Overview
This lecture explains how the guitar's physical design and tuning relate to the musical alphabet, the logic behind standard tuning, basic note-finding skills, proper hand positioning, and foundational chromatic exercises—all essential for beginning guitarists.
The Musical Alphabet and Guitar Strings
- The musical alphabet consists of 12 notes: A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab.
- Sharps (#) and flats (b) are two names for the same note (e.g., F# = Gb).
- Between E and F, and B and C, there are no sharps or flats.
- The guitar's six strings are named (from lowest pitch to highest): E, A, D, G, B, E (EADGBE).
- These open string notes are selected from the musical alphabet but skip some tones for logical fingering.
Logic of Guitar Tuning
- Most guitar strings are tuned four notes apart (a musical interval called a perfect fourth).
- The exception is between G and B, which are only three notes (a major third) apart.
- Strings are tuned this way because humans have four fingers for fretting notes.
- This layout allows easy access to all notes within a couple of hand positions.
Octaves and Note Range on Guitar
- From low E to high E strings spans two octaves (25 notes).
- With four fingers and the first four frets, you can play about two and one-third octaves without moving your hand.
- The total range of a standard guitar is about four octaves.
Chromatic Scale and Finger Exercises
- A chromatic scale is a sequence where every note in the musical alphabet is played in order.
- To play a chromatic scale on guitar:
- Start with the open string, then fret successive notes with each finger on the first four frets.
- When reaching the fourth finger, switch to the next higher string and repeat.
- On G to B strings, only three frets are played before the switch due to their tuning.
- Practice ascending and descending chromatic scales for finger coordination.
Proper Hand Position and Guitar Posture
- Hold the guitar so the neck is accessible; classical position (on the left knee) is recommended for best finger reach.
- The thumb should be behind the neck, not wrapped around.
- Ensure you can comfortably touch all four frets with your four fingers.
Advanced Fingering: Shifts
- Higher up the neck, open strings are unavailable; four fingers must cover five frets using shifts.
- When ascending, use index finger shifts (move index to cover two frets).
- When descending, use pinky shifts (pinky covers two frets).
- No shifts are needed between G and B strings due to their closer tuning.
Picking Technique
- Use alternate picking: down-up motion for speed and control.
- Coordinate picking motion with fretting hand.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Musical Alphabet — The set of 12 unique notes used in Western music.
- Chromatic Scale — A scale including all 12 notes in sequence.
- Polyphonic Instrument — An instrument that can play multiple notes at once (e.g., guitar, piano).
- Monophonic Instrument — An instrument that plays only one note at a time (e.g., trumpet).
- Index Shift/Pinky Shift — Technique where one finger covers two frets to access more notes.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Memorize the guitar string names and their relation to the musical alphabet.
- Practice playing the chromatic scale, ascending and descending, using all four frets and fingers.
- Adjust your sitting posture to allow easy access to all four frets.
- Begin practicing alternate picking.
- Review the support materials and charts from the course handbook.