1. A six string guitar in good working condition.
2. A metronome.
3. An electronic guitar tuner (Optional)
4. A commitment to practice.
5. Complete all short tests and assignments at the end of each lesson.
TITLE: GUITAR: Learn to play
LESSON 1 a. Guitar type identification and analysis.
1. Acoustic steel string.
2. Acoustic nylon string.
3. Electric guitar.
b. Identifying basic parts of the guitar.
c. About guitar strings.
d. Proper playing position.
1. Acoustic steel string guitar.
2. Acoustic nylon string guitar.
3. Electric guitar.
4. Issues for left hand players.
LESSON 2. Tuning the instrument.
a. Electronic tuners vs. tuning by ear.
1. About string tension.
2. Identifying methods for setting the correct string tension.
b. String letter and number identification.
c. Examples of tuning procedures.
1. Using the electronic tuner.
LESSON 3. The left hand.
a. Why technical exercises?
1. Strategies for effective technical practice.
b. Identification of left hand finger numbers.
c. Attaining proper left hand position.
d. Stretching techniques for the hands and fingers.
1. The importance of stretching.
e. Left hand fingerwalking exercises.
1. Detailed procedure analysis.
f. Setting a practice schedule.
LESSON 4. The right hand.
a. Identification of right hand finger letters.
b. Methods for plucking the strings.
1. Using fingernails vs. fingertips.
2. Using the guitar pick.
3. Exercises with the guitar pick.
c. Right hand string crossing exercises.
1. Two strokes per string using the middle and index fingers.
2. Alternating between middle and index fingers.
3. Detailed procedure analysis.
d. Attaining proper right hand position.
1. Position analysis.
LESSON 5. Learning basic chords. (Left hand)
a. Interpreting chord charts.
1. Chord chart analysis.
b. Learning chords.
1. The E chord.
2. The D chord.
3. The A chord.
c. Proper left hand position.
1. Left hand thumb placement.
2. Getting specific strings to ring.
3. Memorizing chords.
d. Changing to and from chords.
Lesson 6. Strumming and rhythm. (Right hand)
a. The down strum.
1. Using the fingernails.
2. Using the guitar pick.
3. Procedure analysis.
b. The up strum.
1. Using the fingers.
2. Using the guitar pick.
3. Procedure analysis.
c. Strumming with an even rhythm.
1. Using the metronome.
d. Strumming exercises.
1. Strumming patterns.
2. Rhythm.
3. Time signatures.
4. Quarter note beats. (down strum)
5. Eighth note beats. (up strum)
6. Detailed analysis.
A guitar in good working condition. You may need an electronic tuner which you can purchase at your local music store. It is advisable to purchase a metronome to develop your rhythm skills. Also, you may need to purchase a foot stool to position your guitar properly. All reading materials are contained in this online course.
No grades will be given. Instead, students must complete each assignment and score at least 80% on the short quiz following each lesson before advancing to the next lesson.
