Start To Rock Guitar PDF

proudly presents
guitar
volume one
O T T R A T S
K
2006 Little Kids Rock
what is Little Kids Rock?

DID YOU KNOW THAT MILLIONS OF KIDS IN AMERICA RECEIVE NO MUSIC EDUCATION?
That is just not cool! Little Kids Rock is a nonprofit organization that provides FREE music
classes and FREE musical instruments to thousands of kids in our countrys public schools. We teach kids to play the musical styles that they love. Our students learn to play rock, reggae, funk, hip-hop...whatever they are most interested in. They also learn to write their own songs. This video course will give you some of the same great lessons that the students in our classes receive. You will learn how to play guitar in some of these different styles, how to take a guitar solo and maybe even how to write your very own songs! By supporting Little Kids Rock, you can keep music where it belongs...in our schools!
LKR
You can learn other ways to support Little Kids Rock by visiting our website. There you can make a donation, sign up for our newsletter or find out how to volunteer. Help us protect your right to ROCK IN SCHOOL!
lekidsrock. .litt or ww
Join the band!
A very special thanks to the fantastic team at TrueFire.com who donated their valuable time and resources to make this video course possible. They ROCK!
GET INVOLVED!
Little Kids Rock (P) 973.746.8248 email: info@littlekidsrock.org
parts of the acoustic guitar

Tuning machines
lesson
#1
Headstock Frets Strings Nut
Cool Sticker
Neck
Bridge Sound hole
Saddle
Body Cool design

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org
parts of the electric guitar

Tuning machines
lesson
#1
Headstock Frets Nut
Strings
Neck Pick ups Bridge
Pick guard
Volume knob Tone knobs Body
Tuning your guitar...Arghh!
lesson
#2
Tuning your guitar can be VERY frustrating! The good news is that just because you cant tune doesnt mean you cant start playing. When you are just getting started on guitar, the BEST way to tune it is by using an electronic tuner. This is a machine that will tell you when each string is in tune. You can get an electronic tuner for about $20. The NEXT BEST way to tune your guitar is to get someone else who already knows how to do it for you. However, heres how to tune your guitar if no one else is around and you have no tuner. When you press down on the 5th fret of a string, it should sound like the string right next to it. For example, when you press down on the 5th fret on the E string, it should sound like the open A string just next to it. If they dont sound alike, try adjusting the tuning machine of the A string up or down until both strings sound the same. Next, when you press down on the 5th fret on the A string, it should sound like the open D string just next to it. Continue across the strings like that, but when you go to tune the B string, press down on the 4th fret of the G string, NOT the 5th fret. This drawing shows how to tune. The white circles show where to press and the red lines show which string the fretted note should sound like.
5th fret
If at all possible, get help! Less time tuning can mean more time playing!
Please support us at www.littlekidsrock.org
chord diagrams
play it on your guitar. Look at the chord diagram and key below.
lesson
#2
A chord diagram is just a drawing of what a chord looks like when you
Nu t
x x
KEY
1
= finger used = play this string
Frets
1 2
Fretboard
3
Strings
= dont play this string
HERE ARE TIPS FOR READING CHORD DIAGRAMS: 1) The red dots with numbers in them are where you place your fingers. The numbers tell you which finger to use. Play strings that have red dots. 2) Any string that has an above it is supposed to be played, even though there is no finger on it. 3) Any string that has an X above it is NOT supposed to be played.
note...
xx
Lots of song books that you will find in music stores use chord diagrams like this one to the right. The drawing is simpler and there are no finger numbers. Thats because after awhile people begin to remember chords by their shapes. Once you are familiar with a chords shape, your fingers will find their places automatically!
1 3
l got a D
(. .. b u t my M o m is so p ro ud!)
lesson
#3
A good first shape to learn is the "D chord. If you look at the picture below, you'll see it looks like a triangle. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play only the bottom four strings. Don't play strings with an "x" above them.
Curve your fingers like cat claws.
Each finger touches just one string.

Thumb looks like a fret on the back of The neck. Place fingers close to the frets.
Press hard enough to get a sound.
x x
Looks like a triangle!
1 2 3
8
1 3 2
AIS FOR AMPLIFY

.. .t h at m e a " n s " m a ke it lo ude r.
The "A" chord looks like a straight line. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play only the bottom five strings. Don't play the top string, the one with the "x".
lesson
#4

Looks like a line!
123
3
1 2
Simple rhythms
Playing rhythm guitar is as easy as counting to four!
lesson
#4
When you play a chord on your guitar, it is called strumming. You can strum in two different directions: up and down. The easiest rhythm is one where you play a single down stroke. Start by counting to four. Everytime you say the number one, play a down stroke.
The following page has more easy rhythms. Heres how they work. Say the numbers and play them with down strokes. Say any + signs as and. Play these with up strokes. The patterns are easiest to play and to learn when they are said and played together. This is a very important part of learning rhythms ...if you can SAY IT, you can PLAY IT! For example, look at rhythm B on the next page. You will SAY, One, two, three and four. One, two, three and four while you PLAY down down down up down, down down down up down,
10
Simple rhythms
A) B) C) D) E) F) G) H) I) J) K)
down
lesson
#4
down
down
down
down
1 1
down
down
3 3
(up) down
+ 4 + 4
down
down
2 + 2
(up)
down
(up) down
down
1
(up)
down
down
3 +
(up) down (up)
4 +
down
1 + 1 +
(up)
down (up)
2 + 2 +
down
down
4 4
down
down (up)
down (up)
3 +
down
down
1 +
(up)
down (up)
2 +
down (up)
3 +
down (up)
4 +
down
1 + 1
(up)
down
down (up)
3 +
down
down
down
2 +
(up)
down
3 +
(up) down (up)
4 +
down
1 +
(up)
down
down (up)
3 + 3
down (up)
4 + 4
down
1 +
(up)
down
down
down
11
First chord progressions

A chord progression is just two or more chords played one after the other.
lesson
#5
Most pop songs are made up of three to six chords that repeat in some sort of a pattern.
The chord progression below uses just two chords, D and A. The that appears at the end of the progression is called a repeat sign. It is there to tell you to start over again from the beginning of the progression. The bars to the left here are called a measure. Each measure gets four beats which we count as 1, 2, 3, 4. You will see that there are eight measures in this song that get repeated many times.
Progression 1
x x
D
1 2 3
123
x x
1 2 3
1 2 3 4
note...
The video lesson that goes with this page shows the progression being played with two different rhythms, one downstroke per measure on the 1 and then two downstrokes per measure on the 1 and the 3. However, you can play this progression with many different rhythms. Try using some of the different rhythms from the page called Simple Rhythms from the last lesson.
12
First chord progressions

this time they are in a different order.
Progression 2
x
A
lesson
#6
The chord progression below uses the same two chords as the last one (D and A) but
x x
x x
123
1 2 3
123
1 2 3
This chord progression is played with three different rhythms on the video. Here they are:
1st rhythm
down
rest
rest
rest
2nd rhythm
3rd rhythm
down
1 1
rest
down
rest
down
down
down
down
note...
The video lesson that goes with this page shows the progression being played with the three different rhythms above. However, you can also play this progression with many different rhythms. Try using some of the different rhythms from the page called Simple Rhythms from the last lesson.
13
E is for electric
.. .l ike in "E le ct ri c G u it a r! "
lesson
#7
The "E" chord looks like a car seat. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play all six strings.

Looks like a car seat!
1 23
3 2 1
14
BLues in A
x
A
lesson
#8
The chord progression below uses three chords, the A, D, and E chords. This is one of the
most famous progressions in the world and it appears in blues, rock, country, hip-hop, reggae...everywhere! This particular arrangement is a blues. People call it the twelve bar blues because it has 12 measures.
123
A
x x
D
A
x
A
1 2 3
123
D
E
D
x x
D
A
x
A
1 23 1 2 3 123
A
15
The key of A
x
A
lesson
#8
Looks like a line.
REMEMBER:
123
3
1 2
x x
Looks like a triangle.
1 2 3
E
3
1 2
Looks like a car seat.
Thumb looks like a fret on the back of The neck.
1 23
3 2 1
Place fingers close to the frets.

16
Makin it minor, makin it sad

The A minor chord
lesson
#9
The "A minor" or Am chord looks a lot like the E chord... the fingering just starts one string higher on the fretboad. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play the bottom five strings.
Curve your ngers like cat claws.
Each nger touches just one string.

Thumb looks like a fret on the back of The neck. Place ngers close to the frets.
Am
Looks like the E chord!
1 23
3 2 1
17
Latin Rock Jam

This song has a Latin rock feel to it.
lesson
#10
Here are two different rhythms to try it with. Notice that there are two chords in each measure. Try them both out and see which you like better. Try some rhythms of your own if you want.
Rhythm 1 Am D Am D
x x
x x
1 23 1 2 3 23
1 1 2 3
Rhythm 2 Am D Am D D
x x
x x
x x
1 23 1 2 3 23
1 1 2 3 1 2 3
18
Gee, there are two ways to play G #11

e! The G chord... twic
There are two different ways to finger a G chord. The chord diagram below shows one, the photo shows another. Both rock in their own way...try them both and see which one is easier for you. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play all six strings.
lesson

STRETCH!
2 3 4
2 3
19
The C chord
lesson
#11
Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play the bottom five strings.

1 2 3
20
Syncopated rhythms
A SYNCOPATED RHYTHM 1 2 3 + YOU SEE YOU SAY WHILE YOU PLAY
one
down
lesson
#11
Syncopated rhythms are funky and a little harder to play than simple rhythms. But
if you like rock, funk, blues, rap, hip-hop, salsa, reggae, country or any other music whatsoever, you will understand how cool syncopation sounds. Try counting out syncopated rhythms as follows:
+
and
two
down
three and
down
up (rest) up
Notice that the rhythm above has two up-strokes in a row. Also notice that we didnt say 4 when we were counting. Instead, we rested or skipped that downbeat. A syncopated rhythm is simply a rhythm that skips one or more downbeats and has two or more upbeats in a row. On the next page, rhythms L through S are examples of syncopated rhythms. To say and play them, you simply leave out the gray numbers, resting on those beats. TIPS FOR TRYING SYNCOPATED RHYTHMS: 1) Try to feel the beat. The missing downbeat is still there, you just dont play it. 2) Playing a syncopated rhythm is like singing the kids song Bingo. Even when you dont sing the letters, you know theyre there and you give them their space in the song. Remember: if you can SAY it, you can PLAY it! 3) Another way to practice is to say the word rest on any gray number. For example on rhythm L: One, two and rest and four. One, two and rest and four 4) Yet another way to practice is to say the word skip on any gray number. For example on rhythm L: One, two and skip and four. One, two and skip and four
21
Syncopated rhythms
L) M) N) O) P) Q) R) S)
22 down
lesson
#11
down (up)
2 + 3 + 4
(up)
down
down
1 1
down
2 + 3 + 4 +
(up) (up) (up)
down
down (up)
2 + 3 + 4 +
down (up)
(up)
down (up)
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
(up) down (up)
down (up)
down (up)
1 + 2 (up) + 3 (up) + 4 (up) + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

(up) (up)
down (up)
down (up)
1
down
2
down
3 + 4 +
down (up) (up)
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
(up) (up) (up)
(up)
rock in G
Rhythm 1
G C
x
lesson
#12
Try this rhythm while you get used to changing between the chords.
G
x x
1 2 3 4 3 2 3 2 4 1 2 3
12 3 4
Rhythm 2
G
When you are more comfortable, try this rhythm for some variety.
C
x
x x
1 2 3 4 3 2 3 2 4 1 2 3
1 2+3 4
Rhythm 3
G
When you are ready to rock, try this syncopated rhythm...or others!
C
x
x x
1 2 3 4 3 2 3 2 4 1 2 3
1 2+ + 4
23
reggae in A
Reggae music has a very syncopated feel.
lesson
#13
Most of the emphasis is on the up beats. That is the opposite of rock where most of the emphasis is on the downbeats. Look at this rhythm:
Notice that all the strums are upstrokes. If you mute the strings after each upstroke, it will have a real reggae feel. Heres the progression with the rhythm written below. Be sure to squeeze both the D and E chords into the second measure.
Rhythm 1
x
A
x x
1 123 1 2 3 23
The next rhythm is trickier. The first strum is a downstroke, even though it comes in on the and of one. So much for rules! Listen to the track to get the feel. The strum pattern is Down, Up, STOP, Down, STOP which we have shortened here to be: D U (S) D(S). When you see STOP, be sure to mute the strings.
Rhythm 2
x
A
x x
1 123 1 2 3 23
D U (S) D(S)
D U (S) D(S)
D U (S) D(S)
D U (S) D(S)
24
rock in A
lesson
#14
Below you will see a very popular chord progression. You will hear this progression in many very popular tunes. Notice that each measure has two different chords. All strumming for this one involves downstrokes. The final thing to notice are the rests. Dont strum any chord where you see (rest).
x x
x x
x x
1 123 123 1 2 3 23 1 2 3 1 2 3
25
l have the power!

Below you'll find two very cool chords. They are called power chords and everybody from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana has used them. They are barre chords. That means that wherever you play them, they will sound good.
lesson
#15
Starting on the"E"string xx x 1 34
Tips:
Use the length of your fingers to mute.
LK R
Starting on the "A"string x 1 34 xx
Try these on an electric guitar!
Place fingers close to the frets.

26
power chord progression
lesson
#15
Power chord progressions are heard in many different styles of music including heavy
metal, rock, rap and punk. The cool thing about them is that once you master one power chord, you can move it up and down the neck to make different chords. In the progression played during the video, a new kind of rhythm is played. Its called a sixteenth note rhythm because each measure has 16 different beats in it. To count it we say one-e-and-a-two-e-and-a-three-e-and-a-four-e-and-a. This rhythm is played using all down strokes. It also sounds cool if you mute the strings slightly.
sixteen down strokes per measure
sixteen down strokes per measure
Thats a lot of down strokes!!
27
POWER CHORD SCRAMBLE
lesson
#15
When you scramble an egg, you don't worry too much about what part goes where. You just stir it up! Well, this song writing exercise is similar. Pick ONE of the two power chord forms. Next pick three fret numbers between 1 and 9. Fill the measures below with the fret numbers you chose in any order you like. Play the chords and see how it sounds. Try using more or fewer fret numbers depending on what sounds good to you. After you've tried it with one chord form, try it with the other one too.
Song Title:____________________________ Artist:____________________________
(Your name here!)
fret__
fret__
fret__
fret__
_____?
fret__
fret__
fret__
fret__
28
shuffle BLues in A
It is amazing to think that playing just two strings at a time can sound sooooo good!
lesson
#16
Each of these three "chords" is played using just two strings at a time. The "A" is played on the 2nd and 3rd strings. The "D" is played on the 3rd and 4th strings. The "E" is played on the 1st and 2nd strings. Be careful to only play two strings at the same time. You play each chord by hitting the open string and first finger together twice, then hitting the open string and third finger twice. The rhythm can be counted by the fingers: 11 33 11 33
A
x x xx xx
D
xx 1 3 1 3
E
xx xx
1 3
A D E
A D D
A A A
A A A
29
THe famous TWONOTE guitar soLo!
lesson
#17
Guitar solos are the kinds of things that can make an audience sit on the edge of their seats or stand up and yell for more. However, taking a guitar solo yourself is not as hard as you may think it is. We say, "Try to use just two notes..."
Look!

30
Look at the picture of the guitar neck. See the two

red dots? Those are the two notes well be playing. Well be playing them on the high E string which is also the thinnest string on the guitar
lesson
#17
Try this...
Play on the 5th fret with your Play on the 8th fret with your Play each note by itself. Play picking down. Play picking up. Play 1 first. Play 4 first.
st finger,
4 th finger,
fret h t 5
! o l o s t s r fi r u o e k a L et's t
We will play it over "The Blues in A." You can play it over the jam track on the CD-ROM. You can also play it with your guitar teacher or pal. No matter what order you play these two notes in, they will rock!
fret 8th
Mor
ec
ool stuf
t: fa
www.littlekidsrock.org
31
The Four note soLO #18

Playing a two-note solo can be cool.
solo can be twice as cool! Look at the drawing of the fretboard and look at the high E string. Those are the same two notes we just used in the two-note solo. Now, look at the B string and youll see that weve added two more. Do you notice any similarities between the two strings with notes? Each of the fingerings is identical. Therefore, once you learn to finger the two notes on the E string, fingering the notes on the B string will feel familiar. Playing a four-note
lesson
EADGBE
high
Try to rock along with the video

Mor
5th fret
11
44
ec
ool stuf
t: fa
www.littlekidsrock.org
32
#19
33
#20
34
#20
35
36
Youve successfully completed the Little Kids Rock Guitar One course! This diploma verifies that: can now, officially, rock out on the
CERTIFICATE OF ACHieVEMENT

Start To Rock Guitar PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Start To Rock Guitar PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

proudly presents

2006 Little Kids Rock

what is Little Kids Rock?

Join the band!

Little Kids Rock (P) 973.746.8248 email: info@littlekidsrock.org

2006 Little Kids Rock

parts of the acoustic guitar

Headstock Frets Strings Nut

Bridge Sound hole

Body Cool design

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

parts of the electric guitar

Headstock Frets Nut

Neck Pick ups Bridge

Volume knob Tone knobs Body

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Tuning your guitar...Arghh!

2006 Little Kids Rock

Please support us at www.littlekidsrock.org

= dont play this string

2006 Little Kids Rock

Curve your fingers like cat claws.

Each finger touches just one string.

Press hard enough to get a sound.

Looks like a triangle!

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

AIS FOR AMPLIFY

Curve your fingers like cat claws.

Each finger touches just one string.

Press hard enough to get a sound.

Looks like a line!

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

(up) down (up)

(up) down (up)

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

First chord progressions

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

First chord progressions

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Curve your fingers like cat claws.

Each finger touches just one string.

Press hard enough to get a sound.

Looks like a car seat!

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Looks like a line.

Curve your fingers like cat claws.

Looks like a triangle.

Each finger touches just one string.

Press hard enough to get a sound.

Looks like a car seat.

Thumb looks like a fret on the back of The neck.

Place fingers close to the frets.

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Makin it minor, makin it sad

Curve your ngers like cat claws.

Each nger touches just one string.

Press hard enough to get a sound.