lessons 1-10: beginner's guide

​There are four pillars of music namely, 1. Steady Beat 2. Rhythm 3. Melody and 4. Harmony. In six-string theory or in guitar approach, it is important to focus first on learning to follow the steady beat using simple open-string chords. Followed by learning basic rhythm as your chord vocabularies will increase. The goal is actually not to memorise chords since there are about 40,000 of them. Later on, you just have to learn the secret formula. For now, focus on following the steady beat, and learn different basic rhythms. As a beginner, three or four chords in a song is enough. More than that is already a show off. Good luck and have fun!

LESSON # 1: Bass note strumming

In this lesson you will learn:
  • Guitar tuning
  • The note names of the standard open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E)
  • Reading a chord diagram
  • Basic major chords progression (A, D, E)
  • Playing a bass-note strumming 
  • Song: 'Leaving on a Jet plane' by John Denver

lesson #2: down-up strumming introduction

In this lesson you will learn:
  • The use of plectrum and fingernails for strumming
  • Down-Down strumming pattern
  • Down-Up strumming pattern

lesson #3: beat emphasis rhythm downstroke

In this lesson you will learn:
  • Chords G, D7, and C​
  • Proper positioning of your fingers when playing chords
  • Overcoming the C chord
  • Beat emphasis rhythm using downstroke
  • Song: 'Happy Birthday to You'

lesson #4: down up rhythmic strumming + mute technique

In this lesson you will learn:
  • Chord Progression G, C, G, D
  • The use of alternative G and C chord, commonly use in folk and pop music
  • Down and up rhythmic strumming with muting technique
  • ​Song: The Lion Sleeps Tonight

lesson #5 basic fingerstyle pattern

In this lesson you will learn:
  • Basic fingerstyle pattern in p,i,m,a
  • Chord Progression C, G, Am, F or FM7
  • Bar Chord Exercise
  • Song: With or Without You by U2

lesson #6 hYBRID STRUM-PICK

In this lesson you will learn:
  • How to combine strum and finger-style picking 
  • Chord progression Am, G, D
  • Song: Wicked Game by Chris Isaak 

lesson #7 basic reggae strum

In this lesson you will learn:
  • How to play a basic reggae strumming pattern  
  • Bar chords for GM7 and CM7
  • Song: 'Waiting In Vain' by Bob Marley

lesson #8 pimamima fingerstyle

In this lesson, you will learn:
  • How to play a basic finger-style pattern called 'pimamima'
  • Chord progression: A, E, F#m, D and Bm, F#m E, F#m
  • Song 'Someone You Loved' by Lewis Capaldi  
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