Rock Section: Lesson on E and G Notes

In this first example in the rock section, we're going to be using the notes E and G.

Finding the Notes

• We found where the E was in the earlier section about finding the strings.
• The open E string is the big top one, closest to our head.
• For G, it will be on the third fret of that E string.

Playing the G Note

1. Locate the Third Fret:

   • The third fret is also the first dot on the fretboard.
   • Push down on top of the string.

2. Sound of the G Note:

   • Pushing the string into the wood gives you the note G.
   • You can hear the change in pitch, so take a second to get used to that.

Pushing Fretted Notes

• When playing fretted notes, avoid pushing on the metal fret; instead, aim for the piece of wood in between the frets.
• This method ensures the cleanest sound and the least amount of fret buzz.

The Balance of Pressure

• When pushing the notes down, we want to be firm but not overly hard.
• Tip:
  • If you push too hard, you bend the string and change the pitch.
  • If you push too softly, the note won't ring out.

Objective: Find that balance of being firm enough to push it down without squeezing so hard that you get horrible lines in your fingers.

Technique Development

In this course, we will focus on notes between the open string and the fourth fret.

Finger Placement

• It's a good idea to use a finger per fret:
  • First fret: First finger
  • Second fret: Second finger
  • Third fret: Third finger
  • Fourth fret: Fourth finger

This technique helps us get accustomed to playing with different fingers, ultimately aiding in our speed while playing the guitar.

The Spider Scale Exercise

A great way to practice this is through the spider scale. We call it the spider scale because it looks like a spider's legs running away.

How to Play the Spider Scale

1. Play the first fret on the high E string.
2. Follow with the second fret, then the third, and finally the fourth.

• For each example:
  • Use your first finger for the first fret
  • Second finger for the second fret
  • Third finger for the third fret
  • Fourth finger for the fourth fret

Reverse the Scale

• We can then play this in reverse, which helps loosen up our hands and build good technique.
• This is something you can keep doing throughout your guitar playing journey.

Practice Tips

• Aim to get faster or change the variations to make it trickier as you progress.
• For now, take it really slowly, ensuring the notes ring out nicely and clearly.

Key Reminder:

• Avoid pushing in too hard to prevent bending the pitch of the string, which can cause the guitar to go out of tune.
• However, if you don't push hard enough, the note won't ring out.

Suggestion: Spend some time now playing the first fret on the high E string and try to find that right pressure so the note rings out, while still remaining in tune.