1. No category

Wakefield Music School
We s el l
guitar
strings!
Guitar Student
Handbook
By
Greg Stone
Copyright2010
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Guitar
Bass guitar
Drums and percussion
Piano
Voice
Trumpet
Music Theory
Improvisation
Music Arranging
Music Technology
Instrument Maintenance
Phone: 819 209 4556
GregStoneMusic.com
Email: [email protected]
Table of contents
Lesson Structure
p3
Lessons/Bookings
p3
Essential Items
p3
Structured Curriculum
p3
Absences
p4
Group Workshops
p4
Practicing & Playing
p4
Practice
p4
Pain & Discomfort
p4
Choosing a Guitar
p4
Types of Guitars
p4
Buying a Guitar
p6
Other Equipment
p6
Guitar Care
p6
Reading TABlature
p7
The Basics
p7
Problems with TAB
p8
Useful Links
p8
Reading Music
p9
Pitch
p9
Note & Rest Values
p10
Time Signatures
p10
Lesson Resources
p11-14
Basic Chords
p11
Basic Scales
p12
Fingerboard Chart
p13
Minor Pentatonic Examples
p14
2
Lesson Structure & Policies
Bookings
Lessons cost $25 per 1/2 hour.
You may choose to commit to a weekly time or attend casually.
Lessons bought in bulk need not be taken consecutively and may be taken at any time within a year.
Payment by cash or check is due at the lesson. No refunds.
Lesson bookings are confirmed by email each Thursday.
To book lessons or discuss lesson options call Greg on 819 209 4556 or email [email protected]
Important!
Enrolment in lessons means a time slot has been allocated to you. If you cannot attend your scheduled lesson for
any reason, please notify the school prior to the lesson by phone, text, e-mail or in person. (see Absences below)
Lessons
The lessons are held at:
62 ch Richard, La Peche (5 mins from Wakefield)
Monday to Friday 9am-9pm
Saturday 9am-4pm
Please print the lesson resource pages (11-14) and place them, along with anything you wish to work on, in a
folder. Be sure to bring this folder with you to all lessons.
Please try to arrive 5 minutes before the start of your lesson and enter the house through the glass basement doors.
You may wait in the waiting room for your lesson.
All lessons are 30 mins duration except by prior arrangement.
At the Wakefield Guitar School you are free to learn what you want, at your own pace. With this in mind, it is
worth considering some goals to aim for in your studies. Pick some songs, guitarists or a style you like and if possible bring the sheet music/TAB and/or mp3/CD with you to the 1st lesson.
Essential Items
It is important to bring the following items with you to every lesson.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Your guitar (unless arrangements have been made to use one of the school’s guitars for the lesson).
Your music folder.
A plectrum (pick) if required.
A capo (very important for young players)
Absences
Failure to notify the school of your absence from your scheduled lesson will incur a fee of the full lesson
charge. (This fee may be waived in the event of unavoidable emergencies.)
This is your responsibility. Aside from being a professional courtesy, this allows better organisation of the schedule and the opportunity to fill vacant spots.
3
Structured Curriculum
Students may choose at any time to begin a course of study over 22 lessons (1 semester). A complete list of available courses can be provided on request. Each course is available for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
All courses cover appropriate techniques and theoretical concepts. The structured curriculum semester concludes
with a practical exam from which a report is issued.
Group Workshops
Workshops for groups of students will be held periodically on various topics including guitar maintenance, improvisation, song writing, starting a band, music theory and specific guitar techniques.
Workshop cost: $10 per student
Parents are free to attend with children
Practicing & Playing
Practice
In order to get the most out of your lessons, it is essential that you practice regularly. Much of what we need to
learn as musicians is to do with muscle memory. Training your fingers and hands to work quickly and accurately
takes time and patience. Try to practice at least every 2nd day for at least 30 mins. This is better at promoting muscle memory than 1 long practice session each week. Use a music stand for written music as it helps you to maintain
good posture and technique. Always tune up first and try to practice away from distractions such as TV or noise.
Pain and Discomfort
Most guitarists at some point experience some pain and discomfort as result of guitar playing:
Skin soreness
If it is merely the skin on your fingers that is sore, this is a normal part of development, particularly in beginners. It
simply means you are practising more than you are used to. Try to do shorter more regular sessions. Do not allow
blisters to form. Blisters will prevent you from playing altogether until they have healed. Over time the skin on
your fingers will toughen naturally.
Muscle/Joint soreness
Muscle and joint pain is more serious. If you feel any kind of recurring pain in your fingers, hand, wrist or forearm,
it is important that you rest from guitar playing for a time. This kind of injury can lead to serious conditions, such
as carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries that could prevent you from playing altogether.
Stretches and warm up exercises will be demonstrated to help you loosen up before play. Again, try to do shorter
more regular practice sessions.
Back & Neck Pain
Sometimes students will develop minor neck and upper back pain after practice. This is usually a result of poor
posture during practice. Guitarist’s sometimes lean over the front of the instrument to see what they’re doing. This
is unnecessary and will cause neck pain. Likewise playing in a twisted position will cause back pain. Try to play
with your back straight and look down only when you need to, with your eyes, not your head. Proper posture will
be demonstrated and encouraged.
Choosing a Guitar
Types of Guitars
4
Before you buy a guitar you need to decide
what kind of music you want to play on it.
Acoustic/Steel String Guitar
This is the instrument most people think of
when they think "guitar". An acoustic guitar
is hollow, and almost always has a "sound
hole" - a round hole in the face of the guitar.
Acoustic guitars almost always have six
strings. When you strike the strings of an acoustic guitar, the instrument produces a rather loud
sound. Although acoustic guitars are often associated with folk music and "mellow" music in
general. They are actually in most styles of music, from country to blues to heavy metal. Prices
start at approximately $150.
Classical/Nylon String Guitar
A classical guitar looks quite similar to an
acoustic guitar and is still an acoustic instrument. It has several distinct differences. The
nylon strings and different woods used create a
softer, more mellow tone than steel string guitars. Notes are a little easier to “fret” on a nylon
string guitar due to the stretch inherent in the
string. The neck though, is often wider and
thicker than other guitars, making chords a little
harder. Aside from classical music, nylon string
guitars are used in Spanish and South American
styles as well as pop and R&B. Prices start from
approximately $80.
Electric Guitar
Electric guitars are generally much
easier to play than acoustic guitars.
The strings are lighter and easier to
press down. The sore fingers that
many novices experience when learning on an acoustic guitar generally
aren't nearly as much of an issue when
learning on electric guitar. The sound
though, is much harder to control due
to every mistake being amplified.
Electric guitars are used in many
styles of music from just about everywhere in the world. Prices start at
$250 for a beginner pack which includes an amplifier.
Buying a Guitar
5
Once you’ve decided what kind of guitar you want to buy, it’s time to start looking at instruments. Whether a guitar
is new or 2nd hand, you’ll need to have a close look at it to ensure it meets the basic standards.
Look down the neck from the head of the guitar. If the neck looks at all twisted, don’t buy it. This can sometimes
be fixed with a set up but it’s not worth the trouble on cheap guitars.
Find the 12th fret and look at the string height. That’s the distance from the bottom of the string to the wood of the
fingerboard. If it’s more than 1cm, don’t buy it. This can also be fixed, but unless the seller is able to set up the
guitar for you, don’t buy it.
Look all over the guitar for damage to the body. Acoustic guitars in particular are susceptible body damage.
Scratches and dints aren’t much to worry about on 2nd hand guitars. Holes, cracks and bows are another story.
These can cause all sorts of problems to the sound and playability of the guitar.
Play every note on every string. Listen for uneven tone, buzzy notes and notes that are either the wrong pitch or
muted. Sometimes buzzes and muted notes can be fixed with a set up but this is not guaranteed.
Play the guitar and listen to the tone. Play a few different guitars in the same price range to compare the tone and
playability. This is always a personal thing.
If you’re playing an electric guitar, always try it out on an amplifier similar to what you have at home. While
plugged in and turned on, move all knobs and switches through their full range of motion. Listen for scratchy
sounds or broken signal. These problems are easily fixed by a repair person. Ensure the seller either fixes the problems or drops the price.
Other Equipment
Other items you may find useful are a digital tuner, some plectrums (picks), a strap, a music stand, a guitar stand, a
string winder and some spare strings. All of these items are inexpensive. The most pricey being the tuner (approx
$30).
Guitar Care
Taking care of your guitar is very important. These tips will help you ensure that your guitar is kept in the best condition and will continue producing high quality sound. Good guitar care adds to the life and playability of your guitar. Whether you’re a professional or amateur player, you must take care of your guitar and make sure it is handled
well to avoid critical damage to it.
Some Guitar Care Tips
Learn how to string your guitar. It's an important aspect of taking care of your guitar. If you think your guitar
sounds dull or your strings show obvious signs of wear or rust, it's time to restring your guitar. There is no set time
frame. Some players change strings before every performance, while others let them wear out before changing. It
depends solely on the individual. Normally, it would depend on how often you play guitar. A set of strings can last
for anything between 1-3 months. There will be string changing workshops regularly throughout the year.
Tuning your guitar correctly is important to be able to produce the perfect sound. The simplest solution is to buy a
digital tuner. These are available from any music store for around $30. Tuning by ear takes time and practice to
become accurate at but is worth learning.. This will be covered in lessons.
Cleaning the fingerboard and frets is best done when you change your strings. Don't let sweat, grime, dirt or oil
from hands build up as it affects the strings and tone of your guitar. The best way to clean the fingerboard and frets
is to use an old toothbrush and some soapy water. For guitars with a rosewood fingerboard, an application of lemon
oil (available from most guitar stores) will condition the wood and assist the cleaning process. NB never use lemon
oil on maple fingerboards.
6
Tighten all screws (including strap pins and tuning knobs) making sure not to over-tighten them. NB never touch
the screws at the end of the bridge on electric guitars unless you know what you are doing. These screws adjust the
intonation of the guitar. A guitar with bad intonation will not play in tune.
Get your guitar a properly fitted case and keep it there when it's not being used. The case helps regulate humidity
as well as protect the guitar from knocks. Moisture can also cause the strings to rust, and thus produce lower quality
sound.
Clean your guitar regularly. You should wipe the guitar all over with a soft clean cloth immediately after playing.
This will help to prevent the strings from rusting and the finish from going dull. A clean guitar not only looks as
good, but also sounds better.
Protect your guitar from extremes in temperature. Excessive heat can cause shrinkage, cracking, swelling and
warping. Extreme cold can destroy the binding of the guitar. Always leave your guitar in its case for at least 30
minutes to acclimatize, if you are taking it from a cold or dry environment to a warm or humid one.
Never apply pressure to the soundboard or the bridge area. Flexing the soundboard can crack it. You must
therefore always keep in mind that when you pass your guitar to someone, hold it by the neck and not the soundboard.
Always carry the guitar in its case and be gentle when loading it. This protects the guitar from the variations of
temperature while traveling from one place to the other.
Play your guitar regularly. A guitar that is seldom played lies neglected. Only when you play it, will you realize
when it needs tuning, or whether it needs new strings or any other glitches that might go unnoticed when you
hardly ever play your guitar.
Reading TABlature
The Basics
Guitarists are unique. Chances are, if you play guitar, you are
either self-taught, or have taken a small number of lessons
with a friend or teacher. Pianists however, learn their instrument through years of private study, which includes both music theory lessons and a lot of sight reading.
There’s nothing wrong with taking a more informal approach
to learning an instrument. It does create some problems though, when it comes to learning to sight read. Learning to
read standard music notation for guitar takes a lot of work, with little immediate benefit. This is precisely why guitarist tend to avoid it. If you want to get serious about a career in the music industry though, it really is essential .
Guitarists however, have created their own method
of music notation, guitar TABlature. Admittedly, it
is flawed, but it provides a simple and easy way to
read and share music with other guitarists.
A tab staff for guitar has 6 horizontal lines, each
one representing a string of the instrument. The
bottom line of the staff represents your thickest string.
Notice that the numbers are located in the middle of the lines (strings). The numbers represent the frets you need to
place your fingers on. In the illustration, the tab is telling you to play the third string (third line) seventh fret. Note:
A "0" in tablature means the open string should be played.
7
This is the concept of reading tab, at it's most basic. There are many marks and symbols that represent all of the
different techniques guitarists use. These will be covered in the lessons.
Reading chords within guitar tab is a relatively simple process. When a tab displays a series of numbers, stacked
vertically, it is indicating to play all these notes at the same time. The above tablature indicates that you should hold
down the notes in an E major chord (second fret on fifth string, second fret on fourth string, first fret on third string)
and strum all six strings at once. Often, tablature will additionally include the chord name (in this case E major)
above the tablature staff, to help guitarists recognize the chord more quickly.
Problems with TAB
The lack of rhythmic notation is the biggest flaw you'll find in many guitar tabs on the web. If you haven't heard the
guitar part before, you have no way of knowing the rhythm.
This is why I use and recommend the Powertab Editor. This freeware will play the part for you on your computer
screen while you are watching the notes change. It can be very useful for learning tricky rhythms.
Another major problem with guitar TABlature is that only guitarists can read it. While "standard notation" is readable by any instrument, TAB is native to guitarists. Anyone who doesn't play guitar won't be able to read it. This
makes communication with other musicians difficult.
Useful Links
Powertab Editor download pages:
http://download.cnet.com/Power-Tab-Editor/3000-2133_4-10502034.html
http://www.harmony-central.com/Software/Windows/powertab.html
Find Powertab and chord files here:
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/
8
Reading Music
Reading Pitch
Music notes draw their names from the first seven letters of the alphabet. The notes get higher as you go forwards
through the alphabet—ABCDEFG—and lower as you go backwards—GFEDCBA.
The five horizontal lines music is written on is called the staff. The clef symbol always sits at the left hand side of
the staff. Guitar is always written in treble clef. Musical notes sit on the lines and spaces of the staff. Below or
above the staff, notes sit on ledger lines.
Where each notes sits becomes easier to remember if you focus on only the lines or the spaces.
From the bottom line to the top—EGBDF—Every
Good Boy Does Fine.
From the bottom space to the top—FACE.
There are two important symbols to remember
when reading music.
b
Flat—lower the note a half step (one fret).
#
Sharp—raise the note a half step (one fret)
9
Note and Rest Values
The illustration shows the most commonly used notes and rests. Notice that 1 whole note = 2 half notes = 4 quarter
notes = 8 eighth notes = 16 sixteenth notes. Try to play the TAB and count the music as indicated. You should
have found that each new note value is twice as fast as the last. There are other types of note values such as triplets,
thirty-second notes, sixty-fourth notes, etc. These are beyond the scope of “the basics” though.
Time Signatures
Time signatures appear next to the treble clef and tell you how many and what kind of notes per measure there are.
The top number is the number of notes per measure. The bottom number is what kind of note (whole, half, quarter,
eighth or sixteenth).
The bottom number is usually 2, 4 or 8.
Take for example the most popular time signature, 4/4. This means there are 4 quarter notes per measure.
Tap 1-2-3-4 as you play.
3/4 is 3 quarter notes per measure. Tap 1-2-3 as you play.
5/4 is 5 quarter notes per measure. Tap 1-2-3-4-5 as you play.
6/8 is 6 eighth notes per measure. Tap 1 and 4 as you count 1-2-3-4-5-6
There are 2 other common symbols you might see where the time signature should be.
Common Time
Same as 4/4 time
Cut Time
Same as 4/4 but everything is cut in half.
Example: a half note = 1 quarter note, a whole note = 1 half note.
10
Tips
•
•
Try to look for fingers that remain in the
same place between chords and make
sure they don’t lift off. This will ensure
quicker changes.
E.g. C — Am
Another trick is to look for common finger formations and practice holding the
formation as you change from one chord
to another.
11
12
Names of notes on the neck
Learning the note names over the entire guitar neck takes time and effort to accomplish. When you know them you will find new freedom and understanding in
the music you play.
Memorize the following saying to learn the names of the open strings.
Easter Bunny Gets Drunk At Easter
1st=E (thinnest)
2nd=B
3rd=G
4th=D
5th=A
6th=E (thickest)
Memorize the following words of wisdom.
All natural notes (A B C D E F G) are a whole step (2 frets) apart, except between E-F and B-C which are a half step (1 fret) apart.
With this information you can find any note on the guitar, as long as you know the
names of the open strings.
Although it may seem silly, make sure you know the 1st 7 letters in the alphabet
forwards and backwards. Backwards is a little tricky.
Once you reach G in the musical alphabet, you start over again with A (there is no
H note!).
13
Minor Pentatonic Examples
Bends, Hammer-ons & Pull-offs
Tips:
Bends—where possible use two fingers to push or pull the string.
Hammer-ons—hold the lower finger on the string after hammering-on.
Pull-offs—for a stronger note, drag the upper finger downwards as you pull-off .
14