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You may recall the following diagram being similar to the details of “6th String”

tuning. I keep the ‘names’ or musical notes of each of the strings for your

benefit. Generally when you see a diagram of a chord, it may or may not have

the numbers of the strings or the frets. It is assumed that you will know that the top of the diagram is the nut, and that that is where the frets begin. It is also

assumed that you will know that the top string (6th) is where the strings begin.

Please be aware that regular chord shape drawings will not indicate names or

numbers of strings nor the finger to use in each spot as I have for the purposes of familiarization.

A guitar is like a piano in that the same chord can be played in three or more

places with different structure/finger positions AND, the same chord can have

many of its own variations. (see appendix 1) If you choose to develop your guitar playing skills, you will come across the other structures and learn to recognize in pieces of music, which ‘key’ that chord is required to be played in - thereby

indicating which structure is needed. For example, the chord ‘D’ can be played

in a few different positions and with many variations, almost like a ‘D’ family.

(see appendix 1)

For our (beginner’s) purposes, we will be learning the basic chord structure of

the chords which all other chords are based on. Although this sounds

complicated, some of you may also recall that the use of a capo can assist with

the playing of more chords even when you only know the basics.

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Guitar Made Easy For Beginners Of All Ages

On the diagrams below are the finger positioning for three basic chords. The

black dots indicate where there should be fingers pressing. The parentheses

indicate which strings should be strummed when playing this chord. Finally, be

sure to note which finger goes where, by referring to the finger guide below.

L = little

R = ring

M = middle

I = index

‘D’ chord

Notes E A D G B E

Strings 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Guitar Made Easy For Beginners Of All Ages

‘G’ chord

Notes E A D G B E

Strings 6 5 4 3 2 1

‘A’ chord

Notes E A D G B E

Strings 6 5 4 3 2 1

Now that you know some basic chords you will be able to practice playing them

using the downward strum we covered earlier. This will be to condition your

fingers to the pressing action required to produce the correct sound when you

strum.

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2b) Finger Conditioning and Chord Change Practice

Now it’s time to apply and practice what we have learned! You have been

practicing STRUMMING the open strings in order to get the right feel of the

guitar and hold it correctly. You have been laying the foundation for your style

by strumming and have had the chance to practice tuning your guitar. Most

importantly, you have become much more comfortable with your new lifelong

friend and companion.

So far you have accomplished . . . .

HOLD

TUNE

STRUM (gentle)

FOUNDATION FOR STRUMMING STYLE

BE COMFORTABLE

HAVE FUN

***Introduction to Chord Changing -Practice Routine***

Now we have the information to play chords. Let’s now turn to a new addition

to our Beginner’s Creed.

HOLD

TUNE

POSITION FINGERS - Start with D, then G then A. Repeat 5 times in that sequence.

PRESS

STRUM (5 downward strums) [i.e. 5 strums of D & change, 5 strums of G then change, 5 strums of A then change]

Start from the top again checking that the guitar is still in tune.

POSITION FINGERS This time start with A, then D then G. Repeat 5 times in that sequence.

PRESS

STRUM (5 downward strums for each chord)

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Start from the top again checking that the guitar is still in tune.

POSITION FINGERS - Lastly, start with G, then A then D. Repeat 5 times in that sequence.

PRESS

STRUM (5 downward strums for each chord)

Practice these 3 sequences of these chords with the single downward strum over

and over until the chord change is not too stilted. It will take more practice for a complete flow, for now it is enough to practice the pressing, producing of the

sound and the action of changing chords. This is finger conditioning/chord

change practice. (Next comes rhythm.)

Handy Hint For Chord Changing Practice

When changing chord positions, do not remove hand from the guitar neck.

Likewise, do not move your hand/fingers away from the strings.

Keep the hand close to the strings, ‘hovering’ over the frets as your change to the next chord. This promotes the ‘flow’ of chord changing and ensures that you are

developing the skill correctly.

OW!

If your hand/fingers/arm/wrist/neck are sore, stop and stretch as follows.

Hands/fingers/ wrist: open

shut

shake

open

shut

shake

Arm (either holding neck or body of guitar):

stretch [reach] up (vertical)

stretch

[reach]

out

(horizontal)

Neck (Your neck often becomes stiff from the continuous looking at the fingers changing chords):

- move neck from side to side in a stretch motion

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- roll neck around stopping at the front to stretch down and stopping at the rear to stretch back

You should stretch using these exercises both before and after practice and

anytime during practice that you feel the need. As you become better, you will

not need to stretch during practice and once you are more accomplished, you

may just warm up before playing.

Handy Hint For Finger Conditioning

Soak fingertips (chord changing fingers) in methylated spirits (metho) before and

after practicing. This helps to harden the skin so that the pressing is not painful.

The fingers do not become ugly and hard, they simply become hardened enough

to alleviate the pain. Some beginners choose to use a cotton bud to dab the

“metho” on to their finger tips. Neither of these things will make you a better

guitarist nor will it make the learning process faster and easier – it will simply

help to make practice and therefore playing, more pleasant and FUN!! [Since pain is not usually associated with fun(!).]

Always keep fingernails trimmed as long nails hinder chord formation, slow

down chord changing and damages the guitar by putting grooves in the fret

board.

Handy Hint For Rapid Chord Familiarization

As you practice what has been outlined in the chord practice routine, follow this

pattern:

- say the name of the chord as you begin change

- say the name of the chord as you position each finger

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AM I READY?

You will know when you are ready to move on to the Structured Rhythm section when:

1. Position the chord you are changing to without referring to the chord chart.

2. Change to a chord with minimal (less than when you started) pause between

change.

3. Can practice playing for 15-20mins without becoming sore to the point of

stopping because of fingers/wrist changing chords.

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Part 3

3a) Fundamental 4/4 Rhythm Strum

The Rhythm is Gonna Get Ya!

Now that you are able to play and change a few basic chords, you are ready to

learn a rhythmic strum so you can practice changing chords while keeping a

rhythm.

The basic strum that all other guitar rhythms are based on is what is known as the

4/4 beat. This is a foundation beat keeping strum. Once mastered and a feel is

developed for the rhythm, any strum that is required can be carried out by the

guitarist.

4/4 simply means, 4 beats must occur within each bar of music. This is also

called four - four time. The start of music will have the beat required where you will see the 4/4 symbol. (see appendix 2) A bar of music? What does that mean?

You will notice in the above piece of music that not only are there notes, but also symbols indicating all sorts of musical specifics. What we are interested in are

the lines that occur vertically which I have made extra thick to express a point.

Between each vertical line is what is referred to as a ‘bar’ of music.

When playing guitar, the beat that is played is usually (not always) stipulated by

the composer. There is also music composed just for guitar playing for more

accomplished guitarists. For our purposes we will be referring to general music

designed to be enjoyed by many instruments. Do not concern yourself with the

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complexities of music reading at this stage. Simply concentrate on learning this

rhythm so all other strumming becomes natural. The 4/4 beat can also be

indicated in music as a C meaning common. (see appendix 3 and 4)

Getting back to the beat keeping. The 4/4 rhythm strumming, goes as follows:

Down

Using your thumb or plectrum, play this DDUUDU (4/4) over and over until it is

smooth and melodious. Following is a practice routine for learning this rhythm.

***Introduction to 4/4 Beat Keeping -Practice Routine***

Remember before commencing practice to:

HOLD correctly

TUNE the guitar

then

STRUM in the 4/4 DDUUDU beat

Handy Tips for Getting the Beat Going!

- Do not play a chord, simply play the strings open, you are learning a separate skill that will be merged with chord playing shortly.

- Do four sets at a time, meaning 4 x DDUUDU before stopping (you will

probably pause between each set but this will improve).

- Whilst strumming say the words down down up up down up as you do it.

- Then start saying out loud for one set, to yourself for the next set, out loud then to yourself.

- Then say it only for the first and last sets, then just for the first set.

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- Finally you should be playing 4 sets of the 4/4 rhythm without pausing

between sets and without saying it out loud.

- When you can play four sets of 4/4 time on open (tuned) strings without

pausing you are ready to add chords to the mix.

***Introduction to 4/4 Beat Keeping With Chords -Practice

Routine***

POSITION FINGERS - Start with D, then G then A. Repeat 3 times in that sequence.

PRESS

STRUM (4 sets of 4/4 for each chord) [i.e. 4 sets of D & change, 4 sets of G then change, 4 sets of A then change]

Stop and stretch if necessary – think fun ☺

POSITION FINGERS This time start with A, then D then G. Repeat 3 times in that sequence.

PRESS

STRUM (4 sets of 4/4 for each chord) [i.e. 4 sets of A & change, 4 sets of D then change, 4 sets of G

then change]

Stop and stretch if necessary – think fun ☺

POSITION FINGERS - Lastly, start with G, then A then D. Repeat 3 times in that sequence.

PRESS

STRUM (4 sets of 4/4 for each chord) [i.e. 4 sets of G & change, 4 sets of A then change, 4 sets of D

then change]

Because of the previous practice, chord playing should not be as strenuous or

painful now. What we are trying to achieve is the inclusion of a specific rhythm

that with practice, you do not have to say DDUUDU to yourself at all.

When is it “Time For A Song”?

When you can play all of these sequences without stopping for too long between

each chord AND you can keep the beat without constantly repeating the beat to

yourself – you are ready to play a song.

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For now we are working for natural strumming, relax - you will start off

concentrating on the DDUUDU but eventually it becomes part of playing. We

are also striving for confident chord changing. These two skills are VITAL for

playing a song smoothly for enjoyment as much as anything else – which is why

we are doing this isn’t it?! FUN ☺

4/4 SONG

Remember: When playing a song, generally the 4/4 DDUUDU is finished

before a chord change occurs. However, by now you should not be too fussed

about counting the DDUUDU – you should be doing it quite smoothly as you

have been practicing chord change and keeping the beat quite extensively until

now.

To make things easy, we will be learning “Folk Music” songs to apply our chord

knowledge and 4/4 rhythm ability. Such songs are easy and most people are

familiar with the tune – if not you can usually find someone who is.

To apply the 4/4 rhythm and the chords we know, we shall be using the Peter,

Paul and Mary song: Blowing In The Wind and another golden song from the

1960’s called: Speak To The Sky

For copyright reasons I am not placing the music here but merely the words and

guitar chords required. This cannot be copied or sold and is for educational

purposes only.

Blowing In The Wind

Played in 4/4 beat slowly

VERSE:

D G D G D A How many roads must a man walk down, before you can call him a man?

D G D G A And how many seas must a white dove sail, before she can sleep in the sand?

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D G D G D

And how many times must a cannonball fly, before they’re forever banned?

CHORUS:

G A D G A D

The answer may friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the

wind.

Speak To The Sky

Played in 4/4 beat in an up tempo

VERSE:

Speak to the Sky whenever things go wrong, and you’ll know you’re not talking

G D A D

to the air, to the air, and the world will look better from up there. REPEAT

VERSE

CHORUS:

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