Welcome to Swift Guitar Classes

Hello and thank you for joining our level 1 Intro to

Guitar program, a crash course learning experience for the
absolute beginner!
Over the course of your first four guitar lessons you will
attain an understanding of basic guitar techniques that can be
utilized in playing many of your favorite songs. We guarantee
that the techniques we will cover, along with a minimum of
one - two hours of practice a day will maximize your progress
far beyond your expectations.
Please note that if you have any questions or concerns
throughout your week of practice, an instructor is always on
hand and ready to assist. You may also e-mail any questions to
Rob@Swiftlessons.com or call 609.675.8799.

We look forward to an amazing four weeks of progress!

Respectfully,

Swift Guitar Lessons

MUSICAL ALPHABET

A, Bb, B, C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, G#:

THESE NOTES ON THE FRETBOARD

Memorizing the notes in the musical alphabet and where those

notes lay on the fretboard is an essential piece of knowledge, and a
prerequisite for all future learning. Once you have mastered the
musical alphabet, I recommend memorizing the notes found on the
E, and A strings, as this will allow you to recognize what key our
scales, and barre chords are being played in. Here are some helpful
tips:
1) All natural notes (A B C D E F G) are a whole step (2 frets) apart,
except between E-F and B-C, which are a half step (1 fret) apart.
2) Notes A and D are what I call loner-notes, meaning there are no
sharps (#) or flats (b) associated with those letters. Loner-notes are
always followed by a flat of the next letter.
3) Flats (b) are always followed by naturals of the same letter name.
4) A sharp (#) is always followed by a natural of the next letter.
5) You can only have two notes with the same letter name before
moving on to a natural of the next letter. Example: C, C#, D

Swiftlessons
Philly Guitar Class - Session 1

Parts of the Guitar/Names of Fingers:

General Playing Technique:

To play a note perfectly on the guitar it is important to
follow these general rules:
1) Place fingertip behind the inside fret (or fret closest to
you.)
2) Press firmly at all times.
3) Think about bringing your wrist forward and your
knuckles to the ceiling. (Especially useful for chords)
4) Place your thumb behind the neck for added support.
The tip of your thumb should come just above the
halfway point.
5) Remember to keep the heel of your palm away from
the neck of the guitar. With proper thumb placement,
this should be automatic.

Swiftlessons
Philly Guitar Class - Session 1
PG.2

First Chords: The Blues Progression 1.4.5

Strum: A(16) D(8) A(8) E(8) A(8)

First Scale: A Major Scale

Note: The scale above is easily one of the most important elements
of music the world over. I would like you to think of the notes within
this scale as being ingredients for chords, playing different
combinations of these notes in harmony can result in many different
types of chords, each possessing its own unique mood and feel.
This scale has also been used to create many of the most well
known melodies in popular music. Mix and match notes from this A
major scale over an A major chord to create your own!

Swift Guitar Lessons

Hound Dog

Performed By: Elvis Presley

Written by: Leiber and Stoller
Verse 1:

A
You ain't nothing but a hound dog... Crying all the time
D
A
You ain't nothing but a hound dog ...Crying all the time
E
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no
A
friend of mine!
Verse 2:

A
They said you was high-classed
but that was just a lie...
D
They said you was high-classed
A
but that was just a lie...
E
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
A
and you ain't no friend of mine!
Chords:
Amaj: X02220 or A7: X02020
Dmaj: XX0232 or D7: XX0212
Emaj: 022100 or E7: 022130

Strumming outline for beginners: A(16) D(8) A(8) E(8) A(8)

Swiftlessons
I.VI.IV.V Progression Guitar Lesson
The 1.6.4.5 Progression is one of the most popular chord sequences in Popular
Music. Well known tunes that put this progression to work include Stand By Me,
Earth Angel, Last Kiss, In the Still of the Night, and Unchained Melody.

G Maj

Em

C Maj

D Maj

Practice each chord shape individually; being sure to remove your hand
regularly, this will help the development of muscle memory. Once you are
confident with each shape, move on to practicing the transitions one by one.
After several repetitions move on to playing the progression in its entirety,
strumming each chord 4 times.
Aspire toward playing this progression evenly with each strum falling on the
beat. Remember to start off playing at a slower, more comfortable tempo;
through practice you will accomplish this progression at full speed.
The following tab includes the element of walk-downs and walk-ups. Add this
technique once you are able move comfortably through each chord transition

Gmaj

Emin

Cmaj

Dmaj

|--3--3--3--3-------0--0--0----------0--0--0---------2--2--2--2----|
|--0--0--0--0-------0--0--0----------1--1--1---------3--3--3--3----|
|--0--0--0--0-------0--0--0----------0--0--0---------2--2--2--2----|
|--0--0--0--0-------2--2--2----------2--2--2-----2---0--0--0--0----|
|--2--2--2--2-------2--2--2-0--2----3--3--3---3-------------------|
|--3--3--3--3---2---0--0--0----------------------------------------|

SWIFT GUITAR LESSONS

Stand By Me
By Ben E. King
Capo 2nd Fret
Chord Progression: Gmaj(8), Em(8), Cmaj(4), Dmaj(4), Gmaj(8):
R&B Strumming Down, Slap, Down....Slap0

G
Em
When the night has come
and the land is dark
C
D
G
and the moon is the only light to see
G
Em
No I won't be afraid No I... won't be afraid
C
D
G
Just as long as you stand...stand by me
Chorus
G
So darling, darling Stand... By Me
Em
Oh Oh, Stand by me
C
D
G
Oh stand, Stand by me, Stand by me
If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall...
and the mountains...should crumble to the sea
I won't cry...I won't cry, No I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand...stand by me
So Darling, Darling Stand By Me
Oh...Stand by me
Stand by me
Stand by me
Whenever your in trouble won't you stand by me
Oh now, now stand by me...oh stand by me stand by me

SWIFT GUITAR LESSONS

LAST KISS

Pearl Jam Cover

Chorus:
G
Em
Oh Where oh where can my baby be
C
D
the lord took her away from me
G
Em
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
C
D
G
So I can see my baby when I leave this world.
Verse:
G
Em
We were out on a date in my daddy's car,
C
D
We hadn't driven very far.
G
Em
There in the road straight ahead,
C
D
A car was stalled, the engine was dead.
G
Em
I couldn't stop, so I swerved to the right,
C
D
I'll never forget the sound that night.
G
Em
The screaming tires, the busting glass,
C
D
G
The painful scream that I heard last.
(Repeat Chorus)
When I woke up, the rain was falling down,
There were people standing all around.
Something warm flowing through my eyes,
But somehow I found my baby that night.
I lifted her head, she looked at me and said;
"Hold me darling just a little while."
I held her close I kissed her - our last kiss,
I found the love that I knew I had missed.
Well now she's gone even though I hold her tight,
I lost my love, my life that night!

Swiftlessons
Philadelphia Guitar Instruction

I.V.VI.IV. Progression Guitar Lesson

The 1.5.6.4 Progression is one of the most utilized formulas in music. Well
known tunes that put this progression to work include The Beatles Let it Be,
Jason Mrazs Im yours and Adeles Someone Like You.

Gmaj

Dmaj

Emin

Cmaj

Let it Be Progression Key of G

Verse: G// D// Em// C// G// D// C// G//
Practice each chord shape individually; being sure to remove your hand
regularly, this will help the development of muscle memory. Once you are
confident with each shape, move on to practicing the transitions one by
one. After several repetitions move on to playing the progression in its
entirety, strumming each chord 4 times.
Aspire to playing this progression evenly with each strum falling on the
beat. Remember to start off playing at a slower, more comfortably tempo,
through practice you will accomplish this progression at full speed.

Swift Guitar Lessons

Let it Be - The Beatles Capo 5th

G / / D / /

When I find myself in times of trouble,

But though there may be parting,

Em / / C / /

Mother Mary comes to me,

There is still a chance that they will see,

G / /

D / / C // G

Em

C G

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

There will be an answer, let it be.

Chorus 2x

And in my hour of darkness,

Em

She is standing right in front of me,

G

C G

And when the night is cloudy,

Em

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

There is still a light that shines on me,

Em D

C G

C G

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.

Shine until tomorrow, let it be.

C G

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

I wake up to the sound of music,

And when the broken hearted people

Mother Mary comes to me,

Em

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Living in the world agree,

G

C G

There will be an answer, let it be.

Chorus 2x
Extended walk-down Riff

Let it Be Walk Downs

Use the tabs below to practice the transitions between chords!

E----0----------------3--B----1----------------0--G----0----------------0--D----2----------------0--A----3-----2----0-----2--E----x----------------3--

Extended Walk Down

C

E----0----------------3---------------2----0-----3-|
B----1----------------0---------------3----1-----0-|
G----0----------------0---------------2----0-----0-|
D----2----------------0---------------0----2---- 0-|
A----3-----2----0-----2--------------(0)--3-----2-|
E----x----------------3-----1---0----------------3-|