Beginner Guitar Lesson #3 - Musical Theory

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

Introduction - Basic Guitar Stuff

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