So Will I - Intro Tutorial on Guitar

Today I am going to show you how to play the intro melody to the song So Will I by Hillsong United. This is a beautiful little melody that is very simple to play.

Supplies

Guitar

Step 1: Hold Guitar

Pick up Guitar and hold it across your body with the strings facing away from you.

Step 2: Notes 1&2

This is a melody that contains 6 unique notes that are being played a total of 32 times. The first notes are going to be C & E. We create these notes by putting our fingers on the guitar string to shorten the string length which causes a sharper tone.

The Guitar is comprised of 6 strings and a varying number of "Frets," which are protruding bumps that you push against to create the sound.

For the first note of C, place your index finger on the 5th string from the bottom, on the 3rd fret.

For the second note of E, while holding the C note, place your pinky finger on the 2nd string from the bottom on the 5th fret.

Follow the image.

Step 3: Slow Picking CE

Now you are going to use your other hand for picking. Use your thumb for the 5th string and your middle finger for the 2nd string. Alternate between the strings and go slowly to create a rhythm.

Follow the video

Step 4: Fast Picking C/E

Work on that slow picking until you can create a faster rhythm that matches the one in the video.

Follow the video.

Step 5: Notes 2&3

The second and third notes of this melody are E (at a higher octave) and G.

To play the note of E place your index finger on the 5th string on the 7th fret.

To play the note of G place your pinky finger on the 2nd string on the 8th fret.

Follow the image

Step 6: Picking E/G

You will use that same fast-picking technique with these notes as well. Start slow and increase speed until you can follow the video

Step 7: Notes 5&6

The final notes for this melody are D and F#.

To play the note of D place your index finger on the 5th string on the 5th fret.

To play the note of F# place your pinky finger on the 2nd string on the 7th fret.

Step 8: Fast Picking D/F#

Use the same alternating rhythm and speed for these notes as well. Work until you are able to match the video.

Step 9: C/e - E/g Transition

Now it is time to start playing the melody.

The first part of this melody is done by playing the first two notes (C/E) a total of 16 times.

You then slide down the neck to the second position to play the E/G notes.

Follow the video.

Step 10: E/g-d/f# Transition

After you slide to the second position you will play the E/G notes a total of 8 times with that same rhythm.

Once that is complete you will slide back up the neck to the 3rd position.

Follow the Video.

Step 11: D/f#-C/e Transition

This is the final transition that takes you from the 3rd position back to the 1st position.

Play the D/F# notes for a total of 8 times with that alternating rhythm, then slide up to the first position of C/E.

Follow the Video.

Step 12: Full Playthrough

Congratulations! You have just essentially played an intro melody to a song.

Continue to run through these steps until you are able to play the full melody at full speed without missing a transition. It will take some time but it is very rewarding to learn and is very neat to play for a beginner!

Follow the video to watch a full playthrough of this melody!