Guitar is a musical instrument strung with gut strings having a body with a flat back, graceful incurvarions etc. and for
playing, it is twanged by the fingers. It is called in French as guilarre, German as Guitarre, Italian as cijitarra and in
Spanish as guitarra. The construction of the instrument is of paramount importance in assigning to the guitar its true
position in the history of musical instruments, midway between the cithara and the violin.
Materials Used
The back and ribs of guitar are comprised of maple, ash or cherry-wood, frequently inlaid with rose-wood, mother of pearl,
tortoise-shell etc. while the sound board is of pine and has one large ornamental rose sound hole. The bridge, to which the
strings are fastened, is of ebony with an ivory nut which determines the one end of the vibrating strings, while the nut at the end of the fingerboard determines the other. The neck and fingerboard are made of hard wood, such as ebony, beech or
pear. The head, bent back from the neck at an obtuse angle contains two parallel barrels or long holes through which the pegs or metal screws pass, three on each side of the head. The correct positions for stopping the intervals arc marked on the
fingerboard by a little metal.
Strings
The real Sound ridges called frets. The modern guitar has six strings, three of gut and three of silk covered with silver
wire, tuned as, the thumb are assigned the three deepest strings while the first, second and third fingers are used to twang the highest strings. They are divided into two groups - Bass and Treble. The bass strings are thicker and have an inner nylon core with steel wrapped around them. The trebles are clear nylon and thinner. The thumb finger will more often twang treble strings than the Bass strings.
Types of guitars
1.Acoustic guitars
As long ago known from the history these are used by playing with hand. Though it is impressing many limitations are there
such as listened to a short distance, often note cannot be recalled unless the player knows the tab well. A great-sounding
acoustic guitar will be necessary but not sufficient condition to produce a great amplified tone.
2.Electric guitars
Electric players have known for fifty years that they needed to learn about more than just their guitars, and have made a
science of studying their pickups, amplifiers, cord lengths, impedance problems, effects devices, amplifying, miking
techniques, and even speaker and tube types.
Famous Guitars
Many famous companies make and sell guitars of both types. Remarkable of them are Gibsons and Fenders Guitars. There are many guitar centers which teach playing guitar. Online guitar lessons are also given in some websites. They teach guitar tabs (ie) tablature set of notations for listening and playing), bass tablature, guitar chords, ultimate guitar tabs etc. Some give even free lessons online.
Learning Guitar - Notations & String assignment
The notations are defined to the right hand fingers. While writing down the fingers are indicated by letters, i for Index, m for Middle and a for Ring finger. When written down the thumb is indicated by the letter p. This code is to do with the Latin
names for each note. { P = Thumb I = Index M = Middle A = Ring Finger } This can be easily remembered as PIMA.
The names of each string read from Bass to Treble as:
6-E -bass
5-A -bass
4-D -bass
3-G - treble
2-B - treble
1-E - treble
Open string preparation and striking
When striking or plucking a string the movement in thumb should come from above and through the string making sure that you
have a good solid contact with the string and a clear follow through. Your finger again should come from above but they will
pull backwards into the palm of your hand. A good contact is needed and again a clear follow through that does not collide with the other close fingers.
Stable right hand technique
Now try to rest the thumb on the D string when the fingers are playing and also rest each individual finger on its assigned
treble string. This gives a solid stable right hand position that isn’t floating in the air above the strings attempting to
hit a moving target. Your fingers and thumb should rest on the string waiting to strike. Make the transition smooth, so when
replacing the thumb back on the D string pluck with the index
and begin the trebles.
Practice
Often players have a slight lift and shake in their right hand that often limits the volume and security of your stroke, if you repeat this exercise slowly and listening for a good sound you will relax the hand and get a very clear sound. This is a technique of preparation and economy of movement that will take some time to filter its way into your existing songs and chordal progressions. It also will build a new technique and way in which you approach the guitar.
1.Take your time, don’t go for speed first, go for accuracy.
2.Go for a nice deep stroke and listen for a rounded tone.
3.Feel secure and balanced.
4.Remember you want a technique that is as simple and as stable as possible.
6TH String = P = E
5TH String = P = A
4TH String = P = D
3RD String = I = G
2ND String = M = B
1ST String = A = E
Try and go up and down the guitar nice and slowly try and keep your hand relaxed, this exercise will remind you of the feel
of the strings and how to approach the guitar.
Using standard chords
With your left hand bring in the chords of Eminor, Cmajor, Gmajor and Dmajor. Hold the chord for at least two repetitions of the right hand pattern going up and down the guitar. These chords require 6 strings, 5 strings and 4 strings to be plucked if we want the root note of each chord in the bass. This gives your thumb a different starting point for each chord. Remember to pivot through the changes in the left hand, try and link each chord to the next one. No fret buzz or sloppy timing between the hands. Complete synchronicity and always enough pressure to sound the note without buzzing,careful that you don’t put down to much pressure.
Repetition and speed of fingers
When playing music that is formed in single lines, e.g. a guitar solo, the melody of a tune a run or scale make sure that
your fingers alternate when plucking or striking the notes. The simplest way to approach this is to alternate between Index &
middle fingers. These fingers are set beside each other and are also strong fingers so they should quickly get used to this
type of alternation. The alternation gives a sense of rhythm and groove and will enable you to play twice as fast than if you used just your index.
Careful to always alternate index to middle. When playing the repetition of 4 or 2 this is easier than 3 or 1, the odd
numbers create almost a little skip as you cross the string, relax your hand and concentrate on shifting the weight from
finger to finger. Careful that you don’t bring your left hand to far from the fret board, keep it close in so each finger it
can be quickly depressed onto the strings. Tip of the fingers in the left hand at all times.
Things to remember while playing Guitar
Sit with a forward sloping posture by tucking your feet underneath a horizontal chair, heels off the floor. The easiest way to have a forward sloping chair is to place a piece of wood under the back legs of your chair. Avoid backward sloping chairs.
If you don’t like sitting with your legs tucked underneath, then just initially tuck your legs underneath until your upper
torso swings forward like a pendulum. You spine will reach a more natural curve. Then bring your legs back to the untucked
position by only moving your feet foreword; do not let your upper torso move back to a slumped position, although it may swing back a very small amount.
Sit with the entire body in a symmetrical position while still making minor movements and adjustments. Sitting well yet too rigidly makes for poor pressure distribution. Also, try wearing loose clothing as to allow for easier movement.
Place your music stand at horizontal lane of your eyes at a convenient distance for your eyes.
Have a nice day,Be happy.
Find more information about learning Guitar techniques from experts. visit :
Guitar Learning - Tricks and Tips
Pandithurai K, Software Engineer. Writing articles on music and music instruments.
