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Skillshare

Essential Acoustic Guitar For Beginners

via Skillshare

Overview

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Are you inspired to pick up the guitar, but can't find the right lessons or structure?

Can you play some basics, but you don't feel independent on where to go next?

This course is for you!

The guitar is an expressive and versatile instrument that has led popular music for 100 years - from jazz to blues to rock n roll to singer songwriter - the list goes on. I’ve been playing live and in the studio for over 15 years and I still get inspired every time I pick it up. I want you to feel the same way.

Many beginner guitarists hit a wall after a short time of learning, either because of learning out of context - static scales, metronomes, isolated chord patterns - or they learn a handful of popular songs or riffs, and get stuck there after the final tutorial. I know, because it happened to me too.

Don’t let this be you!

My goal is to give you the kickstart that will give you a foundation that you can build upon under your own steam, long after you've finished watching the videos.

We will use Point of View camera angles so you see the videos from the same perspective as you see your guitar.

I will teach you not only the basics of chords, theory and melodic playing, but I will also guide you with lots of tips and tricks to playing with dynamics and control, to make your playing more musical from the beginning.

The Band in a Box are custom written tracks that help you learn - you'll get the full recording as well as the rhythm track only to practice to - playing with a beat no matter how simple will improve your playing and prepare you for playing with other musicians. And more fun than a metronome.

At the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Master techniques for picking and strumming.

  • Play melodies and chords smoothly via custom written tunes.

  • Understand chord  shapes, and theory fundamentals.

  • Know your way around the fretboard without feeling lost.

  • Have a great head start with dynamics and control to prepare you for the future.

And so much more! Remember. Every string has a story to tell. So grab your guitar and join me to start learning today!

See you in class!

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • What You'll Need For This Course
  • CSI: Guitar - Brief Anatomy and Overview
  • Posture
  • Is Your Guitar Ready?
  • Tuning Up!
  • First Chord Combo & Don't Lose Your Plectrum!
  • Notes, Scales, & Semitones
  • How Chords Are Built & Their Character
  • How Chord Progressions Are Built
  • A Short Note On Creativity
  • A Short Note on Tablature
  • "Stargazing" - Download and Listen
  • The C Chord (I)
  • The A Minor Chord (VI)
  • The E Minor Chord (III)
  • The G Chord (V)
  • The D Minor Chord (II)
  • The F Chord (IV)
  • Chord Change Practice Hack - The 'Phoebe' Trick
  • Review of Chord Progressions
  • Verse Melody
  • Verse Melody On Alternate Strings
  • Verse Melody 1 Octave Higher
  • Chorus Melody
  • Sus and Add Chords
  • The Barre Chord
  • Practical Semitones and Whole Tones - Fretting The C Major and A Minor Scale
  • The Principle of Chord Shapes Up & Down The Fretboard
  • PDF Downloads and Transpose Challenge: Chords In The Other Keys
  • "The Long Road" - Download and Listen
  • Picking Pattern
  • Picking The Rest of the Verse
  • Picking Dynamics
  • Picking B Section - B Minor and D Major
  • Strumming Concept
  • Strumming - Changing Chords
  • Strumming - Dynamics
  • "Soul Days" - Strumming at a faster tempo
  • Lead - Legato (Hammer On and Pull Off)
  • Lead - Sliding
  • Lead - Vibrato
  • Practicing Scales Doesn't Have To Be Boring
  • Exercise on Finding Notes
  • Controlling Ringing and Buzz
  • Fingerpicking Intro
  • Using a Capo
  • Removing Strings
  • Putting on New Strings
  • Thank You

Taught by

Matthew Duddles

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