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How to Play Lead Guitar - Getting Started

Posted by: Russ Moore    Posted on: January 21, 2007


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In this article I'm going to show you a simple way to improvise lead guitar over a chord progression. Of course, the best way for me to show you how to play lead guitar would be for me to sit down with you. Since we don't have that option, I'm going to try to get the point across in print. So please ... wish me luck.

The first thing I want to talk about is your relationship with your instrument. It's important that you spend time with your guitar, and not just when you are practicing. Many times you will catch me watching TV with a Fender Stratocaster in my hands ... my fingers running patterns on the fingerboard and not a sound to be heard.

What I'm doing is bouncing around through a scale - embedding the pattern of that scale into my subconscious and building muscle memory. While on the subject of scales, let's talk about one that is very easy to play and remember, while also giving you a wide range of possibilities.

The basic pentatonic blues scale pattern (in case you're wondering - it's used quite a bit in playing rock leads, so it's not just for the blues).

---1------------4-----
---1------------4-----
---1-------3----------
---1-------3----------
---1-------3----------
---1------------4-----

Pick a spot anywhere along the neck of your guitar. Actually, pick a position where your first finger (the one you point with) is lined up with the dot in that space between the frets. The tip of that finger (finger #1) is going to bounce from string to string across that position. Easy, right?

Well, we are just getting started on how to play lead guitar. We're not going to be doing anything fancy (yet), and it's not likely that you're going to impress anyone (yet). Give it time.

Ok, now finger #2 (a.k.a. 'the bird') gets to chill throughout this basic pattern, but #3 and #4 (ring and pinky) each have notes to play. Just remember that each finger occupies one space between frets so that the pattern is covering four spaces. If you're not familiar with tablature, also remember that the bottom line in the diagram is your top string (low E string) when holding the guitar as you should.

Now the thing to do is spend time running your fingers through this pattern. Pick each string twice (once with each finger position) and move on to the next running up and down this scale over and over and over again. Get very familiar with the pattern.

As you practice your ear will get used to the sound each note makes. Soon you will be playing through the scale without looking, and you will know when you hit a note that doesn't belong as soon as it sounds off.

This would be a great time to have a friend who can play basic chord progressions. If you don't have someone to play along with, you may want to consider searching for rhythm tracks or jam tracks online. That's what they are for. I plan to record a few of these and make them available soon, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. No worries. I'm sure you can find something.

If you can't round up any rhythm tracks to play along with - consider the radio or your favorite CD. Often (especially with rock music) if you know how to play bar chords you can figure out which chords are being played in the song, you can play notes from our pattern in the same positions as the bar chords - you can play along with your favorite band, adding your own touch to their song.

As with anything worth doing, it takes time and practice. I'd love to spend more time with you on this but I set down to write you article and it's trying to turn into a book. The main thing I want you to remember while learning how to play lead guitar is that it should never be frustrating. Instead, it should always be fun. Getting upset will only slow you down. Besides ... it's called 'playing' guitar, right?

I hope you've enjoyed getting started on how to play lead guitar. I plan to write more articles to follow this and continue as a series.

Until we meet again - keep playing, learning and growing.

About the Author

Russ Moore is an internet writer, guitar player, singer, songwriter, and growing MySpace artist. If you really want to learn how to play lead guitar, there's only one resource he suggests to others. You can find it at http://Click2C.ws/howtoplayleadguitar

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