablature In addition to chords, TAB can also be used for Scales and Solos. Again, each line represents a string, and each number tells you which fret to play. Example of Scale TAB using the Gmaj/Emin Pentatonic Scale:

e-----------------------------------------------------0---3---B-------------------------------------------0---3-------------G---------------------------------0---2-----------------------D-----------------------0---2---------------------------------A-------------0---2-------------------------------------------E----0---3----------------------------------------------------Scales are the very foundation of Solos. Solos and Scale work require a strong understanding of rhythm, timing and demands precision with your picking hand. Rhythm, Timing, and Precision are all skills that we will learn and build upon by learning guitar chords and using those chords to play songs. As those skills improve we will incorporate scales and solos into the songs we learn.