Determining which chords you’re going to play for a given 12 bar blues pattern isn’t tough. You need to know what key you want to play in and then you need to know the scale that corresponds to that key (i.e. Key of A you need the A major scale).

Once you have the scale you then pick out the first, fourth and fifth notes from the scale. These will correspond to the chords you’re going to be playing for that 12 bar blues progression.

Now that we know how to find the chords we can easily plug them into the 12 bar blues progression. The pattern always looks the same for the 12 bar blues:

1 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 4 – 4 – 1 – 1 – 5 – 4 – 1 – 5

No matter what key you’re playing in you always want to use the first, fourth and fifth notes/chords from that given scale. Each number corresponds to to one measure of that chord. If we assume then we’re playing in the key of A and each measure gets four beats then we’d start the progression with 4 beats of the first note in the key of A, followed by 8 beats of the fourth note in the key of A etc.

Carrying on with our Key of A example let’s complete it. The major scale for the key of A looks like this:

A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G# – A

We pick out the first note which is A, the fourth note which is D and the fifth note which is E. Finally we add those to the progression above which leaves us with:

A – A – A – A – D – D – A – A – E – D – A – E

So the final thing is where on the neck do we play these chords and what type of feel do we give our strumming to get a bluesy sound. The video lesson below will explain that and give you something you can practice after watching. So take a few minutes right now, watch that video and then go grab your own guitar and give it a try.

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Playing the guitar, in particular, is one of the best ways to express the sentiments or feelings of a person. It is also one way of expressing the artistic skill of an individual who loves music. That is why many people are enticed to learn how to play this instrument.

When somebody is playing the guitar, it is assumed that the person has taken some guitar lessons from an instructor or that he has learned to play the instrument all by himself. Whatever method of learning is employed, it is important to use the correct techniques in order to learn how to play the instrument properly.

One of the best ways of learning to play the guitar is to use some simple guitar songs that make it easier comprehend the guitar tablatures. If a person knows how to sight read a particular guitar song, it is easier for him to learn how to play the guitar. This is more appropriate in a higher level of expertise. Some experts assert that some guitarists have started by singing along with their favorite songs and trying to play it on the guitar as they go.

The importance of using easy guitar songs to learn how to play the instruments is broken down into different aspects. Here is the list:

1. It helps the beginner learn the proper pace and rhythm of the song.

Easy guitar songs initiate proper pacing and rhythm enabling the beginner to learn to play the guitar easier. Just by listening to the song, the beginner can easily make some use of the strings and try to associate it with the tempo and the pattern of the notes.

2. Creates an ear for music

Using easy guitar songs provides the chance to create an ear for music. Once the guitarist learns how to listen attentively, he will be able to distinguish the right note coming from the right tab from those that are wrong.

Indeed, using these easy guitar songs can really make a big difference in every beginners learning session. As the experts insist, it would be easier for a beginner to learn the instrument if he will use tools that are not hard to use.

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After learning the rudimentary chords on the fretboard, the aspiring guitarist always starts to learn strumming so that he can carry a tune or song. Strumming is one of the most difficult parts of guitar playing for the beginner. Many people still believe that the key to playing depends on learning to keep the strumming hand comfortable, flexible and moving fluidly. However, how the fretboard hand is used is just as important in strumming.

Included in this article is a very short lesson to illustrate and study different 1-bar strumming patterns that can be adapted and applied to songs that the beginning guitarist would like to play.

When playing the guitar in the example, or in any tune, it is very important to remember the following things:

-Do not tighten the muscles of your strumming hand, keep them very loose;

-When strumming, always use an up and down motion, (as one would when shaking hands), from the wrist up and down to loosen it up;

-When playing sheet or tablature music, and you encounter a muted chord (shown as notes or tabs with an “x” crossed over them), take the pressure off the strings that you are pressing, and strum the chord. You should hear just a deep scratch of the strings, with no notes ringing;

-If the chord includes open strings, you might have to block them out by very lightly pressing on them with your non-fretting fingers. You can also just take the side of your fretting hand and lay it lightly across all 6 strings, and strum the guitar.

-The muted chord is one of the most important aspects of strumming. In addition to stressing the rhythm of the song, the muted chord when strummed can aid a guitar player simulate a percussion instrument together with the regular guitar strumming.

First, lets pick three simple chords that you can interchange to practice strumming. These three chords have a structural relationship to each other and are usually found used together in one song. Simple songs, such as pop or folk songs, are examples of songs that use these major chords frequently. The E major chord can be played with the open 1st, 2nd and 6th strings. The 1st fret of the 3rd string and 2nd frets of the 4th and 5th strings are pressed to complete the chord. The A major chord is played with the 1st, 5th and 6th strings open. The 2nd frets of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings are pressed to complete the chord. The D major chord is played by the 1st 4 strings, and the 4th string open. The 2nd fret of the 1st string, 3rd fret of the 2nd string and 2nd fret of the 3rd string are pressed to play the chord.

Prepare by trying to get familiar with fretting just one particular chord (for instance, the A major chord). Practicing getting both strumming and resting hands in place for muted chords and then comfortably switching them back into the next position to play a chord. By practicing a few times, you can do this faster with the fretboard hand. Soon you can alternate muted chords while continuously moving the strumming hand up and down at the same time. This will make your guitar strumming sound a lot better.

In the short sample below, the timing is in 4/4 measure, meaning there are 4 beats to a bar. Down arrows mean a down strumming stroke, up means and upstroke and an x denotes a muted chord. Start slowly and complete the bars, then work up to a faster tempo when you are comfortable. Try to change the patterns and chords to develop your own practice sequence. Afterwards, apply this to chords and bars of a song you know, and you are on your way to playing songs on the guitar. The pattern is: ? ? X ? ? ? X ?

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Your body and posture:

You must be comfortably seated, resting your back adjacent to the backrest of your chair making sure that your legs are in front and feet flat on the ground. This position is now your “footing” or support that your guitar is going to rest upon.

Picking up the guitar, held it close to your chest or stomach ensuring that the back of the guitars body touches your chest and the necks bottom is parallel to the ground. The guitars thickest string must be directed close to the face and the thinnest string must be directed close to the ground.

Generally, a right-handed individual holds the guitar so that the headstock is pointing towards the left, while a left-handed individual holds the guitar so that the headstock is pointing to the right.

To play the guitar in a seated position, the guitars body should be resting on either one of your thighs. The instrument should be resting upon a leg that is farthest from the headstock; meaning, a right handed individual handling a guitar will naturally rest the instrument on his right leg, and a lefty will rest the instrument on his left leg.

Your right arm and hand:

Using the correct hand position is crucial in guitar playing. You will face many problems should your hand be in an incorrect position; your hands will easily tire, it will be difficult for you to play particular chords and you could even hurt or injure your hand if you continue playing using the wrong hand position.

The right hand will be used to “strum” the guitars strings in order to produce the varying chord sounds. Rest your right hand and arm over your guitar. The bicep must rest on the topmost part of the guitars body and the hand must be properly placed directly on top of your guitars sound hole (where sound will be produced). Insure that your position is comfortable.

A left handed individual has two alternatives. The first is to purchase a guitar that is right-handed then re-string it (reversing the sequence of the guitars strings), and the other option is to purchase a guitar that is specially made for people who are left-handed.

Focus on your “fretting hand” or the hand that is near the guitars neck, when seated in proper guitar position. Your fretting hands thumb must be resting at the back of the guitars neck, having your fingers positioned in a slightly curled manner, balanced on top of the strings. Keeping these particular fingers with a slight curl at your knuckles is very important.

Your fingers:

Your fingers of your left hand should be bent as well as and should be pressed down onto the guitars strings that are located on the fret board. The necks back should be curved, in order that the hand is molded into the necks shape.
Remember that it is alright for you to press or push the thumb at the back of the neck when creating your chords. This is common when one is playing scales. Test certain thumb positions so you will know which one you are most comfortable with.

Do not worry too much about the strings that the fingers of your left hand are pushing down at this time as you are just in the process of acquainting yourself with your instrument.

Never worry either, when you can not play a good tune at this early stage. There are still many things to be learned, many stages to go through, and practices to do before you to get the right tones and the right notes to play. You are just beginning, so be patient.

The important factor here, is that you can comfortably hold the guitar and be at ease with it. The rest of techniques still to be learned will just automatically flow, at your fingertips!

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The very first necessary part of learning how to play the guitar is to know its parts. Right-handed players use their right hand for strumming and the left for picking and holding the guitars neck. The body of the guitar must sit comfortably on the right thigh as if following the players own body. The frets are the pieces of metal that are located along the guitars neck. This is where the strings are attached and they are the main source of the instruments sound. The strings vibrate when strummed, but only true sound can come out if the strings are pressed on the fret board.

The music that comes out of the guitar is based on the western or modern scale of twelve tones. The scales are actually easy to remember because the letters A to G symbolize them. And like other musical instruments you also have the natural, flat, and the sharp. The tones are read as A, A#, B, B#, C, C#, etc. Believe it or not, music is like math; there is an equivalent sound for every sound wave that travels in the air.

As for the strings, there are six on ordinary guitars but as many as 12 strings on some. If the guitar is resting on the lap, the lowest part of it is placed on top of the thigh. Pressing the frets on the fret board creates different notes. There are many instances when two notes of the same scales may not sound the same because octaves are different.

Tuning the guitar is easy. One can listen to a piano or pitch pipe for matching notes; or for those who have keen ears, all they do is listen to the notes the string create. Press the E string on the fifth fret to tune A. The exact sound of the note can be achieved with the help of turning the string pegs. Except for tuning the G and B strings, the same procedure is done to tune other notes.

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1. Have jamming sessions with someone who can really play the guitar. It really does not matter what the other musician is playing – it can be drums, saxophone, piano, etc. as long as they are willing to play and learn as well.

2. Listen to other types of music. Dont just concentrate on one particular type; there is no harm in listening and trying out metal music if the main interest is jazz, etc. This develops your sense of discovery and talent.

3. Take lessons online. There are hundreds of online sites dedicated to developing young artists who provide free guitar instructions. New ideas and tips will help an achiever grow.

4. Use different chords and scales when playing. Experiment by playing the same song in a different key, tempo, etc.

5. When listeners start noticing that the same key and type of music is being played over and over, start learning new styles. A classic piece or a country song is a nice change from the conventional songs.

6. Aside from the guitar, listen to other kinds of musical instruments. It does not necessarily mean listening to them live. Try some pop and listen to a few CDs like Miles Davis’. How about a new classic artist like MAXINE?

7. Record the Music that you listen to. Listen to it again and be a critic of that music before trying to play it. Never concentrate on the mistakes by fretting, use them as guides and try to perfect the piece the next time.

8. Be open to self-challenge. Pick out your most hated music material then study it and try to play it. There is nothing that makes you feel better than being able to play what you thought to be impossible.

9. It is not bad to give yourself a break once in a while. Do not listen to music for a day or two. Try a going to a movie or find a good book to read…
10. Practice, practice, and practice by heart. Practicing new strokes for only about 30 minutes a day will not be sufficient. Practicing for about 2 to 4 hours a day is effective enough.

Anyone wants to learn must always have patience and discipline thats what counts. Be creative and learn from your mistakes and have fun while playing.

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The very first necessary part of learning how to play the guitar is to know its parts. Right-handed players use their right hand for strumming and the left for picking and holding the guitars neck. The body of the guitar must sit comfortably on the right thigh as if following the players own body. The frets are the pieces of metal that are located along the guitars neck. This is where the strings are attached and they are the main source of the instruments sound. The strings vibrate when strummed, but only true sound can come out if the strings are pressed on the fret board.

The music that comes out of the guitar is based on the western or modern scale of twelve tones. The scales are actually easy to remember because the letters A to G symbolize them. And like other musical instruments you also have the natural, flat, and the sharp. The tones are read as A, A#, B, B#, C, C#, etc. Believe it or not, music is like math; there is an equivalent sound for every sound wave that travels in the air.

As for the strings, there are six on ordinary guitars but as many as 12 strings on some. If the guitar is resting on the lap, the lowest part of it is placed on top of the thigh. Pressing the frets on the fret board creates different notes. There are many instances when two notes of the same scales may not sound the same because octaves are different.

Tuning the guitar is easy. One can listen to a piano or pitch pipe for matching notes; or for those who have keen ears, all they do is listen to the notes the string create. Press the E string on the fifth fret to tune A. The exact sound of the note can be achieved with the help of turning the string pegs. Except for tuning the G and B strings, the same procedure is done to tune other notes.

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These articles below are a great start for those that are just beginning to get interested in playing guitar or who have just started playing. The important thing is that you begin with the basics and work way through whatever lesson plan you choose to use with as much passion and focus as you can muster. Keep your goal in mind of playing the guitar and will achieve success to learn to play guitar.