As we are just getting started, we will not be learning how to read sheet music in our class. This is a great skill for you to have, but it is still entirely possible for you to learn guitar quickly if you do not know how to read music. We will use a few tools to help us - most commonly, a tool called a chord diagram. By using the chord diagram properly, we will be able to play any open chord for all of the songs we will learn in class.
Watch the video below to see how these diagrams work. While you are watching, practice making the shape of the E major chord the way it is pictured on the screen.
It is important to note that left-handed players will have to view this diagram in reverse, as it is drawn to reflect the right-handed position of the guitar. For this exercise, the diagram would look like this:
Changing the strumming pattern you use is, by far, the easiest way to alter the pace and overall feeling of the song you are playing. We will work with a few basic strumming patterns in class, but I really like the three "universal" patterns shown in the video below. Try them out for yourself!
Holding a pick can feel unnatural at first, but it is important that your grip on the pick allows for good range of motion without the risk of dropping it. It's also important to keep your other fingers out of the way while you're at it. Below is a picture that shows the position and grip that I use.
