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    Lesson 4

    Uploaded by

    Matthew Finn
    This document is a guitar lesson that covers: 1) Identifying parts of the guitar like the headstock, bridge, and frets 2) Practicing rhythm and counting beats 3) Exercises using downstrokes and alternating down/upstrokes 4) Finger exercises to build strength and technique 5) The "Happy Birthday" song to practice chords 6) Homework of practicing chords, fingers, strokes, and enjoying playing

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Lesson 4

    Uploaded by

    Matthew Finn
    24 views8 pages
    This document is a guitar lesson that covers: 1) Identifying parts of the guitar like the headstock, bridge, and frets 2) Practicing rhythm and counting beats 3) Exercises using downstrokes and alternating down/upstrokes 4) Finger exercises to build strength and technique 5) The "Happy Birthday" song to practice chords 6) Homework of practicing chords, fingers, strokes, and enjoying playing

    Original Description:

    Lesson 4 of Matt Finn's Guitar Lessons

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    This document is a guitar lesson that covers: 1) Identifying parts of the guitar like the headstock, bridge, and frets 2) Practicing rhythm and counting beats 3) Exercises using downstrokes and alternating down/upstrokes 4) Finger exercises to build strength and technique 5) The "Happy Birthday" song to practice chords 6) Homework of practicing chords, fingers, strokes, and enjoying playing

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    24 views8 pages

    Lesson 4

    Uploaded by

    Matthew Finn
    This document is a guitar lesson that covers: 1) Identifying parts of the guitar like the headstock, bridge, and frets 2) Practicing rhythm and counting beats 3) Exercises using downstrokes and alternating down/upstrokes 4) Finger exercises to build strength and technique 5) The "Happy Birthday" song to practice chords 6) Homework of practicing chords, fingers, strokes, and enjoying playing

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 8

    STARTING GUITAR

    LESSON 4

    MATT FINN
    THE ANATOMY OF
    THE GUITAR
    Show me where:

    A. Headstock

    B. Bridge

    C. Soundhole

    D. Fret

    E. Nut

    F. Pickguard
    Recap on the
    Music Theory
    TIMING

    Although the timing is usually in 4/4 in music theory. You need to be able to count in 8s as
    when strumming the guitar, you will often have to fill the empty space left by the notes using
    the off beat.

    Practice clapping the rhythm of 1, 2, 3, 4 and then 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

    1. ALL DOWNSTROKES

    Now using only downstrokes on the guitar, I want you to play this pattern, counting

    1 2 3 4

    Keep it slow and steady.

    Concentrate not only on the strokes but also on the fingering of the chord you are using.

    ONLY DOWNSTROKES!

    2. DOWN AND UPSTROKES

    Now using both up and down strokes, I want you to play the above pattern, counting

    1&2&3&4&

    USE BOTH DOWN AND UPSTROKES!


    Chords we have
    looked at so far...
    Label the chords with the correct name...
    Finger Exercises
    Starting at Fret 5 with your first finger I want you to play each note on the 6th string
    (thickest string).

    Once you reach finger 4, move your fingers down to the next string and start the exercise again.

    Keep going until you reach the thinnest string (1st String)

    Make sure that you:

    Hold the fingers down as you go: When you put down your little finger, make sure that all
    your fingers are still pressing down in the correct frets. This is what helps you develop the
    stretch between the fingers. Holding them down also works the muscles, making your fingers
    stronger.

    Use your finger tips: Don’t let the fingers go flat. Keep the fingers slightly rounded and make
    sure that the tip of your finger is holding down the strings. This helps you develop correct
    technique and also toughens up the ends of your fingers.

    People with small little fingers (like me!) struggle to keep their little finger on the tip without
    touching the other strings when playing the thickest string. It will just take a little more work
    than those lucky long-fingered people. Don’t stress if you don’t get it right away; it just takes a
    bit of work.

    Don’t get too hung up on not touching other strings! As you progress on the guitar you will
    eventually want to touch other strings to mute them! I don’t recommend working on trying to
    touch other strings at this beginner stage, but I’m adding this so you don’t focus too much on
    not touching other strings!

    Five minutes per day will be enough: Don’t go over the top and practise this too much or you
    might hurt yourself! Five minutes is enough to get a bit of a workout without any straining.

    Relax into your posture: If you are struggling to hold your arm correctly and your wrist is
    moving into all sorts of strange positions to get this right, then try and hold your hand in
    position and relax your body and arm (while keeping your hand in as good a position as you
    can). Part of the exercise is for you to learn how to use your body comfortably to make these
    shapes and play these notes. Everyone is a little different so we all have to find our own way
    here a bit!
    Happy Birthday
    Song
    G D
    Happy Birthday to you
    G
    Happy Birthday to you
    C
    Happy Birthday dear, (Insert name here)
    G D G
    Happy Birthday to you

    Practice first using downstrokes

    Then using Up and Downstrokes


    HOMEWORK

    PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

    1. Practice G, C, D, Em, E and A chords

    2. Exercise your fingers so that they become more comfortable on the


    fretboard.

    3.Practice your strokes, both the downstroke only and the down and
    upstrokes

    4. Have a look at the songs that are at the end of each of your lessons, you
    don’t have to play them yet, just try them and see how you get on

    5. ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!

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