Guitar Chords

Alternate picking: Alternating downstrokes and upstrokes for efficiency.
Fingerpicking: Plucking strings with fingers (thumb for bass, others for melody).
Hybrid picking: Combining pick and fingers (e.g., pick + middle/ring for chord accents).
Hammer-ons/pull-offs: Legato techniques to play notes without re-picking.
Slides: Gliding between notes on the same string.
Bends: Raising string pitch by pushing/pulling the string vertically.
Vibrato: Oscillating pitch for expression (wide vs. narrow).
Palm muting: Damping strings near the bridge for percussive tone.
String skipping: Playing non-adjacent strings for intervallic leaps.

Advanced Techniques

Sweep picking: Fluid arpeggio playing with one pick direction per string.
Tapping: Hammering notes with the picking hand (e.g., Van Halen-style).
Artificial harmonics: Pinching harmonics at specific nodal points.
Slide guitar: Using a slide (glass/metal) for glissando effects, often in open tunings.
Percussive techniques: Slapping the body/strings for rhythmic accents.
Whammy bar tricks: Dive bombs, flutters, and pitch-shifting effects.

Rhythm & Dynamics

Strumming patterns: Varied rhythms (e.g., “down-down-up-up-down”).
Syncopation: Off-beat accents (common in funk/reggae).
Ghost notes: Lightly muted strums for texture.
Dynamics: Controlling volume (e.g., piano to forte).
Polyrhythms: Overlapping rhythms (e.g., 3 over 4).

Genre-Specific Styles

Blues: Bending, call-and-response phrasing, shuffle rhythms.
Jazz: Chord-melody playing, shell voicings, tritone substitutions.
Rock/Metal: Power chords, palm muting, tremolo picking.
Classical: Rest strokes (apoyando), tremolo, fingerstyle arpeggios.
• Funk: Muted 16th-note strumming, “chicken scratch” rhythms.

Genre-Specific Styles

Blues: Bending, call-and-response, shuffle rhythms
Jazz: Chord-melody, shell voicings, tritone substitutions
Rock/Metal: Power chords, palm muting, tremolo picking
Classical: Tremolo, rest strokes, arpeggios
Country: Chicken picking, hybrid licks, pedal steel bends
Funk: Muted strumming, 16th-note grooves

2. Guitar Equipment & Gear

Guitar Types

Acoustic (steel-string, nylon, resonator)
Electric (solid-body, semi-hollow, hollow-body)
Bass guitar (4-string, 5-string, fretless)
12-string guitar
Baritone guitar
Travel/mini guitars

Amplifiers

Tube amps (e.g., Morgan MVP23 1)
Solid-state amps
Modeling amps (e.g., Fender Mustang Micro 13)
Acoustic amps (e.g., QSC K12.2 1)
Head + cabinet setups

Effects Pedals

Boost (e.g., Xotic EP Booster 1)
Overdrive/Distortion (e.g., Friedman BE-OD, Boss SD-1 1)
Delay (e.g., TC Electronic Flashback 2 1)
Reverb (e.g., TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 1)
Modulation (chorus, flanger, phaser)
Wah (e.g., MXR MC404 1)
Looper (e.g., TC Electronic Ditto X2 1)
Compressor (e.g., Xotic SP Compressor 1)

Accessories

Tuners (clip-on, pedal, app-based)
Picks (materials: nylon, celluloid, metal; thickness: 0.46mm–2.0mm 11)
Straps & strap locks (e.g., Schaller locks 6)
Best Guitar Capos (standard, partial, spider capo)
Slides (glass, metal, ceramic)
String winders & cutters
Humidifiers (for acoustic guitars)
Cases (hard-shell, gig bags, flight cases 6)

Maintenance Tools

String changing tools
Fret polishing kits
Truss rod adjustment wrenches
Pickup height adjustment
Electronics cleaning spray

3. Guitar Teaching & Pedagogy

Beginner Topics

Holding the guitar (posture)
Tuning (electronic tuners vs. by ear 3)
Open chords (C, G, D, A, E)
Basic strumming patterns
Single-note melodies
Reading tablature & standard notation

Intermediate Topics

Barre chords (major, minor, 7th)
Scales (pentatonic, major, minor)
Arpeggios
Improvisation basics
Ear training (interval recognition)

Advanced Topics

Modes (Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian)
Extended chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths)
Chord substitutions
Hybrid picking mastery
Advanced rhythmic subdivisions

Teaching Methods

CAGED system
Sequencing by complexity (e.g., single notes → chords 9)
Incremental build-out (e.g., power chords → barre chords 9)
Song-based learning (applying theory in context 3)

4.Music Theory for Guitar

Fundamental Concepts

The 12 Notes: Western music uses 12 notes (A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab), repeating in octaves 516.
Intervals: Half steps (1 fret) and whole steps (2 frets) define note relationships. The “BC/EF rule” states no sharps/flats between B-C and E-F 1116.
Major Scale Formula: W-W-H-W-W-W-H (e.g., C Major: C-D-E-F-G-A-B) 511.

Chord Construction

Triads: Built from the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of a scale (e.g., C Major = C-E-G) 516.
Chord Progressions: Use Roman numerals (I-IV-V in C Major = C-F-G). Transposable via the Nashville Number System 1116.
Extended Chords: 7ths, 9ths, 11ths (e.g., Cmaj7 = C-E-G-B) 89.

Scales & Modes

Pentatonic Scales: 5-note scales (e.g., A Minor Pentatonic: A-C-D-E-G) 89.
Modes: Derived from the major scale (e.g., Dorian = 2nd mode, Phrygian = 3rd mode) 916.
Harmonic/Melodic Minor: Used for jazz and neoclassical styles 89.

Practical Applications

Improvisation: Combine scales with chord tones (e.g., targeting the 3rd of a chord) 89.
Ear Training: Recognize intervals and chord qualities by ear 816.
Songwriting: Use diatonic chords (e.g., I-V-vi-IV) or modal interchange (borrowed chords) 89.

Genre-Specific Theory

Blues: Mix minor pentatonic with dominant 7th chords 9.
Jazz: Chord substitutions (e.g., tritone subs), altered scales 89.
Rock/Metal: Power chords (root-5th), harmonic minor scales 1116.

5. Performance & Stagecraft

Live Gig Essentials

Backup guitar & strings 4
Extra cables & picks 4
Tuner pedal (e.g., Xotic Polytune 1)
Volume pedal (e.g., Boss FV500H 1)
Power supply (e.g., Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 1)

Recording Gear

Beginner: Smartphone/tablet recording 13
Intermediate: Audio interface (e.g., Focusrite Scarlett 13)
Pro: Tube mic + high-end DAW (e.g., Logic Pro 13)

Pre-Performance Preparation

Rehearsal: Practice songs until they’re second nature. Use “handicap” drills (e.g., blindfolded playing) to build confidence 46.
Setlist Planning: Start with high-energy, familiar songs to combat nerves 36.
Gear Check: Ensure backups (strings, cables, tuner) and test equipment pre-show 36.

On-Stage Presence

Body Language:
- Confidence: Use “power poses” to reduce anxiety (e.g., standing tall) 4.
- Movement: Coordinate with bandmates (e.g., synchronized jumps in punk) 13.
Eye Contact: Engage the audience, especially during solos or breaks 36.
Facial Expressions: Convey emotion (e.g., smiling during upbeat songs) 313.

Audience Interaction

Banter: Keep stories short and relevant (e.g., song origins) 36.
Crowd Participation:
- Simple clap-alongs or call-and-response chants (“When I say A, you say B!”) 313.
- Dance-offs or contests (e.g., “Best dancer wins a CD!”) 3.
Gratitude: Thank the audience sincerely 36.

Visual & Technical Elements

Lighting: Ensure faces are lit to highlight expressions 36.
Attire: Dress for the genre (e.g., leather for metal, vintage for blues) 13.
Props/Stunts:
- Guitar spins (with secured straps) 13.
- Playing behind the head (practice first!) 13.

Handling Mistakes

Recovery: Keep playing or laugh it off—most audiences won’t notice 36.
Mindset: View nerves as energy; adrenaline peaks fade after 1-3 songs 34.

Post-Performance

Bow/Exit: Hold a pose after the last note for dramatic effect 6.

• Debrief: Note what worked (e.g., crowd favorites) for future shows

6. Genre-Specific Topics

Blues

12-bar blues structure
Turnaround licks
Minor pentatonic phrasing

Jazz

Drop 2 & drop 3 voicings
Bebop scales
Chord soloing

Metal

Alternate picking drills
Sweep arpeggios
Drop tunings (D standard, Drop C)

7. Essential Home Recording Equipment

Core Gear

Audio Interface: Converts analog signals to digital (e.g., Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Universal Audio Apollo for low-latency monitoring) 812.
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation):
- Free: GarageBand (Mac), Audacity, Reaper 815.
- Paid: Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Studio One 1215.
Microphones:
- Dynamic (Shure SM57 for amps) 913.
- Condenser (for acoustic guitars/vocals) 15.
Headphones/Monitors: Closed-back headphones (Sony MDR-7506) or studio monitors (Mackie CR3) 815.

Optional but Useful

DI Box: For clean direct recording (e.g., reamping later) 916.
Amp Simulators: Plugins (AmpliTube, Guitar Rig) or hardware (Strymon Iridium) 38.
Acoustic Treatment: Foam panels, portable vocal booths, or DIY solutions (rugs, curtains) 57.

7.2. Recording Methods

Direct Input (DI)

Pros: Silent recording, flexible post-processing, ideal for amp sims 912.
Setup: Guitar → Audio Interface → DAW (use amp sim plugins) 8.
Tip: Record a clean DI track alongside processed tones for reamping 16.

Microphone Techniques

Electric Guitar:
- Close-mic with an SM57 at the speaker cone’s edge (bright) or center (warm) 1316.
- Dual-miking: Combine a dynamic (close) and condenser (room) for depth 913.
Acoustic Guitar:
- Single mic at the 12th fret (6–8 inches away) 13.
- Stereo pair: One mic near the soundhole (bass), one at the neck (treble) 13.

Hybrid Approach

Blend DI and mic’d signals for richer tones 16.

7.3. Workflow & Best Practices

Pre-Recording Prep

Strings & Tuning: Fresh strings for brightness, check intonation 1316.
Gain Staging: Avoid clipping; aim for peaks at -10dBFS 315.
Room Setup: Dampen reflections with blankets/foam, or use a closet for vocals 57.

During Recording

Performance First: Focus on clean takes; tweak tones later 9.
Double-Tracking: Record multiple takes for thicker rhythms (pan L/R) 16.
Latency: Use low-latency interfaces (e.g., Universal Audio Apollo) or reduce buffer size 3.

Post-Processing

Editing: Compile the best sections from multiple takes 16.
Mixing:
- EQ: Cut mud (~250Hz) or boost clarity (~2.5–5kHz) 13.
- Compression: Smooth dynamics (subtle for clean, aggressive for sustain) 16.
- Reverb: Use gated/ambient verbs for space without clutter 16.

7.4. Genre-Specific Tips

Rock/Metal: High-gain tones benefit from less distortion during recording (tightens the mix) 13.
Jazz/Blues: Mic a small tube amp for natural breakup 16.
Acoustic Folk: Stereo miking with room mics for ambiance 13.

7.5. Pro Tips & Tricks

Reamping: Record DI, then send the signal back to an amp later for tone flexibility 916.
Impulse Responses (IRs): Replace mic’d cabs with IRs for consistent tones.
Phase Alignment: Use the 3:1 rule when dual-miking to avoid phase issues.
Noise Reduction: Eliminate hum by distancing from electronics/phones.
Test Mixes: Check mixes on phones/car speakers for real-world accuracy.

7.6. Budget-Friendly Solutions

Free Plugins: Amp sims (AmpliTube CS, Guitar Rig Player).
Used Gear: Buy interfaces/mics secondhand (e.g., Reverb.com).

• DIY Treatments: Hang blankets or use bookshelves as diffusers.

Guitar Chords

Specific Guitar Chords

Functional Chords

Guitar Scales

Share this: