Notes
![Picture](/uploads/1/9/4/4/19446045/1417998663.png)
Playing individual notes on the guitar is done by plucking or strumming one string at a time and holding down that string at the appropriate fret. The farther down the fret board you get (towards the body), the higher the notes will get. Going from one fret to the next will bring the note up or down one half step (e.g. E to Eb, or E to F). Each string has an open note that does not require you depress the string on any fret. The strings from left to right on the guitar are as follows: Low E, A, D, G, B, High E.
Chords
Often, instead of playing individual notes, you will be playing chords with your guitar. This is done by strumming multiple strings at once. There are different types of chords, all of which are made up of different notes. To make things a bit more simple, here is a chord chart:
Above are some of the most common chords you will find in music. For reading the chart:
an "o" at the top indicates playing the string as open
an "x" at the top indicates that the string is not played
a line across indicates that those strings are barred -we will get to barre chords in a moment
After playing for a while, you will begin to notice common chord progressions. This is when you move between several different chords in order during a piece. An example of a common chord progression would be
an "o" at the top indicates playing the string as open
an "x" at the top indicates that the string is not played
a line across indicates that those strings are barred -we will get to barre chords in a moment
After playing for a while, you will begin to notice common chord progressions. This is when you move between several different chords in order during a piece. An example of a common chord progression would be
Barre Chords
Barre chords are played by using one finger to depress multiple strings. For example, the F chord has you use your first finger to press down all six strings along the first fret while pressing some of those same strings down with different, individual fingers further down the fret board. This can be quite challenging to do at first, but with practice, it will become much easier.
Pivot Notes
These are notes that allow you to keep the same finger on them between two different chords. They make switching between different chords a much quicker and easier task. Always look for notes or strings that will allow you to keep the same finger there between chords. It will make playing more easy in general.