GUITARIAN

Guitar Basics PART-3

2011-07-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back! If you have understood the Guitar Basics-Part-2. Then its time to move on to Guitar Basics PART-3 which will explain you the basic concept of "Guitar Chords".

What are Guitar Chords?

Guitar Chords are combinations of different notes on the fretboard of your guitar.
In other words, Guitar Chords are the placement of your fingers on different strings on different frets & strumming the strings altogether.

What are Guitar Chords Used for?

Guitar Chords are used for accompanying melodies. Whether it be singing, playing a guitar solo or giving background music for other instruments. They hold great importance as they form the base of any guitar song.

GUITAR CHORDS EXPLAINED:

The Basic Guitar Chords include,

1- G Major Chord
2- D Major Chord
3- C Major Chord
4- A Major Chord

Lets take G Major Chord for example and understand how to play it.

Look at the Diagram below,

E-A-D-B-G-e
G Major (3-2-0- 0- 3-3)

The numbers in the bracket show which fret to place your finger on & on which string.

The first number is '3' written below E-string (thickest string). This means that you have to press your finger on 3rd fret of E-string.

The second number is '2' written under A-string, which means that you have to press 2nd fret of A-string.

The third number is '0' written under D-string, which means that you dont have to place your finger on any fret of A-string.

Similarly, you can place your fingers on rest of the strings according to the diagram. After you properly fret the chord on your guitar, its time to strum the strings.

Tip: To get a clean sound of the chord, you must pluck individual strings first to make sure your fingers are properly fretted on the guitar and no buzzing sound is produced.

Practice other Basic chords as well..

D Major (xx0232)
C Major (x32010)
A Major (x02220)

Note: 'x' means that the particular string should not be played.

Practice playing these chords and shifting from one chord to the other smoothly. When you are able to do that, you can sing along too!

I will soon post Guitar Basics PART-4, so stay Tuned! Cheers! :)

Thankyou,
Guitarian.

Guitar Basics PART-2

2011-07-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

If you have memorized the name of the Guitar Strings, then its time to move on to "Reading Guitar Tabs".

READING GUITAR TABS:

If you're wondering, what Guitar Tabs are? What are its uses? And How to Read them?

Then here are your answers..

What are Guitar Tabs:

Guitar Tabs or Guitar Tablature is a way of Communicating Guitar Music in the form of writing. Just like we can read a book and understand what the author had in mind, the same way, we can read Guitar Tabs & play the melody the other person had in mind.

What are Guitar Tabs Uses:

Guitar Tabs are used in reading & writing of guitar music. Whether you want to learn a song or communicate your own song in the form of writing.

Now that you know the Basic concept of Guitar Tabs, lets understand how to read them.

Look at the illustration below:-

e|---------------------|
B|---------------------|
G|----5-5--------------|
D|-3------6-5-5-5-5-6--|
A|---------------------|
E|---------------------|

Above is the Melody of "In The End" By "Linkin Park".

To understand it & play it on guitar you must first know what FRETS are.

FRETS:

Frets are the box like spaces on the fretboard of your guitar which are distinguished by separators in between. They are numbered, starting with 1st Fret which is closest to the 'Nut' or 'Tuning pegs' of the guitar.

e|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11  12

For example, if you put your finger on any string on fret no. 2, then it will be called 2nd fret of that particular string. Same is the case with other frets.

Note: If you pluck any string without pressing your finger on its fretboard, then it will be referred as '0 fret'. As mentioned in the diagram above.

Now that you know what frets are, lets go back to the Linkin Park's guitar tab.

e|---------------------|
B|---------------------|
G|----5-5--------------|
D|-3------6-5-5-5-5-6--|
A|---------------------|
E|---------------------|

The first no. written in the tab is '3', which is in the line of 'D-String'. This means that you have to press your finger on D-string on 3rd fret and pluck it. The second number written is '5', which is in the line of 'G-String', this means that you have to press G-String on 5th fret. Similarly, you can play rest of the tabs.

Keep on practising till it sounds right! If you do, then Congrats! You have just learned your First Guitar Tab! :)

I will soon post Guitar Basics Part-3. So stay Tuned! :)

Thankyou,

Guitarian.

Guitar Basics PART-1

2011-07-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

If you want to learn guitar, but don't know where to start from. Then you are at the Right Place!

Before we begin, let me tell you that learning guitar is neither difficult nor easy. But Passion, Dedication & Hard-work can take you places where you want to be.

Lets Begin with the Basics now..

Name of the Guitar Strings:

A standard guitar has 6 Strings. Named as E,A,D,G,B,e.

e (6th-Thinnest)
B (5th)
G (4th)
D (3rd)
A (2nd)
E (1st-thickest)

The 1st string is the Thickest one and is called as "E-string" & below it is the 2nd string called "A-string". The 3rd string is called "D-string", the 4th; "G-string", the 5th; "B-string" & the 6th is "e-String". e-String is the thinnest one which makes high pitched sounds.

Note: "E-String" is Thickest & "e-String" is Thinnest!

Memorize the names of the strings and remove any confusion as they will ALWAYS be used & referred to.

I will soon post Guitar Basics PART-2. So stay Tuned! :)

Thankyou,
Guitarian.