The 6-String Symphony: Knowing the Basics of Playing the Guitar
There’s nothing quite like the sound of a 6-string guitar chime that can evoke a range of emotions in a person. All thanks to the art of playing a guitar that can be found in all genres of music! And if you are a newbie when it comes to the strings, here’s your chance to learn the basics of playing a guitar.
Playing the guitar is something that can take hours of practice, dedication and effort. Yet, when done right – can bring forth beautiful and fragile melodies to drive the ambiance of any occasion. It’s no wonder why the guitar has been an integral part of music since the dawn of time. So here’s what you need to know when taking up the 6-string symphony – guitar!
Understanding the Parts of the Guitar
First and foremost, you will want to get familiar with the parts of your beloved guitar. This means that you should know the meaning and the proper use of each of the strings and all the components included to ensure you have the perfect instrument.
Headstock – As the name implies, this is the top of the guitar – located at the end of the neck, it contains the tuning pegs.
Neck – This is where your frets and notes will be found, along with the fret numbers. The purpose of the neck is to help create each note accurately.
Body – This is the part that is held in contact with the musician playing the stringed instrument. It is also where you will find the sound hole, pick-ups and sound control knobs.
Bridge – The bridge is the part that keeps the strings tight, so the strings don’t lose the desired tension.
Tuning Pins – Located at the head of the guitar, they are responsible for the tuning of your guitar.
Strings – Strings provide the vibration which will eventually produce the sound you hear. It’s important to note that these strings range in thickness and tension, that affects the sound and sound richness.
Understanding the Basic Chords
Chords are an essential part of playing the guitar, they provide a melody that can make even the most boring of songs sound quite catchy. And in order to give life to the chords, a basic knowledge is essential. Luckily, the basics are not too hard to understand.
Major chords – These are the main types of chords built by the combination of three four notes. The most common of these is the C major chord which looks like this: “C – E – G”.
Minor chords – Exactly the same as major chords but one of the notes is lowered in pitch. The most popular minor chord often used is the Em chord which appears as follows: “E – G – B”.
Dominant Seven Chord – This chord type is very popular in blues and is created by the combination of four notes. An example of a dominant seven chord is the G7 which shows up like this: “G – B – D – F”.
Understanding how to hold the Guitar
It is quite important to get familiar with the handling of the guitar, to create the best experience while playing and also to avoid any type of injury while playing. Most of the time, players will hold the guitar onto their laps.
And there are two theoretical stances in which the guitar can be held – sitting and standing. If you are playing sitting down, the guitar should be placed at around the same height as the chest, neck towards the stomach and the arm should be parallel to the ground. If you are standing, the guitar should be held toward the upper torso – arms at a 45-degree angle and the neck sitting on one shoulder.
Getting familiar with the strumming pattern
The strumming pattern is what carries a tune and holds it in place. Hence, it’s important to get yourself familiar with the technique of strumming and understand the various switching you can use to create a unique sound.
One should first look at the tune they wish to play and figure out the structure. For instance, your strumming pattern might be tapping two beats per instrument playing, or four beats.
Once you figure out your chosen song structure you can then begin to review the strumming speed and the different types of strums. After that, you’ll be able to get more familiar with the more intricate rhythms and tempos, that can help add more flair in your piece.
Recognising the Importance of Rehearsal
Before you perform in front of an audience, there’s one thing you will have to do – rehearse, rehearse and REHEARSE! It is essential to properly get familiar with the chords, composition and strumming patterns of your song. The rehearsing phase is a critical element, as it allows the musician to reconcile all of the separate elements of the piece and make them flow together and sound amazing.
It wont instantly make you a master and you should take the time to rehearse and piecing out the different parts of the song together. Once you have done this, you should be able to listen and spot any mistakes you made in the playing. You will be able to play your songs flawlessly in a much shorter time than you would have been able to without proper practice and rehearsal.
Developing finger techniques
Finger techniques are one of the essential pieces to learn when it comes to playing a guitar. It’s what really sets a master musician from a novice. There are different techniques for strumming, such as up strum, down strum, alternate strum and sweep picking. Learning these techniques is essential for the agility of your fingers and the overall sound of your play.
Finger techniques are used to form different types of chords, shapes, patterns and effects on the guitar. And the most important thing is that these techniques are done accurately. Hence, it is necessary to practice different skills with one’s fingers to make beautiful music.
Final Thoughts
Playing the guitar can be a beautiful escape and enjoyable experience -all you need to do is practice and find the right tones. And remember, never be afraid to explore new sounds and new genres. Take it slow and maintain consistency. Above all else – enjoy!
The 6-String Symphony: Knowing the Basics of Playing the Guitar.