Guitar Lessons Pro

Guitar Lessons Pro
Beginner Guitarists Guide to Jumpstart Your

Guitar Playing in 20 Easy Lessons
Version 1.0
Domenick Ginex
Guitar Lessons Pro
http://GuitarLessonsPro.com
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Guitar Lessons Pro Beginners Guide
www.GuitarLessonsPro.com
Copyright 2002, 2003 Domenick Ginex

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means
graphic, electronic, or mechanical without permission in writing from the author.
Published by:
Domenick Ginex
PO Box 13755
Tampa, FL 33681-3755
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Introduction - About This eBook.................................................................................................................... 4

Lesson 1 - About the Guitar ........................................................................................................................... 5
Lesson 2 - Fretboard and Fingers ................................................................................................................... 9
Lesson 3 - Tuning the Guitar........................................................................................................................ 11
Lesson 4 - Open Chords Introduction........................................................................................................... 13
Lesson 5 - Open G Chords ........................................................................................................................... 15
Lesson 6 - Open D Chords ........................................................................................................................... 17
Lesson 7 - Open C Chords............................................................................................................................ 18
Lesson 8 - Open A Chords ........................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 9 - Open E Chords............................................................................................................................ 18
Lesson 10 - Open F Chords .......................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 11 - Open B Flat Chords .................................................................................................................. 18
Lesson 12 - Open B Chords.......................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 13 Strumming Patterns .................................................................................................................. 18
Lesson 14 - Some Notation .......................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 15 - Bar Chords Introduction............................................................................................................ 18
Lesson 16 - Low E and A Strings................................................................................................................. 18
Lesson 17 - E Root Bar Chords .................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 18 - A Root Bar Chords.................................................................................................................... 18
Lesson 19 - Power Chords............................................................................................................................ 18
Lesson 20 Learning To Play Songs ........................................................................................................... 18
Conclusion Whats Next............................................................................................................................ 18
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Introduction - About This eBook

Welcome to Guitar Lessons Pro Beginner Guitarists Guide to Jumpstart Your Guitar
Playing in 20 Easy Lessons.
The information in this eBook will start you on your way to playing the guitar. You will
learn some basics about the guitar, how to tune it, basic and more advanced chords, basic
music notation and more.
There are sections that contain sound clips. Directions on how to play the clips are
provided in the text.
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Lesson 1 - About the Guitar

In these next few sections we will talk about the guitar, the guitar fretboard and guitar
tuning.
The guitar is a stringed instrument that has 6 strings that range in thickness and pitch.
Typically these strings are tuned as follows:
The thickest string is tuned to E (low E), the next string is tuned to A, the next to D, the
next to G, the next to B, the final string to E (high E)
There are many kinds of guitars. Some examples are shown below.
The first and second figures show acoustic guitars. The construction of the body and the
hole in the front of the guitar of acoustic guitars allow the sound of the guitar to be heard
loudly and clearly without the use additional amplification equipment.
The first acoustic guitar is a steel string guitar (sometimes referred to as a 'folk' guitar since guitar folk music is typically played with this type of guitar).
The second acoustic guitar is a nylon string guitar (sometimes referred to as a 'classical'
guitar - since classical guitar music is almost always played with this type of guitar).
The third and fourth figures show electric guitars. Electric guitars usually require that you
use some sort of amplification (usually referred to as a guitar amp) in order for the sounds
to be heard. The guitar is connected to the amp with a patch chord.
The first electric guitar is referred to as a solid body guitar since the body of the guitar is
a solid block of wood.
The second electric guitar is referred to as a hollow body guitar since the body is
completely hollow.
There are also semi-hollow body guitars which typically have a solid block of wood
down the center of the body and then the rest of the body is hollow.
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This differences in construction between solid, hollow, and semi-hollow body electric
guitars result in differences in many aspects of the sounds and tones produced.
What kind of guitar should you use if you are just starting to play? There are as many
opinions on this as there are guitar types.
Some people think that since electric guitars typically have lighter strings then they are
easier to play and so should be used by beginners.
Others think that by using an acoustic guitar that the fingers will get stronger quicker.
My opionion is...play whatever guitar type that inspires you to play. If it is a drudgery to
take your acoustic guitar and practice because your fingers hurt and you don't like it, then
either put lighter strings on your acoustic, or maybe use a nylon string guitar, or maybe
use an electric guitar.
On the other hand, some people enjoy a tough challenge and don't mind a little 'pain with
the gain' that will occur when your fingers first start getting accustomed to pressing on
guitar strings. So a steel string acoustic is fine.
The type of guitar that you start with is also dependent on the sound that you like and also
the style of music you want to play. It's up to you. Go to a guitar store and play the
different types of guitars and see what feels right for you.
Let's look at the different parts of the guitar...
The figures below show the head, neck, fretboard, frets, body and bridge. These are the
basic components of a guitar and we will refer to these parts at various times.
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A little clarification of the photo is in order...

The neck refers to the entire structure of the narrow portion of the guitar between the
body and the head.
The fretboard is the front part of the neck where the fingers are placed to play notes.
The frets are the thin metal strips on the fretboard.
A little more clarification...
When you are instructed to play a specified fret it doesn't mean that you place your
fingers directly on the metal fret. It actually means that you place your finger on the
fretboard just above the specified numbered fret. An example of playing the 3rd fret on
the high E string is shown in the photo below.
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Lesson 2 - Fretboard and Fingers

I will now explain how we are going to talk about the guitar fretboard and your fretboard
fingers.
As shown in the diagram below, the fretboard will be shown from a frontal view. The
frets will be numbered, starting from the top of the fretboard, as 1, 2, 3, etc. All fret
numbers may not always be shown. At least the starting fret will be shown. The strings
will be displayed from left to right, with the low E string displayed as the left-most string.
The string notes will not typically be shown.
Chord and scale diagrams will be overlayed on the fretboard diagram. Circles and squares
will indicate finger placement on the fretboard. Squares indicate the root notes in the
chord or scale (for example, the G note is the root note in a G Major chord). The circles
and squares will be numbered to indicate the associated finger.
If a string is not supposed to be played then an 'x' will be marked over that string. Not
playing a specified string may be accomplished by one of several methods including not
plucking that string or by 'muting' the string. Muting is accomplished by lightly placing a
finger or part of your hand on the string so that the string doesn't ring out. Usually the
finger or part of your hand that does the muting should already be in place when the
fingers are placed in position for the chord.
The notes for the chord may be shown at the bottom of the figure.
Finger numbering will be as follows:
1 = index finger
2 = middle finger
3 = ring finger
4 = pinky
5 = thumb
The finger numbering scheme is shown in the photograph below.
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The next 2 images shows how this diagram system is applied. At least one fret indicator
is shown to the left of the fretboard diagram. The circles or squares over the string
indicate the fret position and finger.
Note the square on the A string on the 3rd fret. This indicates the root note of the chord.
Also note the 'x' over the low E string. This indicates that this string should not normally
be played with this chord.
Note: This information in this eBook is geared towards right handed guitar playing. For
left handed playing you can apply the same concepts but you have to use a mirror image
of the diagrams shown.
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Lesson 3 - Tuning the Guitar

In this section we will talk about how to tune the guitar.
Tuning a guitar means that by turning the tuning pegs on each string (shown in the figure
below) you will tighten or loosen the strings until each string is at a desired pitch.
Generally speaking you can tune the strings of a guitar any way that you want depending
on the style of the music that you are going to play. We are going to discuss how to
perform concert tuning on the guitar which is the most common tuning.
There are actually many different ways you can tune a guitar. Here are the most common
methods of tuning up...
Tuning against another instrument, such as a piano or another guitar
If you have a piano, keyboard or other instrument nearby then you would tune each string
of the guitar against the corresponding note on the other instrument, ie. E, A, D, G, B, E
Using an elecronic or mechanical tuning device
There are many electronic devices that can help you tune up. Most of them provide a way
of plugging your electric guitar into the device. They also usually have a small built-in
microphone that will help you tune your acoustic guitar. Small lights, a dial, or some
other display will tell you when each string is tuned appropriately.
There are also mechanical devices, such as a pitch pipe, which will allow you to blow
into a mouth piece to produce each note of the guitar. You would then tune your guitar
against each note.
Starting with a known good note and then tuning each string against one another
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Another common way to tune is to use a tuning fork or other source of a known good
note, tune the corresponding note on the guitar to the known good note, and then tune the
rest of the strings of the guitar first against the original tuned note and then against each
other.
Let's take an example...
Take a tuning fork and read the note that is written on it. It may be an A, E, or some other
note. Let's assume that it is an E.
Strike the tuning fork against a soft surface, such as your knee, and then immediately
place the base (not the fork) of the tuning fork against the guitar. You will hear the note
resonate through the guitar. Play the corresponding string on the guitar immediately after
putting the base of the fork against the guitar. In this example it would be the low E
string. Tighten or loosen the string so that the pitch of the string and the pitch of the
tuning fork match. At this point your low E string is tuned.
Next you will tune the A string against the low E string. You do this by playing the 5th
fret on the low E string and then the open A string. Tighten or loosen the A string so that
the 2 notes match. At this point your A string is tuned.
Next you will tune the D string against the A string. You do this by playing the 5th fret
on the A string and then the open D string. Tighten or loosen the D string so that the 2
notes match. At this point your D string is tuned.
Next you will tune the G string against the D string. You do this by playing the 5th fret
on the D string and then the open G string. Tighten or loosen the G string so that the 2
notes match. At this point your G string is tuned.
Next you will tune the B string against the G string. You do this by playing the 4th fret
(a little different) on the G string and then the open B string. Tighten or loosen the B
string so that the 2 notes match. At this point your B string is tuned.
Next you will tune the high E string against the B string. You do this by playing the 5th
fret on the B string and then the open high E string. Tighten or loosen the high E string so
that the 2 notes match. At this point your high E string and actually the entire guitar is
tuned!
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Lesson 4 - Open Chords Introduction

Open chords are typically the first chords that most guitar players learn. This is mainly
because they are generally easy to play and also because you can play many songs with
these chords.
They are called 'open chords' because they are played at the top of the guitar fretboard
and one or more of the strings are open while the chord is played, which means that a
finger is not pressing down on a fret on those strings while they are played.
There are several open chords to learn and they are listed in the sub-sections below. Most
of the major open chords have related dominant 7 (generally referred to as 7), and minor
chords which can also be played as open chords. These are displayed as part of the
diagrams and photographs. This section will not review all of the possible open chords,
mainly the ones that are most commonly used to play popular songs. Later sections will
cover more chords.
In case you don't yet know the distinction between major, dominant 7, and minor...here is
a very simple description: Major chords have that 'happy' sound. Dominant 7 chords have
a 'bluesy' sound. Minor chords have a 'sad' sound. In later lessons you will learn
specifically what makes a major, dominant 7, minor note but for now the provided
description will get you through this lesson.
I suggest that you first learn to play each of the chords in this section by themselves.
Slowly put your fingers in position and strum the chord once.
When you can do this single strum easily and clearly and there are no 'muted' notes and
your fingers feel strong, then hold the position and keep strumming for as long as
possible. This exercise will strengthen your fingers, callous the tips of your fingers
(sounds ghastly but it has to happen if you want to keep playing), and cause your brain
and fingers to learn the chord.
Next, start your hand from a non-playing position (for example on your lap) and then see
how quickly you can place your hand on the guitar fretboard and get it in a position to
play the single chord. You should get to a point where you don't have to think and fuss
with your hand. It should go right into position to the chord. Then strum the chord
clearly.
Once you have mastered the above exercises for all of the chords by themselves then it is
time to start trying to play combinations of chords. Right now it doesn't matter which
chords you play together. Just try to play as many of them as possible in some kind of
sequence without stopping. You should get to the point where you can quickly and easily
switch between chords.
While you are still in this section you might want to pick up some song books and try
learning songs that use the open chords. This will give you a break from the routine
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practicing and hopefully provide some inspiration. Ultimately that is what it is

about...getting to the point where you can play the music that you like to play.
Once you have mastered all of the chords in these subsections and all of the exercises
described above then you will be ready to move on to the next section.
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Lesson 5 - Open G Chords

The open G chords include G Major and G7. The G Minor chord is not typically played
in an open fashion. We will learn more about G Minor in a later section.
G Major - There are 2 common variations on playing G Major. The first variation uses
finger 3 on the 3rd fret of the high E string, finger 1 on the 2nd fret of the A string and
finger 2 on the 3rd fret of the low E string.
The second variation uses finger 4 on the 3rd fret of the high E string, finger 2 on the 2nd
fret of the A string and finger 3 on the 3rd fret of the low E string.
G7 is played with finger 1 on the 1st fret of the high E string, finger 2 on the 2nd fret of
the A string and finger 3 on the 3rd fret of the low E string.
As you might guess, the second variation of playing the G Major chord makes it very
easy to switch to G7 since the 2nd and 3rd fingers are already in place.
These chords are shown below.
Click on the chord charts below to hear the associated sound clip.
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Lesson 6 - Open D Chords

This section is not available in the Demo version.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Guitar Lessons Pro Beginners Lessons or go to
http://GuitarLessonsPro.com/Lessons.html
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Lesson 7 - Open C Chords

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Lesson 8 - Open A Chords

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Lesson 9 - Open E Chords

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Lesson 10 - Open F Chords

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Lesson 11 - Open B Flat Chords

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Lesson 12 - Open B Chords

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Lesson 13 Strumming Patterns

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Lesson 14 - Some Notation

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Lesson 15 - Bar Chords Introduction

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Lesson 16 - Low E and A Strings

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Lesson 17 - E Root Bar Chords

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Lesson 18 - A Root Bar Chords

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Lesson 19 - Power Chords

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Lesson 20 Learning To Play Songs

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Conclusion Whats Next

The lessons contained in this eBook, if executed diligently and practiced often, will
provide a very strong foundation for your guitar playing.
The next topics that you can look forward to learning as you progress to an intermediate
level includes the following items:
Music theory
Other chord types
Chord progressions
Tablature
Scales and modes
Soloing
You will learn these items and more in the Guitar Lessons Pro Intermediate Guitarists
Guide to Jumpstart Your Guitar Playing eBook.
Good luck with your playing. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to
contact me at Dginex@GuitarLessonsPro.com
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Beginner Guitarists Guide to Jumpstart Your

Copyright 2002, 2003 Domenick Ginex

Introduction - About This eBook.................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction - About This eBook

Lesson 1 - About the Guitar

A little clarification of the photo is in order...

Lesson 2 - Fretboard and Fingers

Lesson 3 - Tuning the Guitar

Lesson 4 - Open Chords Introduction

practicing and hopefully provide some inspiration. Ultimately that is what it is

Lesson 5 - Open G Chords

Lesson 6 - Open D Chords

Lesson 7 - Open C Chords

Lesson 8 - Open A Chords

Lesson 9 - Open E Chords

Lesson 10 - Open F Chords

Lesson 11 - Open B Flat Chords

Lesson 12 - Open B Chords

Lesson 13 Strumming Patterns

Lesson 14 - Some Notation

Lesson 15 - Bar Chords Introduction

Lesson 16 - Low E and A Strings

Lesson 17 - E Root Bar Chords

Lesson 18 - A Root Bar Chords

Lesson 19 - Power Chords

Lesson 20 Learning To Play Songs

Conclusion Whats Next

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