Guitar - Lesson 1
G Chord, C Chord, & Whole Note
(Strumming Pattern)
Did you know....
The G Chord notes are G-B-D
Did you know....
The C Chord notes are C-E-G
What makes the Beatles G and C Chord Great
Switching between the G and C chords can be much easier for musicians. By simply moving the index (green finger) and middle (yellow finger), you can quickly transition, while the ring and pinky fingers (blue and red) stay stationary. Best practice is to move the index and middle fingers together to enhance your speed and skill. Happy playing!
Recap
How many beats does a whole note get?
Answer: 4 Beats
The whole note is an oval shaped note with a hole in it.
To play a whole note: Strike you strings on the 1st beat and let it ring out for counts 2, 3, and 4.
| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 ||
D D D D
What is Common Timing?
Most songs are written in 4/4 timing. Common Timing can look like this 4/4, this , or this (used on sheet music). All three tell you the song is played in Common Timing or 4/4 timing.
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But what is 4/4 timing?
4/4 timing is when you have four beats per measure and the quarter note gets the beat. Basically just count to 4 and repeat.
Example: 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, 1 2 3 4, etc.
Here's what you should know:
Each those counts of four are called a measure. Or the area between the barlines is where we measure out beats. To separate
the measures, we use Bar lines. To let us know when a song is over we'll use a double bar line. ​​
Exe: | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 ||
Bar Line
Bar Line
DoubleBar Line
The area between the barlines is where we measure out beats.
Bar Lines seperates
measures of beats
The song has ended.
DEEPER DIVE: Explore measures, bar lines, double bar lines, and common time in greater detail. This video helps these concepts click faster.
Remember: Practice Makes Progress.
Repeat this video as many times as you need till you have it down.
EXERCISE: practice what you learned
Grab your metronome*. This is the same exercise in our lesson but we are gradually going to increase the speed. Set your metronome for 60 bpm. Bpm stands for Beats Per Minute. The chord charts are there for reference.
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| G 2 3 4 | C 2 3 4 | G 2 3 4 | C 2 3 4 ||
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Exercise 1: Practice this at 60 bpm - Fun fact: 60 bpm is the same speed of a clock.
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Exercise 2: Practice this at 70 bpm
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Exercise 3: Practice this at 80 bpm
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Exercise 4: Practice this at 90 bpm
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Exercise 5: Practice this at 100 bpm
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Exercise 6: Practice this at 110 bpm
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Exercise 7: Practice this at 120 bpm - This is twice as fast as a clock.
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Remember that switching both fingers at the same time will make this easier.
Metronomes*
Grab a metronome from Amazon. One of my favorite metronomes is Lekato's Metronome Tuner.​
Download a metronome app:
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iPhone - Guitar Tool Kit
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Android - Metronome by Soundbrenner or Smart Metronome & Tuner
Or use Metronome on Google
History: Who invented the metronome?
The mechanical metronome was invented by Dutch inventor Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel in 1814, but it was patented and marketed by German inventor Johann Nepomuk Maelzel in 1816. Maelzel added a scale to Winkel's design and promoted it as "Maelzel's Metronome," popularizing the device among composers like Beethoven.