Page Index

1 RGT Books
2 Getting to Know Your Guitar
3 How to write notation
4 Major Scales
5 Minor Scales
6 Chords (separate page)
7 Practising Scales
8 Choosing a Plectrum (Pick)
9 How to use a Pick
10 Finger picking
11 Hybrid picking
12 Rhythm Guitar
13 Time Signatures
14 Effects of Dynamics
14a Electric Guitar Techniques
14b Electric and Acoustic Guitar Techniques
15 Aural Skills

1 RGT books

The Registry of Guitar Tutors (RGT) provide a structured series of books for learning the electric and acoustic guitar. The early books introduce the most basic of chords, scales and rhythm and are geared towards taking the exams (although this is not necessary). The books start with chords such as A D & E, and guide you all the way through barre chords, and then on to the more complex chords for jazz. Some books are accompanied by a CD, which are really helpful. To find out more about the RGT books available, you will find these in the links section of this website. During your lessons I can take you through the books step by step, giving you guidance and tips along the way to perfect your performance and knowledge.

2 Getting to know your guitar:-

3 How to write notation.

In music there are twelve different notes: C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A# and B. Each note has its own pitch. From one note to the next they are a "semi-tone" apart (I will explain this later). After every twelve notes, the same sequence is repeated.

4 Major Scales

Major Scales exist in the Western musical world and follow the "do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do" pattern.

The first scale that is usually learnt is the C major scale, containing the notes C D E F G A B and the eighth note (or octave) C.

Scales always start with the root note (also know as the tonic note). This starting note gives the name to the scale. The scale starts at the bass end and is played all the way up to the top note; repeating the first note higher up in the scale, to complete an octave.

The distance in pitch between any two notes is called an interval. Different scales are made up of different interval spaces on the fret board.

Tone = covers 2 frets on the fret board, eg if the note is C a tone up would be D
Semi tone = covers 1 fret on the fret board, eg if the note is C a semi-tone up would be C#

(Abbreviated Tone is written as 'T' and semi-tone is written as 'ST'.)

The major scales written in this form would read from the rote note: T, T, ST, T, T, T, ST. The key is defined by the root note, following this pattern the major scale can be played in every key.

Each step from the root note has a name, referring back to the root note

C = Root
D = Major 2nd
E = Major 3rd
F = perfect 4th
G = perfect 5th
A = major 6th
B = major 7th
C = 1st octave

This formula shows how to work a major scale along one string from one end of the guitar up twelve frets to the other end, you can also play the scale across the fret board for example from the bass E to the top E.

5 Minor Scales

The third note in the scale determines whether it's going to be a major or minor scale. For example, in the key of C, 'E' is the third step in the major scale (C, D, E). In the minor scale the third note is flattened. Therefore in the C minor scale 'Eb' is the third step of the scale (known as the flattered 3rd).

The equivalent to the major scale is the natural minor scale and follows the following pattern from the root note:-

Root note T, ST, T, T, T, ST, T, T

C = Root note
D = major 2nd
Eb = minor 3rd
F = perfect 4th
G = perfect 5th
Ab = minor 6th
Bb = minor 7th
C = 1st octave

[Dominic, where does this fit in: root Min2nd Maj2nd - natural minor scale]

6 Click here for Chords

7 Practicing scales

Practicing scales is not the most exhilarating of experiences, but there's no substitute for this routine. They will help to give a better understanding of the fret board, the guitar and music in general; it will also help to train your ear to tune into the music, and will definitely improve your lead guitar playing. It is also a very good warm up exercise helping to improve left to right hand co-ordination will help to build up finger speed, agility and strength.

Scales are best practiced ascending and then descending, not forgetting to pick in alternative directions, eg down, up, down, up etc.

A good speed to practice scales is to the tick tock of a clock.

Chords and scale relationships 22 CHI
The chord sequence and the melody form the scale that's is chosen should both harmonise with each other, the chords are built from the scale

Modes

continues

MAJOR SCALES 14 JAZZ

key 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH OCTAVE
C C D E F G A B C
F G A Bb C D E F G
Bb C D Eb F G A Bb Bb
Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb Eb
Ab Ab Bb C Db Eb F G Ab
Db Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb D Db
Gb Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb
B B C# D# E F# G# A# B
E E F# G# A B C# D# E
A A B C# D E F# G# A
D D E F# G A B C# D
G G A B C D E F# G

In the table above of the major scales, the number of flats increase by 1 going down the table and then the number of flats decreases by 1 until the bottom. This table is based upon the cycle of 4ths. Count along the first line of scales in the key of C. Count along 4 steps to the 4th step which is the F note. F starts the next line of the major scales. This pattern continues throughout the table.

8 Choosing a Plectrum (Pick)

The depth of the pick are measured in gauges. Heavy picks or plectrums are best for solos and the thinner (more flexible) picks are better for strumming. Medium gauge picks are probably the most versatile, but it is worth experimenting with the different gauges. It all comes down to personal taste: use a pick that you feel the most comfortable with, that is relevant to the sort of music you want to play.

9 How to use a Pick

Guitar Picks are held in the right hand between the thumb and index finger, with the tip (the pointy bit) pointing towards the strings. The pick should be held with a relaxed grip but not so loose that it moves when you play or flies out of your hand!

The pick is a very effective tool. It is worthwhile learning to use the pick upwards and downwards, as this creates a smoother and slicker performance. This method also helps with speed and fluency and is the best way to practice scales.

10 Finger picking

Finger picking is used in many different genres of music and has a very effective sound. The thumb targets the bass strings 6, 5 and 4, while the index finger is allocated to string 3, the middle finger string 2 and 3rd finger the top E string.

11 Hybrid picking

Hybrid picking is an advanced technique and is achieved by using a combination of pick and finger style. The pick is held between the thumb and index finger as standard, whilst also incorporating the use of fingers 3 and 4 on the right hand to pick; this technique is used most commonly by country guitarists.

12 Rhythm

Rhythm guitar helps shape a piece of music, so learning to keep time is a key factor in being a guitarist. To help learn this skill, it is a good idea to practice playing along with your favourite songs or usnig a metronome.

13 Time signatures

Time signatures are written at the beginning of a piece of music. They shape the whole feel of the piece of music and are written as fractions. The basic time signatures are: 2/2, 3/4 and 4/4. The number at the top represents the number of beats in the bar and the number at the bottom tells you the value of each of those beats.

So, for example, with a 3/4 time signature you count 1 2 3 in each bar. To demonstrate this, you could emphasise the '1' each time: '1' 2 3, '1' 2 3, '1' 2 3 etc.

In a musical bar there are a certain amount of notes, each bar contains a certain amount of beats.

(More elaborating needed) pg 50 tutor

14 Effect of dynamics

There are several ways of creating dynamic effects within piece of music.

14a Electric Guitar Techniques

The easiest way to create an effect is by turning the volume up and down.

14b Electric and Acoustic Guitar Techniques

You could hit the strings harder, softer, more aggressively, or even muting the strings using your right and/or left hand.

Another technique is called dampening which you can do with both left and right hand.

1 left hand dampening - the pressure on the strings is reduced after the notes have been played

2 right hand dampening - bring the right hand down upon the bridge end of the strings. This helps control the sound, especially when plugged into an amplifier, and you can still play whilst the strings are dampened.

Musical changes in volume. Latin phrases:-

Crescendo = gradually played louder
Diminuendo = gradually played softer
Staccato = short and sharp, cut the note or notes suddenly
Legato = the notes blend in to each other with a slurred effect

Pp (pianissimo) = very soft
P (piano) = soft
Mp (mezzo piano) = moderately soft
Mf (mezzo forte) = moderately loud
F (forte) = loud
Ff (fortissimo) = very loud

15 Aural skills

Listening to a piece of music to train your ears and mind into recognising and identifying what you hear, is key to your musical progress. There are several components to listen out for and this takes much practice.

To work out a piece of music by listening to it, discovering the key of the piece of music is the first step. After that, you need to work out which scale is used for the melody and then finally which chords are used for the chord progression.