Your First Lesson
Hello and welcome to your first guitar lesson! This lesson introduces the E minor and Asus2 chords. The black dots on the diagram below show you where to put your fingers on the fretboard. The numbers below the diagram show which fingers to use to press down on the frets. An above a string indicates that string should be played “open” (not pressed down by a finger).
To play E minor (Em), place your first finger (index) on the second fret of the A-string (string 5). Place your second finger (middle) on the second fret of the D-string (string 4). Press down on the strings with the tips of your fingers and arch your fingers to avoid touching strings that are supposed to be played open. Place your thumb on the center of the back of the neck and do not allow your palm to touch any part of the neck. Starting with the low-E (string 6), pluck each string individually until you reach the high-e (string 1). Once the individual notes ring out clearly, strum all the strings with a single downward motion. When you “strum” a chord, all the strings sound at the same time.
E Minor
This example shows two measures of quarter notes on an E minor chord. The “Em” written above the TAB tells you to strum an E minor chord. Continue strumming the same chord until you see another chord name written above the TAB. In this example, there is only one chord written, which means you play E minor for two measures. The symbol tells you to strum the strings with a downward motion of the pick. Strum once for each slash mark while counting out loud at a steady pace. Count each strum until you reach four. Once you reach four, return to one and count until you reach four again. If you aren’t able to count out loud and play at the same time, count in your head.
E Minor - Quarter Notes
Once you can strum quarter notes on E minor, practice strumming eighth notes. Eighth notes are twice as fast as quarter notes, which means there are eight eighth notes in one measure. To strum eighth notes, add an upstroke between each downstroke. Count “and” each time you strum with an upstroke. The symbol tells you to strum the strings with an upward motion of the pick. Strum down on beat one, then up on the “and” of one. Strum down on beat two, then up on the “and” of two; continue this pattern until you reach the “and” of four. Repeat the pattern starting on the first beat of the second measure and continue until you reach the end of measure two. Strum two measures of eighth notes on E minor while alternating downstrokes ( ) and upstrokes ( ).
E Minor - Eighth Notes
To play Asus2, place your first finger (index) on the second fret of the D-string (string 4). Put your second finger (middle) on the second fret of the G-string (string 3). An above a string indicates that string should not be played. Starting with the A-string (string 5), pluck each string individually until you reach the high-e (string 1). Once the individual notes ring out clearly, strum the Asus2 chord with a single downward motion.
Notice that Asus2 uses the same chord shape as the E minor chord, but everything is shifted up one set of strings. You might think of this shift as down, because it is physically lower. However, since you’re shifting up in pitch, you would say you’re shifting up one set of strings.
Asus2
The example below shows two measures of quarter notes on an Asus2 chord. Avoid strumming the low-E (string 6) with your right hand. You may find yourself looking at your right hand when strumming, which is normal during the beginning stages of learning guitar. As you progress, you’ll learn muting techniques that will allow you to strum without having to be as precise.
Asus2 - Quarter Notes
While alternating downstrokes and upstrokes, strum two measures of eighth notes on Asus2.
Asus2 - Eighth Notes
Once you feel comfortable strumming the E minor and Asus2 chords individually, practice switching between them. While strumming quarter notes, play one measure of E minor followed by one measure of Asus2. If you find it difficult to switch chords every measure, play each chord for two measures before switching. This will give you extra time, which will help make the chord changes easier.
E Minor and Asus2 - Quarter Notes
Practice switching between E minor and Asus2 while strumming eighth notes. Since you’re strumming faster, there’s less time to switch between chords. If you find this transition difficult, start to transition chords on the last upstroke of each measure (the “and” of four). Pick up your first two fingers and start to transition chords as you strum the “and” of four with an upstroke. When you do this, the strings will ring open. Technically, there will be some strings ringing out that are incorrect. However, when done correctly, this technique will be hardly noticeable.
E Minor and Asus 2 - Eighth Notes
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