Beginner Guitar Lessons – FINGERSTYLE GUITAR LESSONS

Simple Yet Beautiful | Beautiful Guitar Chords for Beginners

Feb 13, 2019

Today I am going to show you a simple yet beautiful chord progression on fingerpicking guitar. The chords I am about to show you are among the most popular chords we play all the time, yet they sound different.

Let me explain why.

Ask yourself this question: How do we learn chords on the guitar?

For many of us, chords are a bunch of shapes to put together when playing a song. I don’t want to oversimplify, but this is what chords are.

Certain shapes are more popular than others. Think about G major, E minor, A minor, D major, etc. These are the basic chords we play all the time.

But what if we try to play these simple chords differently to create beautiful music?

Let’s give more character to the chords by adding a fingerpicking pattern, a simple melody, and a structure.

This is how we write beautiful music.

In this lesson, I am going to transform a straightforward chord progression in G major into something sweet and lovely to play.

There are three different parts. I recommend that you start from the very first step, but feel free to click around if you want.

Enjoy this lesson.

Tab Available on Patreon!

Tab Here

Lesson 9: Minor Chords with Fingerpicking Technique

Jan 3, 2019

Hey guys, congratulations for making it to the lesson 9. This is the last lesson for the Beginner Guitar Lessons course. I am super proud of you.

Today I am going to show you how to play minor chords with fingerpicking technique. We already applied a fingerpicking pattern over major chords in the lesson called “Major Chords and Fingerstyle Technique” but in this lesson we are going to learn a different fingerpicking pattern. Enjoy this lesson!

Fingerpicking Pattern for Beginners

Let me show you the fingerpicking pattern we are going to learn in this lesson. I personally love minor chords because of their classical sound. For this reason, I decided to show you a classical pattern that works perfectly with minor chords.

Check the tab below to learn the exercise. Watch the video several times if you have to.

Quick Recap

Learn the minor chords.
Practice the fingerpicking pattern.
Change chords smoothly.

Lesson 8: Minor Chords for Beginners on Guitar

Jan 3, 2019

In this guitar lesson I am going to show you how to play basic minor chords for beginners. The chords you will learn are: A minor, D minor and E minor chord. I really love the sound of minor chords more than the major ones. You will start by strumming the minor chords before learning how to play them with the fingerpicking technique. Enjoy this lesson.

Chord Diagrams

Out of the three minor chords the E minor is definitely the most simple chord to learn. Notice how little is the difference between the major and minor chord. Truth is, the different note between the major and minor chord is the 3rd.

I am not going into details (it is way too early for a music theory lesson), but notice from the diagram below that two out of three notes are actually the same.

The only difference between the E major and E minor is the note on the G string. For the A major and A minor is the note on the B string and for the D major and the D minor is the note of the top E string.

For this reason, it shouldn’t be difficult to learn the minor chords.

About the Strumming

We are still using a very simple strumming pattern. Pluck the string downwards and make sure each chord ring out perfectly.

Remember that the D major and D minor chord doesn’t want the low E string so mute it with the thumb (use the left hand Modern approach).

Quick Recap

Learn the minor chords for beginners.
Learn the difference between the major and minor chord.
Strum the minor chords correctly.

Lesson 9: Minor Chords with Fingerstyle

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Lesson 7: Major Chords with Fingerstyle Technique | Beginner Fingerstyle Technique

Jan 3, 2019

Welcome to another beginner guitar lesson, guys. Today I am going to show you how to combine major chords and fingerstyle techniques. The fingerpicking technique is one of the most creative guitar techniques you’ll ever use on the guitar. With this approach, you will pluck the string with the right-hand fingertips. In this lesson, we are going to use a fingerpicking pattern called P, i, m, a (thumb, index, middle, and ring. Enjoy this lesson!

Beginner Fingerpicking Lesson

If this is the very first time you play something with the fingerpicking technique, you should be happy! You are about to discover one of the most creative techniques on the guitar.

One of the most straightforward ways to get started with fingerstyle technique is by plucking the strings with this very first patter:

Thumb, index, middle, and ring, better known as P i m a.

If you are a beginner, you will find this lesson helpful for two reasons.

#1 Every Finger Counts

With this beginner fingerstyle exercise, you are forced to use each right-hand finger (except for the little finger which is usually not used).

So many beginners approach fingerstyle by plucking with one or two fingers only, most of the time, the thumb and index.

Even though it could be beneficial to narrow it down to one or two fingers only, it is also limiting. Start with the pattern shown in this video and develop each plucking finger equally.

#2 You Already Know the Chords

We are going to play the pattern over the A, D, and E major chord. If you are following this beginner course correctly, you’ve already learned the chords.

It is essential to combine a new technique with something you already know. This will make the journey more manageable and less frustrating.

Beginner Fingerpicking Exercise

Watch the video and come back here if you need the tab.

Quick Recap

Learn the right-hand fingers name.
Practice the chords using the fingepricking technique.

Lesson 8: Minor Chords for Beginners

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Lesson 6: Chord Change Exercise

Jan 3, 2019

Hey guys, welcome to another lesson. Today I am going to show you how to strum major chords on guitar. We are going to practice over the A major, D major and E major chord. I will also show you a simple trick that will help you with the chord change. Remember that you can strum the chords with either index finger or guitar pick. Enjoy this lesson.

How to Strum The Chords

Simple chord changes is one of the first exercise you could practice. I see many guitar players trying the chord changes many time over and over again. For some students this is all it takes! For others, it might be too difficult to just keep trying.

For this reason I came up with a very simple exercise that should help you with the chord change.

Make Chords Easy

In the video I show you how I play a chord for 4 beats before I change to the next chord. The change occurs on at the end of the 4th count and it is done quickly (example #1).

If you struggle with practicing the chord change, try the example #2 and change the chord between the 3rd and 4th count. You will have more time to position the fingers and make the chord change easier.

As you become between, try to move the chord change closer to the 4th count.

Strum Major Chords

Learn how to strum chords step by step guys. Start with the A and D major before adding the E major.

Decide which left hand finger position you want to use and stick to it. Don’t keep changing or trying different things. Be consistent.

Quick Recap

Learn the D, E and A major chord.
Strum the major chords with either the index finger or the guitar pick.
Practice the chord change.

Lesson 7: Major Chords with Fingerstyle

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Lesson 5: The D and E Major Chord

Jan 3, 2019

Welcome to this new lesson from the Beginner Guitar Lessons course. Let’s learn other two basic chords, the D major and E major chord. Basic chords are among the most important tools beginners can use for songs and simple chord change exercises. We are going to learn how to play them with strumming and fingerstyle technique. Watch the video below to get started.

The D Major Chord

This chord is very simple and one of the very first major chords beginners learn.

The three notes that make this chord are: D – F# – A. The root note of the chord is the note D which will be played with the thumb on the 4th string open.

Check the diagram below to learn the chord shape:

You are not supposed to play the low E string so once you become better at playing this chord, consider switching to a Modern approach with the left hand so that you can mute the E string with the thumb.

The E Major Chord

This chord is probably the most simple to play compared to the A major and D major. With the A major there are three fingers within the same fret. Easy but the 4th string can buzz a lot! The D major is also pretty easy but the triangle shape can make the top E string hard to get.

The E major chord is really friendly and easy to play because of the finger position. Let’s have a look at the diagram:

The E major chord can be played with the Classical approach as we will be strumming or plucking six string.

Quick Recap

Practice each chord slowly.
Learn the D major chord with both Classical and Modern approach.
Learn the E major chord.

Lesson 6: Chord Change Exercise

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Lesson 4: The A Major Chord

Jan 3, 2019

Let me show you how to play your very first chord on guitar. In this beginner lesson we are going to learn the A major chord, one of the most simple chord to learn on guitar. We will also learn two more chords on the next lesson so make sure you follow the program step by step.

The A Major Chord on Guitar

The A major chord is really simple to play and memorize. It does come with few challenges but, hey, we all need to challenge right!

The awesome thing about this chord is that you will have to position three fingers within the same fret. This is the A major chord diagram:

Three Different Fingers Position

This chord can be played with three different fingers position. Watch the video to learn the three different possibilities then decide which one you want to use.

Once you fell comfortable positioning the chords, you will then strum the chord one time downwards. Make sure all the strings ring out properly and adjust the left hand if you hear buzzing or muted strings.

The D String Will Drive you Crazy

One of the thing about the A major chord that can drive you crazy, is the D string. Because we have to squeeze three fingers within the same fret, chances are that the finger position on the D string fret two is way too far from the fret.

Good Luck with This!

Learning your very first chord is always an important achievement. Once you understand how chords work, you will be able to learn more and more chords easily.

Don’t get frustrated and keep trying! Be consistent and have fun.

Quick Recap

Learn your very first chord, the A major chord.
Strum the chord correctly.
Avoid string buzzing.

Lesson 5: D and E Major Chord

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Lesson 3: The Right Hand Position

Jan 3, 2019

Let’s talk about the right hand position and how to effectively strum and pluck the strings. The right hand is responsible for dynamics and tone so make sure you follow the three right hand position golden rules shown in the video.

Right Hand Duty

The awesome thing about playing guitar is that we can either pluck or strum the strings.

The strumming technique is a very simple approach in which the right hand brushes the strings up and down. Beginners love this technique because it’s easy to learn a lot of songs and chords.

The fingerpicking technique (also known as fingerstyle technique) is slightly different than strumming and (it could be) more difficult. With this approach you will pluck the strings with the right hand fingertips (phalanges or nails). You can play the strings simultaneously or individually.

There

Right Hand Position | Fingerstyle Three Golden Rules

Follow these three golden rules below:

Keep the thumb in front of the fingers.
Position the index, middle and index finger at a 45 degree angle.
Understand the knuckles movement.

Quick Recap

Understand the difference between strumming and fingerstyle.
Learn the three fingerstyle golden rules.

Lesson 4: The A Major Chord

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Lesson 2: Left Hand Position

Jan 3, 2019

Hey guys, welcome to the lesson n.2 of the beginner guitar course. In this guitar lesson I am going to show you what I think is the best way to position your left hand on the guitar neck. Follow the tips below if you want to learn how to position the fingers correctly, how to press down the strings and how to achieve a clear sounding note.

There are two different left hand positions you could adopt: The Classical approach and the Modern approach. I just came up with the two names so I don’t know if these are the names other teachers use.

With the Classical approach you should keep the thumb behind the neck, in the middle. Lowering the thumb is really beneficial for finger position, stretch and control. Leave space between the bottom neck and palm. I use the classical approach when I play melodies or stretchy parts.
With the Modern approach you will bring the thumb all the way up to the top neck. I usually use this approach when I play chords. This technique is really useful when you want to mute the low E string. The Modern approach will change the left hand position and make the fingers less stretchy.

Left Hand Position Golden Rules

There are three rules that I like to teach to all of my students. Follow these three rules if you want to achieve a solid left hand control, stretch and speed.

Rule 1: Always practice everything with the Classical approach first. By doing that you will develop fingers stretch and dexterity. Once you become better, switch between Classical and Modern.

Rule 2: Press down the fret with the fingertip. Use the phalanges close to the nail and always leave space between the bottom neck and the palm.

Rule 3: Position the finger close to the fret to avoid the awful buzzing noise. For some chords it will be more difficult to do that. Just practice slowly and be patient.

Name of The Strings

Press down the strings to play notes.

There are six strings on the guitar. The first string is the thin one close to your leg. The name of the strings are:

E (high E)
B
G
D
A
E (low E)

What is a Fret?

The fret is the space between two wires. Each fret represent a different note.

For now practice this very simple exercise and play the fret I with the finger 1, fret II with the finger 2, fret III with the finger 3 and fret IV wit the finger 4.

Quick Recap

Learn how to use both Classical and Modern approach. Adjust the thumb position based on what you want to play.
Learn the name of the open strings.
Press down the first four frets using the simple exercise shown in the video.

Lesson 3: Right Hand Position

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Lesson 1: How to Hold the Guitar

Jan 3, 2019

In this very first lesson of the Beginner Guitar Lesson course I am going to show you how to hold the guitar correctly. So many beginners don’t really think how important it is to hold the guitar correctly until they get to their very first injury.

Why so Important

Knowing how to hold the guitar is of paramount importance, so, if you are serious about learning how to play guitar the very first step should be understand the correct posture of your leg, right and left arm and how to seat correctly.

In this video I am going to show you what I think is the best way to hold the guitar. Take things step by step and don’t forget to adjust the position based on the type of guitar you play and the chair you use.

Which Leg?

If you are playing an acoustic or electric guitar, position the instrument on the right leg and lock it between the leg, body and right arm. You should feel that the guitar doesn’t move.

In this video I am seating on a couch I can feel my leg blocking the guitar. If I was seating on a higher stool I would probably use a foot stool.

Right Hand on Top of the Sound Hole

As a reference I like to keep my right hand on top of the sound hole.

I don’t really like to play to close to the bridge or close to the frets unless I am looking for a specific tone.

By keeping your hand around the sound hole you will be able to achieve the correct posture and pluck or strum the strings easily.

Left Hand Relaxed Without Stretching

You should also be able to position your left hand around the first position of the guitar neck (fret I) without necessarily stretch too much.

Position the thumb behind the neck and press down the first fret with the index finger. Keep the position of the left arm relaxed and natural.

No stretch? Perfect!

Quick Recap

The guitar should be on the right leg.
Right hand on top of the sound hole.
Left hand and arm relaxed without stretching.

Lesson 2: Left Hand Position

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