Amazing Grace Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (03:57) Lesson Introduction In the previous lesson, Matt reviewed the key of G major. You learned how this key signature is written. You also practiced playing in this key signature by working through the song "He's Got the Whole World."

In the current lesson, Matt reviews the key signature for F major as well as the F major scale. Remember that this particular key contains one flat in the key signature. According to the order of flats, this flatted note is a Bb. Matt will walk you through the melody to "Amazing Grace" to provide you with some reading practice in this key.

Steve Eulberg has also taught a lesson about "Amazing Grace" in which he applies a bluegrass interpretation to the song. Check this lesson out for some interesting tips on how to interpret the melody in this style.

The "Open" F Major Scale

Remember to start on the lowest root note in the position when playing through any scale. This F note is located at the 1st fret of the sixth string. Then, ascend to the highest note in the position. This note is G at the 3rd fret of the first string. Finally, descend the scale back down to the lowest root note in the pattern. Watch carefully as Matt plays through the ascending portion of the scale pattern. Pay careful attention to the fingerings that he uses. At 02:48, you have an opportunity to practice the full ascending and descending pattern of the scale along with him. Make sure that you can play the scale from memory. Before proceeding to the next scene, you must have this pattern memorized. You must also be able to play the scale musically along with a metronome.

Note: Tablature / Notation to the F major scale can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab. Proper left-hand fingerings to the scale are included in this document.

Practicing the Scale

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: (06:26) Amazing Grace Melody and Song Structure 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 "Amazing Grace." John Newton composed the lyrics to this song. The composer of the melody is unknown.

2. Note the tempo and style of the piece. Since none is listed, style and tempo are left to the performer's discretion. You are probably familiar with how this song is sung in church. Or, you have probably heard some famous interpretations of this song. Use these performance examples as a basis for your own interpretation and performance of the melody. You can also listen to Matt's interpretation of the melody in this lesson as a source for interpretation ideas.

The lyrics to a song will always provide a clue as to how a song should be sung or played. The captain of a slave ship wrote this song. It was written after he witnessed the barbaric and cruel nature of the slave trade. Consequently, he wrote solemn, yet uplifting lyrics to capture this experience. When playing this melody, try to capture the solemn nature of the lyrics.

3. Note the key signature. There is one flat in the key signature, so it can be determined that this song is in the key of F major or D minor. (Minor keys will be discussed in later lessons.)

4. Note the time signature. This song is played in 3/4 time.

5. Are there any pickup notes? The first measure is not a complete measure. This measure begins with a quarter note played as a pickup into the first complete measure. The fifth of the scale, C, is the first note of the melody.

Help with Phrasing

Matt provides a performance of this melody at 02:10 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: Amazing grace how sweet the sound,

The third finger must roll down from the initial pickup note to the first note in the first full measure. Drill this finger roll if it is difficult for you. Since this is the first phrase, it shall be referred to as (a).

Phrase 2: To save a wretch like me.

Add a slight emphasis to the C note at the end of this measure. This note is the peak of the melody.

This phrase begins the same as the first phrase. However, the ending is different. Consequently, this phrase is labeled (a'). This phrase label is pronounced "a prime."

Phrase 3: I once was lost but now am found,

The third phrase features some completely new melodic material. As a result, this phrase is labeled (b).

Phrase 4: Was blind but now I see.

Notice how this phrase is very similar to the first phrase. This phrase omits the last two notes in the first phrase. Instead, the final phrase ends on tonic to give the melody a definite sense of finality. The last phrase is labeled (a''). This label is pronounced "a double prime."

There are no rests between any of the phrases. Instead, each phrase ends with a long sustained note. Cut each ending note slightly short to define where one phrase ends and the next phrase begins. This technique will imitate the sound of a vocalist taking a breath between phrases. Chapter 3: (01:36) Melodic Differences To learn some ways of interpreting this melody, watch Steve Eulberg's lesson pertaining to "Amazing Graze." Steve provides a bluegrass interpretation of the melody in this lesson. Compare Steve's version of the melody to the way that it is notated in the "Supplemental Content" section. Matt provided an exact performance of what is listed in the "Supplemental Content" in the previous scene.
Chapter 4: (02:44) Playing at Tempo "Amazing Grace" is typically performed at a moderately slow tempo. Matt has chosen to set the metronome at 83 beats per minute for the practice session in this scene. Begin by practicing the melody at a slower tempo if necessary. Then, work up to the tempo that Matt has chosen. Once you have reached this goal tempo, practice the melody along with him. If you make a mistake while playing through the song, do not stop. Simply keep going. After the song is finished, go back and address any mistakes that you have made. JamPlay instructor Steve Eulberg always compares this scenario to being chased by a bear through the woods. If a bear is chasing you and your shoe falls off, what do you do? You do not want to stop and put your shoe back on. Just keep running! Go back to find your shoe at a later time.
Chapter 5: (00:37) Final Thoughts In the following lesson, Matt will jump back to the key of G major for some additional reading practice in this key. "Shoo, Fly," the melody presented in the next lesson, will be the most difficult yet.

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