Free lessons on how to buy, play and care for your guitar

Hello all you beginner guitarists!

I've been playing guitar for more than 50 years now and, whilst strumming a few chords on my old Martin OM21 the other evening, I suddenly realised that I wanted to pass on my knowledge and experience to all you guys 'n' gals who are new to guitar playing!

It would have been so helpful to me if a highly experienced guitarist had come with me when I bought my first guitar in 1956!

So, over the medium of these blogs I shall pass on as many hints and tips that I can think of and I certainly hope you will come back to me with lots of questions!

FIRST TIP: I tried this one on my 7 year old grandaughter and although she's never played a guitar, she got it straight away!

How to play the chords of G6th, G7th, Gmaj7th and Gmaj

If you haven't yet got a guitar, go to your favourite guitar store, ask the friendly assistant to tune up a mid priced acoustic guitar, sit down in a quiet corner and try this:-

On the top 4 strings - and note, you always count the strings from the 1st, thinnest string, to the 6th, thickest string - run your right hand thumb (or pick, if you prefer) quickly from the 4th string to the 1st without touching the frets with your left hand (reverse right for left if you are left handed, you must use a guitar strung for left-handed playing).

Congratulations! you have just played the chord of G6th! Now do exactly the same, but this time press your first finger down on the first string just behind - ie. nearest the headstock - the 1st fret. (Support the neck of the guitar by placing your thumb on the back of the neck) Listen to the sound and make sure the note you are fretting rings cleanly. That's a G7th in your repertoire!

Now, moving on, leaving your 1st finger in place, use your middle finger to fret just behind the 2nd fret, but still on the 1st string. Run your thunb across the 4 strings as before. Does it ring clearly? OK! You've just played a Gmaj7th. Hey! jazz chords already!

Finally, press your ring finger down just behind the 3rd fret, strum the 4 strings as before. That's Gmaj One of the most useful chords in so many types of music.

You can, if you like remove each finger in turn, strumming the 4 strings as you do so, then replace them, remove them as many times as you like, playing these four chords to your hearts content!

This will have two benefits:-

1) Hardening up the pads of your fingers.

2) If the shop assistant remains helpful and friendly after a couple of hours of this, you'll know it's a good place to buy your first guitar!
(On the other hand, if he rushes over, throws the guitar on the floor and jumps up and down on it whilst pointing you towards the exit............ well, probably best go shopping elsewhere!

Until next time, amigos. Keep those questions coming in!