Lesson 4: Playing Notes

Lesson 4: Playing Notes


Now that you've got your guitar in place and your pick in hand, you are ready to start playing notes. As you've probably noticed by now, making noises come out of the guitar is relatively easy. Making noises that actually sound good is another story.

Start by plucking the 6th string (the one closest to your chest) without using your fretting hand at all. This will produce an E note. Playing a string without fretting any of the notes is called playing it "Open."

Next, move down the strings and play each individual one "Open." This will produce the notes A, D, G, B and E respectively. Notice how each one sounds a little bit higher than the one before.

Now, go back to the 6th string and place the index finger of your fretting hand on the first fret (the initial space between the nut and the first fret). Hold down the note with the tip of your finger, rather than the whole first joint. While holding your index finger down firmly on the first fret, use your picking hand to pluck the 6th string.

If done correctly, the sound produced should be slightly higher (by a half-step) than plucking the 6th string alone.

Next, move your finger up another half-step to the second fret (the space between the first and second frets) and pluck the 6th string again. This should produce a slightly higher pitched sound than the one before.

Repeat this exercise with each of the strings. Start by playing the string open, then with your finger on the first fret, and then again with your finger on the second fret. If the notes start to sound muffled, off-key, or just plain bad, take a look at your fretting finger to make sure that you are holding down the note firmly and your finger is placed directly in the center of the fret. Do this until you are comfortable making individual notes.

TIP: It is important to keep your finger directly in between the frets, as this will produce a "truer" sound. Try not the let your finger slide too close to either fret.

Practice Lesson

Practice playing individual notes for at least 10 minutes each time you play. Focus on holding them down correctly and moving confidently between the strings.