The Guitar

The Guitar is classified as a plucked string instrument, or chordophone, which produces sound by creating a vibration of the strings. They can have up to 18 strings depending on the type of guitar but most only have six.
The sound is produced by creating vibration in the hollow body of an acoustic guitar or through an amplifier for an electric guitar.

The guitar is traditionally made of wood and strings of gut, nylon or steel. Unlike hollow-bodied acoustic, electric guitars typically have a solid body to prevent feedback.
The Guitar is classified as a plucked string instrument, or chordophone, which produces sound by creating a vibration of the strings. They can have up to 18 strings depending on the type of guitar but most only have six.

Structure

The first section of the guitar is called a headstock, on which you will find tuners and tuning pegs. The tuning pegs allow you tune the guitar by tightening or loosening the wires. The middle, narrow section of the guitar is called the neck. The nut is the white strip closest to the headstock. The front side of the neck is called the fretboard. And the metal wires on the fretboard are called the frets, which help your fingers find the right spots. The biggest part of the guitar is called the body, which has a hole in the middle called the sound hole. On the body, the bridge, the saddle, and the bridge pins hold the wires in place.

Classic VS Acustic

  • Shape

    Most acoustic guitars come in a dreadnought shape in a standard parlor size. Parlor size guitars are typically smaller than a classical guitar, but some are larger depending on the type of acoustic guitar manufacturer.

  • Neck

    Typically, a standard classical guitar has a wider neck than an acoustic guitar. Remember that an acoustic guitar is meant for strumming or fingerpicking; therefore, the smaller neck widths and shorter string spacing make these techniques easier for players. It’s also best to keep in mind that classical guitars tend to not have fret markers, which may or may not pose a challenge to players.

  • Bridge

    A classic wrap-around bridge is used on a standard classical guitar. On this type of guitar, the strings are tied in a knot around the bridge to secure them in place, similar to a ukulele. But classical bridges also accept ball-end classical strings, which is the preferred string method for these types of rigs. In contrast, the bridge on an acoustic guitar has pegs that securely hold the strings in place.

  • String

    The ultimate difference between an acoustic and a classical guitar is the strings. Classical guitars use nylon strings as opposed to steel strings on an acoustic guitar. This is where the major differences in sound come from. Nylon strings are a lot thicker and produce a more mellow, softer sound than steel strings. The treble strings (G, B, high E) are made with nylon monofilament while the bass strings (E, A, D) feature a silver-plated copper wrapped around a nylon multifilament core. Nylon strings are softer to the touch and have a plastic feel, which makes them ideal for beginners. While the nylon strings might be easier to play for uncalloused hands, the sound is not as common in modern music. If you like Spanish, Flamenco, or classical music, this type of sound can be achieved with a classical guitar. But most modern rock, folk, blues, and country performers use an acoustic guitar. The steel strings on an acoustic guitar produce a bright, crisp, even twangy sound that resonates more than a classical guitar. Acoustic guitar strings are manufactured in a variety of metals and materials, including nickel and bronze. These strings are thinner, making them extremely similar to electric guitar strings while also being somewhat sharper on the fingers.

His History

The original shape of the guitar in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries

A plucked stringed musical instrument that probably originated in Spain early in the 16th century, deriving from the guitarra latina, a late-medieval instrument with a waisted body and four strings. The early guitar was narrower and deeper than the modern guitar, with a less pronounced waist. It was closely related to the vihuela, the guitar-shaped instrument played in Spain in place of the lute.

The guitar originally had four courses of strings, three double, the top course single, that ran from a violin-like pegbox to a tension bridge glued to the soundboard, or belly; the bridge thus sustained the direct pull of the strings. In the belly was a circular sound hole, often ornamented with a carved wooden rose. The 16th-century guitar was tuned C–F–A–D′, the tuning of the centre four courses of the lute and of the vihuela....From the 16th to the 19th century several changes occurred in the instrument. A fifth course of strings was added before 1600; by the late 18th century a sixth course was added. Before 1800 the double courses were replaced by single strings tuned E–A–D–G–B–E′, still the standard tuning.
The violin-type pegbox was replaced about 1600 by a flat, slightly reflexed head with rear tuning pegs; in the 19th century, metal screws were substituted for the tuning pegs. The early tied-on gut frets were replaced by built-on ivory or metal frets in the 18th century. The fingerboard was originally flush with and ended at the belly, and several metal or ivory frets were placed directly on the belly. In the 19th century the fingerboard was raised slightly above the level of the belly and was extended across it to the edge of the sound hole. In the 19th century the guitar’s body also underwent changes that resulted in increased sonority. It became broader and shallower, with an extremely thin soundboard. Internally, the transverse bars reinforcing the soundboard were replaced by radial bars that fanned out below the sound hole. The neck, formerly set into a wood block, was formed into a brace, or shoe, that projected a short distance inside the body and was glued to the back; this gave extra stability against the pull of the strings.
The 19th-century innovations were largely the work of Antonio Torres. The instrument that resulted was the classical guitar, which is strung with three gut and three metal-spun silk strings. Nylon or other plastic was later used in place of gut.
Among variant forms of the guitar are the 12-stringed, or double-course, guitar, and the Mexican jarana and the South American charango, both small five-course guitars. Lyre-shaped guitars were fashionable in 19th-century drawing rooms. Other forms of the guitar include the metal-strung guitar played with a plectrum in folk and popular music; the cello guitar, with a violin-type bridge and tailpiece; the Hawaiian, or steel, guitar, in which the strings are stopped by the pressure of a metal bar, producing a sweet, gliding tone; and the electric guitar, in which the instrument’s sound and tone depend almost entirely on the electronic detection and amplification of its vibrating strings.
Guitar music from the 16th to 18th century was notated either in tablature (showing the position of the fingers on the frets and the strings to be plucked) or in a system of alphabetical chord symbols. Jazz-guitar tablature shows chord symbols on a grid representing strings and frets. The guitar grew in popularity during the 17th century as the lute and vihuela declined. It remained an amateur’s instrument from the 17th to early 19th century. A few virtuoso guitarists, however, became known in Europe, among them Gaspar Sanz (flourished 1674), Robert de Visée (c. 1650–1725), Fernando Sor (1778–1839), and Joseph Kaspar Mertz (1806–56). Modern classical-guitar technique owes much to the Spaniard Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909), whose transcriptions of works by Bach, Mozart, and other composers formed the basis of the concert repertory.

The Theoretical Lessons

Learning how to play the guitar is an exciting skill that will impress those around you. If you have a passion for music and the guitar but don't have a lot of time or the patience to learn how to play, you may want to do it quickly. Although mastering the guitar can take decades, there are techniques and methods that you can use to rapidly learn how to play the basics on guitar. By learning simple open chords, playing guitar tabs, and practicing regularly and correctly, you'll be able to play the guitar in no time.

Step-by-Step

    • 1. Ensure that your guitar is in tune

      Ensure that your guitar is in tune. Get an electronic tuner to make sure that your guitar is tuned. Trying to learn how to play different songs with an untuned guitar can confuse you. Also, many guides that you find online will be using standard tuning.

      • Standard tuning starting from the top string to the bottom is E, A, D, g, b, e .
      • Play open notes on your guitar and make sure that they correspond with the digital output on the tuner.

    • 2. Hold your guitar correctly

      When you are sitting down, there are two main ways to hold your guitar. For a casual playing style, lay the guitar over your dominant leg. On the other hand, the classical method has you set your guitar on your non-dominant leg. In both instances, make sure that the guitar is held close against your body. Holding your guitar properly makes it easier to play and prevents you from becoming fatigued. Play around with both styles and figure out which one is most comfortable for you.

      • The classical style gives you more control over the neck of your guitar.
      • The casual style reduces fatigue as you play.
      • Make sure that the guitar is upright while you play because tilting the guitar can hurt your wrists.
      • When standing, make sure that you have a strap on your guitar and that the guitar is tight against your torso, with the top of the guitar over your chest
      • Maintain a relaxed posture as you play your guitar.

    • 3. Learn the difference between chords and single notes.

      Chords occur when you play two or more notes on different strings simultaneously to create one unified sound. These are what make up the "rhythm" portion of acoustic music. Single notes are used more for solos and occur when you play a single note at a time. Both are skills that you must become proficient in when learning to play the acoustic guitar

    • 1. Learn the basic open chord shapes

      Open chords are chords that are played towards the top of your guitar's neck, near the tuning knobs. When playing the acoustic guitar, knowing the open chord shapes is critical to play popular rhythms. Figure out two easy chords, like E minor and A major, for example, to get an understanding of their shape

      • The 8 most common beginner open chords include C, A, G, E, D, Am, Em, and Dm
      • Don't get overwhelmed by the number of different open chords, start off by learning one or two, then move onto more complex open chords
      • The left string on the chord chart refers to the top string on your guitar.
      • Your strings are numbered from 1-6 starting from the bottom string, or the 1st string.

    • 2. Position your fingers on the neck

      The dots on the chords represent where you should hold down your fingers on the neck. For instance, an A major is played by holding down the string on the second fret on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th string. An E minor is played by holding down the second fret on the 5th and 4th string. Hold the strings down until they are pressed against the neck of your guitar

    • 3. Strum your guitar with a pick or your fingers

      Hold down the strings with your fingers in the appropriate shape and try to strum with your other hand. Acoustic guitar strings often have higher actions than electric guitars, so you may have to press down very hard to get a good sound. If the chord comes out muted, try holding down the strings with more force. If your string is buzzing, move your finger further away from the metal fret on your neck

      • On your chord chart, you'll either have an o or an x over each of your six strings. This designates which strings you should strum and which strings you should not.
      • For an A major, you strum all of the strings but the top string.
      • For an E minor, you strum all of the strings.

    • 4. Transition and play both chords in the progression

      Now instead of strumming on one chord, practice going back and forth between your E minor and A major. Strum four times up and down on your E minor chord before re-positioning your hand and strumming the A major chord four times, up and down.

    • 5. Try out different strumming patterns and rhythms

      Once you're able to produce a good sounding chord, try strumming it at different tempos and rhythms. Rhythm is based on your strumming pattern, and how long you're holding your notes. Try a basic 1-2-3-4 beat, otherwise known as a 4/4. The number on the top represents how many beats there are in the measure. Try strumming up and down in different progressions to create a different sound for your rhythm. Once you get a basic rhythm down, you can start to incorporate quicker or slower strumming.

      • As you play, your fingers might get sore. If this is the case, take a break and come back to practicing later.

    • 1. Use tabs instead of sheet music

      If you don't already know how to read music, it can take a lot of time to memorize and proficiently read sheet music. Tabs are an easier and more intuitive way to write music for beginners that doesn't require any formal education. Tabs will simply tell you where to put your fingers on a fret board and how to generally play a song

      • While traditional sheet music can tell you the duration of the notes in a song, tabs require you to listen to the music itself.
      • If you're interested in playing other instruments, you should learn how to read music.

    • 2. Learn how to read tabs

      Tabs will have six lines that represent your strings, along with numbers that designate where you should be placing your fingers. The numbers represent the fret in which you need to hold the string down. A 1 means the first fret, a 2 means the second fret, and so on. Numbers in a progression mean that you hold down the first individual fret and pick the note, then move to the next one, and so on in succession. Numbers on the same vertical line are meant to be played together simultaneously as a chord.

      • Tabs are read from left to right.

    • 3. Determine the guitar riff that you want to learn

      Listen to acoustic guitar songs that you enjoy and choose one that you'd like to learn. When finding your first song, try to find a song that has an easy chord progression. Listen to the song and determine how many chord changes it has and the speed in which the song is played. If there aren't that many chords or the song seems simple to play, you should choose that song as your first song to learn.

      • Easy songs to learn include “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s, and “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson.

    • 4. Look up the tabs for the song online

      Type in the name and artist of the song and look up the tabs in a search engine. Once you find the tabs, you'll be able to see which chords and notes that the artist is using to play the song.

    • 5. Open up audio for the riff and follow the tabs

      Open the song that you're covering in another window on your internet browser. Play through the song and trace the chords and notes with the tab that you looked up. Try to follow the numbers on the tab with the notes that are being played in the song. Try to get an understanding for which chords the artist is playing before trying to duplicating it.

      • Listen to the song 3 or 4 times.

    • 6. Start playing the different notes and hold the different shapes

      Once you have a basic understanding of how the notes are played throughout the song, you can start to hold each of the chords. If the song consists of chords that you're used to playing, it will make the process easier. If the song uses different chords, it may take some time and adjustment to get used to them. Practice the chords separately if they are unfamiliar to you

    • 7. Divide the song into portions and master each part.

      If the song's chords and progressions are new to you, it's easier to break the song down into separate parts. Examine the tabs and figure out parts where the chords or rhythm is repetitive. Master each of these individual parts before trying to play the entire song.

      • If you are really familiar with the chords that the song is using, you can try playing the song all the way through over the recording of the riff.

    • 8. Play the song with the audio recording

      Once you've mastered the individual portions of the song, you're ready to play the song in its entirety. Play the song and strum your guitar along with the song. Try to keep up with the tempo of the song you're covering. Follow the tabs as you play. If you make a mistake, follow the music on the tabs and come back into the song when you're ready. Once you've become proficient at playing the riff, continue practicing until you don't need the tabs anymore.

      • If your guitar sounds different than the track, your guitar may be out of tune, or you may be playing the wrong notes or chords.
      • Since tabs are sometimes user-submitted, they aren't always exact.

    • 1. Practice playing individual notes.

      Holding down a string and producing a decent sound can sometimes be more challenging than it looks. If you don't hold down a string hard enough, you'll get a muted note and if you hold down the string too close to the fret your guitar will buzz. Practice picking in an up and down motion on your string with the other hand. Continue doing this until you feel comfortable moving up or down the neck to a different note. Practice playing the notes back and forth until you become comfortable strumming.

      • Practice picking individual notes until you can go all the way up and down the neck of the guitar with ease.
      • At first, you're likely to pick the wrong string. Continue to practice until you know where the string is via muscle memory.

    • 2. Learn how to transition to different chords.

      One way to become proficient quickly is to learn how to transition between the various chords quickly. These transition periods are often the hardest for beginners to play when they are starting off. The more you practice between switching to different chords, however, the better you'll get at doing it in songs. Practice switching between open chords like G, A, E, and C.

      • Take your time and be deliberate when switching from chord to chord

    • 3. Practice at least 20 minutes for 6 days a week

      Consistent practice will allow you to improve your guitar playing skills over a short period. Taking long breaks and not staying dedicated will wear away your muscle memory and delay the development of your skills. Instead, dedicate 20 minutes to an hour of practice throughout most of the week. During practice, you can either run different drills or you can try covering a song.

      • Once you get more comfortable with the guitar and your fingers don't hurt as much, you can make your practice sessions longer.
      • Over time, you will start to build callouses on your fingertips and you will be able to play without the pain.
      • If you feel pain in your wrist, take a break. Try to re-position it so it doesn't hurt while you play.

    • 4. Watch videos of guitar tutorials online.

      There are a variety of different tutorials online that can teach you basic or advanced techniques for the acoustic guitar. Search for lessons on popular websites like YouTube or visit websites that have guitar tutorials for free. The more informal instruction you're able to absorb, the better you'll become.

      • Top guitar tutorial sites include Guitar Tricks, Justin Guitar, JamPlay, and ArtistWorks

    • 5. Download apps that will help you learn how to play.

      There are apps that you can download to your mobile device that will help you learn how to play the acoustic guitar. These apps range from step-to-step guides on how to play, to apps that can act as mixers and recorders. Go to the app store for your device and try to find some apps that can help you.

      • Top guitar lesson apps include Real Guitar, Perfect Ear, and GuitarTuna<2/li>

The Gizmos

Tools

Set Up the Harmony

Chords

Keep the pace

Metronome

Tune the Sound

Tuner

The Guitar & Me

Music improves
mental health!
Creating and listening to
music, relieves pain!

Beneficts

The benefits of playing music help your brain more than any other activity.
Learning an instrument increases resilience to any age-related decline in hearing.

My Experience

The guitar, I never thought I'd play it one day, I remember looking at it since I was little as a difficult instrument to learn and thinking that only a few people born with the gift for it had the chance to learn. Furthermore, I didn't even think it could become my favorite instrument, I was convinced that my instrument would have been the piano, I love its sound very much and I dreamed of being able to play it one day, I was mistakenly convinced that as an instrument it was easier to learn. So for me the guitar was an instrument that I didn't consider.

Although I had a lot of admiration for those who played it and many times I found myself dreaming of being able to play this instrument, quickly shaking that thought off, convinced that I would never be able to do it.I have a daughter who wanted to play the guitar instead and she enrolled in a course at her high school, asked me to buy her a guitar and a few months later lost interest. I found the guitar, abandoned in her room with a broken string and decided to figure out how to fix it with the hope that interest would return, having no idea how to do it, I searched the internet.

But my daughter hadn't lost interest in the guitar, she had no interest in how they taught her at school. So I decided to at least try to understand something about that instrument, trying to see if I could find a way to make her want to learn again. I took a notebook and started searching in internet for sites, videos and information on how to play the guitar, and took note. Then I started ti try to learn how to play. For the first few months it was quite frustrating, I had no idea if I was learning well, my fingers hurt terribly, I couldn't get a round of chords, despite trying and trying again.

But one day, from one moment to the next it was as if something was unlocked inside my brain, and I was able to play a complete round of chords. Since then my desire to learn increased, I began to learn to play more and more songs, I was obsessed with wanting to play, it gave me pleasure to do it to the point that I used to ran home and grabb the guitar every time I heard a song I liked it. It's only been 3 years since then and it has become something crucial in my life, it's a part of it. It is my favorite hobby of all.

P.S
My daughter plays E-Guitar now.