G101 LESSON 1 – Guitar Lessons University

Lesson 1. Introduction to the Guitar. History, Types of Guitars and Purchasing Advise, Guitar Anatomy.

A Brief History of the Guitar

The guitar you hold in your hands represents over 4,500 years of stringed instrument evolution. The guitar is and has been for a long time, the single most popular stringed instrument in the world. The exact origin of the guitar is still being researched and debated. Artifacts dating back to 1900 BC show stringed “guitar like” instruments being used for ceremonies and entertainment. Ancient paintings of stringed instruments have been found in the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Stone carvings of Hittite Bards dating over 3,300 years old, show them playing long stringed “guitar like” instruments. Around 1200 A.D, two types of guitars existed: The Moorish guitar and the Latin guitar. The Moorish guitar or ” guitarra morisca ” had multiple sound-holes and a wide fingerboard with the back of the neck rounded. The Latin guitar or ” guitarra Latina “had only one sound hole with a thin neck. The Latin guitar from 1200 AD is the closest relative to the modern classical guitar.

A Luthier is someone who builds, repairs and designs guitars and other stringed instruments. Around 1890, Guitarist and Luthier Antonio Torres Jurado created two new guitar designs. Antonio’s new guitars had greater bass response and volume due to his new designs. These new designs Ancient Egyptians used Stringed paved the way for the guitar to become what it is today, a solo instrument and a band instrument that is used for more genres of music than any other instrument.

Native Americans used music in all of their cultural ceremonial traditions. Music was also used by these early Americans to provoke much needed rain, bring good luck and fear to their enemies. If you study Ethno-Musicology (the study of music and cultures), you will discover that music is the reflection of our cultures, and historically has been an inherent part of the Human Experience.

What does this mean to you, the student of guitar?

You may never become a rock-star or professional musician, but you have the opportunity to learn the skill of music; a skill that has been around since the beginning of civilization itself. Scientific studies have proved that playing a musical instrument can raise a persons IQ, as well as stimulate parts of the brain relating to mathematics, logic and reason. Practicing a musical instrument can teach discipline, relieve stress and ultimately be very enjoyable. The guitar is now a world-wide popular instrument, played by people from many cultural backgrounds. A fast growing community of guitar players online now share information and techniques with each other using forums, blogs and other guitar related websites. As a student of guitar, you should take advantage of all the resources available for guitarists online. You will discover that the world of guitar is vast, welcome to it!

Ancient Egyptian playing a stringed instrument 1900 BC.

Ancient Hittite Bard playing a stringed instrument

Anceint Egyptians playing Stringed Instruments.

Luthier Antonio Torres Jurado

Three Types of Guitars (3 Basic Types)

Steal String Acoustic Guitar

Nylon String Acoustic Guitar

Solid Body Electric Guitar

The Steel String Acoustic Guitar was developed in the United States and manufactured by companies such as Gibson and Martin.

Parts of the Acoustic Guitar

Tuning Peg – Turn the Pegs to lower or raise the pitch of the string(s).

Fretboard – The area that holds the guitar frets. Where you place your fingers on the strings to play notes.

Fret – The thin metal bar embedded in the fingerboard of the guitar, also refers to the space between the bars.

Nut – Stops the strings from vibrating beyond the neck.

Guitar Body – Includes the sound hole, pick guard and bridge.

Sound Hole – Amplifies the string vibration, making the guitar louder.

The Acoustic Guitar Body holds the Bridge, the Sound Hole, and the Pickguard while supporting the Guitar Neck and the Headstock.
The Bridge – is the elevated piece connected to the front of the Guitar Body that supports the strings.
On the Bridge are the Bridge Pins and the Saddle.
Bridge Pins lock the Strings in place by anchoring the strings inside small holes on the Bridge.
Saddles hold the Strings in place on the top of the Bridge in an elevated position above the body and the neck.
Bridge Pins transfer the Strings Sound Waves or Vibrations (energy) to the Soundboard (the front of the guitar body).
The Bridge and the Pickguard are both attached to the Soundboard.
The Pickguard protects the Body from being scratched from playing with a Guitar Pick or Fingernails etc.
Pickguards come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can also be customized.
The back of the body is simply called the Back. The Wood that the Soundboard is made from, shapes most of the Acoustic Guitar’s Tone. Tone is the unique sound of the guitar.
Sound Hole is the round opening (hole) on the Soundboard in between the Bridge and the Neck. Its purpose is to project the sound of the guitar strings more efficiently, creating resonance and volume.

After a guitar is “setup”, it is important to keep the same set of strings inside the guitar case for two reasons. One, when you break a string you have the exact replacement. Two, you should always use the same size strings. This keeps the Guitar Neck stable. Inside the Neck is a Truss Rod that is used to shift the Guitar Neck during maintenance. Only an experienced Guitar Repair Person should mess with the Truss Rod.

The metallic bars embedded into the Fingerboard are called Frets. Frets divide the Fingerboard into musical intervals or steps called Half-Steps (also known as a semitone). When you press a string downward against the fingerboard in between frets, you shorten the string to the length between the fret in front of your finger to the bridge on the Body of the Guitar. The shorter the length of the guitar string, the higher in pitch the string will sound. The Frets and the wood make up the Fingerboard. Rosewood, Maple and Ebony are popular woods used for making the fingerboard (fretboard). Imprinted on most guitar Necks are Position Markers. Position Markers are placed before or behind the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th,15th and 17th metal Frets. The 12th Fret Position Marker usually is different looking than the rest for sight recognition.

Concepts and Review The Steel Stringed Acoustic Guitar

Steel String Acoustic Guitars can be divided into 3 main parts: the Guitar Body, the Guitar Neck and the Headstock.

Sound Waves travel through the Soundboard and resonate from both the Soundboard and the Sound Hole.
Some Guitar Saddles have grooves to hold in place each individual String, some do not. The main purpose of the Saddle is to raise the height of the strings over the Body and Fingerboard.
The Guitar Strings are numbered from the bottom up. The bottom thinnest string is String #1 and the top (thickest) string is String #6.
The Guitar Neck includes the Fingerboard, Frets, and Fret Markers. The Fingerboard is also called the Fretboard.
The Fingerboard holds the Frets. The Frets are Metal Wires embedded into the Fingerboard

Fret Markers are symbols on the Fingerboard itself, and usually denote (mark) the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th Frets.
The Nut separates the Neck and the Headstock, and minimizes the String’s vibration energy moving towards the Headstock.
The Nut has grooves that hold the Strings in place and can be made of many materials, but usually plastic or bone (cow bone).
The Headstock holds the Tuners.
Tuners are also called Tuning Pegs and Machine Heads.
The Tuners have holes where the Guitar Strings slide through and then are wrapped around the Posts.
Turning the Machine Heads Clockwise tightens the String raising the Pitch.
Turning the Machine Head Counter-Clockwise tightens the String lowering the Pitch.
Acoustic Guitars have Truss Rods inside the Neck for reinforcement and to allow adjustments.
The Truss Rod is usually accessed inside the Soundhole at the beginning of the Neck.

Electric Guitar Parts Concepts and Review

The Electric Guitar Body holds the Bridge, Magnetic Pickups, the Output Jack, Pickup Switch, and the Volume and Tone knobs.
Some Bridges have a Tremolo, sometimes called a ‘Whammy Bar” or a “Trem Bar“.
A Tremolo is used to bend the Bridge forward and backward to create a Vibrato effect.
There are many different kinds of Tremeloes with different technologies and mechanics.
The term “Tremolo Bridge” is used to describe a bridge with a Tremolo.
A Fixed Bridge is a bridge that cannot move and does not have a Tremolo.
The Saddles can be adjusted to correct Intonation.
Intonation is the process of adjusting the Bridge Saddle for better Pitch Accuracy of the Fretted Notes.
Intonation can also be described as Fretboard Tuning.

The Electric Guitar Bridge and Saddle can also be adjusted to raise and lower the strings.
The Magnetic Pickups pick up the string’s vibrations and transfer it as energy through to the Output Jack.
The Pickup Closest to the Bridge is often referred to as the Bridge Pickup.
The Pickup in the Middle position is referred to as the Middle Pickup.
The Pickup closest to the guitar neck is referred to as the Neck Pickup.
The Output Jack is plugged into a Cable and Output to an Amplifier to Amplify the Sound that is being “picked up” by the magnetic Pickups.
The Volume Knobs control the output from the Pickups, therefore controlling the volume.
Tone Knobs control the higher frequencies (the treble). When the Tone Knobs are turned down, the output will have less treble.

Electric Guitar Neck and Headstock

Electric Guitar Necks on average are thinner than Acoustic Guitar Necks.
Fret Markers are symbols on the Fingerboard itself, and usually denote (mark) the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th Frets.
Inlay – an Inlay on the Guitar Neck is a symbol made with decorative materials placed into the Neck itself.
The 12th Fret usually has a different Fret Marker Symbol such as two dots instead of one.
The Nut is a small piece of hard material that supports the strings near the headstock ending the strings vibration.
Electric Guitar Necks are usually thinner than both Nylon and Steel String Acoustic Guitars, and therefore the strings are closer together.

Nylon Stringed Guitar

Nylon Stringed Acoustic Guitars are also sometimes referred to as “Classical Guitars” or “Spanish Guitars”.
These Guitars are mostly used for playing Classical, Latin, Flamenco and other Fingerstyle Guitar music.
The Nylon Stringed Acoustic Guitars (Classical/Spanish) usually have the widest Necks.
The wider the neck, the further apart the strings.
Nylon String Guitars do not have a Truss Rod. Do not put Steel Strings on a Guitar made for Nylon Strings.
The anatomy and functionality of Nylon String Guitars are mostly the same as Steel String Acoustic Guitars excluding the Truss Rod and the Nylon Strings.

A Guitar Setup

Frets are the embedded metal bars that rise up from the fingerboard. By pressing your finger tip down on a string behind a fret, (causing the string to be pulled over the top of the Fret) the strings vibration length is shortened thus raising its Pitch.
Fingerboards are usually made with Rosewood or Maple (wood). Many other types of woods and materials are also used including synthetics, metals and mixed materials.
Nylon Strings cause less tension on the neck, therefore Nylon String Guitars do not need a Truss Rod. If you place Steel Strings on a Nylon String Guitar the tension will be to much for the neck.
Action describes the distance of the Strings from the Fretboard. With Lower Action, the guitar strings take less effort to push down.
A Guitar Setup, is the process of which a Guitar Repair person sets the Action of the Guitar, Intonation and other adjustments and repairs.
Intonation is the process that ensures each fret produces the correct pitch for its position on the scale.

Buying Your First Guitar Tips & Advice

The first guitar a student chooses to purchase should depend on what style of music they want to learn to play. Nylon String, Steel String and Electric Guitars all have different characteristics preferred for specific styles of music. Many guitarists begin learning on one type of guitar and as they progress purchase other types of guitars for different styles of music. 6 string guitars are recommended for all beginner students.

Steel String Acoustic Guitars

Steel String Acoustic Guitars are often used for Country, Folk, Pop, Blues and Acoustic Rock. These guitars do not need an amplifier, and are usually recommended by schools and group classes because students do not have to carry anything other than the guitar in the case. The Strings on Steel String Acoustic Guitars can sometimes be tough on beginner fingers, especially young children, so a Setup with the lowest action possible is highly recommended.

Most popular guitar for beginner students.
Steel String Acoustics can be uncomfortable on beginner fingers, a setup and low action is highly recommended
Portable and easy to carry, no amplifier needed.
Most School Guitar classes require Acoustic Guitars.
Ideal for Strumming and Fingerstyle Guitar Music.

Nylon String Guitars

For Classical, Latin, Flamenco and other similar Fingerstyle Guitar Music, a Nylon Stringed Guitar is usually preferred. These Guitars are often referred to as “Classical”, “Concert” and “Spanish” Guitars. Nylon Strings feel softer and easier to play than Steel Strings to many beginner students. These Guitars have a wider neck. The Sound or Tone of these guitars depend mostly on the wood used to make the guitar. When playing chords, many Nylon String players agree that using their fingers sound much better than using a Guitar Pick. In fact, using a guitar pick on a Nylon Stringed guitar has been described as sounding like “Plastic on Plastic”. In contrast, playing Single notes on a Nylon String using a Pick is often preferred by Soloists who like to play single notes very fast (and they sound amazing). Since playing lead is for more advanced guitarists, students should only choose to learn on a Nylon String if they are primarily going to study Classical, Latin, Spanish or other fingerstyle music. There are many shapes and styles of Classical Guitars. Make sure a professional helps you choose the right guitar for you.

Electric Guitars

Often referred to as a “Classical Guitar” or “Spanish Guitar”.
Recommended for Students who wish to learn Classical Guitar Music.
Nylon Strings are usually easier on the Fingers, especially for beginner students.
Usually have Wider Necks than Electrics or Steel String Acoustic.

Needs an Amplifier, Digital and Solid State amplifiers are inexpensive.
Student can use the guitar amp at low volume or headphones so they do not disturb others while practicing.
With a proper setup, Electric Guitars can be really easy to play and more comfortable for beginner fingers than Acoustic Guitars.
Digital Amps have many different sounds and tones and can make practice more fun.

Electric Guitars are often used for Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Blues, Jazz and Country. Electric Guitars can be advantageous for beginner students for many reasons. If properly Set Up, Electric Guitars can be very easy on beginner fingers therefore making learning easier. With the variety of tones, effects and sounds modern digital amps can produce, many students find practicing on an Electric guitar fun. A student can always learn on an Electric Guitar, build up finger strength, and transition to an Acoustic Guitar later. (One of the reasons Steel String Guitars are recommended for beginners is that they do not need an amplifier).

Guitar Amplifiers can be Tube, Solid State or Digital. Tube amplifiers offer the most natural electric guitar experience but can be very expensie. Solid State Amplifiers are great for professionals and beginners and can be great for touring musicians. Digital Guitar Amps have a varity of sounds and tones wich makes practicing the guitar and performing fun and creative.

REVIEW

Action – A term to describe the distance of the Guitar Strings above the Fretboard. For example, “High Action” describes the strings as being farther away from the Fretboard and “Low Action” describes the strings as being closer to the Fretboard. With High Action, the strings take more effort to press down and hold, while with Low Action, it is easier to press down and hold the Strings. The Lower the Action, the more the strings become susceptible to Frets “buzzing” also known as “Fret Buzz” (string rattle against the Frets). A Guitar Setup is recommended to ensure your guitar is working properly and the action is set best for the player. A Luthier is a certified Guitar Repair Professional and Builder who does guitar setups and repair.

For many beginner Guitarists, the first few weeks of practicing can cause some discomfort and even pain. Fingertip soreness is a common problem with beginners. With Lower Action, the guitar strings are easier to press (easier to play) and therefore more comfortable to practice on. Please have your guitar professionally Setup for a beginner Guitarist and ask for Low Action. A professional should know exactly what to do and will give great advice on the setup process.

More Advice and Buying Tips

It is very important to purchase and play the correct Guitar Size. For very young children (under 9) a 1/2 Size Guitar might be suitable, ages 9 – 12 a 3/4 Size guitar might be recommended or a full size depending. Ages 13 and up should be using a Full size Guitar.
Research who you listen to and what guitars they play, this might lead you to purchasing the right guitar that you are excited to practice on.
Purchase a Guitar you can afford, be careful not to buy too inexpensive for lack of quality and playability.
Warranty for repairs are also recommended for First Guitars.
Left Handed Persons should be learning on and playing a Left Handed Guitar.
Do not Buy a Guitar as an Investment, buy a Guitar to LEARN GUITAR. Even the most expensive new Guitars lose value overtime. There are collector vintage guitars, but these are expensive collector items and are not economical for learning.