Basic Terms and Symbols in Music

1. Music for any instrument is notated on the staff. Do not confuse the staff with the
strings of the guitar.

2. The treble clef:
This sign appears at the beginning of every line of guitar music. The purpose of the treble
clef will be ex plained at a later point.

3. To organize music we use measures.

4. A double bar signifies that this is the end of the piece or exercise.

5. The quarter note:
Quarter notes are half as long as half notes, so they will receive 1 beat each.

6. The eighth note:

Eighth notes can be notated in two ways. A single eighth note will usually be notated like this:

Two or more eighth notes can be notated like this:

Eighth notes are half as long as quarter notes. So two eighth notes have to be played in the same
time it takes for one quarter note to be played. To count eighth notes we have to use
SUBDIVISION. We subdivide the quarter beat into two eighth note beats by using the symbol &
(and).

LESSON 1

Tuning Guitar

For now we will tune the guitar with use of the tape (Lesson one, track one). First you will hear the

high E-string (first string). Try to match the sound of your E-string to the sound of the E-string that is on the

tape. The E-string will be played a couple of times. Listen to it as much as you need to. Follow your

instincts. If you think you have matched the sound on the tape, you will probably be correct. If the strings

are put on correctly on your guitar, the pitch will go up when the tuning peg is turned away from you, and

lower when the peg is turned towards you. When the first string is in tune listen to the sound of the second

string on the tape, and repeat the same procedure until all six strings are in tune.

Note: Tuning a guitar is not as hard as you might think, but it will take some practice. So if it takes a while

to tune the guitar the first couple of times, do not get frustrated; it will become easier in the future.

Below link to guitar tuning...

http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/onlinetuner.html
http://www.guitarlessonworld.com/lessons/lesson2.htm

Software to install
http://www.nch.com.au/tuner/index.html

Choice of Guitar

There are two basic types of acoustic guitars: the classical and the Dreadnought steel string.

Electric guitars should not be used with this method. If you do not own a guitar yet, your best choice

would be a classical guitar. The classical guitar uses six nylon strings, with the three bass strings being

silver wound. The steel string guitar, as the name implies, is strung with six steel strings. The body of

the steel string guitar is also slightly larger than that of the classical guitar.

It is possible to use a steel string guitar with this method, but in my opinion it would be better for

a beginner to use the classical guitar, since most music presented in this method has been written for

classical guitar.

Classical guitars are available to the beginning guitarist for about 150-400 dollars. The best

guitars for their price are available in Mexico. Japanese guitars are more expensive, but they are still a

good product for their price. The best choice for a classical guitarist would still be a guitar from Spain,

which is not quite as easy to find.

When you choose a guitar make sure that it feels comfortable, and that there are no buzzing

sounds when you strum the strings. A nice full sound on the high strings is more desirable than a strong

bass string sound.

2

Some trustworthy brands:

Japan: Yamaha, Takamini, Ibanez

Mexico: Tres Piños, Valenciana
Spain: Artesano, P. Saez

LeArN HoW To PlaY GuITaR

Introduction

The method is intended for any mature learner fifteen years old or older who has not had any

prior exposure to the classical guitar. The only prerequisite that is obligatory is your desire to learn, and

the patience to understand that everything being taught in this method is important in learning how to

play the guitar. This method can be used in a class situation or for individual instruction.

I’ve tried to leave out unnecessary and time consuming exercises. This method will move rather

quickly into short musical selections utilizing the free stroke. The pieces in this method are either

composed by the author or original classical guitar pieces that have been edited by the author. Lesson 26

gives you several intermediate level guitar pieces from various time periods which are usually not in-

cluded in guitar methods but would have to be purchased separately. All the music in this method was

written for guitar and is not transcribed from other instruments.

Compared to other available methods more emphasis is being put on knowledge of rhythm and

music theory while giving you appropriate musical selections.

Before each exercise or piece, practice hints will be given to facilitate the learning of the material.

A tape will be supplied with the method, to enable you to tune your guitar and to check your

progress. Do not learn the music by listening to the tape. The tape should only be used when checking

the already learned music. If you follow these suggestions and the ones given throughout the method,

you will surprised at your own progress.

With Lesson 14 a reference sheet is provided to help you find notes for the free stroke pieces.

Avoid writing note names and frets in the music.

WELCOME