Guitar
Homework Assignments
Homework for Thursday, January 22, 2026
Status: No Due Date
Homework for Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Status: No Submission
Primary Bass or Root
Various types of accompaniment utilize the primary bass or root of the chord.
Definition: The root or primary bass of any chord is the same as its name.
Example:
The root of the D chord is D (open, 4th string)
The root of the G chord is G (3rd fret, 6th string)
The root of the A7 chord is A (open, 5th string)
Illustration (Fig. 1):
D: XXO
G: 000
A7: X0O
Bass/Chord Strum Techniques
Pickstyle
Technique: Use a down-stroke with a pick when plucking the root (R) of the chord.
Motion Details:
The thumb pushes the pick through the string and stops short, or slightly above, the adjacent (higher in pitch) string.
Fingerstyle (Free Stroke)
Technique: Pluck the root (R) of the chord with the thumb.
Motion Details:
Allow the thumb to slightly pass over the adjacent (higher in pitch) string.
The thumb should be held rigid (not bent).
The primary motion originates from the joint nearest the hand.
Terminology: This technique is referred to as a free stroke or tirando in classical guitar methods.
Musical Concepts and Terminology
Melody
Definition: A series of consecutive pitches that vary in pitch and duration, organized into a musical idea.
Legato
Definition: Playing notes long and connected into each other.
Range
Definition: The distance between the highest and lowest pitch.
Contour of a Melody
Definition: The way a melody moves between the notes, including rises, falls, leaps, and skips.
Intonation
Definition: The accuracy of pitch of a guitar, musical instrument, or voice.
Timbre
Definition: The character or quality of a musical sound or voice, distinct from its pitch and intensity.
Harmony
Definition: The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes, producing chords and chord progressions that create a pleasing effect.
Writing and Counting Music
Notes and Stems
Note Types:
A stem is added to the oval-shaped Half Note and Quarter Note.
Stem Direction:
For notes located below the 3rd line of the staff, the stem is placed on the right side of the note and extends upward.
For notes located on or above the 3rd line of the staff, the stem is placed on the left side and extends downward.
Stem Length: The length must extend to the space or line with the same letter name.
Rhythmic Values in 4/4 Time
Quarter Note: Receives 1 beat.
Half Note: Receives 2 beats.
Whole Note: Receives 4 beats.
Counting System
The system for counting rhythms includes connecting numbers with a curved line to indicate a continuous sound.
Example: A half note is held for 2 beats, hence connect beat one to beat two using a curved line.
Assignments
Directions for Stem Placement:
For a 4th space treble clef E: down
For a 2nd line treble clef G: up
Drawing Stems:
Draw stems on the given quarter notes and write their names in the indicated spaces.
Half Notes:
Using half notes, draw the specified notes without slanting the stems.
Counting Exercise:
Write the counting under the notes using a curved line for half and whole notes.
Treble Clef, Note Names, Tablature, Measures
Treble Clef
Also called the G Clef.
Naming Notes and Clef Lines
Alphabet Letters Used: A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Lines of the Treble Clef (from bottom up): E, G, B, D, F
Spaces of the Treble Clef (from bottom up): F, A, C, E
Whole Notes
Write the letter names of the specified whole notes e.g., G, A, B, C, D, E, which may need to be drawn or written out.
Tablature
Frets of the Guitar: Numbers placed on tablature indicate which frets to press.
A zero on any line denotes playing an Open String.
Additional Exercises
The bottom line of tablature corresponds to the 1st string of the guitar.
Ensure each measure contains four beats, drawing the requisite bar lines and a double bar at the end.
Count the number of measures in the specified exercises (exercise 11a).
Additional Musical Notes
The treble clef is drawn in two steps. For practice, draw four treble clefs.