aguitar

Lessons:

The intention of these lessons is for existing pupils to use them as a study and practise aid.
They are all played at a metronome speed of 60 beats per minute (bpm).
Make use of the audio track by clicking on the score to be practised and playing along.
There is a one bar count in on all the pieces.

Open String Sheet uses the top three open strings. The E, B and G.
Sheet One uses the open G, string three, and the A second fret string three.
Sheet Two as sheet one but with the open B, string two, added.
Sheet Three uses the G, open string three, the B, open string two and the C, first fret string two.
Sheet Four uses the G, A, B and the C.
Sheet Five uses the G, A, B, C and the open E string one.

Click here to download pdf file of all the lesson sheets above.

To help identify notes I have included the TAB which is shown underneath the score.
Tablature or TAB for short is a graphical representation of where the notes appear on the STAVE.
There are two pieces on each sheet. Watch out for the double bar lines, these mark the end of each piece!
The open string sheet and sheet one to four are in 4/4 time and sheet five is in 3/4 time.
Click here if you need help with the location of notes on the guitar fretboard!
Click here if you would like to have a go at writing in the note names and entering the string and fret numbers of a piece of music.
This will help with memorising notes and their location on the fretboard.

Click here to download pdf file of the Stave. This also includes the basic notes on all six strings.
Click here to download the basic notes on strings 1 to 6 as they appear in Debbie Cracknell's book ENJOY PLAYING GUITAR book 1.
Click here to download pdf file of the following pieces (letters names of notes only! including colours) from Guitarists Way Book 1

Up from G - The Ladder
Dutch Folk Song - Chinese Tune
Merrily - Morning Mood
Study - The Ladder
German Folk Song - The Star
La Bergamasca - At the Show
In The Moonlight - First String Melody
Aunt Rhody - The Tallis Canon
Oh When The Saints

Click here to download enlarged copies of the individual pieces above.
Click here to go to the QUIZ PAGE.
There are nine quizes in all, the first pair involve notes, the second pair involve strings the third pair involve frets and the fourth pair involve dragging notes. The first in each group use the top three strings and the second in each group use the bottom three strings.
The last one you can check your knowledge of chords.

Second finger on second fret

Second finger on second fret

Third finger on third fret

When you are fretting notes please make sure that left hand fingers are on the correct fret.
The left hand thumb is positioned behind the fretboard and the finger tips should be used and placed just behind the fret.

As you play up the fretboard keep lower fingers down. This will make the note transistions smoother. This is very important as pieces become more difficult. Use scales to practise this.
Get into the habit right from the start!

Alternating is very important as this helps to play your pieces more fluently. It is particularly useful in scale passages as this produces a more Legato effect, as opposed to Staccato. This can be done using the index and middle finger i.m. or the middle finger and ring finger m.a. or all three, i.m.a. Pieces can use this to great effect as in Francisco Terraga's piece, Requerdos de la Alhambra. Two styles can be used, either Apoyando (rest Stroke) or Tirando (free stroke). In rest stroke the fingers are much straighter and rest on the lower string. With free stroke the fingers are more curved and the wrist is arched and fingers avoid the lower string.
Alternating is very important as pieces become more difficult. Use scales to practise this.
Get into the habit right from the start!

When playing notes the right hand thumb should be resting on string six and the index and middle finger should alternate!
The knuckles should be in line with the strings - BOTH HANDS!

Posture is also very important as this aids your guitar playing. Click here to view pictures of posture and hand positions.

Recordings:

A Story from Long Ago: This is an arrangement I have done of a Grade 1 piano piece by Martha Mier.

Asturias: Or Leyenda from Suite espanola op.47 by Isaac Albeniz (1860 - 1909)

Love Will Set You Free: This is my version of the UK Eurovision entry 2012.

Natural Elements: This was written by an acoustic duo called Acoustic Alchemy and was used as the theme tune to the BBC TV programme Gardeners' World. It is the title track from the album Natural Elements, released in 1988. The original duo were Simon James on nylon strung guitar and Nick Webb on steel strung guitar. I have posted videos on You Tube playing the piece showing Right and Left Hand Fingering.

Golden Dawn: Golden Dawn is an instrumental duet from the album Fire & Ice by Swedish Guitarist/Composer Yngwie J. Malmsteen

Signe: Signe is an instrumental. It is the first track from the Unplugged album by Eric Clapton

Song for Rina: This the only song I have ever written. It was put together one Sunday afternoon in the year 1975. So it's a few years old. There are six tracks, two vocal, one classical guitar, one acoustic guitar, one bass guitar and a drum track. I'm playing and singing on all tracks. You might ask yourself, "who is Rina?" but thats another story

Streets of London: This is my own version of the song written and sung by Ralph McTell. It was first recorded in 1969 on McTell's album Spiral Staircase but was not released in the UK as a single until 1974.

The Clap: This is my version of the classic Steve Howe's solo "The Clap" from The Yes Album. It was heavily influenced by Davy Graham's track 'Fingerbuster'. The piece was written to celebrate the birth of Howe's son Dylan and the baby's attempts to clap in his pram.

Grade Pieces:

The grade pieces are taken from the Trinity/Guildhall Guitar Syllabus
There is a two bar intro to all the pieces
I am playing all the pieces

Backing Tracks:

Mean Street (2 bar count in - from bar 25 to end only)
Paul's Blues
House of the Rising Sun
Rawhide
Wonderwall - First four chords only!

Clicking on the title of the piece will play the audio file.
Please note! When opening any audio file it will take time to download. Be Patient!

Basic Chords:

On this page you will find twenty one basic chords:

seven majors
seven minors
seven sevenths

If you feel the chord box is too small then you can enlarge it by clicking on the name of chord. Click on the enlarged chord box to make it disappear. Once on the page there are links on the bottom where you can download a right or left hand version of the chords displayed.

Why not test your memory of chord shapes with my Chord Box program. Download Select Chords for further help with chord sequences.
N.B. Windows users only!

Click here to download a pdf file of Mini Chords.

Scores:

Blackbird - Paul McCartney
Cavatina - Stanley Myers - arranged by Paul Sweet
Charlie Brown - Coldplay
Classical Gas - Mason Williams
Happy Birthday - Patty and Mildred J. Hill
Hedwigs Theme - Harry Potter
Let Her Go - Passenger
Paul’s Blues - Paul Sweet
Penny for your Thoughts - Peter Frampton - Arranged by Paul Sweet
Pink Panther - Henry Mancini
Skyfall - Adele
Spanish Romance - Traditional - Anon
Titanic - Music by James Horner with lyrics by Will Jennings

Click here to download a pdf file of all the above scores.

My 'Select' Programs: Window users only!

Select Chords: This is a program which uses the 21 basic chords as shown on the 'Basic Chords' link opposite. You can input a chord sequence choosing the number of repeats for each chord. After inputting the sequence you can then play it back and join in should you wish. Pictures and chord boxes are shown as each chord changes to help with fingering.

Select Notes Mini: This is a program where you can input a note sequence. You are able to choose note values from semibreves to quavers. After inputting the sequence you are then able to play the sequence back and join in should you wish. Pictures and note boxes are shown as each note changes to help with fingering. There are no sharps or flats in this program hence the title Mini.

Select Notes Max: As in Select Notes Mini but with sharps and flats included. Hence the title Max.
Please note that A# is the same as Bb. These are known as enharmonic equivalents! Only sharps are shown in the program.

NB! In all of the above programs you are able to Save the sequences inputted and then call them up via the drop down list!

Starter Pack:

This is a pack for those pupils beginning guitar or for those who wish to re-acquaint themselves with note positions etc.

It includes:

General posture and hand positions
Basic notes on all six strings
Mini chords - chords that are played on the top four strings
21 Basic chords - seven major - seven minor - seven sevenths. These are chords which use all strings and include use of a barré.

The Basic chord sheet is for right handed people. A left handed version is available by clicking here.

Useful Links:

The Amazing Slow Downer is a software program by Roni Music, it is able to alter pitch and speed. This is of great value as a practice aid as it allows you to play along at a speed which you feel comfortable with. You are also able to section out segments say for riffs to work out notes.

Power Tab is a great tab editor. Once installed it gives you access to other power tabs that people have created. You are able to compose and edit your own tunes.

Barn Dance - Ever fancied a barn dance for weddings, birthdays or other social occasions? Then send me or Peter an e-mail via the contact link leaving your details and we will get back to you!

RGT otherwise known as the Registry of Teachers. This site holds a database of guitar teachers of various styles. For more information about all the services offered, click on the link.

School Calendar 2011/2012. This gives times and dates for rehearsals, usually held on Thursdays at Woodside School in Amersham. Also concert times and dates for the Junior Guitar Ensemble. It also gives Term dates and holidays. I will try to keep this page updated on a regular basis.

Perfect Pitch - Chesham. This shop sells popular and classical music and instruments ranging from strings to woodwind to suit beginners to advanced level.

Tambourine Jerk. This is a link to MySpace where you can catch up on dates etc for upcoming gigs.

Pentatonic Scales:

Common Scales:

E minor open - this shape uses open strings starting on the lower 6th E string. First position.
A minor open - this shape uses open strings starting on the lower 5th A string. First position.
A minor fretted - this shape uses fretted notes starting on the 5th fret String 6. Fifth position.
D minor fretted - this shape uses fretted notes starting on the 5th fret String 5. Fifth position.

Five Basic Shapes - This page shows the five different shapes.

Joining Pentatonics: This page shows how to join up each of the scales enabling you to move up and down the fretboard.

Click here to download an example of a piece using A pentatonic. I will keep adding to this file.