Connect notes, intervals, chords and scales by playing a small example of each. The musical relationships stay the same whichever way you hold the guitar.
1. Know the notes you are starting from
In standard tuning the open strings, from lowest to highest pitch, are E, A, D, G, B and E. A fret raises the pitch by one semitone. The twelfth fret gives the same note name one octave above the open string.
Use the string labels to orient a diagram. Our horizontal scale and note maps put the high strings at the top and the nut on the right. Portrait chord boxes put the high string on the left. Standard tablature keeps its usual order: high string on the top line.
2. Measure a distance
An interval is the distance between two notes. Play the open A string, then fret that string at fret 3: A to C is three semitones, a minor third. A at fret 0 to E at fret 7 is seven semitones, a perfect fifth.
3. Turn intervals into a chord
A major triad uses a root, major third and perfect fifth. C major contains C, E and G. A minor triad uses a root, minor third and perfect fifth: A minor contains A, C and E. A guitar shape may repeat these notes on different strings; repeating a note does not add a new chord tone.
4. Use a scale to make a phrase
C major uses C, D, E, F, G, A and B. A natural minor uses the same note names but has A as its tonic. Their shared notes do not make them sound identical: the resting note and harmony matter.
For a smaller first set, try A minor pentatonic: A, C, D, E and G. Play three or four notes, leave a pause, and finish on A. Then repeat the phrase with a different rhythm.
A ten-minute starting session
- Two minutes: name the standard-tuning open strings and find two A notes.
- Three minutes: compare A–C with A–C# on one string and listen to the difference.
- Three minutes: play Am and C slowly, sounding each string separately.
- Two minutes: make a short A minor pentatonic phrase that ends on A.