Beginner Classical Guitar - Lesson 3: Notes on the E and B strings

All these free beginner classical guitar lessons have the same format. Have a look at how this page is layed out and become familiar with where things are. The headings tell you what the aims of the lesson are, the coloured box contains tips and guidelines and then there are exercises for further practice and to cement the learnings. Below the coloured box are your guitar pieces that support the aims of the lesson and supporting resources which include accompaniment in mp3 format and free sheet music in pdf format.

These lessons, designed for the beginner classical guitar player, build step by step with each lesson building on the previous lesson in the following ways: (i) knowledge of guitar technique; (ii) familiarity with music reading and (iii) strengthening - and in a safe way - your hands. Try and play through all the exercises provided at the bottom of the page. 

Beginner Classical Guitar - Lesson 3 Aims

The aims of Beginner Classical Guitar Lesson 3 are:

1. Revise and practice using the notes located on the E and B strings that you learnt in Lessons 1 and Lessons 2.
2. Learn the half note and quarter note.
3. Become comfortable with placing the left hand in the correct fret.
4. Become comfortable with the i-m-i-m finger alternation on the right hand.
5. And just enjoy playing some fun pieces with what you've learnt thus far.

Exercise 8

Exercise 1 to 7 are included in previous lessons. If you haven't played through these exercises you might want to go there first. Remember that the house with the solid foundation is stronger in the long run.

Tips and Guidelines

Tips Place your left hand fingers right behind the frets to get a good, clean sound. If you are hearing a buzz then your finger is probably not correctly placed. - Use the correct fingers in the correct fret (see the diagram) - Alternate between the i-m-i-m-i-m fingers of the right hand when plucking the strings. Guidelines See the diagram below for notes on the 1st (E) string and 2nd (B) string and check which fingers to use in each fret. Alternately, review the notes on the fretboard provided. Take care with the note values. In Exercise 8 and 10 you will be playing half notes and quarter notes; in Exercise 9, half notes, quarter notes and concluding with a whole note and in Exercise 11 you will play your first dotted notes. If you need to revise this aspect go to music theory.

Play along with the accompaniment

Two mp3s are provided for this lesson. The one contains both parts of the music and the other contains the accompaniment. Listen to both parts of the music played together so that you can get a feel of the song. Then practice by setting your metronome at a very slow pace. Slowly push up the speed until you can play it confidently at a metronome speed of 100. When you can play it confidently at this speed, you can play along to the accompaniment provided. 

Listen to the song by playing this midi .

Play along with the accompaniment

Great! Let's keep moving forward

Okay, by now you know the drill. The exercises provided below aim at developing the i-m-i-m movement of your right hand and your familiarity with the G, B and E string. Play through them by listening to the song and then playing along with the accompaniment. The sheet music can be downloaded by clicking on the pdf.

Exercise 9

Click here for the sheet music for Exercise 9
Listen to the song for Exercise 9 by playing this midi
Play along with the accompaniment for Exercise 9

Exercise 10

Click here for the sheet music for Exercise 10
Listen to the song for Exercise 10 by playing this midi
Play along with the accompaniment for Exercise 10

Exercise 11

Click here for the sheet music for Exercise 11
Listen to the song for Exercise 11 by playing this midi
Play along with the accompaniment for Exercise 11

Well done!

1. You've finished your first eleven exercises, are now familiar with and practiced in using the notes of the 1st string (E string) and the 2nd string (B string)..
2. You've practiced alternating between i-m-i-m-i-m with the right handd and are starting to get more comfortable with this.
3. Also, you've become familiar with and used the whole note, half note and quarter note.

That's great progress!

Let's move on to the lesson four where you'll practice using the notes on the G string. Also, you'll begin working with music in two voices.

Alternately, look through the lessons below and move to your preferred lesson

Lesson 1 - The E String: Start by familiarising yourself with the notes on the E string (1st String) by playing the pieces provided with the MP3 accompaniment. Practice alternating the i-m fingers of the right hand.

Lesson 2 - The B String: Learn and practice the notes on the B string (2nd string) by following the guidelines and playing the pieces with MP3 accompaniment provided. This lesson will help your fingers strength and the i-m right hand alternation will start becoming a little easier too.

Lesson 3 - The E and B String Together: Consolidate your learning of the E and B string by playing through the exercises which provide the opportunity to practice these notes to music arranged with accompaniment in MP3 format. Progress from whole notes, half notes and quarter notes which were used in previous lessons to dotted notes in this lesson.

Lesson 4 - The G String : Learn and practice the notes on the G string (3rd string) by following the guidelines and playing the pieces along with MP3 accompaniment. Enjoy your first introduction to playing music in two voices while allowing the i-m right hand finger combination to become second nature.

Lesson 5 - The D String Together: Become familiar with the D string (4th string) by playing the exercises with the accompaniment provided. Consolidate further working with dotted notes and working with music in two voices. Practice the p-i-m and i-m-p right hand combinations while using the quaver note for the first time.

Lesson 6 - The A String: Become familiar with the A string while you consolidate further your work with two voices and begin, for the first time, working in a new time signature. Practice the p-i-m and i-m-p right hand combinations while using the quaver note for the first time.

Lesson 7 - The E String: Your final lesson. On completion of this lesson you should be ready to prepare for your classical guitar examination Grade 1.

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