An Introduction To Electric Guitar:
Where To Start With Picking Chords
The transition from strumming chords on an acoustic guitar to rocking out on an electric is actually a very simple one, yet it is made to seem more daunting then it is form the overwhelming amount of musical information found online regarding what new electric guitar players should be practicing.
I hear things like this all the time from new students; “there is so much information out there, and most of it contradicts itself, all I want to know is what am I supposed to practice to improve at the style of playing I like?”
If your a new, or improving electric guitar player and you can relate to the above statement then these series of FREE blog lessons are for you!
In this FREE blog lesson we will be taking a look at where new electric guitar players should be starting with picking chords.
Picking chords is an essential skill for the rock guitarist but it’s something a lot of guitar players struggle with in the beginning.
The key to picking notes within chords is to become comfortable with the distance your pick must travel from string to string (so you can eventually pick patterns without looking at your picking hand).
You must also become comfortable with using a combination of down and up picks throughout the picking pattern and learn how to position your picking hand while executing the picking pattern.
Holding The Pick For Picking Chords
The best way to hold your pick is on an angle to the strings, with the point of the pick pointing into the strings. I also recommend holding the pick between the outside of your fore finger and the print of your thumb with about a Cm or so of the pick point protruding for string contact.
Holding your pick on an angle to the strings will allow the pick to glide through the string with every down and up stroke, if the pick is not angled to the string, and it falls flat against the string when picking, this can cause snagging.
Having the point of the pick pointing in to the strings will allow even contact with all strings on down strokes and upstrokes. If the pick point is on a funny angle to the strings it can cause snagging.
Holding your pick between the print of your thumb and the outside of your fore finger with about a Cm or so of the pick point protruding for string contact will allow the most control over your picking.
Positioning You Picking Arm And Hand For Picking Chords
While executing picking patterns within chords lightly rest the forearm of your picking arm on the body of your guitar.
This will help keep your picking hand steady as you execute the pattern.
Getting Comfortable With Picking Chords
We are going with a picking pattern within a G major progression. This progression consists of G, Em, C and D.
The picking pattern is written in the tab and the pick strokes are represented by half squares and V’s.
The half squares represent down picks, the V’s represent up picks.
The picking pattern starts with a G chord.
Pick the low E with a down pick, then the D, G and B strings also with down picks, then pick the G and the D strings with up picks. Play two lots of this picking pattern on the G chord.
Next play the picking pattern on the Em chord.
Pick the low E with a down pick, then the D, G and B strings also with down picks, then pick the G and the D strings with up picks. Play two lots of this picking pattern on the Em chord.
Next play the picking pattern on the C chord.
Pick the A, D, G and B strings with down picks, then pick the G and the D strings with up picks. Play two lots of this picking pattern on the C chord.
Next play the picking pattern on the D chord.
Pick the D, G, B and High e strings with down picks, then pick the B and the G strings with up picks. Play two lots of this picking pattern on the D chord.
Next we will be taking a look at where to start with chord fills.
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