Amazing Guitar 2.0. Workbook

Transcription

1 Amazing Guitar 2.0 Workbook

2 Table of Contents 1. Grab 2. Throw 3. Tuning 4. D major 7 Stretch 5. Form 6. Tapping 7. Picking 4xs 8. G major scale Tapping 4xs 9. Picking 3xs 10. G major Pull offs 11. Pick 2 Xs 12. G major 4 Notes 3 each 13. Picking 1 Time 14. Barre Chords and Open Chords 15. G major 3rds 16. Arpegio 17. Both hands scale and picking Extra Material 18. Vibrato and Bends 19. Minor and blues scale 20 Pentatonic Major and Minor

3 1. Grab The grab is a great way to stretch out. Simply take your hands and hold them in front of you with your palms facing away. Here is a picture: Bring your finger tips to the top of your palms. Here is a picture to show what I mean: Now Stretch your knuckles apart. Note in the pictures the knuckles are now apart. Repeat this 3 to 5 times until you feel you are beginning to stretch out.

4 2. Throw The Throw is a great way to stat building speed. you will be using the muscles in front of your fingers and the muscles in back of your fingers. Start by making a fist: Then throw your fingers out so they are straight. Make sure your pinky is not lazy. Repeat this 20 times

5 3. Tuning If possible tune to a tuning machine or pitch fork. Here is a quick way to tune up without a tuning machine: Try to start with a note from a pitch fork or piano or another guitar that you know is in tune. I like to get my A string in Tune first and then tune the rest of guitar to that. the reason I do this is because it is in my range of hearing. The Low E is too low for me to hear perfectly. Then I tune the D string to the 5th Fret of the A string. When I feel the A and D string are in tune I tune the G string to the 5th Fret of the D string Simple enough. Now the guitar throws a curve at you. I tune the B string to the 4th Fret of the G string and once the B string is in tune I tune the high E string to the 5th Fret of the B string. Now I go back to the Low E and compare against the Open E String to the Open A string. Here is a diagram:

6 4. D major 7 Stretch The D major 7 chord stretch is a killer. Try it a few times and then move on. I don't expect you to perfect this exercise soon But attempting the exercise will pay dividends. You start with your 4th finger on the D string 12th Fret 3rd finger on the G string 11th Fret 2nd finger on the B string 10th Fret 1st finger on the E string 9th Fret. Here is a Diagram and picture of the starting position: Strum the strings very very lightly. This will help your struming. Don't get discouraged if yo9u are not making a very pretty sound. Now move the 1st finger to the 8th Fret. Do not move the other fingers if possible. Now move the 1st finger to the 8th Fret Again strum the strings lightly up and down. You can also pick each string. You are now playing a D 7th chord. Now move the 2nd finger to the 9th Fret Again strum the strings lightly up and down. You can also pick each string. You are now playing a D7 flat 5 chord. Now move the 3rd finger to the 10th Fret Again strum the strings lightly up and down. You can also pick each string. You are now playing a Dminor7 flat 5 chord. Now move your 4th finger over 1 fret and you are back to the original position but 1 fret down. Try to move at least 3 frets down so your 1 st finger is on the 6 th fret..

7 5. Form The Proper form for the fretting hand is relaxed and horizontal to the fretboard. Start with your hand out as if you are asking for something. Now as you place your hand on the fretboard bring your thumb to a place behind the second finger. Notice the wrist is not bent.

8 6. Tapping The tapping exercise is very easy but very powerful. You will strike the string and focus all of your attention on one action. Thjs will allow you to perfect this simple yet most important action In playing guitar. Start with your 1 st finger tapping on the High E string at the 5 th Fret. Tap 20 to 25 times. Try to make the same sound. The finger should Strike the string on the finger tip in the same place in the middle of the fret. Next slide your 1 st finger to the 4 th fret and tap with your 2 nd finger on The 5ht fret. While holding down your 1 st finger. Tap 20 to 25 times. Again slide your 2 nd and 1 st finger to the 4 th and 3 rd frets and tap with your 3rd finger on the 5 th fret while holding down your 1 st and 2 nd fingers. Tap 20 to 25 times. Again slide your 3 rd, 2 nd and 1 st finger to the 4 th, 3 rd and 2nd frets and tap with your 4th finger on the 5 th fret while holding down your 1 st 2 nd and 2 rd fingers. Tap 20 to 25 times.

9 7. Picking 4xs Here is a close up of how I hold the pick. This allows me to hold the pick perpendicular to the fret board. This allows down and up strokes to be equal. Now we will concentrate on the picking hand. We will use the same pattern for all of the picking exercises. We will start on the A sting on the 7 th Fret The pattern is 4 times on each note from 7 th to 10 th Fret then each note back to the 7 th Fret then back to the 10 th fret and onto the next string. Once you reach the High E string then work back down the strings until you Reach the Low E string. Pick each note 4 times alternating down and up strokes. (You can also alternate with the Up stroke first..try it) Pay attention so that each pick is the same in speed and volume. Practice the picking exercises slow at first to make sure you can change from note to note and string to string without pausing or changing rhythm. Later you can practice increasing speed. You should also practice dynamics. Play as softly as you can and gradually play louder and louder and then softer.

10 8. G Major Scale - Tapping 4 Times We will learn the G Major Scale for played at the 3 rd fret. Here is a diagram of the scale form. Notice that the scale diagram shows frets played and above shows which fingers should be used. Use 1 finger for each fret which will make learning the scale less confusing. A great way to learn the scale is to remember 1 string at a time. Low E string is 2 nd 4 th Fingers The A string is 1 st, 2 nd 4 th Fingers The D string is 1 st 3 rd 4 th Fingers The G string is 1 st 3 rd 4 th Fingers The B string is 2 nd 4 th Fingers The E string is 1 st, 2 nd 4 th Fingers This exercise is to focus on our fretting hand so we won t use our picking hand. Instead we will tap each note very slowly 4 times. I can stress making sure you go SLOW ENOUGH NOT TO MAKE ANY MISTAKES. Speed will come later if you follow this advice. If you don t follow this advice you will always be slightly hesitant.

11 9. Picking 3 Times This is a great exercise to help you get the feeling of alternate picking changing from note to note. Because we pick 3 times between each note as you move from note to note you alternate starting with up and then down stroke. So the first note is picked The second note is picked The third note is picked The fourth note is picked Down Up Down Up Down Up Down Up Down Up Down Up You can also change to start Up Down Up. We will start on the A sting on the 7 th Fret. The pattern is 3 times on each note from 7 th to 10 th Fret then each note back to the 7 th Fret then back to the 10 th fret and onto the next string. Once you reach the High E string then work back down the strings until you Reach the Low E string. Pick each note 3 times alternating down and up strokes. (You can also alternate with the Up stroke first..try it) Pay attention so that each pick is the same in speed and volume. Practice the picking exercises slow at first to make sure you can change from note to note and string to string without pausing or changing rhythm. Later you can practice increasing speed. You should also practice dynamics. Play as softly as you can and gradually play louder and louder and then softer.

12 10. G Major Scale Pull offs We will use the G Major Scale for played at the 3 rd fret. Here is a diagram of the scale form. Notice that the scale diagram shows frets played and above shows which fingers should be used. Use one finger for each fret which will make learning the scale less confusing. A great way to learn the scale is to remember 1 string at a time. Low E string is 2 nd 4 th Fingers The A string is 1 st 2 nd 4 th Fingers The D string is 1 st 3 rd 4 th Fingers The G string is 1 st 3 rd 4 th Fingers The B string is 2 nd 4 th Fingers The E string is 1 st 2 nd 4 th Fingers This exercise is to focus on our fretting hand so we won t use our picking hand. Instead we will pull off each note very slowly 3 times. I can stress making sure you go slow enough NOT TO MAKE ANY MISTAKES. Start the exercise on the High (thin) E string with the second finger. Then go down the scale. Speed is not important in this exercise. This is an excellent exercise to build the muscles on the back of your hand and fingers and will contribute to speed. This will also help you perfect your pull offs which are used a lot in guitar.

13 11. Pick 2 Xs We are now moving towards speed in our picking. This is a great exercise to help you get the feeling of alternate picking changing from note to note. Because we pick 2 times between each note as you move from note to note you alternate starting with up and then down stroke. You can also change to start Up Down Up. We will start on the A sting on the 7 th Fret. The pattern is 2 times on each note from 7 th to 10 th Fret then each note back to the 7 th Fret then back to the 10 th fret and onto the next string. Once you reach the High E string then work back down the strings until you Reach the Low E string. Pick each note 2 times alternating down and up strokes. (You can also alternate with the Up stroke first..try it) Pay attention so that each pick is the same in speed and volume. Practice the picking exercises slow at first to make sure you can change from note to note and string to string without pausing or changing rhythm. Later you can practice increasing speed. You should also practice dynamics. Play as softly as you can and gradually play louder and louder and then softer.

14 12. G Major Scale Ascending 4 Notes Tapping Times 3 Each Now we will really dig into the G Major Scale. The form we are using is the same for all scale pattern exercises. This is known as the E form in the C-A-G-E-D system. You should start to familiarize yourself with the C-A-G-E-D system as described in the Ultimate Fretboard Guide. Again here is the pattern: In this exercise we will play the scale in sequences of 4 notes. Here is a tab for the first sequence of 4 notes: B G D A E Now the second set of 4 notes starts on the 2 nd And goes up 4 notes: note of the scale B G D A E And the third set of 4 notes starts on the 3 rd and goes up 4 notes: note of the scale B G D A Continue this pattern for each of the notes in the G major scale.

15 13. Picking 1 Time We are now moving towards speed in our picking. This is a great exercise to help you get the feeling of alternate picking changing from note to note. Because we pick 1 times between each note as you move from note to note you alternate starting with up and then down stroke. You can also change to start Up Down Up. We will start on the A sting on the 7 th Fret. The pattern is 1 time on each note from 7 th to 10 th Fret then each note back to the 7 th Fret then back to the 10 th fret and onto the next string. Once you reach the High E string then work back down the strings until you Reach the Low E string. Pick each note 1 times alternating down and up strokes. (You can also alternate with the Up stroke first try it) Pay attention so that each pick is the same in speed and volume. Practice the picking exercises slow at first to make sure you can change from note to note and string to string without pausing or changing rhythm. Later you can practice increasing speed. You should also practice dynamics. Play as softly as you can and gradually play louder and louder and then softer.

16 14. Barre Chords and Open Chords Here is a great exercise to help make clean Barre Chords. Simply lay your first finger across the all of the strings on the fretboard at the 3 rd fret. Here is a Tablature: E B G D A E And here is a picture: Hold and squeeze this position 20 times a day for a week. You can also use the same theory with Chords. Take a chord and squeeze 20 times. CHORD SWITCHING To help with Switching chords try this exercise with 2 chords. Squeeze the first chord 20 times then switch to the second chord and squeeze 20 times. Repeat again but then only squeeze 10 times before switching. Repeat again but then only squeeze 5 times before switching. Repeat again but then only squeeze 2 times before switching. Finally Repeat again but then only squeeze 1 time before switching.

17 15. G Major Scales in 3rds We now move towards understanding scale and chord relationships. Playing the Major scale in 3rds will begin to reveal how chords are built and how the scale is played in chords. We will use the same pattern but the sequence will change: The sequence will be in sets of two notes: Do Mi Re Fa Mi So Fa La So Ti La Do Ti Re The exercise continues through two octaves. Tap each note 3 Times. Here is a Tablature: Do Mi Re Fa B G D A E Mi So Fa La B G D A

18 G Major in 3rds Continued: So Ti La Do B G D A nd Octave Ti Re Do Mi B G D A Re Fa Mi So B G D A Fa La So Ti E B G D A La Do Ti Re E B G D A E

19 16. Arpeggio Arpeggios are Chords played in scale fashion. Where as a G Major Chord is played like this: The Chord is or G D G B D G E B G D A E An Arpeggio looks like this: Here the arpeggio is or G B D G B D G E B G D G is repeated A E If we add a Major 7 th It looks like this: E B G D G is repeated A E Arpeggios can make a great sound in a solo for Rock, Jazz or Classical guitar.

20 17. Both hands scale and picking Now we can put together out picking hand and fretting hand. We will play the G Major scale in the same pattern we used for the other scale exercises. We will pick each note 3 times. Here is a diagram of the scale:

21 Extra Material 18. Vibrato and Bends Vibrato: A tremulous or pulsating effect produced in an instrumental or vocal tone by minute and rapid variations in pitch.. For guitar vibrato there are 3 different styles. 1. Classical: This vibrato is horizontal. Move your arm side to side while You keep your finger on the note. 2. Wrist Vibrato: This vibrato is caused by rotating the wrist and arm causing the string to move up and/or down from the note played. 3. Forearm vibrato: This vibrato is also know as hanging vibrato as the hand does not touch the neck of the guitar rather the finger hang onto the strings while the foremarm Move up and down. Vibrato gives notes warmth and personality. You should practice the different styles of vibrato so you feel comfortable with each style so you are not limited to the one that feels best. Bends: Moving the pitch of a note by bending the strings. Bending the string will give you different tones. Generally you will bend from One note up to another. You can also start with the string bent to the high note and Lower (unbend) the string to a lower note. Bends can be performed on all the strings but are more common on the G, B and E strings. There are different ways to bend the string. Use your third finger and second finger and push the string up by turning your Wrist. On the heavier strings E and A you can pull down on the strings. The purpose of bending a string is to move the note up to the next Note. I like to think I am simulating the human cry.

22 19. Minor and blues scale The Minor scale is different from the major scale because the 3 rd 6 th and 7 th are flatted. What this means is that the tones are 1 fret Lower. Where the major scale is laid out: From 1 to 2 there is a whole step or 2 frets From 2 to 3 there is a whole step or 2 frets From 3 to 4 there is a half step or 1 fret From 4 to 5 there is a whole step or 2 frets From 5 to 6 there is a whole step or 2 frets From 6 to 7 there is a whole step or 2 frets From 7 to 8 there is a half step or 1 fret The Minor scale is laid out: From 1 to 2 there is a whole step or 2 frets From 2 to 3 there is a half step or 1 fret From 3 to 4 there is a whole step or 2 frets From 4 to 5 there is a whole step or 2 frets From 5 to 6 there is a half step or 1 fret From 6 to 7 there is a whole step or 2 frets From 7 to 8 there is a whole step or 2 frets We should note here the Minor scale is really a mode derived from the Major scale. The Minor scale is created by Taking the scale from the 6 th note to the 6 th note Major Minor Here we see a Minor scale form for A minor starting on the 5 th fret. 1 st finger plays notes on the 5 th fret 2 nd finger plays notes on the 6 th fret 3 rd finger plays notes on the 7 th fret 4 th finger plays notes on the 8 th fret We shift this fingering down 1 fret on the G string.

23 The Blues scale is derived from the Minor scale. First let s look at the minor pentatonic. The minor pentatonic scale has only 5 notes. The basic form is very easy to remember. The fingering is: Low E string: 1 st finger - 4 th Finger Strings A though G: 1 st and 3 rd Finger B and E string 1 st finger - 4 th Finger Now we can add some Blues Notes We add the Major 3 rd And the Flat 5. In actuality you can use any note When playing the blues.

24 Pentatonic Major and Minor The major and minor Pentatonic scale use the same form but Start in a different position. Here we see the C Major Pentatonic. You play this starting with your 4 th finger on the 8 th Fret Of the E string. Again use one finger to each Fret. 1 st Finger on the 5 th Fret 2 nd Finger on the 6 th Fret 3 rd Finger on the 7 th Fret 4 th Finger on the 8 th Fret Now the pattern is easy. E string: 4 th Finger A string: 1 st and 3 rd Finger D string: 1 st and 3 rd Finger G string: 1 st and 3 rd Finger B string: 1 st and 4 th Finger E string: 1 st and 4th Finger We will use the exact same fingering for the A minor Pentatonic. But start with the 1 st finger on the Low E string.

25 I hope you have enjoyed and continue to work with the Amazing Guitar DVD and workbook. Remember to practice slowly and try not to make any mistakes. If you are making mistakes play slower. Try to practice on 3 consecutive days. Each day will build on the previous. If you don t have time do the entire routine. Make sure you at least Do the first three stretching exercises. At times you will just want to play and not practice. Remember stretching out will Make playing much better as you will warm up much faster. A great way to master the Fret board is to apply the exercises you have learned to the Other positions as explained in the Ultimate Fretboard DVD and workbook. I wish you many years of enjoyment with your guitar! For more guitar information checkout these great sites: Guitar -5-Day Free lessons including Video, Tabs and MP3 Guitar Tips -Offers online electric and acoustic guitar lessons, tabs for beginners, and easy guitar songs. A complete package with 2 hours of video and Over 300 pages of lessons. Signup for free 6 lesson course "Learn to play electric or acoustic guitar quickly and easily with the most amazing step-by-step interactive program available today!" Kenny Mann has put together an excellent site for the beyond beginner Guitar Alliance Tony Alfano shows exactly how to play the classic rock Riffs.