Free guitar lessons - Learn the basics of how to play chords and arpeggios for beginners

Free Guitar Lessons - Session 1
Building Blocks - The Basics
Free Private Guitar Lessons...Free Private Guitar Lessons...
without the teacher (kinda)...
© GuitarBasics.com
Free Guitar Lessons - Session 1 - Building Blocks

...
The Basics...The Basics...
Even though I can't
be there to help you
in person, I do offer
some of my own
personal comments
using these thought
bubbles. I am also
available to answer
questions via Social
networks and email,
as seen at the end
of this lesson
session.
Even though I can't
be there to help you
in person, I do offer
some of my own
personal comments
using these thought
bubbles. I am also
available to answer
questions via Social
networks and email,
as seen at the end
of this lesson
session.
Hi, I'm Kirk...
In an attempt to create
a set of online lessons
based on the lessons I
give my students in
the studio, I have
created this:
Private Lessons
without a Teacher...
Hi, I'm Kirk...
In an attempt to create
a set of online lessons
based on the lessons I
give my students in
the studio, I have
created this:
Private Lessons
without a Teacher...
Introduction
© GuitarBasics.com

1 … Musical Alphabet
2 … String Names
3 … Notes on fretboard
...
4 … The Steps
5 … The Degrees
6 … Scales
7 … Church Modes
8 … Arpeggios
9 … Chords
Session 2 will cover the Building Blocks of Song Writing
Session 1 Lessons
© GuitarBasics.com

The Musical Alphabet
Consist of 7 repeating letters (also know as notes)
... A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F, etc...
The musical alphabet
goes from A to G and
then repeats over and
over again... All the
white keys on the
piano are either A, B,
C, D, E, F or G.
The musical alphabet
goes from A to G and
then repeats over and
over again... All the
white keys on the
piano are either A, B,
C, D, E, F or G.
1
© GuitarBasics.com

The Musical Alphabet - Part 2
There are also half notes between some of the letter notes.
... A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C C# etc...
Notice that there are no half notes between B & C and between E & F
The # symbols are
called "Sharps". All the
black keys on the piano
are sharps. Either an
A#, C#, D#, F# or G#.
The # symbols are
called "Sharps". All the
black keys on the piano
are sharps. Either an
A#, C#, D#, F# or G#.
1
© GuitarBasics.com

The Musical Alphabet - Part 3
In some cases music utilizes "Flats(♭)" instead of "Sharps(#)"
... A♭ A B♭ B C D♭ D E♭ E F G♭ G A♭ A B♭ B C D♭ etc...
Notice that there are no ♭ notes between B & C and between E & F.
The "♭" represents a half step lower and the
"#" represents a half step higher. All the half
step notes (like the black piano keys) have
two names: A#/B♭ - C#/D♭ - D#/E♭ -
F#/G♭ - G#/A♭.
The "♭" represents a half step lower and the
"#" represents a half step higher. All the half
step notes (like the black piano keys) have
two names: A#/B♭ - C#/D♭ - D#/E♭ -
F#/G♭ - G#/A♭.
1
© GuitarBasics.com

The String Names
There are 6 strings on the typical guitar.
Each string has a note name.
The biggest fat string is call the "Low E String"
The image shown, is
a representation of
the guitar fretboard
held upright, facing
you.
The image shown, is
a representation of
the guitar fretboard
held upright, facing
you.
2
© GuitarBasics.com

The String Names - Part 2
The other five strings (from biggest to smallest) are A,
D, G, B and High E string. The high "e" string (as
shown) is the thinnest.
Again biggest string is call the "Low E String"
To remember the string names use the following
acronym...
Enjoy All Daily GuitarBasics.com Exercises
The image shown, is a
representation of the
guitar fretboard as you
would see it in your
hands while playing.
The image shown, is a
representation of the
guitar fretboard as you
would see it in your
hands while playing.
2
© GuitarBasics.com

Notes on the Fretboard
Remember the musical alphabet notes A A# B C C# D D#
E F...? Those letters all have a place on the guitar
fretboard, with the string names being the starting point of
the letters.
Each of those vertical
lines are called "frets".
The spaces between
the frets are where
you place fingers to
play a note. If you
plucked a string
without placing a
finger on the
fretboard, the note
name would be the
same as the string
name you plucked.
Each of those vertical
lines are called "frets".
The spaces between
the frets are where
you place fingers to
play a note. If you
plucked a string
without placing a
finger on the
fretboard, the note
name would be the
same as the string
name you plucked.
For example, the notes of the D string are D D# E F F# G... etc...
Likewise, the notes of the B string are B C C# D D# E F... etc...
3
© GuitarBasics.com

Notes on the Fretboard - Part 2
All the frets have note names, here is an example of part of
the fretboard showing notes (with sharps) on all the strings.
If you pushed your finger down on a
note and plucked that same string, then
did it again with the next note in order,
and kept playing each note in order
from string to string, you would then be
playing a "scale".
If you pushed your finger down on a
note and plucked that same string, then
did it again with the next note in order,
and kept playing each note in order
from string to string, you would then be
playing a "scale".
Notice that the notes not only go in order along one string but can
also go across in order from string to string. Starting from the "Low
E" string there is an: E F F# G and G#, then to the "A" string it
continues with A A# B C C#, then to the "D" string... and it continues
again in order from string to string.
3
© GuitarBasics.com

The Steps
All the notes of the musical alphabet have a distance between them. The
distance is called "Steps". One "half step" is the distance from one fret or
note to another. A whole step is two half steps or two frets. The distant
between each note (A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# etc...) is a helf step
or one fret. The same is true if using flats (A B♭ B C D♭D E♭E F G♭ G
A♭ etc...).
Examples: A to B is a whole step (2 frets) because there is an A# or B♭
note between them. B to C is a half step (1 fret) because there is no sharp
or flat note between them. C to C# is a half step (1 fret) because there is
no note between them. D♭ to E is a whole step because there is a D
note between them. E♭ to G♭ is a whole & half step (3 frets) because
there is an E and F note between them.
The distance between every letter
name note (A, B, C, D, etc...) is a
whole step except between B&C
and E&F which have just a ½ step
of separation.
The distance between every letter
name note (A, B, C, D, etc...) is a
whole step except between B&C
and E&F which have just a ½ step
of separation.
4
© GuitarBasics.com

The Degrees
Just as music has an alphabet (notes), it also has numbers known as
"Degrees".
The degree numbers are simply 1 through 7.
Like the notes, they repeat: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 1, 2, etc...
The degrees are the building blocks of
all the three fundamentals of music
(scales, chords and arpeggios). All
these elements are built with simple
formula arrangements using the
numbers of the degrees.
The degrees are the building blocks of
all the three fundamentals of music
(scales, chords and arpeggios). All
these elements are built with simple
formula arrangements using the
numbers of the degrees.
5
© GuitarBasics.com

The Degrees - Part 2
Just as notes are sometimes separated by a half or
whole step, so are some of the degrees.
So, with the degrees, its all
whole steps of separation,
except between the 3&4 and
between the 7&1, which are
just half steps.
So, with the degrees, its all
whole steps of separation,
except between the 3&4 and
between the 7&1, which are
just half steps.
The distant between...
1 and 2 is a whole step
3 and 4 is a half step
7 and 1 is a half step
In other words...
from 1 (which is also called the "Root")
it's...
whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.
or...
1 w 2 w 3 h 4 w 5 w 6 w 7 h 1...
Note: On the guitar, each of the frets are
considered a half step apart.
5
© GuitarBasics.com

The Scales
The first and most important building block of music is "Scales".
The most important scale is the "Major Scale". All other elements are
built upon or can relate to, the major scale. We've already touched on
the major scale but in the form of degrees. In fact, the "steps" of
separation between the degrees (w,w,h,w,w,w,h) is the exact formula of
the major scale. This is where the alphabet notes now come into play.
There are 12 major scales, just like there are 12 notes...
A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# or A B♭ B C D♭ D E♭ E F G♭ G
A♭
There are all kinds of scales
with various different formulas.
The formulas are however, are
all based on the major scale.
There are all kinds of scales
with various different formulas.
The formulas are however, are
all based on the major scale.
6
© GuitarBasics.com

The Scales - Part 2
As with most scales, the name of the major scale is the same
as the letter note you begin the scale with. This starting point is
considered 1 and is called the "Root" or "Key" depending on
how you are referring to it.
G Major scale for instance (as seen below) start with the 1st
degree on the G note. Since the distance from 1 to 2 is a whole
step, the 2nd degree is A. From 2 it is a whole step to 3, which
would be B and so on...
Remember the
"Solfège" as a
child? Do Re
Mi Fa Sol La Ti
Do? Well,
that's the
major scale: 1
is Do, 2 is Re,
3 is Mi and so
on...
Remember the
"Solfège" as a
child? Do Re
Mi Fa Sol La Ti
Do? Well,
that's the
major scale: 1
is Do, 2 is Re,
3 is Mi and so
on...
6
© GuitarBasics.com

The Scales - Part 3
As applied to the fretboard, here are some various major scales.
The key usually
indicates what
notes are to be
used in a song. If
you want to play
a song in the key
of D, then place
this pattern on
the fretboard with
the 1's on the D
notes. The notes
of the pattern will
generally be the
only ones used in
the song.
The key usually
indicates what
notes are to be
used in a song. If
you want to play
a song in the key
of D, then place
this pattern on
the fretboard with
the 1's on the D
notes. The notes
of the pattern will
generally be the
only ones used in
the song.
6
The number patterns on the fretboard above can shift from left to
right as a whole and repeat every 12 frets. Every 1 is the same
note name, every 2 is the same name and so on. If the whole
pattern is placed with the 1's on C#, then the key and major scale
name is C#. If the entire pattern is placed with the 1's on B♭, then
the key and major scale name is B♭ and so on.
© GuitarBasics.com

The Modes
The "Modes" (church modes) are simply the various inversions of
the major scale. To create an inversion of a scale, take the first
degree of the scale and move it to the end. So, the major scale:
1,2,3,4,5,6,7 inverted becomes 2,3,4,5,6,7,1 which is also the
formula for the 2nd degree mode (the major scale is considered the
1st degree mode).
The 1st. degree mode is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 which is known as the
Pure Major Scale. The 2nd. degree mode is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 1. The
3rd. degree mode is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 1, 2. The 4th degree mode is 4, 5,
6, 7, 1, 2, 3. The 5th. degree mode is 5, 6, 7, 1, 2, 3, 4. The 6th.
degree mode is 6, 7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 which is known as the Pure Minor
Scale. The 7th. degree mode is 7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Each of the 7
modes have
names.
In order they
are:
Ionian(1)
Dorian(2)
Phrygian(3)
Lydian(4)
Mixolydian(5)
Aeolian(6)
Locrian(7).
Each of the 7
modes have
names.
In order they
are:
Ionian(1)
Dorian(2)
Phrygian(3)
Lydian(4)
Mixolydian(5)
Aeolian(6)
Locrian(7).
7
© GuitarBasics.com

Arpeggios
Arpeggios are partial scales built using the notes of large scales (like
the major scale). Just like scales and modes, arpeggios all have
formulas. The most used arpeggio is the "Triad" arpeggio. To play a
triad arpeggio, simply play the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of a scale, in order
and one note at a time. In the case of the 1st degree mode (Ionian or
Pure Major Scale), if the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes are played in order, one
note at a time, it would be called a "Major Triad Arpeggio".
It's called a "major" arpeggio because of the distance between the
notes or degrees. From 1 to 3 is two whole steps and from 3 to 5 is a
half and a whole step. If there were a different amount of steps, it
would be called something else. It's called a "triad" because it consists
of 3 notes.
Notes are the building blocks of the
scales, which are the building
blocks of the arpeggios, which are
the building blocks of chords.
Notes are the building blocks of the
scales, which are the building
blocks of the arpeggios, which are
the building blocks of chords.
8
© GuitarBasics.com

Arpeggios - Part 2
Here is an example of a major triad arpeggio in the key of
E major.
The diagram
actually shows two
arpeggios, played
one right after the
other. In fact there
are many 1 3 5
patterns on the
fretboard.
The diagram
actually shows two
arpeggios, played
one right after the
other. In fact there
are many 1 3 5
patterns on the
fretboard.
8
In this case, the major scale pattern is placed on the
fretboard with the 1's on E and since only the 1st, 3rd and 5th
degree are being played in order like a scale, and since the
distance between the notes are that of a major arpeggio, this
is called an "E Major Triad Arpeggio" or "E Major Arpeggio"
or just an "E Arpeggio".
© GuitarBasics.com

Arpeggios - Part 3
Moving on to the 2nd degree mode (Dorian). A
triad is made in the same way, simply play the 1st,
3rd and 5th degrees of the Dorian mode or 2 4 6.
The distance between the 2nd and 4th degree is a
whole and a half step and the distance between 4
and 6 is two whole steps (just opposite of the
major arpeggio). With these distances separating
the degrees, the arpeggio is considered "Minor".
A major type arpeggio or
chord creates an upbeat
happier sound while a minor
arpeggio or chord makes a
sad or softer sound.
A major type arpeggio or
chord creates an upbeat
happier sound while a minor
arpeggio or chord makes a
sad or softer sound.
8
© GuitarBasics.com

Arpeggios - Part 4
The first triad arpeggio of the 3rd degree scale (Phrygian mode) is 3
5 7 which has the same separation between degrees as the 2nd
degree, making it minor.
The 4th degree (Lydian) arpeggio 4 6 1 and the 5th degree scales
(Mixolydian) arpeggio 5 7 2 have the same distances between the
degrees as the Ionian Mode which makes them both major.
The 6th degree (Aeolian) arpeggio spacing of 6 1 3 makes it a minor.
The 7th degree scale (Locrian mode) triad arpeggio (7 2 4) is unique
with 1½ steps between 7 & 2 and 1½ steps between 2 & 4. These
distances make the 7th degree triad, "Diminished".
Major songs usually contain just major
chords and arpeggios using the 1st, 4th &
5th modes. Minor songs usually contain
elements from the 6th, 2nd & 4th degree
modes. Most song don't use the 7th
degree mode or any diminished parts.
Major songs usually contain just major
chords and arpeggios using the 1st, 4th &
5th modes. Minor songs usually contain
elements from the 6th, 2nd & 4th degree
modes. Most song don't use the 7th
degree mode or any diminished parts.
8
© GuitarBasics.com

Chords
Chord are the virtually the same as arpeggios, in that they
both have the same formulas, and the distance between the
degrees, identify them as major, minor, etc...
Chords are played fast with a
quick strum or slowly, one
string at a time. While at the
same time, letting all the
strings blend all the sounds
together at once.
Chords are played fast with a
quick strum or slowly, one
string at a time. While at the
same time, letting all the
strings blend all the sounds
together at once.
9
However, instead of playing them like scales (one note at a time),
chords are played with all notes ringing out together and in no
particular order, with the maximum of only one note per string.
© GuitarBasics.com

End of Session 1
So far you have learned the basic building blocks of
guitar theory (scales, arpeggios and chords) and a
foundation for all the future guitar lessons.
In the next session we are going to take the next logical
step and go back and study the three main elements in
more depth and detail and explore how they are used in
song writing...
Review these basics over and again and try
to figure out on your own, how we might
expand on them in the next set of guitar
lessons...
Session 2 - Beyond the Basics - Song
Writing.
Review these basics over and again and try
to figure out on your own, how we might
expand on them in the next set of guitar
lessons...
Session 2 - Beyond the Basics - Song
Writing.
...
© GuitarBasics.com

Extra stuff to study
Here are some helpful links...
GuitarBasics.com
• Crash Course in Guitar Theory
• Daily Guitar Lessons
• Arpeggio Samples
• Chord Samples
• Scales Studies
• Social Networking
If you like what you see and
would like me to post more
lessons, please Follow, Like
and Share. If you have any
questions, comments or
requests, let me know.
If you like what you see and
would like me to post more
lessons, please Follow, Like
and Share. If you have any
questions, comments or
requests, let me know.
...
Thanks for visiting!
-Kirk Malay
© GuitarBasics.com

Free guitar lessons - Learn the basics of how to play chords and arpeggios for beginners

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Free guitar lessons - Learn the basics of how to play chords and arpeggios for beginners