Introduction: Learning Your First Song on Guitar.
This tutorial will give you a brief overview on how to perform your very first song with the guitar. The song you will be learning from our instructable is a basic version of "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple.
Things needed for this tutorial:
- Right Handed Guitar
- Guitar Pick (optional)
- Willingness to learn
Step 1: A Brief Overview of the Guitar.
Many people are familiar with what a guitar is and what it does, this instructable assumes that you have this prior knowledge.
Hover over the boxes within the image to learn about the basic components necessary to play the song.
Step 2: An Introduction to the Pick.
This orange piece of plastic is known as the pick. It makes it easier to play the strings properly, especially for beginners.
The pick is held between your thumb and index finger, as shown in the last image above.
The pick is not necessary for this tutorial; however, it may make it a bit easier for beginners.
Step 3: How to Correctly Hold the Guitar.
Using what we learned about the "concave" in Step One.
- Place the concave closest to the volume knobs on your right thigh
- Make sure the strings are facing outward
Step 4: How to Hold the Neck of the Guitar.
Position your left hand as seen in the images above.
Step 5: Practice Strumming the Top String.
Practice strumming only the top string (Low E) without hitting any of the others. This will be extremely difficult at first but will become easier with time.
Go ahead and get into it!
Step 6: Playing While Using Frets.
Once you are comfortable strumming without holding down a fret (this is known as open), you can attempt to hold down a fret while strumming (as seen above).
When holding down a fret it is important to apply enough pressure that the guitar will produce a clean sound without buzzing. However, it is important that you do not apply so much pressure that it hurts your hand.
The fretboard, as mentioned in Step One is broken up into frets. These frets are numbered from 0 (open aka no frets are being held down) to 22.
Tips for using frets:
- Use the very tip of your finger
- Apply enough, but not too much pressure
- Keep practicing
Step 7: Required Frets for Smoke on the Water.
Now that you know that strumming a string without holding down a fret is known as "open" here are the other frets required to play the song smoke on the water.
You will notice that the above picture has some of the frets colored in.
- The red fret (the first dotted fret) is known as the third fret.
- The yellow fret (the second dotted fret) is known as the fifth fret.
- The green fret is known as the sixth fret.
Step 8: Strum the Top String (E String) Open.
Step 9: Strum While Holding Down the Third Fret.
Step 10: Strum While Holding Down the Fifth Fret.
Step 11: Practice Steps 8-10 Until You Feel It Sounds Smooth
Steps 8-10:
1) Open
2) 3
3) 5
Step 12: Strum the Top String (E String) Open.
Step 13: Strum While Holding Down the Third Fret.
Step 14: Strum While Holding Down the Sixth Fret.
Step 15: Strum While Holding Down the Fifth Fret.
Step 16: Practice Steps 12-15 Until You Feel It Sounds Smooth
Steps 12-15:
1)Open
2) 3
3) 6
4) 5
Step 17: Strum the Top String (E String) Open.
Step 18: Strum While Holding Down the Third Fret.
Step 19: Strum While Holding Down the Fifth Fret.
Step 20: Strum While Holding Down the Third Fret.
Step 21: Strum the Top String (E String) Open Twice.
Step 22: Practice Steps 17-21 Until You Feel It Sounds Smooth.
Steps 17-21:
1) Open
2) 3
3) 5
4) 3
5) Open
6) Open
Step 23: Now Play Steps 8-21 All Together (Disregard Practice Steps)
Now all of the steps together (all on top string):
1) Open
2) 3
3) 5
4) Open
5) 3
6) 6
7) 5
8) Open
9) 3
10) 5
11) 3
12) Open
13) Open
That just sounds wonderful!
Step 24: Video Demonstration.
Step 25: Congratulations!
You have taken your first step to becoming a god of shredding.
Get up, get active, and sell out some stadiums.
