Guitar parts, playing position, picks, tablature, chord diagrams, fretboard notes and the basic physical skills used from the first session.
10 guides in this topic
An acoustic guitar makes most of its volume through its hollow body. An electric guitar uses pickups and needs an amplifier, interface or processor to produce its full sound. Both use the same basic notes, tuning and many…
Read the guideA pick is useful for clear strumming, riffs and fast single notes. Fingerstyle lets you play several strings independently. Beginners can start with the method that matches their music and gradually learn the other.
Read the guideEach fret raises the pitch by one semitone, the smallest step used in most Western music. Moving twelve frets higher gives the same note name one octave higher.
Read the guideRest the pick on the side of your index finger, place your thumb across it and leave only a small tip exposed. Hold it firmly enough that it does not fall, but loosely enough that your wrist stays…
Read the guideA chord diagram is a small picture of the guitar neck. Vertical lines are strings, horizontal lines are frets, dots show where to press, and X or O symbols tell you which strings to mute or play open.
Read the guideGuitar tablature, usually called tab, uses six horizontal lines for the strings and numbers for fret positions. Read from left to right. A zero means an open string, and numbers stacked vertically are played together.
Read the guidePress only hard enough to make the note ring clearly. Place the fingertip just behind the fret wire. Extra force does not improve the note and usually creates tension, pain and slow chord changes.
Read the guideSit or stand so the guitar feels stable, the neck points slightly upward, your shoulders stay relaxed and neither hand has to hold the whole instrument in place.
Read the guidePlay in the direction that feels naturally coordinated and comfortable. Writing hand alone does not decide it. Try both orientations before you commit if you are unsure.
Read the guideThe body holds the instrument, the neck and frets give you different notes, the strings create the sound, and the tuning machines change the pitch of each string. Electric guitars also have pickups and controls that send the…
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