Welcome to the Guitar Basics eBook!

In this book I have compiled a list of open position chords,

barre chords and scales that are very useful. These chords
and scales can be used for playing rhythm and soloing in the
styles of music I perform most often - rock, funk, r&b, soul,
blues and pop music.

It is important to memorise all of these chords and scales.

These are tools that will help you in building the foundations
to becoming a confident and versatile guitarist.

The chords and scales included are the fundamental tools

needed to write songs or perform in a band. Although not
comprehensive, the chords and scales listed cover most of
the basics you need to know to play rhythm guitar and to
create melodic and expressive solos.

I hope you enjoy the book and are inspired to be creative by

some of the chords and scales listed. Good luck on your
musical journey!

Kevin Briggs
The diagram below represents the guitar neck, frets
and strings as well as which finger to place on a certain
string. The string furthest to the left (on the diagram) is
the low E string (thickest) and the string furthest to the
right is the high E string (thinnest).

If you see an X over the top of a string, it means do not

play that string. If you see an O over the top of a string,
it means play that string without a finger on it. (This is
referred to as an open string)
Left hand fingers are numbered 1 (Index) 2 (Middle) 3
(Ring) 4 (Pinky)
 Bar re C hords
Barre chords are a type of chord where one or more fingers
are used to press down multiple strings across the guitar
fretboard.

Barre chords are transposable (movable) shapes.

This means that you can move the shape of the barre
chord and it will still be the same type of chord. If the shape
is major, it will still be major wherever you move the shape
on the guitar neck. It does not matter what type of barre
chord it is, major, minor, minor 7th, major 7th or any other
type of barre chord. The only thing that will change is the
root of the chord. For instance if you play a major barre
chord shape from the low E string at the 5th fret the name of
the chord will be A major. This is because the note at the 5th
fret on the low E string is A. If you play a major barre chord
shape from the low E string at the 3rd fret the name of the
chord will be G major. This is because the note at the 3rd
fret on the low E string is G.

The chord below is an F major barre chord because the 1st

finger is at the 1st fret on the low E string (F). The line across
the top of the guitar fretboard is telling you to place (barre)
your first finger across all of the strings
Finger Exercises

Here are some great exercises to help develop your left and right hands.
DON'T FORGET TO ALTERNATE PICK!
Alternate picking = strictly alternating downward and upward picking strokes. Pick
towards the floor and then the ceiling. Make sure the majority of the movement
with your right hand is coming from your wrist. Example of alternate picking with
the sequence of fingers 1234. 1 (Down) 2 (Up) 3 (Down) 4 (Up). Down is towards
the floor and up is towards the ceiling.

Here are 24 different exercises.

Take one exercise at a time to begin with. Start at the 1 st fret, on the high E
string, first descend (Go down the strings EBGDAE) then ascend (Go up the
strings EADGBE). Continue moving up one fret at a time using the same
exercise.
After you are feeling comfortable with each exercise, combine two different
exercises. Descend on the first exercise and ascend on the second exercise.
Practice slowly at first making sure that all of the notes are sounding clean and
accurate. You should always practice with a metronome.

1234 2134 3124 4123

1243 2143 3142 4132
1324 2341 3214 4213
1342 2314 3241 4231
1423 2413 3412 4312
1432 2431 3421 4321
 Looking for something to take your playing to a higher level?

'R\RXQHHGPXVLFLDQVWRMDPSOD\DORQJZLWKEXWFDQWILQGDQ\RQHLQ\RXUDUHD"
Would you like some backing tracks to solo over using scales/licks you've learned?
With a couple of other musicians (Nick Marangoni and Nick Cohen) I've released 4
backing track albums since 2010. These albums have charted very well on iTunes.
People are really enjoying practicing along to the tracks. The first album released was
the Blues Backing Tracks album. The other three in the series are Rock Backing Tracks,
Blues Shuffle Backing Tracks and Blues Funk Tracks. See below Swamp Blues from the
Album Blues Backing Tracks charting number 7 on iTunes September 2011!
What you will find when you download the albums are Blues, Rock and Funk tracks
recorded by professional musicians for you to practice along to. These tracks will really
help you to develop your soloing and rhythm skills. A perfect way for you to develop
your own style of playing. You can play along with any instrument. Doesn't matter if
you're a guitar player, sax player, trumpet player, vocalist or tuba player. Anyone can
use these backing tracks!

Besides being educational, it's fun and you can use all of the scales listed in this eBook
to jam along with the tracks. You can even create your own melodies and write songs
based on the chord progressions. It's just like having your own live band to write songs
with!

You can download these albums from iTunes. Just follow the link to your country. You
will see the country listed below the link. If your country is not listed, please just go to
iTunes and search Briggs/Marangoni or Briggs/Cohen/Marangoni. Links are listed on the
next page.
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes U.K.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
ITunes Australia

http://itunes.apple.com/nz/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
itunes NZ

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes USA

http://itunes.apple.com/it/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Italy

http://itunes.apple.com/de/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Germany

http://itunes.apple.com/at/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Austria

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Canada

http://itunes.apple.com/jp/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Japan

http://itunes.apple.com/no/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Norway

http://itunes.apple.com/ie/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Ireland

http://itunes.apple.com/nl/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Netherlands

http://itunes.apple.com/se/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Sweden

http://itunes.apple.com/pt/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes Portugal

http://itunes.apple.com/fr/artist/briggs-marangoni/id368096583?ign-mpt=uo%3D6
iTunes France
I've been a guitarist/performer/teacher/songwriter for many years. I've had the privilege
of performing around the world with many very successful artists. Although I really enjoy
working with other artists, I also enjoying creating my own music. Have a look out for my
EP release in 2012. It will be a mixture of styles and there will be some special guests!

Also if you are interested, please have a look at my youtube page and facebook page.
On these pages you can see me perform and keep up to date with what I'm doing with
my musical career.
http://www.youtube.com/guitaristkevinbriggs
http://www.facebook.com/guitaristkevinbriggs

I hope you have enjoyed the information in this eBook!

Kevin Briggs
Contact - guitarbasicshandbook@gmail.com (Subscribe to this address for occasional updates
on album releases etc.. Your email address will not be shared with anyone.)

Information on the other musicians performing on the Backing Track Albums.

Nick Cohen - Bass Guitar

Nick Cohen is a top UK session bassist and songwriter, whose credits include Eurythmics, Roy
Ayers, Massive Attack, M-People, Matt Bianco and Ive Mendes among many others.

Nick Marangoni - Drums

Nick is an in demand drummer on the London session scene. He has performed with many artists
ranging from Jazz to Blues to Rock. In 2011 Nick toured and recorded with the Polygram signed
band Cat's Eyes.

Album Artwork and Layout - Dan Perry

Photo on the Guitar Basics Handbook - Benny Edwards

You do not have permission to sell or modify this eBook!

Kevin Briggs 2012