Playing the guitar is an amazing skill. Keep in mind that great guitar
players spend countless hours and years becoming great. It does not happen in
the first month or year of playing.
You should use your class time to the fullest advantage. This means you
should begin practicing as soon as you arrive each class period. You should
practice each song until you master it. You know a song is mastered when you
can play it rhythmically and without error 4-5 times in a row. All of this practice
will help you become a good guitar player.
Good luck and have fun!
Name________________________ www.romanmusic.org
Learn toLearn toLearn toLearn to Play the GuitarPlay the GuitarPlay the GuitarPlay the Guitar
By Michael E. RomaBy Michael E. RomaBy Michael E. RomaBy Michael E. Romannnn
Instructor: Mr. Roman
Positions When Playing the GuitarPositions When Playing the GuitarPositions When Playing the GuitarPositions When Playing the Guitar
Do you think you would laugh if you saw a professional basketball player
shooting a basketball from his waist? I think I would. If a player used that
position to shoot, his shots would be blocked quite easily.
The short example above illustrates the point that in any activity the positions you
use can be extremely important. This is definitely true for the guitar.
Below you will find a picture showing you the correct position for your hands
when you are playing the guitar. You will also find a picture representing the
fretboard of the guitar, the part of the guitar where you place your fingers.
**Please keep track of these positions as you are playing. Part of your
evaluations will be how well you control your fingers as you play.
Thumb should be kept straight.
Fingers are
curved.
These lines represent the frets
of the guitar. The frets are the
thin metal bars that you find
going across the neck of the
guitar. The arrow points to
the first fret.
These lines
represent the
strings of the
guitar. The
arrow points
to the 1st
string, or
high E string.
Frets
© 2007 Michael E. Roman
1
E A D G B E
TAB
0 0 7 7 9 9 7 5 5 4 4Fine
2 2 0
7 7 5 5 4 4 2 7 7 5 5
D.C. al Fine
4 4 2
2 3 4 3 2 3 4 30 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 3 2 2 2
0 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 0 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 3 2 0
0 20 1 3
0 2 3 3 2 03 1 0
2 0
Guitar Songs in Tablature
M.E.R.
©2007
Twinkle, Twinkle- A melody by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
James Bond Theme
G Scale- One Octave
**Tablature is a system of notating music that uses
numbers to represent the fret where a finger should
be placed to make the correct sound.
**For this exercise, use the same finger as is indicated by the fret number.
Before moving on, rate yourself on these three things, 4 being the best:
1. I am using the correct body and hand positions 1 2 3 4
2. I am keeping a steady beat 1 2 3 4
3. I am playing as beautifully as I can, without any buzzes or other extra noises 1 2 3 4
** For these exercises, use your middle finger to play each note. Remember to support with your thumb.
3
TAB
Write Your Own Song with Tablature
M.E.R
©2007 Michael E. Roman
EBGDAE
Use the tablature lines below to create your own song.
Remember, the numbers you write correspond to the
fret you want pressed down. Please include a title
for your song.
(title)______________________________
4
& c œ œ œ œE G B D
œ œ œ œF D B G
œ Œ ÓE
& 44 œ œ œ œF A C E
œ œ œ œE C A F
& c œ œ œ œ1 2 3 4
∑ ˙ ˙1 3
& 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
∑ w1
Music Theory BasicsWe will use the basics to learn how to read
music for the guitar.
M.E.R.
©2007
Every Guitar Beginner Does Fine
READING NOTES:The notes on the lines of the staff make this phrase:
The notes on the spaces spell FACE.
BASIC RHYTHMS
Quarter notes get 1 beat each. Half-notes get 2 beats each.
Eighth notes get 1/2 a beat each. A whole note gets 4 beats.
2 4
2 43
5
& c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
& 44 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
& c œ œ œ ˙ œ ˙ œ œ
& 44 œ œ œ œ Œ ˙ œ œ œ
& c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ
Theory Classwork
Directions: Label the notes below. Write the letter name on the blank line.
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ______
Directions: Draw a shape around the half notes.
Directions: Draw a shape around the quarter notes.
Directions: Draw a shape around the eighth notes.
6
Ex. 1
Ex. 2
Ex. 3
Ex. 4
©2007
& c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ w
& 44 œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙
& c œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙
& 44 œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ w
& c œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
Notes on the First StringM.E.R.
©2007
1st string
E is played on the 1st open string. _`
F is played on the 1st string, 1st fret. _
`
Play F and E together.
G is played on the 1st string, 3rd fret. _̀Play E, F, and G
in the same song.Playing the First
7
1
2
3
4
5
1 F- Use the first finger to play F.
3 G- Use the third finger to play G.
0 E is open
& c œ œ œ ˙ œ ˙ œ œ
& œ œ œ œ Œ ˙ œ œ œ
& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ
©2007
Music Theory Basics Review and PracticeUse your new knowledge to complete the exercises below.
Draw a shape around the half notes.
Draw a shape around the quarter notes.
Draw a shape around the eighth notes.
Draw a rhythm tree.
Plan a skit to demonstrate to the class what the different rhythms are. | or |
Write your explanation here: __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
8
Ex. 5
Ex. 6
Ex. 7
Ex. 8
& c œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙
& 44 œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙
& c œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙
& 44 œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙
& c œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Notes on the Second StringM.E.R.
©2007
2nd String
B is played on the 2nd open string. _
`
C is played on the 2nd string, 1st fret. _
`
D is played on the
2nd string, 3rd fret. _̀
6
7
8
9
9
Playing the Second
Playing the First and Second
Play B, C, and D
in the same song.
Play B, C, D, E, F,
and G in the same song.
10
1 C- Use the first finger to play C.
3 D- Use the third finger to play D.
0 B is open.
& .œ Jœ .œ Jœ .œ Jœ .œ Jœ ˙ œ œ .œ Jœ ˙
& b 44 œ œ œ œLove me ten der,
œ œ ˙Love me sweet,
.œ Jœ œ œNe ver let me
˙ ˙go- - - -
& b œ œ œ œYou have made my
œ œ ˙life com plete,
.œ Jœ œ œAnd I love you
˙ Óso.-
10
Love Me Tender- notes include B,C,D,E,F,G
What is a Dotted Note?
When you add a dot to a note, the dot increases the value of the note
by half of the original value. A quarter note with a dot would
receive 1 1/2 beats (1 beat + 1/2 beat = 1 1/2 beats).
Before moving on, rate yourself on these three things, 4 being the best:
1. I am using the correct body and hand positions 1 2 3 4
2. I am keeping a steady beat 1 2 3 4
3. I am playing as beautifully as I can, without any buzzes or
other extra noises 1 2 3 4
Check Your Playing
Play the example below:
Now play Love Me Tender, paying close attention to the dotted quarter notes.
This song also has two eighth notes. Can you find them and circle them?
Dotted Quarter Notes Introduction and Eighth Note Review
11
12
©.
©2007
Bonus: Explain to your neighber dotted notes. | or | Plan a skit with your neighbor to
explain dotted notes.
& c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ˙
& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
& 44 ˙ ˙ Œ œ œ Œ ˙ ˙
& œ œ ˙ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ
Music Theory Basics Review and PracticeUse your new knowledge to complete the exercises below.
©2007
____________________________________________
READING NOTES:
Fill in the blank. The notes on the lines of the staff make this phrase:
Fill in the blank. The notes on the spaces spell ___________.
Directions: Label the notes.
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ N ___
Directions: Finish these words by labeling the notes.
___ I ___ R ___ ___ ___ I ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ R ___ ___ ___ ___
11
Ex. 9
Ex. 10
& c œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙
& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙U
& œ œ .œ Jœ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙
& œ œ .œ Jœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w
Notes on the Third String
M.E.R.
©2007
3rd String
G is played on the 3rd
open string. _`
_̀A is played on the 3rd
string, 2nd fret.
G's Parade
Quest for A
Let's play a song that uses
all the notes and rhythms
we have learned so far Singing Silent Praises
13
14
15
12
0 G is open.
2 A- Use the second finger to play A.
Bonus:What do you think
the sign on this note means?
& # 43Guitar œ .œ Jœ œEm
˙ œEm
& #3 .œ Jœ œEm
œ œ œEm
F# and "Owl in the Air"MER
©2007
If we learn one new note, F sharp, then we can play this
hummable tune.
_̀2 Use the second finger
to play F#.
F# is played on the
first string, second fret.
Owl in the Air
13
& c Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û
& 44 Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û
& c œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Let's Play Chords
M.E.R.
©2007
_`̀`Em
Em is played on the top three open strings.
For this example, you strum once for each quarter
note rhythm marking written on the staff.
_`G7
G7 is played with your first finger on the first
fret, on the first string.
Let's combine G7 and Em. Strum quarter notes as evenly as you can.
The melody written on the staff below is for a partner to play.
Back and Forth
`̀
A chord is three or more notes
strummed at the same time
14
G7
G7 Em Em G7
1
Em
& c Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û
& 44 Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û
& c ..œ œ œ œC
œ œ œ œAm
œ œ œ œEm
œ œ œ œG 7
wC
Let's Play More Chords
M.E.R.
©2007
_`̀`C
C is played with your first finger on the first fret
of the second string. Remember, strum one downstroke
for each quarter note rhythm marking on the staff.
_`Am
Am is played with your first finger on the first fret
of the second string, and your second finger on the
second fret of the third string.
* Let's combine C, Em, Am, and G7. Strum quarter notes as evenly
as you can. The melody written on the staff below is for a
partner to play.
Bring them Back
`̀
A chord is three or more notes
strummed at the same time
15
1
C
Am
12
0
What do you think the ^
new symbol at the end
of the song means?
& c
&
& 44
&
Write Your Own Songs
Name___________________________
©2007
Use the space provided below to write you own songs using the
notes and rythms you have learned so far. Make sure each measure
has the correct (4) number of beats.
Title__________________________________
Title__________________________________
16
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