At the top of the guitar we have the headstock which describes the part of the guitar attached to the adjoining neck of the instrument. On the headstock are tuners which you use to make your adjustments to your guitar strings. Where the headstock meets the neck of the guitar, you’ll find the nut. A nut is simply a small piece of plastic or bone in which grooves are carved out to align the strings up towards the tuners.
The neck of the guitar is the area of the instrument you’ll spend most of your time on. Your fingers will be placed appropriately and move in order to create the desired notes on different parts of the neck. The neck of the guitar is attached to the body of the instrument.
Most acoustic and classical guitars have a hollowed out body and a sound hole in order to project the sounds the strings create in combination with the body. Most electric guitars have a solid body, and therefore will not have the sound hole. Instead they possess a pick-up. The pick-up is equivalent to a small microphone, which captures the sound of the ringing strings and amplifying them. The strings of the guitar run between the tuning pegs, over the nut, down the neck, over the body, past the sound hole (or pick-up), and are connected at the piece attached to the body called the bridge.
When picking up your guitar you will hold it so the back of the body of the instrument comes in contact with your stomach/chest and the bottom of the neck runs parallel to the floor. The largest diameter string should be the closest to your chin. A right-handed person will hold the guitar with the headstock pointing to the left. Visa- versa for a left handed person.
While playing, the body of the guitar will rest on one of your legs if sitting. Generally, the guitar will rest on the leg farthest away from the headstock. Ideally a right handed player will rest the guitar on the right leg, a left handed player on their left leg.
However a proper classical guitarist dictates the exact opposite.
To begin playing, choosing your pick it is recommended to start with using a medium gauge pick. When playing keep in mind that your picking hand is the hand which is nearest to the bridge of the guitar, when sitting in the correct position. Hold the pick firmly. Position your picking hand over the soundhole of your acoustic guitar, or over the body of your electric guitar. Your picking hand, with thumb knuckle still facing you, should hover over the strings. Do not rest your picking hand on the strings or body of the guitar.
Using your wrist for motion strike the sixth (lowest) string of your guitar in a downward motion. If the string rattles excessively, try striking the string a bit softer, or with less of the pick surface. Now, pick the sixth string in an upwards motion.
Good technique is to try and minimize motion in your picking hand. One short picking stroke downwards, then one short picking stroke upwards. This is known as alternate picking.
Although awkward at first this is the technique you should adopt when playing your guitar. You will initially have to pay special attention to your picking hand whenever you play guitar. Ideally your aim is to create fluidity in your alternate picking. Your downstrokes should sound virtually identical to your upstrokes.
Next take the first finger on your fretting hand (remembering to curl it), and place it on the first fret of the sixth string. Apply a significant amount of downward pressure to the string, and strike the string with your pick. Now, take your second finger, place it on the second fret of the guitar, take your first finger off, and again strike the sixth string with the pick. Repeat the same process on the third fret, using your third finger. Repeat on the fourth fret, using your fourth finger. Now repeat again on the fifth string. Repeat this process for each string, altering it only on the third string. On this third string, play only up to the third fret. When you’ve played all the way up to the first string, fourth fret, you’ve completed the exercise.
When playing a note, place your finger at the top of fret (the area of the fret farthest away from the headstock). This will produce a clearer sound. Try to use alternate picking while attempting this exercise. If this is overwhelming, try using only downstrokes with your pick, but once you have become accustomed return to include up and down strokes. Once you’ve finished the scale, do it all in reverse by starting with the first rather than the sixth.
Playing a chord involves using your pick to strike at least two notes on the guitar simultaneously. Following are three of the most common, and easy to play chords on the guitar
We are going to play, a G major chord.
Take your second finger, and place it on the third fret of the sixth string. Then take your first finger, and put it on the second fret of the fifth string. Lastly, place your third finger on the third fret of the first string. Ensure all of your fingers are curled, and are not touching any strings other than the target strings. Using your pick, strike all six strings in one fluid motion. Notes should ring all together, not one at a time, this will take practice. When you succeed you have played your first G major cord. While still holding down the chord with your fretting hand, play each string (starting with the sixth) one at a time, take care to listen to ensure each note rings out clearly. If not, take note and determine why it does not. Repeat until you achieve your aim.
We are going to play, a C major chord.
Place your third finger on the third fret of the fifth string. Now, put your second finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Then put your first finger on the first fret of the second string.
What you must be aware of is when playing a C major chord, you do not want to strum the sixth string. Take care to ensure you only strum the bottom five strings when you are first learning the C major chord. Test this chord to make sure all notes are ringing clearly.
We are going to play, a D major chord.
Normally more difficult than G or C major chords for beginners your fingers have to cram into a fairly limited area.
Place your first finger on the second fret of the third string. Then, put your third finger on the third fret of the second string. Lastly, place your second finger on the second fret of the first string. Strum only the bottom 4 strings when playing a D major chord.
Practice these three major cords, they may well be your base for your guitar-playing career. Persevere until you can play each of the chords without looking.
Realistically, to start improving on guitar, you’re going to need to set aside a bit of time to practice. Best is to develop a daily routine. Spend at least 15 minutes a day. Expect sore fingers at first. Don’t get discouraged. Everyone struggles initially. Keep practicing and you will see improvement.