Chords. Golden steps of harmony. Part 1 out of 3. Self-teaching guide for playing guitar with chords without sheet music

(The author has the right to all materials in the book.)

Table of Contents for Part 1 of 3

Tuning**

Strumming, Fingerpicking, Rhythms**

Note Chart for Six-string Guitar**

Chord Chart**

Easy Chords for Girls and Boys**

Fingerpicking Patterns**

Chord Progressions and Schemes for Exercises**

Mechanical Improvisation**

Duets, Trios, Ensembles – How It’s Done**

– Short Overview of the Trilogy

This is where part 1 ends

Introduction

This entire book, including both self-teaching guides, is designed such that readers can start reading at any point based on what interests them most. You decide where to focus your attention.

You can achieve much using traditional methods, but it requires effort, time, practice, money, memory training, imagination, creativity, and perseverance. Be prepared for setbacks, fears, and failures along the way. Don’t be discouraged if you occasionally give up only to restart later.

Choosing an Instrument:

It’s better to start with something good yet affordable. Later, when you have more experience, consider buying a higher-quality instrument.

Strings:

Synthetic strings are recommended as they’re gentler on fingers. However, healthy individuals may prefer metal strings due to their richer sound quality.

Posture:

Sit or stand however feels comfortable while ensuring proper alignment of spine and hands.

Right Hand Technique:

Regular people typically pluck strings freely rather than resting against the body of the guitar. Use thumb for bass strings (6th, 5th, 4th), other fingers for treble strings (except pinkie). Alternate between index, middle, and ring finger when picking individual strings.

Left Hand Technique:

Position hand comfortably over the neck without pressing palm center onto the fretboard. Keep fingers nearly vertical when pressing down on strings. Avoid bending joints inward.

Nails:

When playing nylon strings, slightly longer nails help produce clearer tones. Trim diagonally rightward for half-millimeter protrusion.

Tuning

A D G H E

In principle, you can tune exactly using a tuning fork or another instrument. But usually, beginners tune the guitar much lower than is required for professionals. And they do the right thing. This makes the strings much softer. I recommend that you first tighten the strings so that they seem weak. Be careful not to overtighten the strings – they can break. And let’s start tuning. At first, it will seem difficult.

The numbers on the – table are the strings. First, tune string 1 – as approximately as needed. Then you can change it. Tune string 2 by 1. Simultaneously or in turn, extracting the same note on both strings. Tighten string 2 or release it. Both strings should sound the same. Similarly, the other strings up to 6.

Then we correct the tuning by comparing the sound of the same notes of different octaves on different strings. E – E – E, A – A and so on. When you find the string tension that suits you personally, the task becomes easier. The strings get used to the usual tension and keep it for a long time. You will only need to adjust the tuning a little.

Fight, selection, rhythm

There are two types of simple guitar chord playing. Strumming and strumming. In the first case, they strike several strings with one stroke, creating an artistic rhythm. In the second case, they pluck one string at a time. Strumming, rhythm – this is an individual fantasy. Like on drums: drums, tambourines, bongos… You have to listen to it, invent it and practice. They strike with whatever they like: a pick, a fingernail, the pad of the thumb, all the fingers. It depends on where we are. What is effective for the stage or for the street – sounds heavy and loud at home. And you can’t learn this from a book. But there is something about rhythm in the book.

However, at home they prefer to pick. Both in combat and in picking they adhere to two main types of rhythm: in twos or threes. The first hit is stronger, then one or two weak ones. In picking, the bass usually comes first, then the thin strings. Further about the same, but deeper. Real rhythms consist of twos or threes. But in fact they are longer. Usually there are two or four figures. Figures – that is, twos or threes.

Look carefully at the three following tables. Notes table, Chords table and Easy chords. Play and learn at least a little bit of the notes on the fretboard. Practice putting chords. If you can’t do this yet, don’t be afraid that you didn’t succeed right away. Just try to extract sounds so that the strings sound good.

Table of notes on 6 – string guitar

We’ll have to figure out these notes a little. We’ll put chord diagrams on them. Usually – on one of the basses. It wouldn’t hurt to look into the theory, at least at the beginning.

Chord chart

From left to right, strings from 6 to 1. The numbers to the left of the diagrams are frets. We do not move chords from fret 0. We move the remaining chords. The chord is determined by the main note. The symbols show where to place the fingers. The numbers are additional steps. If there are several symbols on one string, then we choose one.

…dim. – This is a special chord. A diminished triad with a 6th degree. Any of its notes is the main one.

Second bass. When we play by strumming, we play the main note with the first bass. And this one with the second. Sometimes there aren’t enough fingers for the second bass. When we play by strumming, we simply move the same finger from the first bass to the second. And when we play by strumming and there aren’t enough fingers, we don’t play that string.