SKU: A0.1047465

Three Pieces for Beginner Guitarists (Acoustic or Electric) by Dan Jones Presented in notes, TAB and easy chords (www.danjonesguitarist.com) As an active guitar teacher, I find that many beginner pupils want to learn either acoustic (steel string) guitar or electric guitar. I have also found a lack of quality resources in these styles which have musical interest, and which lay out some of the necessary technical and musical foundations for future learning. I composed these three little pieces for my own young students. They are played by those using their right-hand fingers, and a plectrum and I’ve found them to be very popular in both lessons and performance. The pieces can be learnt in any order (I have a slight preference for starting my pupils with D-Day Rock - the third in the collection). Below is an outline of the pedagogy behind them (1) Sore Finger Blues This is a simple twelve-bar blues which uses a combination of open strings and notes at the third and second frets. It can be played with a straight or swung rhythm. It is effective at a slow tempo for those needing time to place the fretting hand fingers. The main technical challenge is in bars 10 and 22 where the player moves the third finger between the G and A on string 1. Although this is traditionally an advanced technique, I’ve found my students find it comfortable, as long as the fingering outlined in the notes is followed. The chords are dominant (with major thirds). These clash against the minor pentatonic scale in a way which is typical of the style. The chords are quite simple for beginners. I have opted for a D5 power-chord in bars 9 & 21 which is easier than the usual D chord (which also works perfectly well). Plectrum players should be sure to anchor the plucking hand, either with the side of the hand resting on the bridge, or a finger against the scratch plate of the guitar. Fingerstyle players can anchor either with a finger touching the scratch plate of the guitar, or by resting the thumb on a bass string when the fingers are plucking, or vice versa. This is more typical of classical style. (2) Cross-String Traffic This piece was conceived as a fingerstyle piece, although it can be played using a plectrum. The challenge for plectrum players is to cross the strings smoothly. It is for this reason that the fretting hand is relatively simple so that learners can concentrate on the plucking hand. Players are also encouraged to press down the index finger on string 2 at the correct angle to allow the first string to resonate. Chords have once again been chosen to suit less-experienced fingers; therefore, I have opted for Dm6 instead of the more common Dm (a very tricky chord for beginners). Players should go for maximum resonance and notes played at fret 3 could be fretted with either fingers 3 or 4. (3) D-Day Rock This piece is made nearly entirely of open strings and third fret notes. Where there is string crossing, the music allows the player ‘thinking time’ to change accordingly. Teachers and learners can decide with which finger to press the third fret notes. The rhythmic complexities from bar 13 to the end pose no problems once players have the sound of the piece in their ear. Once again, chords have been selected for ease of playing. The Gm/D chord can be played with a 3-string barre (often quite easy for beginners where no fretted bass note is required) or using three separate fingers. The pedal D sounds effective musically. I have presented these pieces as ensemble works with large groups of beginners. Players and audiences alike have been very receptive! For a wealth of music for beginners, ensembles and advanced players, please visit www.danjonesguitarist.com. A YouTube link to a film of the pieces will be uploaded before the end of June 2022.

SKU: A0.1011449

Easy Street is a finger style guitar solo that sounds equally well with acoustic or electric guitars. The melody has an easy walking shuffle feel. Using open string drones, stride bass effects, and a few banjo rolls, Easy Street explores a style reminiscent of the Atkins guitar style. Both standard music notation and TAB are included for all guitarists.
Level of Difficulty - Medium.