Songs and  Poetry for ESL
Search this site
  • Home
    • Video of Songs and Poetry Workshop
  • LGA3102 Songs and Poetry for Young Learners
  • Index of songs on this site
  • Places to find SONGS and music
  • SONGS - some old favourites
    • More Songs
  • Action Songs and Rhymes
    • Instructions for some songs
    • Finger Plays
  • But I can't SING
    • But I don't know those tunes
  • Using a GUITAR
    • Getting Started on the Guitar
    • First Guitar Chords (key G) >
      • First Guitar Chords (key C)
    • Using the 3 chord 'trick'
    • Happy Birthday (on the guitar)
    • Songs to start with >
      • She'll be Coming ...!
    • More Simple Guitar Songs
    • The Sad Sound >
      • Kind of Sad
  • Malaysia KSSR Year 1 Text
    • Guitar Songs for Year 1
  • Using Popular SONGS to teach ESL
  • Create your own songs
  • POETRY
    • Exploring and Exploiting Poetry
    • Nursery Rhymes
    • Chants and Raps for grammar
    • Chants and Raps for Vocabulary
    • Poems for Pronunciation
    • Funny Poems
  • Language Arts (KSSR)
  • English Pronunciation (for Malaysians)
  • MELTA 2013

Getting Started on the Guitar

As with any instrument, there is so much to learn. If you are going to learn by yourself, where do you start?
Well, you have two hands, and they both have to work...

Right Hand

Your right hand will be strumming, keeping the rhythm, and making your playing interesting. To start off with, it is easy just to drag your right thumb across the strings, once for each beat. This is a calming, gentle style of playing.

But kids really love it if you "mix it up" a bit too! Experiment with what your right hand can do, using all of your fingers and fingernails, and develop some nice rhythms. Some rhythms need to have four beats, some three, and some two. Try imitating rhythms you have heard in your favourite music ... and develop your own style. This is something that may take some time - chill with your guitar on your lap and just try different things.

Left Hand

Your left hand creates the harmonious chords, so you need to practice forming each chord shape accurately, and changing crisply between chords.
When your fingers are placed (just behind each metal 'fret') in position, they must press hard enough so that as you pluck each string individually you can hear a clear note without 'jangle'!

Fingering for chords

Many chord charts will indicate (with a number) which finger you should place in each position on the guitar. Pay attention to it and try to do as they suggest - they have been playing longer than you have and they know a thing or two. There is a reason for the finger placement. When you are a expert, then you can decide about changing it.

Picture
There is no number for your thumb because you do not use it as part of any chords, it just wraps around the back of the guitar.

What if you are left handed?

Some people go to the trouble of having their guitar re-strung as a left-handed guitar. You could do that. Or you could just adjust yourself. After all, it could be said that the left hand does the hardest part of the work, so maybe you have an advantage.


The Next Page

The next page will show you some First Guitar Chords (in the key of G) to get you started ...

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.