Learning Objectives:

• The Parts of the Guitar
• Fingers
• Holding & Tuning the Instrument

Take a little time each day to complete this lesson. Over the period of one week, engage the videos and practice. After you have viewed every video and resource, complete the assignments.

Start learning the parts of the guitar with this chart:

Learning to play guitar is like learning a new language. The basic language that you need to get started with is the vocabulary for the parts of the guitar. Learning the terminology for your fingers and understanding “Tab” will help you to communicate with others about your guitar learning, and help you complete lessons.

Learning about the guitar, its parts and its sounds are the first steps in your guitar playing journey. Your new vocabulary will enable you to review learning resources and communicate using words that fit your instrument.

• Review this chart
• Name the parts and the strings as you touch them.
• Watch the following video:

Fingers – Hand Chart

Saved from: classicalguitar101.org

It is important to know that fingers on the fretting hand have numbers and fingers on the strumming hand have letters. When using Apps, Tab and video lessons pay close attention to finger numbering and lettering. For more about “Tab” visit: http://guitar.about.com/

Guitar Fingering & Fretting

The following videos provide a good explanation for “Guitar Fingering”. Make sure that you have your mobile device close by. Use a stand or position your mobile device within reach.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C6WO-ua5lw[/embedyt]

These examples demonstrate techniques that will help you to produce clear sounding notes.

Holding & Tuning the Instrument

After you select your guitar, practice tuning it and how to sit and hold the instrument. Make sure that you have your mobile device close by. Use a stand or position your mobile device within reach.

Tuning Chart

Retrieved from: http://www.fretjam.com/guitar-tuning-beginner.html

This is a cool video to watch with your mobile device while tuning up. Try using your ear and tuning along with the video.

Warm-Up Exercise

You should always do some kind of warm-up before playing or practicing. Tune the guitar and follow the warm up exercise. Start out “SLOW”, then increase the speed as you gain strength and flexibility in your hands.

Remember to start out slow, use a Metronome App or drum track to set your practice tempo. Take a few days and get in the routine of holding, tuning, and warming-up with your guitar. Come back to this lesson and refresh your learning daily, until you can tune, hold and warm-up without using the videos.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9zu4-BCET4[/embedyt]

Assignment:

1. Review all lesson videos periodically during the week.
2. Learn the parts of your guitar, acoustic, electric or both.
3. Make sure that you have your mobile device close by. Use a stand or position your mobile device within reach.
4. Practice holding and tuning the instrument and check the tuning whenever you pick up your guitar.
5. Practice warm-up exercises with a metronome app.
6. Use the metronome app to practice fingers 1, 2, 3, and 4, in one position from high to low and low to high.
7. Create and share your own warm-up exercise or practice routine.
8. Create and post a video of yourself holding, tuning and naming the parts of your guitar.

 If you have questions post a comment in the community or request a videoconference.

• When you can demonstrate that you have learned the lesson objectives, create a video showing your new skills and post it to the community to receive your lesson completion badge.
• You can earn more points by finding and sharing learning resources (Video, tab, backing tracks, etc.).
• If you have questions about any of the information presented post them in the community and request a videoconference.

Your opinion matters! Please complete the lesson survey, add comments and help to improve lesson quality.