The Guitar Manual

DANIEL HOLT

R L E A A T H I U T GU AN M

DANIEL HOLT

THE GUITAR MANUAL

From learning your first chords to becoming an expert on guitars.

Learn everything you need to know about electric and acoustic guitars. Including step-by-step guides on how to re-string and tune your guitar.

Also included is a free isometric diagram of a Fender Telecaster.

Written and Illustrated by Daniel Holt.

CONTENTS 1. The Electric Guitar 2. The Acoustic Guitar

4 6

3. How to tune your guitar 4. How to re-string your guitar

8 10

5. Basic Chords

6. Power Chords & Bar Chords 7. Notes, Scales & Tablature

12 14 16

8. How to play...

18

“I believe every guitar player inherently has something unique about their playing. They just have to identify what makes them different and develop it.�

- Jimmy Page

CHAPTER 1

THE ELECTRIC GUITAR Fender Telecaster Diagram

Body Neck Head Scratch Plate

Bridge Neck Pickup Bridge Pickup Bridge Plate

Selector Switch Volume & Tone Knobs Control Plate

Tuning Pegs Nut Frets Fret Markers Input Strap Button

4

The Pick-up is what captures the vibrations of the strings

It is a good idea to change your guitar strings every 3-6 months.

(See chapter 4)

The Input is where you insert your (6.33mm Jack) guitar lead.

2

3 2

4

1

1. Plug Jack 1 into guitar input.

3 5 7 9

12

15 17 19

2. (Optional) Plug Jack 2 into effects pedal (input) Jack 3 into effects pedal (output).

The Fret is the raised bit on the neck of a guitar, when the strings are pushed down they rest on the frets to allow maximum vibration of the strings.

Electric guitars are usually made with 21-24 frets. The marked circles on the neck allow the guitarist to know which fret they are playing.

The Octave is the 12th fret and usually marked with two dots.

(Chapter 7 for octaves)

3. Plug Jack 2 or Jack 4 into amplifier.

1

2

3

4

2

4

6.33mm jack guitar lead

The Selector Switch and Volume/ Tone Knobs are a key part to every electric guitar.

The switch controls which pick-up you wish to use, bridge pickups capture lots of treble, while the neck pickups get much more of a fuller sound in comparison.

The volume and tone knobs are quite self explanatory, controlling the amount of bass or treble you wish to capture.

CHAPTER 2

THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR Jasmine Takamine S35 Diagram

Body Neck Head Scratch Plate Fret Board Frets Fret Markers

Tuning Pegs Saddle Bridge Sound Hole Strap Button Nut

6

The Acoustic or Classical Guitar strings transmit vibrations through the bridge and saddle, the sound then projects out of the hole in the body. There are many different types of acoustic guitar, most having the hole placed underneath the strings to create maximum volume.

Semi-Acoustic Guitars are a mix between acoustic and electric. Working the same as an electric with pickups on the outside, but with a hollow body and sound holes (commonly made with two f-holes, one on each side).

Electric-Acoustic Guitars have pick-ups inside the body which amplify the sound further, usually makes it easier to have one of these if you are playing live.

F-hole (commonly found on a semi-acoustic).

Usually, people find that acoustic guitars are harder to play. They generally have wider necks, thicker fret boards and a higher action.

(The Action is the gap between the strings and the fret board).

When you first start playing the tips of your fingers are going to hurt, especially on acoustic, as force you have to use to push down on the string is increased.

The more you play, the less your fingers will hurt, trust me.

CHAPTER 3

HOW TO TUNE YOUR GUITAR

Every guitar head is different, this one for example has three tuning pegs on each side.

There are many other ways you can tune your guitar. Other common variations include Drop D, Open E, Open G and Open D

Standard Tuning, from top to bottom (thickest to thinnest) is E A D G B e.

D A E

G B e

Drop D - D A D G B E Open E - E B E G# B E Open G - D G D G B E Open D - D A D F# A D

Eat All Day Get Big Easy

These steps are only a guide based on the way your guitar would usually be strung.

(See Chapter 4 for how to re-string).

Aunti-clockwise to tighten the string and higher the pitch 8

Clockwise to slacken the string and lower the pitch

There are many different types of guitar tuners, some attach to your guitar to detect the vibrations, some you will need to plug your guitar into.

A D

A

G

D B

E

G B E

To tune your guitar by ear, you will first need to tune your high E string (thinnest). To do this correctly, use the interactive web page by scanning the QR code on the right. Or if you have a keyboard or tuning fork handy, use that.

After the E string is correctly tuned, the next step is to tune the B string. To do this you must play the 5th fret on the B string which is an E, tune this string until the note matches that of the open high E string.

To tune the G string play the 4th fret which is a B, then match the note with the (correctly tuned) open B string.

Keep doing the same process with the next strings as shown above.

Scanning this QR code will link you to The Guitar Manual interactive web page, where you can tune, listen and learn.

CHAPTER 4

HOW TO RE-STRING YOUR GUITAR

Follow these 5 easy steps to help you re-string your guitar.

2 3

1

5

Wipe your neck with guitar cleaner before stringing, oils from your fingers will build up on the frets and strings.

4

It is important to regularly restring your guitar every 3-6 months depending on how much you play it. Over time, dirt and sweat will build up on the strings causing them to sound dull and lifeless.

It may take a few attempts to master these steps.

10

It’s always a good idea to have spare strings at the ready, in case one is to snap. Your high E and B string are the ones most likely to break.

Always have a spare set of strings at the ready, especially if you’re using a light gauge.

Electric guitar set gauges ‘Extra Super Light’ .008 .010 .015 .021 .030 .028 ‘Super Light’ .009 .011 .016 .024 .032 .042 ‘Light’ .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046 ‘Medium’ .011 .015 .018 .026 .036 .050 ‘Heavy’ .012 .016 .020 .032 .042 .054

Guitar strings are made in a range of thicknesses or Gauges.

The Gauge of a string is simply just how thick it is, measured in thousandths of an inch. The lightest gauge tends to be .008, the thickest .056.

Lighter strings are usually easier to play, I would recommend these for a beginner. Try starting off with a ‘Super Light’ set and see how they feel.

Heavier strings are generally harder to play; they require more pressure especially when bending or sliding.

CHAPTER 5

BASIC CHORDS

To learn these basic guitar chords you will need your first three or four fingers of your left hand (right hand if left-handed).

Only play the strings which are marked in red.

By using the tips of your fingers push down on the strings where indicated, making sure you use the correct fingers.

A D E

12

Strum down on the strings with your right hand, using a guitar pick is optional but should make it easier for beginners.

(Chapter 8 for how to use a guitar pick)

G C The blue strings are optional; some find it easier to bar their first finger across the strings.

There are two main hand shapes when playing these chords. For beginners it is easier to play the none bar chords (first shape).

F

(Chapter 6 for bar chords)

3

4

B

CHAPTER 6

POWER CHORDS & BAR CHORDS

A Power chord (or fifth chord) is a name for a chord which consists of the root note and the fifth. The Fifth note is a note which is 7 semitones (or frets) up of the root note, for example the fifth note of G is a D. Use the diagram in chapter 8 to help you with these.

Power chords are a key element in rock music.

F (1st fret)

The power chord consists of one main shape, this shape can be moved up and down the neck to play different chords.

Above are the notes of an F power chord, as it is being played on the first fret. The root note is an F and the fifth note is a C. You will also play the octave above the root note, which adds another F.

14

Use your thumb behind the neck to apply more pressure on the strings.

If you slide this shape up the fret, which ever note your first finger is on, this is the chord you are playing.

Look at the fret numbers and notes below to assist you.

E string 1 3 5 7 8 10

F G A B C D

A string 2 3 5 7 8 10

B C D E F G A# (1st fret)

A# Minor (1st fret)

F Major (1st fret)

F Minor (1st fret)

You can alternatively move the whole shape down a string so the root note is on the A string, and again slide the shape up and down the fret board.

Try playing these major and minor bar chords. Bar Chords are similar to power chords, usually the same hand shape but barring your first finger across the strings as shown. They can all be played on any fret if the root note starts on either the E or the A string.

These two shapes played on fret 1 are F chords (F Major/Minor).

If you play them so the root note is on the 3rd fret lets say, they would become G chords.

To create minor chords, add or take away your second finger (red marker).

CHAPTER 7

NOTES, SCALES & TABLATURE

C

B

A

G

E

D

C

A

G

F

D

C F

G B

1 2 3 4

B

E

D

C

B

A

G

F

E

D

C

B

A

G

F

E

F

E

D

C

B

A

G

A

G

F

E

D

C

The second octave starts on fret 12.

Index finger Middle finger Third finger Little finger

An Octave is a musical interval which separates two of the same notes.

This diagram shows you which finger to use when.

A Minor Pentatonic Scale

1

E

3

1

A

3

1

D

1

G

4

3

16

4

1

B

4

1

E

These are all the whole notes on a guitar up to fret 20 in standard tuning. It is a good idea to memorize every note on the low E and A string, it will make it easy to remember power chords.

In between the whole notes are the sharps and flats, for example, in between F and G there is F sharp or G flat.

You will notice that there is no note between E/F and B/C. You will start to see and feel patterns around where the notes lie on a guitar, the colour coding should make it easier to spot these.

(Chapter 6 for power chords)

B

A

G

E

D

C

B

A

A

G

F

E

D

D

C

A

G

F B

B D

C

B

A

G

F

E

G

A

B

C

D

Guitar Tablature (or tab) is a form of musical notation used by guitarist. It indicates instrument fingering, rather than musical pitches.

The six horizontal lines indicate the six strings on a guitar, thickest string at the bottom, thinnest string at the top. The numbers on the lines show which fret to play when.

Try playing this scale by reading the tab below.

A Minor Pentatonic Scale tab

5 8 8 5

E B

5 5

G

5

D

5

A E

5 8

7

E

E

F

E

F

7

7

8

8 5 7 5 7 5 7 5 8 5

CHAPTER 8

HOW TO PLAY...

For beginners I would recommend using a pick, hold it between your thumb and forefinger like so.

When picking individual strings, it is good practice to alternate between up and down strokes when you can.

Common strumming patterns when playing chords include;

Listen to songs and have a go at playing them using these strumming patterns.

Down Down Up, Up Down Up (Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl) Down Down, Down Up Up Down Up Down Up (Radiohead - Creep) Down Down Down Down Up, (Oasis - D’You Know What I Mean?)

Van Morrison Brown Eyed Girl

Radiohead Creep

Intro

Intro

GCGD

G B C Cm

Verse

Verse

G C G D x4 C D G Em C D G

G B C Cm x3

Chorus

D7 G C G D x2 G

(Chapter 5 & 6 for chords)

Em

Chorus

G B C Cm Bridge

G B C Cm

18

Play Brown Eyed Girl using the basic chords, and Creep using bar and power chords.

Cm

D7

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

h - Hammer on p - Pull off x - Play nothing

This may look complicated, but once you have mastered how to read tablature, this is what you should expect.

THE GUITAR MANUAL

From learning your first chords to becoming an expert on guitars.

Learn everything you need to know about electric and acoustic guitars. Including step-by-step guides on how to re-string and tune your guitar.

Also included is a free isometric diagram of a Fender Telecaster.

DANIEL HOLT

DANIEL HOLT