G-Major Chord

The G Major Chord
The G Major Chord contains the notes G, B and D. It is played using fingers 1, 2 and 3.

Note that finger 1 plays a B note, finger 2 plays a G note, and finger 3 also plays a G note. According to music theory a G Major chord MUST contain the notes B, D and G. In the above G major chord diagram, the D note is sounded by the open D string (4th string). Remember to consider that open string notes are included in chord make-up and not just the notes played by your fingers.

Exercise:

Play the following:

G major chord

C Major Chord

The C Major Chord

The C Major Chord is constructed of the notes C, E and G. It is played using fingers
1, 2 and 3.

Exercise:

Play the following:

Notes on 4th strings

Notes on the Fourth String


The fourth string is also known as the D string. The notes in the first position that are on the
fourth string are D (open), E (2nd fret) and F (3rd fret). It is played using fingers 2 and 3:

Exercise:

Pluck the fourth string notes with a downward picking motion

E-Major Chord

The E Major Chord

The E Major Chord is constructed of the notes E, G# (G sharp) and B. It is played

using fingers 1, 2 and 3:

Remember to start slowly. It is easier to pick up on any mistakes when you play slowly

The Repeat Sign

This sign is used to inform you that instead of finishing on the last bar you go back and repeat

the piece from the beginning.

Exercise:

Practice strumming A, D and E to the suggested strum. Note that there is a repeat sign after

four bars which means that you go back to the start and repeat the piece

Notes on the Third String

Notes on the Third String

The third string is also known as the G string. The main notes in the first position on the third
string are G (open), A (2nd fret) and B (4th fret)

Exercise:

Pluck these third string notes with a downward picking motion.

Notes on 1st string n 2nd string

Notes on the First String
Knowledge of the notes that are on each string is necessary for understanding guitar theory.
The first string is also known as the high E string. The main notes in the first position on the
first string are E (open), F (1st fret) and G (3rd fret). The first position refers to the first 4
frets of the guitar.

Exercise:

Note picking is a skill that is used in all types of music. For now, we will use it to

familiarize ourselves with the note names on each string in the first position. Pluck these first

string notes with a downward picking motion. Notice that your fingers should match the fret

number when playing in the first position:

Notes on the Second String

The second string is also known as the B string. The main notes in the first position on the

second string are B (open), C (1st fret) and D (3rd fret).

Exercise:

Pluck these second string notes with a downward picking motion

Exercise No.2

Exercise No.2

Reading Guitar Tablature

Reading Guitar Tablature
Guitar tablature (also known as tab) is probably the easiest and most used method for guitar
notation

Use numbers to indicate the string and the fret position that you are supposed to play.
Each fret is numbered, starting at the nut of the guitar at O and moving upwards towards the
bridge of the guitar.

The 3 on the above tablature score (Tab. diagram 1) indicates to you that you place a finger

on the third fret of the sixth string. It is the note G.

The 1 on the above tablature score (Tab. diagram 2) indicates to you that you place a finger

on the first fret of the second string. It is the note C.

The O on the above tablature score (Tab. diagram 3) indicates to you that the third string is

to be played open. This means that you don’t need to place a finger on it. It is the note G.

Chords and Tablature

Chords are indicated by a set of numbers that tell you which frets need to be played and

which don’t

 The A Major Chord

The first and fifth strings are played open while the second, third and fourth strings are
played at the second fret. The sixth string is not played in the A Major Chord and this is
indicated by an X.
Often tablature is written beneath traditional music score or stave. The two together look
like this:

Exercise No.1

Practice strumming the A major and the D major chords to the following down stroke
pattern. Strum four down strokes over the A Major chord and then four down strokes over
the D Major chord and then repeat. You should aim to get a smooth change between the two chords so that the whole piece flows and is in time.