Beginner Exercises

Beginner Exercises

Open String Picking Exercise The Fretting Exercise Whole Note Exercise Half Note Exercise Quarter Note Exercise E String Blues Beginner Open Chords Am C Hand Sync 1 Eighth Note Exercise Hand Sync 2 Triplet Exercise Sixteenth Note Exercise Hand Sync 3

Welcome to the Beginner section! Everything is listed in order from easier to more difficult. The Open String Picking Exercise, and the Fretting Exercise is designed to give you a starting point for practicing guitar. Each one of the exercises from that point on get gradually more challenging, and add more techniques as it goes. Start slowly and work your way up to the faster tempos. If you find that youre not keeping up with an exercise, slow it down a little! If you cant do the slowest tempo, practice the pattern without the video and work up to the first tempo. Push yourself! Dont be afraid to try the next faster tempo. The goal is to find what I call youre breaking point. Thats the point where you just cannot keep up anymore. You want to find the tempo where that happens

for you on each exercise. Use the videos as a way to challenge yourself by playing along with the tempos that are just outside of your comfort zone. Just keep in mind that its not just about being able to play fast, Its about being able to make youre playing sound clear, in time, and precise. We want good playing not just fast playing.

Open String Picking Exercise

The Open String Picking Exercise is a great place to start if you are new to picking the strings with a pick. If you are new to playing with a pick, hold the pick with your thumb and first finger, with the pick placed ninety degrees against your thumb and index finger. Notice in the commentary video there is a close up shot of the proper way to hold the pick. Also notice that there are no fretted notes in this exercise. Begin by picking the first string with a down stroke with your pick. Repeat that three more time on the first string. The first string is the thinnest string on the guitar that is closest to the floor. Then move to the second string picking it four times. The rhythm that your playing in this exercise is quarter notes, which is one note per beat. Repeat this pattern on each string, once you reach the sixth string move back to the fifth string and work your way back up the strings. Play though this pattern twice when your practicing along with the videos. This will help you build endurance and consistency with the picking hand. Keep your pick even with the string, you dont want to tilt the pick forward or backwards, it can create a scratchy and unpleasant sound.

Make sure each note is even with the click. Dont pick hard, it does not take much to get the string to ring with the pick.

The Fretting Exercise

The Fretting Exercise is a good way to get started incorporating your fretting hand on the guitar. The exercise combines the open strings and fretting the first fret, with your first finger, on each string. Remember to use the tip of the index finger when playing the first fret. Your finger should be placed right behind the fret, when playing the first fret. Try to make the fretted note ring as long as the open string, which is definitely more difficult. The goal is to make each note ring for their full duration. Use all downstrokes with your picking hand. Try to make each note very clear, while staying in time with the metronome..

Whole Note Exercise

This eight measure exercise is all whole notes, all on the low E or sixth string. Whole note ring for four beats. This exercise alternates between open strings and fretted notes. Measure one begins with the open sixth string. The second bar is the third fret with the first finger, and in bar three goes back the open sixth string. Measure four is played on the fifth fret with your first finger. In measure number five switches back to the open sixth string again. Play bar six with your first finger on the eighth fret. Bar seven is the open sixth string. Measure eight is played on the seventh fret.

Play though the whole thing two times. The exercise ends on the open low E string and rings for a whole note as well. Pick all the notes with downstrokes. Let all the notes ring for there full duration. It is very easy to cut the fretted notes sort to get to the next one quickly. Use the first finger for all fretted notes. The Half Note Exercise is a pattern that covers the fifth and sixth strings all in half notes. A half note rings for two beats. This exercise is played with the first and third fingers. The exercise begins on the first fret on the sixth string, play that note twice, letting each note ring for two beats. Then, move to the third fret on the fifth string, with your third finger. Play two half notes on that fret as well. Notice that the first fret on the sixth string and the third fret on the fifth string create a chord shape called a power chord or a 5 chord. This shape is happening though the whole exercise, and is something that you will use a lot down the road. To get the full effect really try to follow the correct fingering through this exercise. The third measure moves to the fifth fret on the sixth string, and then switches to the seventh fret on the fifth string in bar four. Measure five and six is the same pattern starting in the third fret.
th

In bar seven, we have the same pattern, but this time starting on the fifth string, third fret. Then moves to the fifth fret on the fourth string.

Use down strokes with the pick. Try not to cut any notes short to get to the next note, let each note ring long as possible.

Quarter Note Exercise

This quarter note exercise begins on the fifth fret sixth string, with the first finger. Then moves to the fifth fret of the fifth fret in measure two. Measure three picks things up a bit with two quarter notes on the fifth fret sixth string, and then two more notes on the seventh fret fifth string, with the third finger. Bar four is the same pattern but starting on the fifth string and moving to the fourth string. Measure five is a big jump to the third fret sixth string, third finger, then switches to the first fret on the fifth string, first finger. The sixth measure is the reverse of that shape with the first finger on the first fret, and the third finger on the third fret fifth string. Bar seven is two quarter notes on the sixth string open, and two more quarter notes on the seventh fret sixth string, with the third finger. The last measure is the fifth fret on the fifth string, and then the seventh fret on the fifth string. Be careful to make each note ring till the next note is played.

E String Blues
This is a twelve-measure blues based eighth note pattern that begins on the open sixth string. Pick the string twice, and move on to the third fret on the sixth string with your first finger. Beat three is back to the sixth string open twice, then play the fifth fret with your third fret. The next note is the fourth fret sixth string, second finger. The next three measures are the exact same pattern until bar five, but bar five is the same pattern just on the fifth string. Measure six is the same as measure five. Measure seven is the same pattern as the first four measures.

Bar eight is all on the sixth string, the first two notes are the sixth string open, then the third fret, first finger. On beat three plays the sixth string open again. On beat four shift your first finger to the fifth fret and then play the sixth fret with your second finger. That position shift will set your hand up to play the seventh fret on the sixth string five times. Then move to the sixth string open. On beat four play the third fret and fourth fret. Measure ten is the fifth fret five times with the third finger, then the sixth string open to the third fret first finger. Bar eleven is the pattern as measure four. For measure twelve play the seventh fret third finger eight times. Alternate the pick stokes starting with down. (Down, up, down, up) Make sure the fretted notes ring as long as the open notes ring.

Beginner Open Chords Am C

This open chord exercise is a really good starting point for connecting chord shapes. Start by making the A minor chord shape. Strum the chord four times with down strokes with the pick. Dont strum the sixth string with the Am chord. Strum from the fifth string to the first string. Also, its a common mistake to pick to hard when first learning. Pick softly, everything will sound better. The second chord is a C shape. This is an open chord that does not include the sixth string. Strum from the fifth string to the first string. Notice that there is only one note difference between these two chords. A really good way to switch from chord to chord in time is to not move any fingers that dont need to be moved. In this case once to play the Am simply move your third finger to the third fret on the fifth string while keeping the other two fingers in the same place to get to the C chord. Pick all down strokes

Strum lightly

Hand Sync 1
This picking drill gives you a way to practice synchronizing the fretting hand and the picking hand. Dont sell yourself short and use down strokes with this one, alternate pick everything. Use only your first and third finger through the whole exercise. You want to be picking down on the down beats, and up on the off beats. Start on the first fret sixth string, play that note with your first finger. Move to the third fret with your third finger pick that note three times. This is the entire pattern. Once you play the pattern from the first fret, repeat it and move to the second fret. Its important to realize the exercises contains a lot repetition for a reason. That reason is, so you get better! Play the pattern from each fret until your first finger is on the tenth fret, and your finger is on the twelfth fret. Then move down one fret to the ninth fret and work your way back to the first fret. Make it a point to not cut any of the notes short. Use alternate picking. Try to make the rhythm really even.

Eighth Note Exercise

This eighth note exercise is a continuation of the previous beginner exercises. Its played entirely in the second position, meaning that your first finger does not ever go

below the second fret. Each note is going to be played twice through the whole exercise. Begin by playing the sixth string open, then the second fret with your first finger. Switch to the fifth string and play it open, then move right back to the second fret on the sixth string. Getting though measure two requires playing the third fret on the fifth string with your second finger, then the second fret with the first finger. Beat three is the fifth string open, and then back to the second fret. Bar three is the second finger on the third fret sixth string. Next play the fifth string open, and then the third fret fifth string on beat three. The last two notes is the fifth string open. Measure four starts on the fourth string second fret, first finger. Then play the fourth string open, move to the fifth string third fret, then move to the fourth string open again. Measure four and five is the same as measure one and two. Bar seven is the fourth fret fifth string, with the third finger. Move to the second fret on the fourth string, then go back to the fourth fret fifth string. The measure ends with the first finger second fret. Bar eight is all on the fourth string. Fifth fret, fourth finger, fourth fret, third finger. Then play the second fret, and go back to the fourth fret. Use all alternate picking. Notice the two measure repeating patterns. Measure one and two is the same as measure five and six.

Use your first finger for all notes on the second fret, second finger for all the notes on the third fret, third finger for all the notes on fourth fret, and the fourth finger for all the notes on fifth fret.

Hand Sync 2
Hand synchronization exercise two is a triplet pattern on the fourth string. Your using the first second and fourth fingers though the whole pattern. Pick the fourth fret with a down stroke, the fifth fret with an up stroke, and the seventh fret with a down stroke. To continue the alternate picking pattern, the next time through will start with an up stroke with the picking hand. So every time you start the three-note sequence over, the pick stroke will be alternating. The three note 1 2 4 fingering pattern will happen six times on each fret. At the end of the sixth time through the pattern, there is a rest on beat three of the second bar of the exercise. This will happen every time you start the sequence over again. Work this exercise up to the thirteenth fret, once you get there, move down a fret to the twelfth fret and work your way back to the fourth fret. The triplet rhythm feels a little strange at first. You may find it helpful to think of the pattern as 1-and-ah 2-andah 3-and-ah 4-and-ah. If that is too much to say and play at the same time just do 1-23, 1-2-3, while youre practicing, or at least till you get the rhythm in your head. Use strict alternate picking. Put an accent on the first triplet of every beat. It may be helpful to count out the rhythm as you practice

Triplet Exercise

The triplet exercise is one of the more difficult patterns in the group of exercises. An eighth note triplet is three notes over one beat. Start out on the seventh fret sixth string, with your third finger. Play that B note six times, then move to the fifth fret, fifth string first finger. Play that fret six times as well. In the second measure play the sixth string open three times, then move to the fifth string seventh fret third finger. Beats three and four are played on the fifth fret and the seventh fret on the fifth string. Notice the overall pattern in measures one and two, each note is played six times in measure one, and each note is played three times in measure two. There are a lot of repeating patterns in this exercise. Measures three and four are similar in nature to the first two, third fret and second fret in measure three, and fifth, third frets in bar four. Measures five and six is the same as measures one and two. Measure seven is the eighth fret sixth string and moves to the seventh fret fifth string. Bar eight is on the tenth fret, sixth string. Then, moves to the eighth and tenth frets, on the fifth string. Use alternate picking. Try accenting beats one and three. Notice the repeating patterns from section to section.

Sixteenth Note Exercise

This four-measure sixteenth note exercise is true to its name and uses all sixteenth notes, and is played mostly in the second position. You want to definitely use alternate picking here. The first measure starts on the second fret fourth string. Play that E note four times and move to the open fourth string. Beat three is on the second fret fifth string; beat four is on the fourth string fifth fret, with your fourth finger. Bar two is the open sixth string, and then ascends to the third fret. Move on to the second fret on the fifth string, then play the fourth string open. Measure three is the third fret fifth string, the open fifth string, the third fret on the sixth string, and then the fourth string open, playing each note four times. For bar four, shift your fretting hand to the third position. Play the fifth fret on the third string, the third fret on the second string with your second finger, and then the fifth fret on the fourth string with your third finger. Put an accent on the first note of every four notes. Try to make the rhythm as even as possible. As and extra workout try palm muting all the notes

Hand Sync 3
Hand synchronization exercise three is a sixteenth note pattern on the second string. Youre using the fourth third and first fingers though the whole pattern. Pick the eighth fret with a down stroke, the seventh fret with an up stroke, and the fifth fret with a down stroke, then move back to the seventh fret and pick that note

with an up stroke. Each set of four sixteenth notes will start with a down stroke with the picking hand. The three note 4 3 1 fingering pattern will happen six times on each fret. At the end of the sixth time through the pattern, you will rest at the end of the second bar of the exercise. This will happen every time you start the sequence over again. Work this exercise up to the seventeenth fret, once you get there, move down a fret to the sixteenth fret and work your way back to the eighth fret. The sixteenth note rhythm is a even four note per beat pattern. Think of the pattern as 1-e-and-ah, 2-eand-ah, 3-e-and-ah 4-e-and-ah. If that is too much to say and play at the same time just do 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, while youre practicing. Use strict alternate picking. Put an accent on the first note of every beat.

Finger Exercises
Finger Exercises

Finger Exercises 1 2 3 4 Finger Exercises 4 3 2 1 Finger Exercises 1 2 3 4 Across The Neck Finger Exercises 1 3 4 Finger Exercises 4 3 1 Finger Exercises 1 2 4 Finger Exercises 4 2 1 Finger Exercises 1 2

Finger Exercises are a really great way to synchronize your fretting hand and your picking hand. Alternate picking is the best option for most finger exercises. Usually, if a finger exercise pattern has and even number of notes per string, your picking hand will always be doing a down-up stroke pattern, on each string. If the exercise has an odd number of notes per string, your picking hand will be doing a down-up-down stroke, and on the next string an up-down-up stroke pattern. Great technique takes time, patience, and daily practice. Use them as a tool to warm up with at the start of your practice session, being mindful of your hand technique as you do so. Then, move on to the more musical aspects of your practice routine.

Finger Exercises 1 2 3 4
If you are new to the idea of finger exercises, this one is a good place to begin. Youre starting on the first fret on the first string here. Play the first fret with your first finger, the second fret with your second finger, third fret third finger, and fourth fret, fourth finger. Do this pattern on each string down to the sixth string, and all the way back up to the first string. When you get to the fourth fret on the first string, reverse the pattern by playing down the fourth fret, third fret, second fret, and first fret. This pattern you also want to repeat all the way down to the sixth string and back up to the first string. There are a few things that youre working on when practicing an exercise like this. Youre building coordination between the picking and fretting hand. Youre also trying to get from note to note smoothly. And, youre doing all of this in time. These types of patterns are to help you build and maintain good technique. They are great for warming up at the start of your practice session, or gig. They are also good for helping you build speed. You will notice that in the finger exercises section, the patterns to get gradually more difficult.

Start slow. Make each note sound as long as possible. Dont cut the notes short. Use alternate picking, starting on a down stroke.

Finger Exercises 4 3 2 1
This 4 3 2 1 finger exercise is to help you build coordination between the picking and fretting hands. This exercise covers from the twelfth fret all the way to the first fret on all the strings. Begin on the first string (the thinnest string) with the fourth finger, on the twelfth fret. Then play the eleventh fret, the tenth, and then the ninth. Do the same 4 3 2 1 pattern on the second, third, fourth, fifth, and then the sixth string. Once you reach the ninth fret on the sixth string, shift your first finger down to the eight fret, and switch to a 1 2 3 4 pattern. Work your way up each string till you get to the first string again. Once you are at the first string, slide your fourth finger to the tenth fret on the first string, and start the sequence all over. Playing all the notes on each area of the neck is going to help you get comfortable with the changes in the spacing between the frets on the different parts of the neck. Once you make it to the first fret on the sixth string, slide our first finger to the second fret on the sixth string, and continue the same pattern up the neck of the guitar. This time instead of shifting down a fret each time, shift up a fret. This will gradually get you back to the twelfth fret where you started. Use alternate picking starting each string with a down stroke. Make each note ring for its full duration, dont cut the notes short.

Your goal here is to make the notes sound seamless pick each note at the exact time that youre fretting it. Always practice in time!

Finger Exercises 1 2 3 4 Across The Neck

This 1 2 3 4 finger exercise moves across each string beginning on the first fret with the first finger on the sixth string. Play the first four frets, then shift your first finger to the fifth fret and play the next four frets from there. Next shift again to the ninth fret with your first finger playing the next four frets. The final shift is to the thirteenth fret, after you play those four frets, reverse the pattern to 4 3 2 1 from the sixteenth fret. From here shift to fret twelve continue with 4 3 2 1 on the eighth fret, and finally on the fourth fret. Repeat the pattern on each string, working your way up to the first string. Once you get through the first string move back to the second string and play the pattern again down to the sixth string. Focus on keeping the position shifts in time. Use alternate picking. Make sure all the notes ring for the full duration.

Finger Exercises 1 3 4

The 1 3 4 finger exercise is played on the first, third, and fourth frets on each string, with your first, third, and fourth fingers. Begin on the first string with the 1 3 4 pattern. Move to the second string, then the third. Work your way down to the sixth string. Once you arrive at the sixth string, go right back to the fifth string with the same pattern. Work your way back up to the first string. When you get to the fourth fret, first string, fourth finger, reverse the pattern by picking the fourth fret, then the third fret with your third finger, and the first fret with you first finger. Play this 4 3 1 pattern down to the sixth string. When you get to the sixth string, move right back to the fifth string, and continue on with the same pattern making your way back to the first string. The pattern ends on the first fret, first finger, and first string. Realize that this exercise is all quarter notes. Use alternate picking. Leave each finger down on each note long as possible. Dont cut the notes short. Keep your finger close to the fret board; you want to be ready to play any note at a moments notice.

Finger Exercises 4 3 1
This 4 3 1 finger exercise is to help you build coordination between the picking and fretting hands. This exercise covers from the twelfth fret all the way to the first fret on all the strings. Begin on the first string (the thinnest string) with the fourth finger, on the twelfth fret. Then play the eleventh fret, then and the ninth. Do the same 4 3 1 pattern on the second, third, fourth, fifth, and then the sixth string.

Once you reach the ninth fret on the sixth string, shift your first finger down to the eight fret, and switch to a 1 3 4 pattern. Work your way up each string till you get to the first string again. Once you are at the first string, slide your fourth finger to the tenth fret on the first string, and start the sequence all over. Playing all the notes on each area of the neck is going to help you get comfortable with the changes in the spacing between the frets on the different parts of the neck. Also, practicing three note per string patterns is really great to develop your technique for most scale patterns. Once you make it to the first fret on the sixth string, slide our first finger to the second fret on the sixth string, and continue the same pattern up the neck of the guitar. This time instead of shifting down a fret each time, shift up a fret. This will gradually get you back to the twelfth fret where you started. Use alternate picking, make sure every other string starts with a down stroke. Down, up, down. Up, down, up. Make each note ring for its full duration do not cut the notes short. Your goal here is to make the notes sound seamless, pick each note at the exact time that youre fretting it.

Finger Exercises 1 2 4
The 1 2 4 finger exercise is played on the first, second, and fourth frets on each string, with your first, second, and fourth fingers. Begin on the first string with the 1 2 4 pattern. Move to the second string, then the third. Work your way down to the sixth string. Once you arrive at the sixth string, go right back to the fifth string with the same pattern. Work your way back up to the first string.

When you get to the fourth fret, first string, fourth finger, reverse the pattern by picking the fourth fret, then the second fret with your second finger, and the first fret with you first finger. Play this 4 2 1 pattern down to the sixth string. When you get to the sixth string, move right back to the fifth string, and continue on with the same pattern making your way back to the first string. The pattern ends on the first fret, first finger, and first string. Realize that this exercise is all quarter notes. Use alternate picking. Leave each finger down on each note long as possible. Dont cut the notes short. Keep your finger close to the fret board; you want to be ready to play any note at a moments notice.

Finger Exercises 4 2 1
This 4 2 1 finger exercise is to help you build coordination between the picking and fretting hands. This exercise covers from the twelfth fret all the way to the first fret on all the strings. Begin on the first string (the thinnest string) with the fourth finger, on the twelfth fret. Then play the tenth fret, then and the ninth. Do the same 4 2 1 pattern on the second, third, fourth, fifth, and then the sixth string. Once you reach the ninth fret on the sixth string, shift your first finger down to the eight fret, and switch to a 1 2 4 pattern. Work your way up each string till you get to the first string again. Once you are at the first string, slide your fourth finger to the tenth fret on the first string, and start the sequence all over.

Playing all the notes on each area of the neck is going to help you get comfortable with the changes in the spacing between the frets on the different parts of the neck. Also, practicing three note per string patterns is really great to develop your technique for most scale patterns. Once you make it to the first fret on the sixth string, slide your first finger to the second fret on the sixth string, and continue the same pattern up the neck of the guitar. This time instead of shifting down a fret each time, shift up a fret. This will gradually get you back to the twelfth fret where you started. Use alternate picking, make sure every other string starts with a down stroke. Down, up, down. Up, down, up. Make each note ring for its full duration do note cut the notes short. Your goal here is to make the notes sound seamless, pick each note at the exact time that youre fretting it.

Finger Exercises 1 2
The two finger exercises are a really great way to build technique with specific fingers on your fretting hand. I feel that these patterns are deceptively difficult because you would think that less fingers would be easier, But I think because there are less notes on each string, you are switching from string to string faster. So in turn these patterns end up being more difficult than if you had four notes on one string. This pattern is the first and second finger starting on the first fret sixth string, on the first and second frets. Play this pattern on each string, when you reach the first string reverse the pattern. Repeat the second fret on the first string, and work your way back down the strings. When you get to the first fret on the six string, shift your first finger to the second fret and repeat the whole pattern from there.

Play the sequence on each fret working your way to the twelfth fret. Once you play through the twelfth fret, shift back to the eleventh fret. At this point just work your way back down the neck until you get back to the first fret. The exercise Use alternate picking. Keep each finger on each note long as possible, dont cut the notes short.

Chords

Open Chord Drills Em Am Open Chord Drills Dm G7 Open Chord Drills C G Open Chord Drills A D Open Chord Drills E B7 Open Chord Drills A7 D7 Open Chord Drills E7 C7 Open Chord Progressions Am C G Em Open Chord Progressions G C Am D Open Chord Progression C Am Dm G Open Chord Progressions E G D A Open Chord Progressions D Cadd9 Em7 Cadd9 G Open Chord Progressions Em Am C G D C The F Chord The Bb Chord

Bar Chord Drills Major Chords Bar Chord Drills Minor Chords Bar Chord Drills 7th Chords I IV E Major I IV F Major I IV G Major I IV A Major I IV V C Major I IV V D Major I IV V E Major I IV V G Major I IV V A Major I VI II V C Major I VI II V D Major Power Chords E G B A Power Chords B D A G Power Chords A F C G Power Chords G C A D Power Chords C A E G Power Chords Bb D F C Power Chords E C D G

The chord area of the site begins with two chord open chord drills. Each one gets progressively more difficult. The idea with the open chord drills is to give a way to practice switching between each open chord in a whole, half, and quarter note setting. So the exercises do exactly that. The first chord is strummed and rings for a whole note, and then does the same for the second chord, then moves on to a half note on each chord, and then a quarter note on each chord. The open chord progressions patterns and rhythms that you will encounter in popular music. These exercises cover switching between some of the most popular chords, and include some of the more common strumming rhythms. You will find this area really helpful, and these exercises will give you the necessary tools to play a lot of music. The bar chord exercises give you a way to build the strength to get bar chords ringing clear and full. These patterns are progressive exercises as well. They start on the first fret, and go through each fret up to the twelfth fret and back down to the first fret. The F chord exercise and the Bb chord exercise is each individual chord shape in each key. The major, minor, and seventh bar chord drills are the sixth and fifth string voicings combined. I IV progressions cover the first and fourth chord in common major keys. The one addition to this exercise is that I am including both the major and minor voicings in these patterns. I IV V progressions take you through three main areas for open chords and bar chords on the guitar. There is the lower area of the neck with open chords. The middle area of the neck with bar chords. And, the higher area of the neck with bar chords. The challenging part is connecting them all. The I VI II V progressions take you through three main areas for open chords and bar chords on the guitar. These exercises just include the VI minor, and II minor chords instead of the IV chord. There is the lower area of the neck with open chords. The middle area of the neck with bar chords. And, the higher area of the neck with bar chords. Power chords, or 5 chords help you to work on picking hand palm muting, accent patterns and straight down picking in a rock setting. There is also some sixteenth note picking patterns as well.