POWER CHORDS

In music, a power chord (also fifth chord) is a chord consisting of only the root note of the chord and the fifth interval, usually played on electric guitar. On Ultimate Guitar you will see that power chords are listed with a 5 next to them. Remember this.

There are many power chords that a beginner should get acquainted with and many variations on them, but I will put in the easier ones for a beginner to start off on:

E5 = 022xxx                     {Remember the 'x's mean that you don't play
F5 = 133xxx                                       the string}
F#5 = 244xxx
G5 = 355xxx
Ab5 = 466xxx
A5 = 577xxx  (x022xx)
Bb5 = 688xxx (x133xx)
B5 = 799xxx  (x244xx)
C5 = 8-10-10-x-x-x (x355xx)
C#5 = 9-11-11-x-x-x (x466xx)
D5 = 10-12-12-x-x-x (x577xx)
Eb5 = 11-13-13-x-x-x (x688xx)
E(2)5 = x799xx  „² This one is labeled 'E(2)5' because it is the second version 
                   of the E power chord.

All of the chords I have mentioned before have been for right-handed guitars, so therefore if a right-handed guitarist held a left-handed guitar normally, then the strings would read "eBGDAE"

WARNING: When tuning a guitar from a right-handed to a left-handed, this is fairly straightforward. But don't. I repeat DON'T try to do this with an electric. If you swap the strings you will mess up the guitar completely and it will need to be repaired or replaced.

CLEANING YOUR STRINGS

Everyone has their own methods of string cleaning. Some work better than others. My method is to grab a cloth and make sure that it is bone dry. If your strings get even slightly wet they will rust and if any gets on your guitar then the wood will warp. Gently wipe downwards on one string at a time with the tips of your fingers, slowly removing the dirt. You will notice the dirt easier afterwards as most of it will be hanging off the strings and it will be easier to pick off. Also run the cloth under the strings below the sound-hole as this is where most of the dust collects. Do the same above the nut as well but be careful as the strings are tense up there.

ALTERNATIVE TUNING

If you don't have a capo handy, you will also be able to tune by ear (although this is discouraged as you may not hear the note correctly and when you are done the guitar will be out of tune. The following technique works only if your guitar is in tune to begin with or else you will really mess things up.

Let's say you wanted to tune half a step up;
(The strings go from EADGBE to F,Bb,Eb,Ab,C,F)

Start with the high 'e' string and the B string. Place your finger on the B string's sixth fret and tune the 'e' string to this.

Then place your finger on the fifth fret on the G string and tune the B string to that

Continue tuning the strings in this way (Play the sixth fret on the lower string than the one you are tuning, and tune it to that)

Your guitar will be tuned half a step up

MORE CHALLENGING CHORDS

I have made a rule that with each lesson I post, I will add 10 random chords for you to practice. Here are the 10 for this lesson:

(I know some of them sound really tough but trust me, they aren't)

C #sus2 = x46644
D 7 = xx0212
Eb maj7 = xx1333
Em 13 = 020022
Em 11 = 000000 ( Simple ;) )
F 7sus4 = 131311
B aug = x2100x
C #6add9 = x43344
E b-5 = x6788x
F 6 = 557565

PITCH BENDING

Pitch bending is a technique that varies in difficulty depending on your strings and is usually easier on electrics. To pitch-bend you simply hold your finger on a particular fret and move it to the side. This produces a sound that slowly increases and then decreases when you move the string back to its original position. I would recommend that you move the string inwards for each individual string you use.

Thank you, and I will post more later.