Guitar

The aim of this book is to introduce beginners to the basic concepts of the guitar and to provide further stimulus for intermediate players. Important techniques are given their own sections with exercises and examples provided. It includes an extensive section on amplifiers and numerous tips and advice on all aspects of the guitar. Music theory concepts are clearly presented and explained.

An Ibanez 440-RS1, with three pickups and locking vibrato system.

Getting Started

• Different Types of Guitars
• Anatomy of a Guitar
• Buying a Guitar
• Buying an Amplifier
• Tuning the Guitar
• Tablature
• Lead Guitar and Rhythm Guitar

Playing the Guitar

For Beginners

• The Basics
• Open Chords
• Intervals and Power Chords
• Muting and Raking
• Learning Songs
• How to Continue Learning
• Song Library
• Technical Exercises

Lead Guitar

• Scales
• Scale Theory
• Picking and Plucking
• Arpeggios and Sweep Picking
• Slides
• Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, and Trills
• Bending and Vibrato
• Harmonics
• Tremolo Bar Techniques
• Tapping
• Octaves

Rhythm Guitar

• Chord Types
• Barre Chords
• Movable Chords
• Chord Progressions
• Alternate Picking
• Tremolo Picking
• Rhythm

Playing Styles

• Folk Guitar
• Blues
• Slide Guitar
• Rock/Alternative Guitar
• Country and Western
• Metal
• Jazz
• Classical Guitar
• Flamenco
• Reggae

General Guitar Theory

• Tone and Volume
• Singing and Playing
• Writing Songs
• Playing With Others
• Recording Music
• Tuning Your Ear
• Playing What You Hear

Equipment

• Guitar Accessories
• Effects Pedals
• E-bow
• Cables
• Bass Guitar
• Harmonica and Guitar Combo

Maintenance

• Guitar Maintenance and Storage
• Adjusting the Guitar
• Stringing the Guitar

Appendices

• Dictionary
• Alternate Tunings
• Scale Manual
• Chord Reference
• Blues Exercises
• Blanks - These are templates used for writing tabs and making scales in this book.

About this Book

• Authors

External Links

Music Theory Wikibook: The Basics

• Introduction
• Music Notation Systems
• Rhythm
• Scales and Intervals
• Modes
• Chords
• Chord Structures
• Consonance and Dissonance

Guitar Lessons

• Learn How to Play Guitar | Learn Guitar | Free Guitar Lessons | Learning Guitar Learn How to Play Guitar Online at GuitarPlayerWorld.com with Free Guitar Lessons and Resources.
• Free Video Guitar Licks Archive of video guitar licks with tablature in all styles of play.
• 12bar.de teaches you how to play slide guitar in standard tuning (as opposed to an open tuning), along with some licks and basic technique.
• FreeGuitarVideos.com features over 150 free video lessons on beginning guitar, blues, rock, country, jazz and more.

Guitar Software and Hardware

• ultimate-guitar-tuner.com Free online chromatic guitar tuner. Supports microphone input.
• TuxGuitar Open-source tablature editor for Linux, Windows and Mac.

Guitar Tablature & Chords

Tabs

• CleanTab.com Great looking guitar tab database! Minimal advertising.
• tabs.guitarworld.com Large tabs database.
• Guitaretab.com Has a large guitar archive.
• Ultimate-guitar.com Over 200,000 guitar tabs, bass tabs and chords. Also features lessons, columns, forums and news updates.
• 911tabs.com A tab database.

Chords

• HowToTuneAGuitar.org Chord Finger Over 1800 guitar chords, organized by type of key. As well 8 Chord Inversions for each chord
• All-Guitar-Chords.com Comprehensive scale, chord, progression database, with a very good interface. Also includes a jamming machine allowing you to practice with backing tracks.
• Guitar Chords org Chord diagrams and note reference.