LESSON 1
Ok, let's get started! I don't know where your at in your playing abilities, so this
may be a bit simple for you. If it is, please let me know and we'll jump ahead!
First, let's set up a diagram that we can use. The numbers at the top
the fret locations. I like to practice with the lower frets because it
makes you exercise your fingers, especially the all important pinky!
Next is the fretboard of the guitar. Thwe strings are labled as follows:
e = your thin e string ( or the 1st string)
B = B string, the next thinnest
G = G string
A = A string (very, very important in Rock or Metal)
E = Your fat E string (most important for that heavy sound!!)
The ---- are strings and the | are frets.
The bottom is the finger on your fret hand you should use. Here's how it goes:
i = index
m = middle or attitude finger
r = ring finger
p = pinky
1 2 3 4 5 6
e ---|---|---|---|---|---|
B ---|---|---|---|---|---|
G ---|---|---|---|---|---|
D ---|---|---|---|---|---|
A ---|---|---|---|---|---|
E ---|---|---|---|---|---|
i m r p
LET'S GET STARTED!
Ok, now that we have a diagram to follow, let's do a simple scale. This is the
Minor Pentationc 1 scale.
1 2 3 4 5 6
e -i-|---|---|-p-|---|---| {Now at this point, I should note, you can play this
B -i-|---|---|-p-|---|---| scale at ANY location on your guitar! Do ya know where
G -i-|---|-r-|---|---|---| the notes on your axe are?? If not, let me know and I'll
D -i-|---|-r-|---|---|---| Make you a chart!!}
A -i-|---|-r-|---|---|---|
E -i-|---|---|-p-|---|---|
13 14 15 16 17 18
e -i-|---|---|-p-|---|---| {Notice that this is the same scale up on the 13th fret.
B -i-|---|---|-p-|---|---| Why?? Because the 12th fret starts the entire neck over
G -i-|---|-r-|---|---|---| so the 13th fret is the next location!!)
D -i-|---|-r-|---|---|---|
A -i-|---|---|-p-|---|---|
E -i-|---|---|-p-|---|---|
Now, before we move on, let's practice this one a bit. Do ya have a Metronome? It's a
little tool we use to keep time while playing. A simple one can run as cheap as $12.
It's a great tool and if ya can, try to get one. I have see web sites with them as
software as well.
If you have one, then set it for about 50 beats a minute (which I'll abreviate 50b/m)
Yeah, this is slow, and if your more comfortable, speed it up!! But the IMPORTANT
THING IS THAT YOU PLAY ACCURATELY AT THE SPEED YOU'RE AT!!!
Have ya got the metronome set up and ready?
Ok...now, as each beat of the metronome strikes, play the notes above, one for each
beat, starting with your E string down to your e string. Then, let the metronome beat
4 times without playing.
Now, on the 5th beat, play the notes in reverse, starting with your e string working
back to your original 1st note on the E string.
As time goes on, increase the beats per minute and practice the scale (and future
one's I'll send ya!)
Ok, you asked, "How do you know where to play the lead in a song?" Well, it works
like this:
The scale above on the first fret is in F, which is the note after E, once you press
down on the first fret of your axe. Typically, in rock music, the lead is almost
ALWAYS in the first chord of the song! The first note of the scales is F, so a song
that was in F would begin here. That note, is refered to the "root note". It's
important to know the root notes on the E and A string for Rock and Metal. More
about this later.
Ok, a quick lesson on tablature: {go to my page, and go to the "Ledgend" button. Click
on it and print out the page. It will give you all you need for the following.
Now let's do a simple lead using the above scale!! After all, it's gotta be fun or
you're just gonna throw that axe in the corner for more dust gathering!!
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
-9^(11`9)-7h9~~~---9-7-9p7----------------------------
--------------------------9\7--5h7-5h7---------5------
---------------------------------------55h7-7----7-7--
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Did ya reconize it?? It's the opening lead to "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath, and it is
in a E minor pentatonic!! So what is the opening riff or chord to the song??
Ok, that's it for now. E-mail me and let me know what ya think!!!
Mike
sgtalexander@juno.com
(
geocities.com/headlesscross.geo)