Little Kids Rock Guitar

proudly presents

guitar volume one

O T T R A T S “ K

©2006 Little Kids Rock

1

what is Little Kids Rock? DID YOU KNOW THAT MILLIONS OF KIDS IN AMERICA RECEIVE NO MUSIC EDUCATION?

That is just not cool! Little Kids Rock is a nonprofit organization that provides FREE music classes and FREE musical instruments to thousands of kids in our country’s public schools. We teach kids to play the musical styles that they love. Our students learn to play rock, reggae, funk, hip-hop...whatever they are most interested in. They also learn to write their own songs. This video course will give you some of the same great lessons that the students in our classes receive. You will learn how to play guitar in some of these different styles, how to take a guitar solo and maybe even how to write your very own songs! By supporting Little Kids Rock, you can keep music where it belongs...in our schools!

You can learn other ways to support Little Kids Rock by visiting our website. There you can make a donation, sign up for our newsletter or find out how to volunteer. Help us protect your right to ROCK IN SCHOOL!

Join the band!

lekidsrock. .litt or ww

g

w

LKR

A very special thanks to the fantastic team at TrueFire.com who donated their valuable time and resources to make this video course possible. They ROCK!

GET INVOLVED!

Little Kids Rock • (P) 973.746.8248 • email: [email protected]

2


parts of the acoustic guitar

lesson

#1

Tuning machines

Headstock Frets Nut

Strings

Cool Sticker

Neck ™

Bridge Sound hole

Saddle

Body Cool design ©2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

3

parts of the electric guitar

lesson

#1

Tuning machines Headstock Frets

Nut

Strings

Neck Pick ups Bridge

Pick guard

Volume knob Tone knobs Body


4


Tuning your guitar...Arghh!

lesson

#2

Tuning your guitar can be VERY frustrating! The good news is that just because you can’t tune doesn’t mean you can’t start playing. When you are just getting started on guitar, the BEST way to tune it is by using an electronic tuner. This is a machine that will tell you when each string is in tune. You can get an electronic tuner for about $20. The NEXT BEST way to tune your guitar is to get someone else who already knows how to do it for you. However, here’s how to tune your guitar if no one else is around and you have no tuner. When you press down on the 5th fret of a string, it should sound like the string right next to it. For example, when you press down on the 5th fret on the “E” string, it should sound like the open “A” string just next to it. If they don’t sound alike, try adjusting the tuning machine of the “A” string up or down until both strings sound the same. Next, when you press down on the 5th fret on the “A” string, it should sound like the open “D” string just next to it. Continue across the strings like that, but when you go to tune the “B” string, press down on the 4th fret of the “G” string, NOT the 5th fret. This drawing shows how to tune. The white circles show where to press and the red lines show which string the fretted note should sound like.

5th fret

If at all possible, get help! Less time tuning can mean more time playing!


Please support us at www.littlekidsrock.org

5

6

lesson

chord diagrams

#2

A chord diagram is just a drawing of what a chord looks like when you play it on your guitar. Look at the chord diagram and key below.

Nu t

x x KEY

Frets

1 2 3

Fretboard

1

= finger used = play this string

x

= don’t play this string

Strings HERE ARE TIPS FOR “READING” CHORD DIAGRAMS: 1) The red dots with numbers in them are where you place your fingers. The numbers tell you which finger to use. Play strings that have red dots. 2) Any string that has an “

” above it is supposed to be played, even

though there is no finger on it. 3) Any string that has an “X” above it is NOT supposed to be played.

note...

Lots of song books that you will find in music stores use chord diagrams like this one to the right. The drawing is simpler and there are no finger numbers. That’s because after awhile people begin to remember chords by their shapes. Once you are familiar with a chord’s shape, your fingers will find their places automatically!

xx

1

2 3


7

lesson

l got a “D” (. .. b u t my M o m is

#3

so p ro ud!)

A good first shape to learn is the "D” chord. If you look at the picture below, you'll see it looks like a triangle. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play only the bottom four strings. Don't play strings with an "x" above them.

Curve your fingers like cat claws.

Each finger touches just one string. Thumb looks like a fret on the back of The neck.

x x

D

Press hard enough to get a sound.

Place fingers close to the frets.

Looks like a triangle!

1 2 3

1 3

2


8


“A”IS FOR “AMPLIFY” .. .t h at m e a

" n s " m a ke it lo ude r.

lesson

#4

The "A" chord looks like a straight line. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play only the bottom five strings. Don't play the top string, the one with the "x".



x

A



Looks like a line!

1

123

2 3



9

Simple rhythms

lesson

#4

Playing rhythm guitar is as easy as counting to four! When you play a chord on your guitar, it is called strumming. You can strum in two different directions: up and down. The easiest rhythm is one where you play a single down stroke. Start by counting to four. Everytime you say the number “one,” play a down stroke.

The following page has more easy rhythms. Here’s how they work. • Say the numbers and play them with down strokes. • Say any “+” signs as “and.” Play these with up strokes. The patterns are easiest to play and to learn when they are said and played together. This is a very important part of learning rhythms ...if you can SAY IT, you can PLAY IT! For example, look at rhythm B on the next page. You will SAY, “ One, two, three and four. One, two, three and four…” while you PLAY down down down up down, down down down up down, ©2006 Little Kids Rock

10


Simple rhythms A) B) C) D) E) F) G) H) I) J) K)

1

2

down

down

1 1

2 +

down

down

1

(up)

2

down

(up)

1 +

down

+ 4

down

(up) down

3

+ 4

down

(up) down

3 +

down

1 +

down

3

down

down

2 +

down (up)

2 +

3

4

down

down

3 +

down (up)

down (up)

1 +

2 +

3 +

(up)

1 +

down

(up)

1

(up)

1 +

(up)

2

down

2

down

down (up)

3 +

down

down

1 +

down

2

down (up)

2 +

down

down

down (up)

(up)

4 +

(up) down (up)

(up)

down

4

down

4 +

down (up)

4

down

3 +

4 +

3 +

4 +

down

#4

4

down

2

down

down

3

lesson

(up) down (up)

down (up)

3

down

down (up)

4

down ©2006 Little Kids Rock


11

First chord progressions

lesson

#5

A chord progression is just two or more chords played one after the other.

Most pop songs are made up of three to six chords that repeat in some sort of a pattern.

The chord progression below uses just two chords, “D” and “A.” The that appears at the end of the progression is called a repeat sign. It is there to tell you to start over again from the beginning of the progression. The bars to the left here are called a measure. Each measure gets four beats which we count as “1, 2, 3, 4.” You will see that there are eight measures in this song that get repeated many times. Progression 1 x x

D

A

x

123

1 2 3

x x

D

1 2 3

1 2 3 4

note... The video lesson that goes with this page shows the progression being played with two different rhythms, one downstroke per measure on the “1” and then two downstrokes per measure on the “1” and the “3.” However, you can play this progression with many different rhythms. Try using some of the different rhythms from the page called “Simple Rhythms” from the last lesson. ©2006 Little Kids Rock

12


First chord progressions

lesson

#6

The chord progression below uses the same two chords as the last one (“D” and “A”) but this time they are in a different order. Progression 2 x

A

x x

123

D

x

1 2

A

x x

D

123

1 2 3

3

This chord progression is played with three different rhythms on the video. Here they are:

1st rhythm

1

down

1

2

rest

2

3

rest

3

4

rest

4

2nd rhythm

down

rest

down

rest

3rd rhythm

1

2

3

4

down

down

down

down

note... The video lesson that goes with this page shows the progression being played with the three different rhythms above. However, you can also play this progression with many different rhythms. Try using some of the different rhythms from the page called “Simple Rhythms” from the last lesson. ©2006 Little Kids Rock


13

“E” is for “electric” .. .l ike in "E le ct ri c G

lesson

#7

u it a r! "

The "E" chord looks like a car seat. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play all six strings.



E



Looks like a car seat!

1 23

2 3

1


14


BLues in “A”

lesson

#8

The chord progression below uses three chords, the “A,” “D, ” and “E” chords. This is one of the most famous progressions in the world and it appears in blues, rock, country, hip-hop, reggae...everywhere! This particular arrangement is a blues. People call it the “twelve bar blues” because it has 12 measures. A

x

123

A x x

A

A

D

A

x

1 2

A

123

3

D

D E

x x

A D

A A

x

1 23

1 2

123

3

E

D

A

A ©2006 Little Kids Rock


15

The key of “A” A

x

lesson

#8

Looks like a line.

REMEMBER: 1

123


2 3

x x

D

Looks like a triangle.

1 2

1 3

3 E

2

Looks like a car seat.

Each finger touches just one string.


Thumb looks like a fret on the back of The neck.

1 23

2 3

1

Place fingers close to the frets. ©2006 Little Kids Rock

16


Makin’ it minor, makin’ it sad The A minor chord

lesson

#9

The "A minor" or “Am” chord looks a lot like the “E” chord... the fingering just starts one string higher on the fretboad. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play the bottom five strings.



x

Am

Press hard enough to get a sound. Place fingers close to the frets.

Looks like the “E” chord!

1 23

2 3

1



17

lesson

Latin Rock Jam

#10

This song has a Latin rock feel to it.

Here are two different rhythms to try it with. Notice that there are two chords in each measure. Try them both out and see which you like better. Try some rhythms of your own if you want.

Rhythm 1

x

Am

x x

D

x

Am

1

x x

D

1

23

1 2

23

1 2

3

1

3

1

3

3

Rhythm 2

x

Am

x x

D

x

Am

1 23

x x

D

D

1 1 2

23

1 2

1 2

3

3

3

1

x x

3

1

3

4


18


lesson

Gee, there are two ways to play “G” #11 e! The G chord... twic

There are two different ways to finger a “G” chord. The chord diagram below shows one, the photo shows another. Both rock in their own way...try them both and see which one is easier for you. Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play all six strings.



G


STRETCH!

1

2

2 3


4

3



19

lesson

The “C” chord

#11

Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the sound. Play the bottom five strings.



Press hard enough to get a sound. Place fingers close to the frets.

C

x

1 2

3

2

1

3 ©2006 Little Kids Rock

20


Syncopated rhythms

lesson

#11

Syncopated rhythms are funky and a little harder to play than simple rhythms. But if you like rock, funk, blues, rap, hip-hop, salsa, reggae, country or any other music whatsoever, you will understand how cool syncopation sounds. Try counting out syncopated rhythms as follows:

A SYNCOPATED RHYTHM 1 2 3 + YOU SEE YOU SAY WHILE YOU PLAY

“one

two

three and

down

down

down

+ and”

up (rest) up

Notice that the rhythm above has two up-strokes in a row. Also notice that we didn’t say “4” when we were counting. Instead, we rested or “skipped” that downbeat. A syncopated rhythm is simply a rhythm that skips one or more downbeats and has two or more upbeats in a row. On the next page, rhythms L through S are examples of syncopated rhythms. To say and play them, you simply leave out the gray numbers, resting on those beats. TIPS FOR TRYING SYNCOPATED RHYTHMS: 1) Try to “feel” the beat. The missing downbeat is still there, you just don’t play it. 2) Playing a syncopated rhythm is like singing the kids’ song “Bingo.” Even when you don’t sing the letters, you know they’re there and you give them their space in the song. Remember: if you can SAY it, you can PLAY it! 3) Another way to practice is to say the word “rest” on any gray number. For example on rhythm L: “One, two and rest and four. One, two and rest and four…” 4) Yet another way to practice is to say the word “skip” on any gray number. For example on rhythm L: “One, two and skip and four. One, two and skip and four…”



21

Syncopated rhythms L) M) N) O) P) Q) R)

1

#11

2 + 3 + 4

down

down (up)

1

(up)

down

2 + 3 + 4 +

down

down

1

(up)

(up)

(up)

2 + 3 + 4 +

down

down (up)

down (up)

(up)

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

down (up)

(up) down (up)

down (up)

1 + 2 (up) + 3 (up) + 4 (up) +

down (up)

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +

down (up)

1 down

S)

lesson

(up)

(up)

down (up)

2

3 + 4 +

down

down (up)

(up)

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + (up)

(up)

(up)

(up) ©2006 Little Kids Rock

22


rock in “G”

lesson

#12

Try this rhythm while you get used to changing between the chords.

Rhythm 1

C

G

G

x

x x

D

1 2 3

3

3

4

1 2

2

2

3

4

12 3 4 Rhythm 2

When you are more comfortable, try this rhythm for some variety. C

G

G

x

x x

D

1 2 3

3

3

4

1 2

2

2

3

4

1 2+3 4 Rhythm 3

When you are ready to rock, try this syncopated rhythm...or others! C

G

G

x

x x

D

1 2 3

3

4

1 2

2

2 3

4

3

1 2+ +4 ©2006 Little Kids Rock


23

lesson

reggae in “A”

#13

Reggae music has a very syncopated feel.

Most of the emphasis is on the “up” beats. That is the opposite of rock where most of the emphasis is on the downbeats. Look at this rhythm:

Notice that all the strums are upstrokes. If you mute the strings after each upstroke, it will have a real reggae feel. Here’s the progression with the rhythm written below. Be sure to squeeze both the “D” and “E” chords into the second measure. Rhythm 1 x

A

x x

D

E

1 123

1 2

23

3

The next rhythm is trickier. The first strum is a downstroke, even though it comes in on the “and” of “one.” So much for rules! Listen to the track to get the feel. The strum pattern is “Down, Up, STOP, Down, STOP” which we have shortened here to be: D U (S) D(S). When you see “STOP,” be sure to mute the strings. Rhythm 2 x

A

x x

D

E

1 123

1 2

23

3

D U (S) D(S)

D U (S) D(S)

D U (S) D(S)

D U (S) D(S)


24


lesson

rock in “A”

#14

Below you will see a very popular chord progression. You will hear this progression in many very popular tunes. Notice that each measure has two different chords. All strumming for this one involves downstrokes. The final thing to notice are the rests. Don’t strum any chord where you see “(rest).”

x

A

x

A

x x

D

E

x x

D

x x

D

1 123

123

1 2

23

3

1 2

1 2

3

3



25

l have the power!

lesson

#15

Below you'll find two very cool chords. They are called power chords and everybody from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana has used them. They are barre chords. That means that wherever you play them, they will sound good.

Starting on the"E"string

Starting on the "A"string

xx x

xx

x

LK R

1

1 34

34 Tips: Use the length of your fingers to mute.


Try these on an electric guitar!


Press hard enough to get a sound. ©2006 Little Kids Rock

26


power chord progression

lesson

#15

Power chord progressions are heard in many different styles of music including heavy metal, rock, rap and punk. The cool thing about them is that once you master one power chord, you can move it up and down the neck to make different chords. In the progression played during the video, a new kind of rhythm is played. It’s called a sixteenth note rhythm because each measure has 16 different beats in it. To count it we say “one-e-and-a-two-e-and-a-three-e-and-a-four-e-and-a.” This rhythm is played using all down strokes. It also sounds cool if you mute the strings slightly.

sixteen down strokes per measure

sixteen down strokes per measure

That’s a lot of down strokes!!



27

POWER CHORD SCRAMBLE

lesson

#15

When you scramble an egg, you don't worry too much about what part goes where. You just stir it up! Well, this song writing exercise is similar. Pick ONE of the two power chord forms. Next pick three fret numbers between 1 and 9. Fill the measures below with the fret numbers you chose in any order you like. Play the chords and see how it sounds. Try using more or fewer fret numbers depending on what sounds good to you. After you've tried it with one chord form, try it with the other one too. Song Title:____________________________ Artist:____________________________ (Your name here!)

fret__

fret__

_____?

fret__

1

fret__

5

fret__

2

fret__

6

fret__

3

4

fret__

7

8


28


shuffle BLues in “A”

lesson

#16

It is amazing to think that playing just two strings at a time can sound sooooo good!

Each of these three "chords" is played using just two strings at a time. The "A" is played on the 2nd and 3rd strings. The "D" is played on the 3rd and 4th strings. The "E" is played on the 1st and 2nd strings. Be careful to only play two strings at the same time. You play each chord by hitting the open string and first finger together twice, then hitting the open string and third finger twice. The rhythm can be counted by the fingers: 11 33 11 33

D

A xx

x xx

x

E xx xx

xx

1

1

1

3

3

3

A

A

A

A

D

D

A

A

E

D

A

A ©2006 Little Kids Rock


29

THe famous TWONOTE guitar soLo!

lesson

#17

Guitar solos are the kinds of things that can make an audience sit on the edge of their seats or stand up and yell for more. However, taking a guitar solo yourself is not as hard as you may think it is. We say, "Try to use just two notes..."

Look!

© 1999 Little Kids Rock 30


Look at the picture of the guitar neck. See the two

lesson

red dots? Those are the two notes we’ll be playing. We’ll be playing them on the high “E” string which is also the thinnest string on the guitar

#17

Try this... Play on the 5th fret with your

1

Play on the 8th fret with your

4 th finger,

st finger,

Play each note by itself. Play picking down.

1

fret h t 5

Play picking up. Play 1 first. Play 4 first.

! o l o s t s r fi r u o e k a L et's t

4

fret 8th

We will play it over "The Blues in A." You can play it over the jam track on the CD-ROM. You can also play it with your guitar teacher or pal.

Mor

ool stuf

t: fa

No matter what order you play these two notes in, they will rock!

ec

™

www.littlekidsrock.org


© 2006 Little Kids Rock

31

The Four note soLO #18

lesson

Playing a two-note solo can be cool.

Playing a four-note

solo can be twice as cool! Look at the drawing of the fretboard and look at the high “E” string. Those are the same two notes we just used in the two-note solo. Now, look at the “B” string and you’ll see that we’ve added two more.

high

EADGBE

Do you notice any similarities between the two strings with notes? Each of the fingerings is identical. Therefore, once you learn to finger the two notes on the “E” string, fingering the notes on the “B” string will feel familiar.

5th fret

Try to rock along with the video Mor

44

ool stuf

t: fa

ec

11

™

www.littlekidsrock.org ©2006 Little Kids Rock

32

#19

33

#20

34

#20

35

36

can now, officially, rock out on the

You’ve successfully completed the Little Kids Rock Guitar One course! This diploma verifies that:

CERTIFICATE OF ACHieVEMENT

Little Kids Rock Guitar

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