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Folk Guitar Lessons
(800) 417-4620
Here's an outline of topics your teacher can cover with you depending on your level of ability.
Beginner
- Basic open-position chords, major and minor (E, A, D, G, C, Am, Em, Dm, etc.)
- Using a pick to strum rhythmic patterns (flatpicking)
- Use of a capo
- Tuning the guitar (fretting method and harmonics method)
- Memorization of guitar string note names
- Study of rhythm and subdivisions of rhythmic pulse
- 4/4 time and 3/4 time
- Whole note, 1/2 note, 1/4 note, 1/8 note, etc.
- Use of the guitar to back up/support the message/meaning of the song
Intermediate
- Basic fingerings for major scales
- Fingerstyle playing and different fingerpicking patterns
- Open tunings (open E, D, G, A, etc.)
- Barre chords (major and minor with roots on 6th string and 5th string)
- Learning of favorite folk songs
- Study of early songs and guitar style of Bob Dylan
- Study of early songs and guitar style of Neil Young
- Rhythmic strumming and placing accents on different beats to create forward motion (Richie Havens)
Advanced
- Chords (triads) derived from the Major scale and their common functions
- Study of intervals found in the Major scale
- IV-V-I cadence in major keys and minor keys
- Minor scale construction, and relationship with Major scale (relative minor)
Related Information
About the Guitar
Guitars can be constructed to meet the demands of both left and right-handed players. Traditionally the dominant hand is assigned the task of plucking or strumming the strings.

