Welcome to Swift Guitar Classes

Hello and thank you for joining our level 1 – Intro to Guitar program, a crash course learning experience for the absolute beginner!

Over the course of your first four guitar lessons you will attain an understanding of basic guitar techniques that can be utilized in playing many of your favorite songs. We guarantee that the techniques we will cover, along with a minimum of one - two hours of practice a day will maximize your progress far beyond your expectations.

Please note that if you have any questions or concerns

throughout your week of practice, an instructor is always on hand and ready to assist. You may also e-mail any questions to Rob@Swiftlessons.com or call 609.675.8799.  

We  look  forward  to  an  amazing  four  weeks  of  progress!  

 

Respectfully,  

 

Swift  Guitar  Lessons  

MUSICAL ALPHABET

A, Bb, B, C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, G#: THESE NOTES ON THE FRETBOARD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorizing the notes in the musical alphabet and where those notes lay on the fretboard is an essential piece of knowledge, and a prerequisite for all future learning. Once you have mastered the musical alphabet, I recommend memorizing the notes found on the E, and A strings, as this will allow you to recognize what key our scales, and barre chords are being played in. Here are some helpful tips:

1) All natural notes (A B C D E F G) are a whole step (2 frets) apart, except between E-F and B-C, which are a half step (1 fret) apart.

2) Notes A and D are what I call “loner-notes”, meaning there are no sharps (#) or flats (b) associated with those letters. “Loner-notes” are always followed by a flat of the next letter.

3) Flats (b) are always followed by naturals of the same letter name.

4) A sharp (#) is always followed by a natural of the next letter.

5) You can only have two notes with the same letter name before

moving on to a “natural” of the next letter. Example: C, C#, D

Swiftlessons Philly Guitar Class - Session 1 Parts of the Guitar/Names of Fingers:

 

General Playing Technique: To play a note perfectly on the guitar i t is important to fol low these general rules:

1) Place f ingert ip behind the inside fret (or fret closest to you.)

2) Press f irmly at al l t imes. 3) Think about bringing your wrist forward and your

knuckles to the cei l ing. (Especial ly useful for chords) 4) Place your thumb behind the neck for added support.

The t ip of your thumb should come just above the halfway point.

5) Remember to keep the heel of your palm away from the neck of the guitar. With proper thumb placement, this should be automatic.

Swiftlessons Philly Guitar Class - Session 1 PG.2 First Chords: The Blues Progression 1.4.5 Strum: A(16) D(8) A(8) E(8) A(8)

First Scale: A Major Scale

Note: The scale above is easily one of the most important elements of music the world over. I would like you to think of the notes within this scale as being ingredients for chords, playing different combinations of these notes in harmony can result in many different types of chords, each possessing its own unique mood and feel. This scale has also been used to create many of the most well known melodies in popular music. Mix and match notes from this A major scale over an A major chord to create your own!

Swift Guitar Lessons “Hound Dog” Performed By: Elvis Presley Written by: Leiber and Stoller Verse 1: A You ain't nothing but a hound dog... Crying all the time D A You ain't nothing but a hound dog ...Crying all the time E Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no A friend of mine! Verse 2: A They said you was high-classed but that was just a lie... D They said you was high-classed A but that was just a lie...

E Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit A and you ain't no friend of mine! Chords: Amaj: X02220 or A7: X02020 Dmaj: XX0232 or D7: XX0212 Emaj: 022100 or E7: 022130 Strumming outline for beginners: A(16) D(8) A(8) E(8) A(8)

Swiftlessons I.VI.IV.V Progression Guitar Lesson The 1.6.4.5 Progression is one of the most popular chord sequences in Popular Music. Well known tunes that put this progression to work include Stand By Me, Earth Angel, Last Kiss, In the Still of the Night, and Unchained Melody.

G Maj Em C Maj D Maj

Practice each chord shape individually; being sure to remove your hand regularly, this will help the development of muscle memory. Once you are confident with each shape, move on to practicing the transitions one by one. After several repetitions move on to playing the progression in its entirety, strumming each chord 4 times.

Aspire toward playing this progression evenly with each strum falling on the beat. Remember to start off playing at a slower, more comfortable tempo; through practice you will accomplish this progression at full speed.

The following tab includes the element of walk-downs and walk-ups. Add this technique once you are able move comfortably through each chord transition

Gmaj Emin Cmaj Dmaj

|--3--3--3--3-------0--0--0----------0--0--0---------2--2--2--2----|

|--0--0--0--0-------0--0--0----------1--1--1---------3--3--3--3----|

|--0--0--0--0-------0--0--0----------0--0--0---------2--2--2--2----|

|--0--0--0--0-------2--2--2----------2--2--2-----2---0--0--0--0----|

|--2--2--2--2-------2--2--2—-0--2----3--3--3---3-------------------|

|--3--3--3--3---2---0--0--0----------------------------------------|

SWIFT GUITAR LESSONS Stand By Me

By Ben E. King

Capo 2nd Fret

Chord Progression: Gmaj(8), Em(8), Cmaj(4), Dmaj(4), Gmaj(8):

“R&B Strumming” – Down, Slap, Down....Slap0

G Em When the night has come and the land is dark C D G and the moon is the only light to see G Em No I won't be afraid No I... won't be afraid C D G Just as long as you stand...stand by me Chorus G So darling, darling Stand... By Me Em Oh Oh, Stand by me C D G Oh stand, Stand by me, Stand by me If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall... and the mountains...should crumble to the sea I won't cry...I won't cry, No I won't shed a tear Just as long as you stand...stand by me So Darling, Darling Stand By Me Oh...Stand by me Stand by me Stand by me Whenever your in trouble won't you stand by me Oh now, now stand by me...oh stand by me stand by me

SWIFT GUITAR LESSONS

“LAST KISS” Pearl Jam Cover Chorus: G Em Oh Where oh where can my baby be C D the lord took her away from me G Em She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good C D G So I can see my baby when I leave this world. Verse: G Em We were out on a date in my daddy's car, C D We hadn't driven very far. G Em There in the road straight ahead, C D A car was stalled, the engine was dead. G Em I couldn't stop, so I swerved to the right, C D I'll never forget the sound that night. G Em The screaming tires, the busting glass, C D G The painful scream that I heard last. (Repeat Chorus) When I woke up, the rain was falling down, There were people standing all around. Something warm flowing through my eyes, But somehow I found my baby that night. I lifted her head, she looked at me and said; "Hold me darling just a little while." I held her close I kissed her - our last kiss, I found the love that I knew I had missed. Well now she's gone even though I hold her tight, I lost my love, my life that night!

Swiftlessons Philadelphia Guitar Instruction I.V.VI.IV. Progression Guitar Lesson The 1.5.6.4 Progression is one of the most utilized formulas in music. Well known tunes that put this progression to work include The Beatles “Let it Be”, Jason Mraz’s “I’m yours” and Adele’s “Someone Like You”.

Gmaj Dmaj Emin Cmaj

“Let it Be” Progression – Key of G Verse: G// D// Em// C// G// D// C// G// Practice each chord shape individually; being sure to remove your hand regularly, this will help the development of muscle memory. Once you are confident with each shape, move on to practicing the transitions one by one. After several repetitions move on to playing the progression in its entirety, strumming each chord 4 times.

Aspire to playing this progression evenly with each strum falling on the beat. Remember to start off playing at a slower, more comfortably tempo, through practice you will accomplish this progression at full speed.

 

Swift Guitar Lessons

“Let it Be” - The Beatles – Capo 5th

       G  /  /                                D  /  /  

When  I  find  myself  in  times  of  trouble,  

 Em  /  /                            C  /  /  

Mother  Mary  comes  to  me,  

 G        /  /                                  D   /  /                                  C  //    G  

Speaking  words  of  wisdom,  let  it  be.    

 G                                    D  

And  in  my  hour  of  darkness,  

    Em                                      C  

She  is  standing  right  in  front  of  me,  

 G                                  D                        C        G  

Speaking  words  of  wisdom,  let  it  be.    

                     Em                        D                  C                                G  

Let  it  be,  let  it  be,  let  it  be,  let  it  be.  

 G       D                            C      G  

Whisper  words  of  wisdom,  let  it  be.  

    G                                  D  

And  when  the  broken  hearted  people  

 Em     C  

 Living  in  the  world  agree,  

 G                  D                          C        G  

 There  will  be  an  answer,  let  it  be.    

   

 

G                        D  

But  though  there  may  be  parting,  

       Em                          C          

There  is  still  a  chance  that  they  will  see,  

 G                  D                    C              G  

 There  will  be  an  answer,  let  it  be.    

 

Chorus  2x  

 

G          D  

And  when  the  night  is  cloudy,  

       Em              C  

There  is  still  a  light  that  shines  on  me,  

 G                              D                          C                  G  

 Shine  until  tomorrow,  let  it    be.    

     

I  wake  up  to  the  sound  of  music,  

     

Mother  Mary  comes  to  me,  

 

 Speaking  words  of  wisdom,  let  it  be.    

Chorus  2x  

Extended  walk-­down  Riff    

Let it Be – Walk Downs Use the tabs below to practice the transitions between chords!

C G

E----0----------------3---

B----1----------------0---

G----0----------------0---

D----2----------------0---

A----3-----2----0-----2---

E----x----------------3---

 

Extended Walk Down C G D C G

E----0----------------3---------------2----0-----3-|

B----1----------------0---------------3----1-----0-|

G----0----------------0---------------2----0-----0-|

D----2----------------0---------------0----2---- 0-|

A----3-----2----0-----2--------------(0)—--3-----2-|

E----x----------------3-----1---0----------------3-|