Introduction to Guitar

Music Notes

• 7 Notes (12 semitones)
• A B C      D      E      F      G
• Circle of music notes

• Notes B & E doesn’t have Sharps (#)
• Notes C and F doesn’t have Flats(b)

GUITAR

Posture & Holding

• Sit with the back straight
• Legs in normal position
• The guitar should be rested on the right lap facing out in front of the player
• Balance the guitar lightly by resting your right forearm over the guitar’s body.
• Gently hold the guitar’s neck with left arm, elbows facing down.

Don’ts:

• Do not lay the guitar flat on lap.
• Do not support the guitar with your left hand.

Right Hand

• Forearm (almost near the arm fold) resting on the bass bout of the guitar and supporting it.
• Guitar Plectrum or Pick

• Plectrum is held between the index and thumb fingers
  (1)Index finger folded and pointing towards the wrist
  (2)Thumb, in line with forearm
  (3)Plectrum tip is perpendicular to the direction of the thumb.

• The strike action should come from the twist of the wrist. NOT from the forearm movement.

STRINGS

• 6 strings.
• Thinnest is 1^st
• Thickest is 6^th

Left Hand

• Gently hold the guitar’s neck with left arm, elbows facing down. DO NOT use the left hand to support the neck.
• While pressing the string over the fret board, always use the TIP of your finger.
• Keep your fingers in the shape of an arc, like holding an apple. Don’t keep it straight.
• Press the fingers just near the fret. Not far away or on top of it.
• Keep your wrist straight.

Left Hand Fingers

• Always use the fingers corresponding to the fret numbers. (When on 1^st position)

Index finger – 1

Middle finger – 2

Ring finger – 3

Little finger – 4

NOTES ON FRETBOARD

Notes Representation

• Alphabets (Notes)
• Staff Notation

• Guitar Tablature (Tab)