AXEWIELDER
Series 2 Exercises
Many players have learned without knowing the names of a single note. They say that it is wrong. That may be so, but knowing the names of the notes is an invaluable tool. At first it may seem horrendous, but it can be done easily. Refer to Series #1 for a diagram with all of the notes for the guitar on it.
A guitar is a tool, a tool used to express your expressions. And in order to do a good job with the tool, the tool must be properly used. For example, if you used a hammer to cut a piece of wood, you wouldn't get very far, would you? Please keep in mind that none of these are set guidelines, many players adapt to what they find works the best for them. Also note that the following instructions are for right-handed guitars.
GUITAR POSITIONING- Place the guitar on your right knee. Sit up in a straight position. Keep the guitar evenly balanced. Also, try to play standing up. It is more difficult then it looks at first.
HANDS- When playing, try to keep your fingers arched over the strings. This is important so open strings can be plucked freely. Also, keep your left hand thumb (if you play a right handed guitar) behind and pushed against the back of the neck.
HEAD- Try to learn to play the guitar without staring at the fretboard. I'm not saying do not look at the fretboard, I'm saying try to look at it less often. When you become better, it is an essential tool.
The chromatic scale, believe it or not, you already know. It is simply playing every note in the musical alphabet one after another. A great exercise to playing the chromatic scale is to use all 4 fingers, start at the low E string, (thick one) and play all the notes along the fretboard. 1st Finger, 1st fret, 2nd finger 2nd fret, etc. Work your way up the fretboard, and play every note on every string in this fashion.
This isn't a lesson so much as a reminder. This probably one of
the most difficult phases you'll have playing the guitar. You'll feel
like you suck and will never learn. You'll get bored easily because
you do not know anything. You will improve, it just takes practice.
The more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it. It's as
simple as that. Good Luck!
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