1
= Index finger
2 = Middle finger
3 = Ring finger
4 = Pinkie
T = Thumb
Welcome to Guitar Secrets
Guitar Lessons that work!
A Visual Learning Experience, Lead
Guitar Made Easy.
Instructional CD ROM. It's time to Learn Right!
Before we write our first original song, we need for our picking hand to get the fretting hand in shape. To make things easier to understand each fretting finger will have a number assigned to it.
1 =
Index finger
2 = Middle finger
3 = Ring finger
4 = Pinkie
T = Thumb
Look above and check out each number and the finger that it represents. Hold your hand out in front of you and count out each finger. This is one of the most important things to learn. You will use these numbers to play scales, leads and chords.
In our last lesson we worked on some picking exercises with only the picking hand. Now we need to put the fretting hand to work with the picking hand. These exercises will prepare you for the scales ahead.
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1
= Index finger |
Look at the image above and notice the numbers on the Low E string. Then look at the image above to the right and see what finger the number represents. In this exercise you will be picking one note at a time. The first note is picked on the Low E string with your 1 finger at the 5th fret. The next note is played with your 2 finger Low E string 6th fret. Then the 3 finger 7th fret and finally the 4th finger 8th fret .
The tablature for the example above have been illustrated below.
----------------------------------------------------------5-6-7-8----
----------------------------------------------5-6-7-8----------------
------------------------------------5-6-7-8--------------------------
------------------------5-6-7-8--------------------------------------
-------------5-6-7-8-------------------------------------------------
-5-6-7-8-------------------------------------------------------------
In our last lesson we learned how to alternate the picking hand. You will now alternate the picking down then up while playing each of these 4 notes one at a time.
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1
= Index finger |
Look at the next illustration above and now you are picking the notes on the A string. Remember to alternate your pick. Continue this exercise with all the strings in the same fashion. When you become comfortable playing this, start with the High E string and work your way back up. This is illustrated below. Start with your 4 finger on the 8th fret and work back up towards the Low E string.
--8-7-6-5-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------8-7-6-5--------------------------------------------------
------------------------8-7-6-5---------------------------------------
------------------------------------8-7-6-5---------------------------
-------------------------------------------------8-7-6-5--------------
-------------------------------------------------------------8-7-6-5--
When you get real comfortable, start at different frets all over the fretboard. Have your illustrations with your notes filled out in front of you and check out the notes your actually playing.
Once you finish this exercise, you can check out some others in the exercise chapter.
Assignment:
Practice these finger exercises every day. This will build up strength in your hand.
Review the finger exercise chapter.
Review the Am pentatonic Chapter for the root note fret position.
We will begin to write an original song and the first part has been posted. I have written out the tablature for it and it will be coming up in lesson 7 or so. The chords used in this progression are the Am, F and G so pay particular attention to those chords in the open position chord chapter. You can play this progression with both the acoustic or electric guitar. Lead guitar has been added to this progression below.
Listen to our slow song beefed up a little for the electric guitar. This lead guitar part is played using the Am pentatonic scale, root note fret. The root note fret is the 5th fret for Am pentatonic. The pentatonic scale is one of the most important scales to learn as it is used in practically all types of music. Listen how the lead guitar part is played over the Am, F and G progression above. This is the object of playing the guitar, that is being able to play with other instruments. This is what our CD ROM is all about, we will teach you how to properly use the scales and chords together. This is a must for both the acoustic and electric guitar player.
Good Luck,
