Introduction to Your Electric Guitar Guitar Lesson
Introduction to Your Electric Guitar
Start with the basics! Chris Liepe has decided to step away from his epic song covers to introduce his Beginner Electric Guitar Series. Chris breaks concepts down into their most basic elements. From terminology to understanding basic guitar, Chris covers it all in this lesson.
Taught by Chris Liepe in Basic Electric Guitar with Chris seriesLength: 23:21Difficulty: 0.5 of 5
Chapter 1
What will be covered:
- Electric guitar overview - terms and partsChapter 2: Electric Guitar Overview
- String names
- Fret numbers and references
- Left hand finger names
- Holding the pick
- Tuning
- Posture and hand position
- Amp basics
Headstock - Includes the tuning pegs that raise or lower the sound of the note by tightening or loosening the strings. Your guitar may have all six tuners on one side of the headstock or three on each side.
Nut - Holds your strings in position and functions as the start of the playable section of the neck.
Neck - Made up of the headstock and the fretboard.
Fretboard - The piece of wood that your fingers play on. The fingers are positioned between the metal dividers on the fretboard.
Frets - Each space between the metal dividers on the fretboard is referred to as a "fret." The first fret is closest to the nut.
Strings - There are six strings on most guitars. The thinnest or highest sounding string is referred to as the 1st string. The 6th string is the thickest and lowest sounding.
Body - Pretty self explanatory!
Bridge - Where the strings connect to the body.
Pickups - Use magnetic energy to translate string vibrations into amplified sound.
Pickup Selector - Chooses which pickup is active. On most electric guitars, two pickups typically can be blended for different sounds.
Volume and Tone Knobs - Further adjust your sound on the guitar by adjusting these knobs. Adjustment of these knobs produces a different and unique sound compared to adjusting them on an amplifier.
Pick Guard - Not every guitar has one. The pickguard keeps you from scratching up the body when strumming aggressively.
Chapter 3: String Names, Fret Numbers and Finger Names
There are two ways we'll be referring to the names of the strings when teaching chords, scales, etc.
1. They will be referred to as numbers. The 1st string is highest and thinnest. The 6th string is lowest and thickest.
2. We will be talking about the strings in terms of their actual note names.
Numbers to note names:Fret Names
- 6: E
- 5: A
- 4: D
- 3: G
- 2: B
- 1: e
The 1st fret is next to the nut. The frets are numbered higher as you get closer to the body. Most guitars have dots on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 12th frets, making it easier to find your place on the fretboard.
Left Hand Finger Names
1: Index FingerAs an exercise, try placing your 1st finger on the 6th string, 5th fret.
2: Middle Finger
3: Ring Finger
4: Pinky Finger
Chapter 4: Holding the Pick
Here are a few valuable tips on properly holding the pick.
- Make a gun shape with your right hand.Chapter 5: Tuning
- Bend your index finger in so that it touches the palm of your hand.
- Place the pick so the large end is on the side of the nail portion of your index finger.
- Bring your index finger and thumb together and relax your other fingers.
- When you strum or pick individual notes, make sure that the primary motion comes from the wrist and not the arm.
There are two ways to tune - by ear and with a tuner. First, we will talk a bit about tuning by ear using the "5th Fret Method."
Tuning with the 5th Fret Method
Follow these steps:
- Tune your low E string to a piano, tuning fork or another guitar that is in tune.The Electric Tuner
- Play the 5th fret on your low E string. This produces the pitch A, the same pitch of the "open" 5th string. Play both 5th fret E string and open A string. Adjust the A string until its pitch matches the note played on the 6th string.
- Then, play the 5th fret on your A string and then play your D string open. Adjust the D string.
- Play your 5th fret D string followed by your open G string.
- Now, when you get to adjusting your B string using the G string as a pitch reference, you must play the G string on the 4th fret because of the way the guitar is set up.
- Then, play 5th fret on your B string while adjusting your high E string.
- Assuming that you have tuned accurately and your guitar is set up correctly, your guitar will be in tune!
Being able to tune by ear is nice, but it's not always practical. If you need to tune in a noisy environment, or where other musicians are around making noise, using an accurate and easy electric tuner may be easier. Here are a few tips on using an electronic tuner. Any tuner on the market will generally work well, but as a general guideline, try to at least buy something in the $15-$30 range. Every guitarist realistically should own an electric tuner.
Chapter 6: Posture
Here are a few tips on proper playing posture. Heed this advice well as it will greatly increase your comfort while playing.
- For starters, make sure you are sitting on an armless chair or a stool.Left Hand Position
- Whatever you are sitting in, make sure that your knees are able to be bent at a 90 degree angle or slightly less so you can support the guitar on your leg.
- Sit in a relaxed position that is not too far forward or there will be too much pressure on your back, leaving you sore very quickly!
Whenever your are "fretting" any notes, whether scales or chords, make sure the joint of your thumb is on the "hump" of the neck and that your thumb is positioned between your 1st and 2nd fingers.
Chapter 7: Pluggin' It In! Amp Basics
Every electric guitar player needs an amp! Here are a few tips on setting up and using your amplifier.
- Grab your guitar instrument cable.Stay tuned for lesson 2 where you'll learn your first chords!
- Most amps are called "dual channel" amps which means they have a clean sound and a dirty sound each on a different channel. You can switch between the two.
- Clean sections of the amp typically have volume, bass, mid and treble settings.
- Dirty sections have what is called a "pre gain" and a "post gain" setup.
- The "pre gain" controls how distorted or overdriven you want to make the sound.
- The "post gain" controls how loud you want that distorted sound to be.
- Some amps will have a reverb control to add some space to your guitar sound.
Supplemental Learning Material
Basic Electric Guitar with Chris
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsChris will guide you through the world of electric guitar in this series.
Lesson 1
Introduction to Your Electric Guitar
Chris Liepe talks about the absolute basics of the guitar, including tuning, the guitar parts, and proper technique.
Length: 23:21 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Playing Your First Chords
Chris Liepe introduces you to your very first 2 chords, E and A. Since this is your first chord lesson, Chris also introduces a backing track for you to slowly play along with. Practicing in this manner...
Length: 28:54 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
3 New Chords: Complete the CAGED Method
Here in lesson 3, Chris teaches the C, G, and D chords. Once you have mastered the chords taught in this lesson and the previous lesson, you will have learned the CAGED method of remembering open chord...
Length: 12:22 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
The Basics to Tablature, Chord Charts, and Musical Notation
Chris is back with his most information packed lesson to date. In this lesson, you will learn how to read tablature, chord charts and musical notation. All of these tools will drastically help you in your...
Length: 25:38 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Introduction to the Concept of Scales
Chris Liepe is back in lesson 5 with an introduction to scales. In this lesson, you will learn how to play up and down simple scale patterns.
Length: 21:07 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Beginner Electric with Chris Liepe: Barre and Minor Chords
In this lesson, Chris introduces minor chords and barre chords.
Length: 25:23 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Strum Patterns and Time Signatues
Chris Liepe lays down some grooves in this lesson! He provides instruction on rhythmic strumming patterns and time signatures such as 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8.
Length: 21:12 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
All About Intervals
Intervals, Intervals, Intervals! Chris Liepe explains what they are, where they are found, and how to play them in this lesson.
Length: 14:07 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Intervals Pop Quiz
Sharpen your pencils and grab your guitar. It's pop quiz time. Chris Liepe adds to his beginner lesson series with a quiz on intervals. This is a hands-on lesson that will undoubtedly improve your ears....
Length: 15:39 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Triads: Everything You Need to Know
Chris Liepe breaks through his 10th lesson with a detailed discussion of triads. Dig in and take these triads for a ride!
Length: 24:14 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Effect Pedal Mini Series
This lesson begins a mini-series on effects pedals. Chris breaks down routing and how effects work with each other.
Length: 8:20 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Effect Pedal: Compression
The compression effect pedal is one of the most misunderstood pedals around. Chris Liepe finally sheds some light on the subject. By explaining all the different options and sounds this pedal can create,...
Length: 14:12 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Gain Stacking with Overdrive and Distortion
Chris Liepe is back with the 3rd installment in his Effects Pedal mini-series. He explains the concept of "gain stacking" by combining an Ibanez Tube Screamer and a Boss DS-1 Distortion pedal.
Length: 7:54 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Effect Pedal: Delay
Chris Liepe adds yet another lesson to his effect pedal-mini series. Here he covers the delay pedal. This effect that operates on the principles of time and rhythm. Use this pedal to add depth to your...
Length: 19:52 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Effect Pedal: Chorus
Chris Liepe quickly demonstrates the chorus pedal with some 80's style licks. This pedal can create a deep and rich addition to solos or add the illusion of multiple guitars.
Length: 3:28 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Understanding Key Signatures
Key Signatures! How do they relate to one another? Chris Liepe explains them in lesson 16 of his beginner series. Getting familiar with your key signatures will help pull everything together that has been...
Length: 15:21 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chord Harmony Basics
Chris Liepe demonstrates how to take a key signature (the set notes within a key) and stack 3rds on top of a root note to form chords. With the help of a modulating backing track, this should be a fun...
Length: 30:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Technique Basics: Alternate Picking
Chris explains and demonstrates the very basics of alternate picking. He also provides simple exercises to develop the technique in your own playing.
Length: 16:03 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Technique Basics: Legato Playing
Chris details and demonstrates the fundamental movements and suggested left hand position for legato playing -- specifically hammer-ons and pull-offs. He also provides exercises for developing the technique.
Length: 16:11 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 20
Technique Basics: Palm Muting
Chris talks about proper palm muting and discusses potential snags when first attempting the technique. He offers a number of exercises and patterns to help palm muting become a part of your rhythm playing.
Length: 9:22 Difficulty: 1.0 FREE
Technique Basics: Hybrid Picking
Hybrid Picking can add a fresh dimension to your chord and rhythm playing. In this lesson, Chris briefly covers how to get started with Hybrid Picking and offers two exercises that you can use to apply...
Length: 6:27 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Major Scale Positions in G (Part 1)
Chris talks about what it means to play in position and teaches three of the five "CAGED" major scale positions in the key of G.
Length: 12:44 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Major Scale Positions in G (Part 2)
Chris continues in his teaching of the five basic "CAGED" major scale positions in the key of G.
Length: 11:39 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
About Chris Liepe
View Full Biography
Chris Liepe was born on September 17th, 1981 in Portland OR. His first instrument was piano which he pursued until discovering his love for the electric guitar in high school. He became fans of such groups as Soundgarden, Collective Soul and U2 inspiring him to start singing, songwriting and helping others in their musical endeavors with teaching, co-writing and album production.
Having moved to Colorado with his family, he began gigging, recording and teaching in a number of music stores as well as out of his apartment until deciding to pursue music full time. He moved to Denver, CO to complete a Bachelors in Music Technology and was then hired on by Sweetwater Productions, a division of Sweetwater Sound and one of the largest, most successful recording studios in the Midwest.
Chris spent nearly 4 years at Sweetwater as a producer, recording engineer, studio musician and writer. During this time he had the privilege of working with many artists including Augustana, Landon Pigg, Jars of Clay, and Mercy Me. He also wrote for and played on numerous independent albums and hundreds of radio/TV commercials.
Wanting to get back to his favorite State in the world (Colorado) and feeling the urge to 'go freelance', Chris moved to Greeley, CO and opened his own recording and teaching studio. He continues to write and produce music for artists and agencies and is happy to be among the proud JamPlay.com instructors.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.8 years of holding my pick wrong and wondering why I didn't have enough control to get better and consistent articulation and speed. THANK YOU!
I knew most of this but wanted to go through some of the details in case... I missed something and sure enough I have... Thanks!
i went through this 3 times till i got it. LOL.
Hello Chris, im interested in your phase2 lessons about rythm guitar, actually i have en electric-acoustic guitar, can i take this beginner lessons? it wil work for me? Thanks
Yes !
Just a good Acronym to remember the names of the guitar strings (For anyone who has a hard time remembering) is "Elephants And Dogs Grow Big Ears" (Elephant is the biggest string cause elephants are bigger than dogs) ;)
When using a Chromatic Tuner how close do you have to get ? Is +/- 1-2 cents good enough ?
yep!
Beginner here. Thanks for the great first lesson. I was confused by another instructure as his lesson was tuned down a half step or something and I couldn't figure out how to tune. Thanks Good Work.
Wow your a great teacher, being a not so beginner I thought your thoughts were informative..keep it up.. I also appreciate the fact that you lay out your whole class in the description. I have to admit i skiped some parts which i think i have no queries on..i read your description.. all I have to say is great content..
Why is my progress not being shown, I just wnet through the intro to the electric guitar and learning my first chords E ann A however as I went to move to the next lession CAGED it didn't show progress on the previous lessions??? Thank you
maybe you found this, but you set your progress manually with the progress bar - useful for when you move between instructors.
Im having trouble getting my left hand t reach all the frets. What can i do?
examine your hand position. Make sure your thumb is behind the neck so that the joint closest to your fingernail is on the 'hump' of the back of the neck. make sure you're using mostly the tips of your fingers. Don't rest your arm on anything while playing. Practice while standing up with a strap that is fitted so that your guitar covers your stomach.
The G string seems to be the one that is hardest to keep in tune for me, is this normal with most guitars or is it something I need to fix with a set up?
Liked the first lesson a lot, easy to follow and get the basics. Thank you!
I looked at another instructor and did not get what was saying. Then I selected Chris and it finally clicked. Can't wait for next lesson
glad things are clicking for you! Keep in touch!
I liked this. It was easy to follow and laid everything out in simple terms. I am looking forward to the rest of this series and some of Chris' live webcam shows.
I look forward to this series!! :D
Am looking forward to the next lesson!
So glad to have another perspective on the beginner series, focusing on the electric guitar.
Nice job on the intro to the electric guitar. Will be waiting for the next lesson.