Melody Guitar Book 1: Free PDF and Video Course
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This is a free course to help guitar players get started reading melodies in standard music notation. This first book is for beginners looking for a place to get started or experienced guitarists who have learned mostly by ear but would like to learn to read standard notation. Click here to download your free PDF of Melody Guitar Book 1, and click here for a list of video links.
Melody Guitar Book 1 starts you off learning notes on the first three strings and music reading basics. Melody Guitar 2 takes you through notes on all six strings and gradually leads you through more advanced melodies and concepts. Melody Guitar 3 continues where Melody Guitar 2 leaves off, with increasingly complex melodies. Melody Guitar 4 teaches you to read and play melodies all over the fretboard.
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If you're just getting started on guitar, you should also check out my Rhythm Guitar series, which focuses on chords, strumming, and fingerstyle patterns.
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Click here for a list of my other videos, which include easy guitar arrangements, technique lessons, chords, scales, and more.
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Melody Guitar 1 Videos
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Lesson 1: Guitar Basics (pages 3-6)
Covers the very basics, including playing position, string and fret numbers, tuning, and holding a pick.
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Lesson 2: First Three Notes and Music Reading Basics (pages 7-8)
Learn to read and play the notes E, F, and G at the top of the staff, as well as music reading basics and terminology, including the music staff, treble clef, measures and bar lines, quarter notes, and time signatures. Includes some simple playing exercises so you can put all this information to use right away.
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Lesson 3: Melody Reading Exercises 4-7 (page 9)
Apply what you've learned so far to play quarter note melodies with your new E, F, and G notes. Includes playing tips and playalongs at slower and faster speeds.
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Lesson 4: Melody Reading Exercises 8-11 (page 10)
More quarter note melodies with your new E, F, and G notes. Includes playing tips and playalongs at slower and faster speeds.
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Lesson 5: Half Notes and Exercises 12-13 (pages 11-12)
Learn to play and count half notes. Includes playalongs and playing tips.
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Lesson 6: Melody Reading Exercises 14-19 (pages 13-14)
These exercises combine half notes and quarter notes. Each exercise includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 7: 4th Line D and Exercises 20-23 (pages 15-16)
Learn to read and play 4th line D. These are the first melodies in this book with chords written above. Your job is to play the melody notes while someone else plays the chords. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 8: Whole Notes and Exercises 24-25 (pages 16-17)
Learn to count and play whole notes. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 9: 3rd Space C and Exercises 26-28 (page 18)
Learn to read and play 3rd space C. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 10: Dynamic and Exercises 29-30 (page 19)
Learn the forte and piano dynamic markings. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 11: 3rd Line B and Exercises 31-35 (pages 19-20)
Learn to read and play 3rd line B. Includes a Speed Booster with a VERY useful practice technique for learning how to play faster. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 12: Skips and Steps, Exercises 36-39 (pages 20-21)
Learn the concept of skips and steps to improve your music reading. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 13: Chromatic Exercise, Exercise 40 (page 22)
Add the Chromatic Exercise to your practice routine. This is a great exercise for warming up, building speed, and increasing dexterity in all fingers.
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Lesson 14: 2nd Space A and Exercises 41-42 (page 23)
Learn to read and play 2nd Space A. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 15: Ties and Exercises 43-46 (pages 24-25)
Learn to count and play tied notes. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 16: Dotted Half Notes and Exercises 47-49 (pages 25-26)
Learn to count and play dotted half notes. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 17: 2nd Line G and Exercises 50-52 (pages 27-28)
Learn to read and play 2nd Line G, plus a new Speed Booster. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 18: Pick-Up Notes and Exercises 53-54 (page 29)
Learn about pick-up notes (or pick-up measures). Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 19: Repeat Signs and Exercises 55-57 (pages 30-31)
Learn how to follow repeat signs. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 20: 1st and 2nd Endings and Exercises 58-60 (pages 31-32)
Learn how to follow 1st and 2nd endings. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 21: Mezzo-Piano and Mezzo-Forte and Exercises 61-63 (pages 33-34)
Learn two more dynamic markings: mezzo-piano and mezzo-forte. Includes playing tips along with faster and slower playalongs. Video timings are included so you can skip to different sections easily.
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Lesson 22: E Minor Pentatonic Scale (page 35)
In this final lesson of Melody Guitar 1, you’ll learn the E Minor Pentatonic Scale, followed by playalongs at three different speeds. Congratulations! You are now ready for Melody Guitar Book 2!