Beginner Guitar Lessons

Become a Great Guitarist Right Now!

2010-01-30T07:40:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be nice to become a great guitarist using only your guitar and computer? Of course it would. It would be a much easier and cheaper way to learn playing the guitar. I wouldn't need any expensive classes with a guitar guru looking over my shoulder. The only thing I would need is my favorite chair and I can start practicing.

There are a lot of online guides about beginner guitar lessons. I've tried many of them and I can tell you that 99% of them are nothing but a big pile of junk. They give you some text informations and nothing else. As a beginner guitar player, you need more than text. You need audio tracks, video lessons, chord and tab diagrams etc. I searched a lot for the GOOD guitar guide. And after an array of dissapointments I have finally found Jamorama – The one and only guitar course I would recommend for anyone interested in learning more about playing. It’s not just for beginners, but even seasoned guitar players can learn a lot from it. I wish I came across Jamorama earlier. But better sometime, than never.

After finishing Jamorama, I finally became good enough to leave all the books away, and start playing on my own, and practicing all the amazing stuff I have learned. I’m greatful that there are good people out there like Ben Edwards who are not only sincere and good teachers, but offer it at an affordable price. Everyone should be able to have the means to learn playing the guitar, and it should be through expensive and boring lessons, but something that’s not only truly high quality, but also FUN.

Check out Jamorama here, and start your guitar playing journey, armed with the right knowledge from Jamorama – you’ll be the next Jimmy Hendrix faster than you could ever imagine. I believe this shit will seriously skyrocket your skills, just as it has for many other beginner and intermediate guitar players.

Have fun and keep rockin’,

Regards,

Mike Nax

Beginner Guitar Lesson #6 - Eighth Note Rhythm

2010-01-27T09:53:00.000-08:00

Hi there! Till this lesson, we have used rhythms that follow a quarter note pulse. It is counted 1 2 3 4.

The quarter note becomes an eighth when halved.

Eighth Note

In terms of time, a quarter note is the equivalent of two eighth notes.

By halving the quarter note pulse we can make an eighth note pulse. It is countered like this: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

Today, you will also learn to play the F major chord. The F major chord requires you to hold down the first and second strings with your first finger. You will need to play these strings with the flat of your finger rather than the tip.

E||------1-------|
B||------1-------|
G||------2-------|
D||------3-------|
A||------x-------|
E||------x-------|

You have great exercises for the F major chord on Jamorama. They have great video lessons where you can learn to play the F major chord in a standard quarter note strum, and in an eighth note strum pattern.

Try also to play the F major chord in a turnaround progression. At first it will be hard, but don't worry! A little practice each day will improve your new skill.

The Chromatic Scale

The Chromatic Scale is based around the seven notes of the musical alphabet (A, B, C, D, E, F and G), however, it contains a few extra musical notes.

The chromatic scale

As you see, some of the notes in the chromatic scale have two note names. These notes are called accidentals. They can either be sharp notes, in which case we use the symbol #, or flat notes, in which case we use the symbol b.

Keep rockin',
Mike

Beginner Guitar Lesson #5 - Minor Chords

2010-01-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

Hey! Today, we're gonna learn some minor chords. Minor chords lend a sad or melancholy feeling to music, and major chords are more "happy". That is the major difference between them. So if you're trying to play some ballads, expect more minor than major chords. Major and minor chords are constructed in the same way, except that in minor chords third or middle note of the chord is flattened.

I will now give tab for the A minor chord.

E||------0-------|
B||------1-------|
G||------2-------|
D||------2-------|
A||------0-------|
E||------x-------|

The A minor chord is constructed of the notes A, C and E.
Now try first to play A major, than A minor chord. Feel the difference between the two chords.

Exercise for the A minor chord.

E||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
B||--1---1---1---1--|--1---1---1---1--|
G||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
D||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
A||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
E||--x---x---x---x--|--x---x---x---x--|

I will now give you tab for the E minor chord. This is the easiest one to play it and it sounds beautiful.

E||------0-------|
B||------0-------|
G||------0-------|
D||------2-------|
A||------2-------|
E||------0-------|

The E minor chord contains notes E, G and B. Now try first to play E major, than E minor chord. Feel the difference between these the two chords.

Exercise for the E minor chord.

E||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
B||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
G||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
D||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
A||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
E||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|

Now, it is time for you to get on the next step. You will now try the following turnaround progression. A turnaround progression is a sequence of chords that can be continually repeated due to "strong" sounding chord movement between the ending and starting chords. Try it!

     D                 G
E||--2---2---2---2--|--3---3---3---3--|
B||--3---3---3---3--|--0---0---0---0--|
G||--2---2---2---2--|--0---0---0---0--|
D||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
A||--x---x---x---x--|--2---2---2---2--|
E||--x---x---x---x--|--3---3---3---3--|

     Em                A
 |--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
 |--0---0---0---0--|--2---2---2---2--|
 |--0---0---0---0--|--2---2---2---2--|
 |--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
 |--2---2---2---2--|--0---0---0---0--|
 |--0---0---0---0--|--x---x---x---x--|

Another strong sounding chord change (D to G) resolves the progression back to its starting point.

     G                 Am
E||--3---3---3---3--|--0---0---0---0--|
B||--0---0---0---0--|--1---1---1---1--|
G||--0---0---0---0--|--2---2---2---2--|
D||--0---0---0---0--|--2---2---2---2--|
A||--2---2---2---2--|--0---0---0---0--|
E||--3---3---3---3--|--x---x---x---x--|

     C                 D
 |--0---0---0---0--|--2---2---2---2--|
 |--1---1---1---1--|--3---3---3---3--|
 |--0---0---0---0--|--2---2---2---2--|
 |--2---2---2---2--|--0---0---0---0--|
 |--3---3---3---3--|--x---x---x---x--|
 |--x---x---x---x--|--x---x---x---x--|

Now, play these fifth string notes with a down / up picking motion.

Down / up picking:  ▼    ▲     ▼    ▲
Down  Up   Down  Up


    E||--------------|--------------|
    B||--------------|--------------|
    G||--------------|--------------|
    D||--------------|--------------|
    A||--0--0--2--2--|--3--3--2--2--|
    E||--------------|--------------|

Count     1  3  2  4     1  3  2  4
Fingering none  2  2     3  3  2  2

Make sure to visit Jamorama, they have great jam tracks for this exercises.

Keep rockin',
Mike

Talent - Motivational Post

2010-01-05T07:12:00.000-08:00

Hi! By far, you were reading about theories and other useful stuff about how to play the guitar. Now it is time for one motivational post. Enjoy! :)
So, what is talent? I think there is no real definition about it. I will just say that talent is a term that we attach to skills that people have, and that they are good at it. People mostly think that if you're talented that you're born with that talent. That is not true! If you want to be good in something, then you will need more than talent. So if you want to learn to play the guitar, then you much more need exercise than talent. Talent is only 10% of your journey becoming a great guitarist. If someone says to you that you're not talented and that is useless for you to do anything about it, punch him in the face! I really mean it. Never give up!
Also if you're 20 or 30 years old,and you think that you're late for learning to play guitar, then I have something to tell you. It's never too late!
For example Joe Satriani is one of the best guitar players in the world, and he started playing when he was 20 years old. Take a look at this video from his live gig, in case that you've never heard about him.

I'm sure that you will definitely remember what I've said after watching this video. :)

Keep rockin',
Mike

Beginner Guitar Lesson #4 - Chord G and C

2010-01-04T05:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, you've reached to the fourth lesson. In this lesson we're gonna add two more chords to your memory store.

I will now give you tab for the G Major chord.

E||------3-------|
B||------0-------|
G||------0-------|
D||------0-------|
A||------2-------|
E||------3-------|

The G Major chord contains the notes G, B and D. It is played using fingers 1, 2, and 3. Finger 1 plays a B note, finger 2 plays a G note, and finger 3 also plays G note. According to the music theory G Major chord must contain the notes B, G and D. On the G major chord tab above, the D note is sounded by the open D string (4th string). It is important to know that the open string notes are included when playing chords, and not just the notes played by your fingers.

Exercise for the G Major chord.


E||--3---3---3---3--|--3---3---3---3--|
B||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
G||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
D||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
A||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
E||--3---3---3---3--|--3---3---3---3--|

I will now give you tab for the C Major chord.


E||------0-------|
B||------1-------|
G||------0-------|
D||------2-------|
A||------3-------|
E||------x-------|

The C Major chord is constructed of the notes C, E and G. It is played using fingers 1, 2 and 3.

Exercise for the C Major chord.


E||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
B||--1---1---1---1--|--1---1---1---1--|
G||--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
D||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
A||--3---3---3---3--|--3---3---3---3--|
E||--x---x---x---x--|--x---x---x---x--|

Guess what? It is time for another exercise. :)


Strum ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
Count 1 2 3 4


     D                 A     
E||--2---2---2---2--|--0---0---0---0--|
B||--3---3---3---3--|--2---2---2---2--|
G||--2---2---2---2--|--2---2---2---2--|
D||--0---0---0---0--|--2---2---2---2--|
A||--x---x---x---x--|--0---0---0---0--|
E||--x---x---x---x--|--x---x---x---x--|


     C                 G
  |--0---0---0---0--|--3---3---3---3--|
  |--1---1---1---1--|--0---0---0---0--|
  |--0---0---0---0--|--0---0---0---0--|
  |--2---2---2---2--|--0---0---0---0--|
  |--3---3---3---3--|--2---2---2---2--|
  |--x---x---x---x--|--3---3---3---3--|

D string is also known as the fourth string. The notes in the first position that are on the fourth string are D (open), E (2nd fret) and F (3rd fret). It is played using fingers 2 and 3.

Now, pluck the fourth string notes with a downward picking motion.


E||--------------|--------------|
B||--------------|--------------|
G||--------------|--------------|
D||--0--0--0--0--|--2--2--2--2--|
A||--------------|--------------|
E||--------------|--------------|
Count 1  2  3  4    1  2  3  4
Fingering none           2

  |--------------|--------------|
  |--------------|--------------|
  |--------------|--------------|
  |--3--3--3--3--|--2--2--2--2--|
  |--------------|--------------|
  |--------------|--------------|
     1  2  3  4     1  2  3  4
         2              3

I recommend you to get jam tracks for all these exercises on Jamorama. It will definitely improve your skill.

Keep rockin',
Mike

Beginner Guitar Lesson #3 - Musical Theory

2010-01-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

Hi! I'm very pleased that you're still reading my blog, and that you're ready to become a better guitar player. You've made to the third beginner guitar lesson, and now you are the step closer to your goal. That is great!
In last 2 lessons, you've learned something about chords and tablatures. Now, it's time to talk a little bit about music theory and to apply it to the guitar. I will try to make it as simple as I can, so I need you to have your full attention. Ok? Good.
I will give you a list of types of music notes which are we going to use sometimes. At this time you don't need to know the theory behind these notes, just remember how they look, and what 'beat' or 'count' value they represent.

1) whole note (semibreve) - 4 counts

2) half note (minim) - 2 count

3) quarter note (crotchet) - 1 count

4) eighth note (quaver) - 1/2 count

Remember, adding a dot (.) to a note adds half value of that note.

Ok, we need to put those notes somewhere. We put notes on the treble clef. A clef tells you which notes are represented by each line and space on the musical stave. We will look at the G clef or table clef.

- a this is clef

The clef is placed on the stave at the very beginning of a piece of music. When it's the treble clef, then the stave is called the treble stave.

- this is a treble stave

We have 7 notes in the musical alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

One more important thing for you to know are time signatures. Time signatures tell you what time you are to play a peace of music in. You will recognize it as a 2 numbers, and they are one above the other.

- a four four time signature

If you want to learn more on how to apply this music theory to guitar fret board, then you must check out Jamorama. It is the best guitar guide ever with lots of exercises and video lessons. Even I learned something new from their guides.

Keep rockin',
Mike

Beginner Guitar Lesson #2 - Guitar Tablature

2010-01-01T08:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! This is the year of your guitar success, so lets do some work here. I'm glad that you're still reading my blog. It's gonna worth it for sure. Today I'm gonna learn you about the thing called tablature. Ok, lets do it!
Guitar tablature consists of a series of a horizontal lines forming a staff (or stave) similar to standard notation. Each line represents one of the instrument's strings. Therefore standard guitar tab has six-line staff. Top line of the tablature represents the highest-pitched string (e) of the guitar. You can find many guitar tab notation on internet for any song that you want to learn to play. Tablature is much easier way to figure what should you play, because it indicates where your fingers should be placed. Traditional music notation is much harder to learn. Even if its easier to learn guitar tab, it still has its sticky points. For example, you can't easily indicate rhythm on tablature. You have to learn strum from the song itself.
Here is guitar tab example for 2 chords.


E||----0---------2----|
B||----2---------3----|
G||----2---------2----|
D||----2---------0----|
A||----0---------x----|
E||----x---------x----|

First row is A major, and second is D major chord.

You need to practice strumming the A major and the D major chords to the following down stroke pattern. Strum 4 down strokes over the A major chord, and then 4 down strokes over the D major chord. Then you have to repeat it all over again. This exercise should make you getting a smooth change between the 2 chords, so that whole piece flows and is in time.
I recommend you to check out Jamorama. They have great jam tracks for exercise.


Chord  A       D       A       D
Stroke ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
Count  1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Remember it will not sound so good at the first time, that is why you need to practice and to be patient. Always have that on your mind, P&P (Practice & Patience). :)

Keep rockin',
Mike

Beginner Guitar Lesson #1 - Guitar Chords

2009-12-30T15:35:00.000-08:00

Yo, Mike here. We talked last time about basic guitar stuff, so now we can go further in learning how to play chords. First of all, you have to know what the chord is. Chord is any set of harmonically related notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. The most common, and basic chords are the major and minor triads. They are called triads, because they consist of three distinct notes.

Ok so you know what is the chord, but you don't have any idea how to play it, neither how to place your fingers. You will use all of your fingers, except your thumb finger. You can use your thumb finger to mute string which shouldn't be played. It all depends which chord you will play. If you want to learn more about it, make sure to visit Jamorama the best guitar guide on internet.
Remember, it will not sound perfect when you play it for the first time. That is why you need to practice every day for a little bit. A thousand miles journey starts with a single step! Step by step, and you will become much greater guitarist. You will be a rock fucking star! Trust me. :)
I will now give you diagrams for 3 chords, so that you can practice them.

A major
E 0 / B 2 / G 2 / D 2 / A 0 / E x

D major
E 2 / B 3 / G 2 / D 0 / A x / E x

E major
E 0 / B 0 / G 1 / D 2 / A 2 / E 0

You can see there is a number next to the letter of guitar string. Lets take a look at the A major chord. For example, 0 means that you don't need to put any of your fingers on the first string E. For string B, you need to put your finger on the second fingerboard. Letter x means that you don't play the last E string.

Now, go practice these chords, and come back soon for some new beginner guitar lessons. Till then, feel free to add comment, suggestion or anything like that.

Keep rockin',
Mike

Introduction - Basic Guitar Stuff

2009-12-29T01:12:00.000-08:00

Hi there! I'm glad that you are reading my blog, and if you are a beginner guitar player I can assure you that you are on the right place. Before I start talking about basic important things I need to give you one simple advice. If you listen to what I say, practice every day and keep yourself motivated, you will see incredible results. Got it?
Ok, it is time for doing some shit here. Enjoy your journey.

As a beginner, you should know basic parts of the guitar, how they are called and how to get in the correct position holding your guitar.

First of all, you should know that the guitar has 6 strings: E(1), B(2), G(3), D(4), A(5), E(6).
Each string makes different tone. If you want to make a different tone on one of the strings, then you have to put your finger on the guitar fingerboard. The fingerboard is located on the guitar neck. The neck is a place for one of your hands (either you’re right or left handed). We will call it fingering hand.
If you want to produce a tone from your string it isn’t enough only to put your hand on the neck, it is important to use your second hand (strumming hand) for that. Your strumming hand needs to be placed on the guitar bridge. You will produce tone by holding your pick.
So now that you know where your hands have to be placed, now you need to know how to hold your guitar. There are 2 sitting positions for holding the guitar – the classical and casual position (recommended).
- Pick up your guitar and make sure that the guitar body is supported by your leg.
- Position yourself on the front half of your chair.
- Ensure that your back isn’t arched, be sure that is straight but not so that is tight.
- Lean the guitar back towards you slightly.
If you want to have feeling of the rock stars, then you also have standing position.
- Pick up the guitar and place strap over your shoulder. Adjust the strap so the guitar is positioned mid – body.
- Use your fingering hand to support the neck of the guitar.
- Rest your strumming hand over the bridge of the guitar.

Did you get your way on how to hold your guitar? Good, now you need to know something about hand positions. It is very important for you to have your hands and wrists relaxed when you are learning about the finger placement. You don't want to injure yourself by straining them.
One more thing for you to remember. You are a beginner guitarist, so it is normal if your fingers hurt while playing. That will last the first couple of weeks, and then with practicing you will develop guitar fingers. You will gain a harder skin on your fingertips.

Ok, so we learned some basic guitar stuff today. Feel free to comment.
Also make sure to check out Jamorama, definitely the best guitar guide out there.

Keep rockin’,
Mike

Welcome to Beginner Guitar Lessons!

2009-12-28T04:19:00.000-08:00

This blog is created for every guitar enthusiast who wants to learn how to play the guitar easily and with fun. My name is Mike Nax, and I have been playing guitar for over 15 years and teaching for more than 7. This has been my hobby and my passion and the time has come to pass on knowledge I have gained and give back to this beautiful world of music.

On "Beginner Guitar Lessons" you will learn everything from tunning your guitar, to playing like Jimi Hendrix. I will give you more than 10 lessons which will be useful for every beginner. These lessons will be simple and easy to understand for anyone. Feel free to leave a comment, and come back every week for new lessons, tips and powerful tricks - and in no time you can be a superstar in your neighbourhood and I'll even teach you how to start your own band.

Keep rockin',
Mike