He's Got the Whole World Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (05:15) Lesson Introduction and G Major Scale Review I. Review

Matt begins lesson 7 with a quick review of some concepts he discussed in previous lessons. If you are having difficulties with any of the following topics, make sure that you review the previous six lessons. Also, feel free to send a message to Matt with any questions you might have.

A. Time Signatures

In past lessons, you learned how time signatures function within a piece of music. Matt provided you with some exercises and songs that are played in 3/4 and 4/4 time. Remember that 4/4 time is also referred to as "common time." An uppercase letter "C" is often used to indicate this time signature.

B. Scales / Keys

Thus far, you have learned to read music in the keys of C major, F major and G major. Review the key signatures for these keys if necessary. In the current lesson, you will learn a new melody in the key of G major. Remember that there is one sharp in the key signature. From the order of sharps on the circle of fifths, we know that this sharp is F#.

Watch carefully as Matt provides a quick review of the G major scale played in "open" position. "Open" position simply indicates that many of the notes within the scale are played as open strings.

Note: Notation and tablature to the G major scale can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

C. Practicing Scales

Whenever you practice a scale, always begin and end the scale on the root note. Matt will cover some exceptions to this rule in later lessons.

Once you have mastered this scale pattern, apply the rhythm exercises presented in past lessons to this scale. Also, practice through the pattern using a variety of picking techniques. Use the following picking patterns when practicing all scales:

1. All Downstrokes
2. All Upstrokes
3. Alternate Picking Beginning with a Downstroke
4. Alternate Picking Beginning with an Upstroke Chapter 2: (06:08) He's Got the Whole World Process of Learning a Piece

Remember to follow these important steps before you dive into playing a new piece.

1. Make a note of the official title and composer. The official title of this song is "He's Got the Whole World." This is a traditional song. No composer is listed.

2. Note the tempo and style of the piece. Since none is listed, style and tempo are left to the performer's discretion.

3. Note the key signature. There is one sharp in the key signature, so it can be deduced that this song is in the key of G major or E minor. (Minor keys will be discussed in later lessons.)

4. Note the time signature. This song is played in 4/4 time.

5. Are there pickup notes? The first measure is not a complete measure. This measure features three pickup notes played as eighth notes.

Help with Phrasing

Matt provides a performance of this melody at 01:30 in the lesson video.

Always remember to learn the lyrics to the melody if there are any. This will help with your phrasing and musicality on the guitar. It will also help you memorize the piece. The lyrics to this melody are listed below in a phrase-by-phrase fashion.

Phrase 1: He's got the whole world in his hands,

Mute the open B note with the left hand immediately after plucking the open G note.

Phrase 2: He's got the whole world in his hands,

Notice how this phrase follows the exact same rhythm of the previous phrase. The notes within this phrase however are different. These notes imply the dominant chord of the key, D7.

Phrase 3: He's got the whole world in his hands,

This phrase is identical to the first phrase.

Phrase 4: He's got the whole world in his hands.

Each phrase begins with an eighth note played on a weak beat. To highlight where phrases end and begin, play the first eighth note of each phrase with a slight lifted accent. Chapter 3: (01:28) Demonstration In this scene, Matt gives you an opportunity to practice the melody along with him. He kicks up the tempo in the previous lesson from 116 beats per minute to 118 beats per minute. Do not attempt to play along with Matt until you have sufficiently mastered the melody with a metronome on your own. Begin to practice the melody at a very slow tempo such as 60 beats per minute and gradually work your way up.

Preview of the Next Lesson

In the next lesson, Matt will review the key of F major and its subsequent major scale. You will also learn a new melody in this key.

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