Welcome to the second part of learning classical guitar for beginners where I am going to focus on the left hand. In the previous article, we discussed in full detail the right-hand, you can go to the article by pressing here.

Learning classical guitar for beginners – String 1 (E)

The left hand in the guitar plays a great role as it is the hand that controls the melody, unlike the right hand that controls the rhythm.

We are going to learn the notes string by string, and then combine them to play exercises and melodies.

Here we go.

Here is a video to listen to each exercise. After you play each one for some time, try to play along with the video:

Tips

• Play slowly do not try to rush.
• Try to count while you play, if you can’t then try to tap your foot.
• Use the tips of the left hand fingers.
• Move the fingers not the hand.

Learning classical guitar for beginners – String 2 (B)

Here is a video to listen to each exercise. After you play each one for some time, try to play along with the video:

Combining String 1 and 2 Notes

Make sure you use the correct finger for each note.

A dotted half note takes 3 counts.

Time to play 2 very well-known tunes.

Section Three: Third String Notes (G)

(Expected learning period: two weeks)

A New Rhythm – Eighth Note

Sometimes it comes on its own and many times it comes with a note similar to it, that is, next to each other. For ease of reading, the flag at the top is replaced by a line connecting the two, and it looks like this:

How do we count the eighth note? The following exercise will explain this.

Line 1: Place your palm on a table or desk and count 4 counts while you say Down, tapping your hand on the desk as you say so.

Line 2: Do the same thing but this time say Down with your hand down, and when you lift it up say Up.

Line 3: You are now counting a half count. Keep doing the exercise, looking at the notes.

Line 4: We will replace the words with numbers, so they become: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. We have divided each note that takes one count, into two notes, each of them takes half a count.

Repeat this exercise while tapping with your hand, saying: 1 2 3 4, then 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. It is important that the movement of the hand is constant, that is, does not change throughout the exercise.

Time to play well-known tunes.

The next piece has a second guitar accompaniment, you just have to play it really well and rehearse it so that there are no pauses so you can play it with the second guitar.

You can download the second guitar from this link:

Good King Wenceslas 2nd Guitar

General advices concerning practicing

• Set aside a fixed amount of practicing in your day, even 15 minutes (half an hour is best)
• At this stage, “A permanent little is better than a discontinued lot.”
• Never practice when you are tired or at the end of the day, it will backfire!
• Take it easy and don’t rush, you’re on the right track
• Be proud of yourself, you’ve been wishing to play guitar for a long time, and now you’ve started to play

This is the end of part 2 of learning classical guitar for beginners. Take your time with this material, it is not intended to be finished in one session! Even if takes a little longer than the estimated time, that is OK.

I really hope you are enjoying these tutorials, next time we will continue with a very new technique and finger which is the Thumb.

Until then If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to write in the comments and I will get back to you as fast as I can.

Good luck.