1. How to Play Guitar… Darren Ray Evans

2. Navigation The last slide has a return to beginning button. Slide 31 contains an audio playback button. At the bottom right hand corner of each slide is a previous page button and a next page button.

3. The guitar is a part of the lute family and is what is called a "composite chordophone." Taking its roots in Spain, it cannot be proven to have existed in a form similar to the modern guitar any earlier than the 1400's, but there are a variety of theories surrounding its origins. lute © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook Guitar Origins

4. The guitar first emerged in Spain, and was most likely invented by the people in the Malaga region. The theory that the guitar may have had some Egyptian ancestors is supported by the Moors' visit in the Middle Ages. Spanish guitar © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

5. Construction A guitar is comprised of craftsmanship and an understanding of sound and music. Anatomy © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

6. Electric Guitar The first attempts at an amplified instrument did not come until the development of electrical amplification by the radio industry in the 1920s. One of the earliest innovators was Lloyd Loar, an engineer at Gibson Guitar Company. Electric guitar © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

7. The Innovators All © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

8. Tablature Tablature is a short hand version of notation. There is no time signature or tempo in tab, just finger positioning. One must listen to song to acquire timing. The 6 lines represent the 6 strings of a guitar. The large E or 6 string is the bottom line on tablature. Tab © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

9. Notation Music notation is an representation of the position (where) of notes, time signature (when) and tempo (speed) in which the notes are played. There are 12 notes in an octave. The notes are named A B C D E F G. There are #=sharps and b=flats between each notes except B and C, E and F, completing 12 notes. Tab © Darren Ray Evans. Used Notation with permission The Guitar Handbook In the following slide follow the 5 th or A string left to right for 12 note example.

10. Tuning In order for you to begin to play, you must tune your instrument. There are different ways of tuning. There is harmonic tuning at the 5 th and 7 th fret or with a piano. This acquires skill and an ear for tonality. A tuner is most accurate. neck and keys © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook 5 th string= A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A

11. Picking Styles Picking hand can use a plectrum (guitar pick) to strike the strings or fingers and thumb. Plectrum technique requires a concentrated up and down motion single note progression or a wide sweeping motion for rhythm chords. Picking © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

12. Modes There are 7 basic modes that make up guitar scales (solos). These patterns are comprised of 7 tones (diatonic); 2 semi-tones and 5 full tones. Any one of the 7 modes can be played in any key (the 12 notes) keeping that the pattern remains the same. The 2 scales that all other scales (modes) are related to are the major (Ionian) and minor (Aeolian). We will examine the modes (patterns) and how they are used.

13. Dorian This is a minor mode. It differs from natural minor in that the 6 th note is sharpened. The Dorian mode is named after the Dorian Greeks. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

14. Phrygian This is another minor identical to natural minor except for a flatted 2 nd note. It is also known in Arabic and in the Middle East as the Kurd mode. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

15. Lydian This is a major scale. It differs from the diatonic major (Ionian) in it has a sharpened 4 th note. The Lydian mode is named after the ancient kingdom of Lydia in Anatolia. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

16. Mixolydian This major scale has a flattened 7 th note. The ancient Greek Mixolydian mode was invented by Sappho, the 7th century B.C. poet and musician. This mode is used in blues and jazz. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

17. Locrian All notes in this scale are flattened except the tonic 1 st and 4 th. Of the seven modes this one is used in jazz music as well as being pentacle in Hindu and Japanese music. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

18. Ionian This is the diatonic major scale. This is the basic scale of major modes. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

19. Aeolian This is the natural minor scale in which all others minor modes are based. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

20. Bar Chord Major Bar chords are fundamental in hard rock. Once you learn the finger position, one can slide this fingering up and down the neck accomplishing 12 major chords. The root is the 1st finger on the 6 string. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

21. Solo Run Major This run or pattern can be used in any key as long as you start at the tonic or root note on six string. This run is used with the major bar chord. The run beginning with the root of the bar chord. This example is of the open E major. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

22. Bar Chord Minor The minor bar chord has the same fingering as major bar chord except you raise your second finger releasing the third string to the barred number one finger. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

23. Solo Run Minor The minor run is another pattern that works with minor chords or keys. This run begins with the open E minor. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

24. Open Chords A Major and A minor: Common chords, major chords are used for uplifting music as minors express sad tonality. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

25. Open Chords B 7 th : This cord is usually used in transitions rather than a lead chord. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

26. Open Chords C Major : Popular chord in modern and classical music. The chord can be used as a walking progression. Plays well with all chords especially A minor. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

27. Open Chords D Major and minor: These chords have a bright ringing tone. D Major, C major, and G major are used sequentially in many pop hits. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

28. Open Chords E Major, E minor, and E 7th: As seen in the charts there is little difference in finger position between these chords. These are used as power chords as well as open chords. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

29. Open Chords F Major chord: This chords finger position is similar to C Major; and can be played in the same position as a bar chord. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

30. Open Chords G Major: This one of the most widely used chords in modern music as well as classical periods. Its tone is considered placid and beautiful. Chart © Darren Ray Evans. Used with permission The Guitar Handbook

31. Credits and References: All photos and charts from The Guitar Handbook, Ralph Denyer; Borzoi Book publishing, New York, New York, 1988. Andantino: Matteo Carcassi (1792-1853) Heart to Heart: Laura Pool (2001) Instincto: Frequencia (2002)