Guitar Class – Lesson 1

by Jack Loganbill

Lesson One – Course Introduction

Course Objectives:

1. Learn Basic Theory
2. Learn Chords
3. Learn Notes and Music Notation
4. Learn Praise and Worship Songs

Lesson One Instruction

Parts of the Guitar

* Headstock and Tuning Keys
* Nut (Tip: Affects intonation if slots are not cut deep enough.)
* Fretboard and Frets (Tip: To play a note cleanly, place finger just behind fret, not on the fret and not between the frets.)
* Soundboard
* Bridge, saddle, and bridge pins
* Strings (Tip: Old strings do not stay in tune and affect intonation.)
* Strap pins

A few images: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3

Essential Guitar Accessories

* Humidifier (Humidifer information, Humidifier Retailer)
* Metronome (Download a computer version)
* Electronic Tuner (Download a computer version)

Notes on Open Strings

E A D G B E (Low to High, 6th string to 1st string)
(Memory Tip: Eden’s Adam Did Good Before Eve, Eat All Dead Gophers Before Easter)

Tuning the Guitar

The guitar is tuned in fourths except for G to B, which is a third)

Method One:

Use a pitch fork (A 440) (Rap the fork’s tines on knee and place stem on guitar bridge and tune A string to the tuning forks’ ring.) Then tune the Low E (Sixth string fifth fret) to the open A string, and then follow the steps in Method Two for the remaining D, G, B, and high E strings.

Method Two:

Tune E String to the Piano E (first E below middle C)
Play A at 6th string Fifth Fret to tune A string
Play D at 5th string Fifth Fret to tune D string
Play G at 4th string Fifth Fret to tune G string
Play B at 3rd string Fourth Fret to tune B string
Play E at 2nd string Fifth Fret to tune E string

Method Three:

Tune strings to the tones produced by a pitch pipe.

Method Four:

Use an electronic tuner. Click here: Electronic Tuner Choices

Holding the Pick

There is no single correct or accepted way to hold the pick, but my preferred way is shown here: How to Hold A Pick

Fretting Notes with the Left Hand

Generally, lightly press the left-thumb at the back center of the neck, roughly centered between your first and fourth fingers as shown here: How to Fret Notes with the Left Hand

Chords

Many hymns and popular songs can be played with the I, IV, and V chords of the song’s scale. In the key of G, those chords are: G, C, and D7 (D). In the key of A, those chords are: A, D, E7 (E). In the key of C, those chords are C, F, and G7 (G).

For instance Amazing Grace can be played in any key using the key’s I, IV, and V chords. In the key of C those chords would be C, F, and G. Click for a few variations in C. In the key of G, those chords would be G, C, and D. Click for a few variations in G.

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Playing Chords

Today’s big tip: Read ahead. Always look at least two beats ahead and start to mentally place your fingers in the next position.

Lesson One Chords

G Major Scale (G A B C D E F# G)

I Chord: G

IV Chord: C

V Chord: D7 or D

Click Here for the chord diagrams and more.

Lesson One Song

I’ll Fly Away (PDF)