By
eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Acoustic Guitars
- Electric Guitars
- Guitar Amplifiers
- Guitar Cables
- Guitar Cases
- Guitar Picks
- Guitar Slide
- Guitar Stands
- Guitar Straps
- Guitar Strings
- Sheet Music For Guitar
- Electronic Tuner For Guitars
Basic Rock Rhythm
Step1
Play the A-major chord on your guitar.
Step2
Strum the guitar using downstrokes, counting 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4 . . . (4/4 rhythm).
Step3
Use a flat pick rather than your thumb to create a harsher and louder sound.
Step4
Play the rhythm using downstrokes ( | ) and upstrokes ( ^ ). Graphically, the sequence looks like this: | ^ | ^ | ^ |
Step5
Count "1 and 2 and 3 and 4," saying the numbers on the downstrokes and the "ands" on the upstrokes.
Basic Rock Chord Progression
Step1
Note that the chord progression in rock music is mostly the same as in blues (12 bars in 4/4 rhythm). See "How to Play Blues on Guitar" in the Related eHows.
Step2
Strum the guitar, counting 1-2-3-4 for each bar ( / ) on the A-major, D-major, E-major, A-major chord progression: A/A/A/A D/D/A/A E/D/A/A.
Step3
Master this progression, then go on to learn the basic rock riff.
Basic Rock Riff
Step1
Press down with your ring finger on the fourth fret of the fourth (D) string and then release it quickly - while fingering the A-major chord in bar position, with your left index finger holding down the first, second, third and fourth strings on the second fret. This is called the hammering bass technique.
Step2
Come down with your ring finger or little finger on the fourth fret of the third (G) string and lift it up again on the D-major chord.
Step3
Come down on the fourth fret of the fifth (A) string and release it on the E-major chord.
Step4
Play the hammering bass, using downstrokes only, on the basic rock chord progression described above. This technique was first introduced and made popular by rock guitarist Chuck Berry.
How to Play Rock on the Guitar
Play the A-major chord on your guitar.
Strum the guitar using downstrokes, counting 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4 . . . (4/4 rhythm).
Count "1 and 2 and 3 and 4," saying the numbers on the downstrokes and the "ands" on the upstrokes.
Comments
juanalove said
on 5/19/2007 I like it, but i would understand more if u put it in video.
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 Find a good copy of the modal theory scales, or any scales really; major, minor, pentatonic, etc. Play them with a metronome. Use alternate picking and gradually increase your playing speed. This will do wonders for your leads and really help out with getting used to alternate picking if you're having a hard time. Good luck!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I would recommend doing a lot of chord and barre chord practice on an acoustic. Acoustic practice trains you to develop a sound fundamental understanding of proper finger placement. It builds strength and teaches you how chords sound in their most basic form. Learning scales is a must on an acoustic, especially major scales which require a lot of stretching. You have to learn the Amin Pentatonic. If you can play these you will start to hear yourself playing solos. A good tip is to record yourself playing a progression of basic chords. Maybe "C," "G," and an "A," over and over. Play back the recording and play an Amin scale along with it. You will learn how basic solos are constructed. Have fun!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Don't play hard stuff at first, or you will mess up, play it wrong, and have no friends. I suggest "Brain Stew" by Green Day or "Seven Nation Army" by White Stripes.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Relax and play your heart out. Go to places that make you feel the most relaxed. You can play and it makes you feel better.