Little Kids Rock Guitar

proudly presents
guitar
volume one
O
T
T
R
A
T
S
2006 Little Kids Rock
what is Little Kids Rock?

DID YOU KNOW THAT MILLIONS OF KIDS IN
AMERICA RECEIVE NO MUSIC EDUCATION?
That is just not cool! Little Kids Rock is a nonprofit organization that provides FREE music
classes and FREE musical instruments to thousands of kids in our countrys public schools. We
teach kids to play the musical styles that they love. Our students learn to play rock, reggae,
funk, hip-hop...whatever they are most interested in. They also learn to write their own songs.
This video course will give you some of the same great lessons that the students in our classes
receive. You will learn how to play guitar in some of these different styles, how to take a guitar
solo and maybe even how to write your very own songs!
By supporting Little Kids Rock, you can keep music where it belongs...in our schools!
You can learn other ways to support

Little Kids Rock by visiting our
website. There you can make a
donation, sign up for our newsletter
or find out how to volunteer. Help
us protect your right to
ROCK IN SCHOOL!
Join the band!
lekidsrock.
.litt
or
ww
LKR
A very special thanks to

the fantastic team at
TrueFire.com who
donated their valuable
time and resources to
make this video course
possible. They ROCK!
GET INVOLVED!
Little Kids Rock (P) 973.746.8248 email: info@littlekidsrock.org
parts of the acoustic guitar
lesson
#1
Tuning
machines
Headstock
Frets
Nut
Strings
Cool
Sticker
Neck
Bridge
Sound hole
Saddle
Body
Cool design
More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org
parts of the electric guitar
lesson
#1
Tuning
machines
Headstock
Frets
Nut
Strings
Neck
Pick ups
Bridge
Pick guard
Volume knob
Tone knobs
Body
Tuning your guitar...Arghh!
lesson
#2
Tuning your guitar can be VERY frustrating! The good news is that just because
you cant tune doesnt mean you cant start playing. When you are just getting
started on guitar, the BEST way to tune it is by using an electronic tuner. This is a
machine that will tell you when each string is in tune. You can get an electronic
tuner for about $20. The NEXT BEST way to tune your guitar is to get someone
else who already knows how to do it for you. However, heres how to tune your
guitar if no one else is around and you have no tuner.
When you press down on the 5th fret of a
string, it should sound like the string right next to
it. For example, when you press down on the 5th fret
on the E string, it should sound like the open A
string just next to it. If they dont sound alike, try adjusting the tuning machine of the A string up or down
until both strings sound the same.
Next, when you press down on the 5th fret on the A
string, it should sound like the open D string just next
to it. Continue across the strings like that, but when you
go to tune the B string, press down on the 4th fret of
the G string, NOT the 5th fret.
This drawing shows how to tune.
The white circles show where to
press and the red lines show which
string the fretted note should sound like.
5th fret
If at all possible, get help! Less time tuning can mean

more time playing!
Please support us at www.littlekidsrock.org
lesson
chord diagrams
#2
A chord diagram is just a drawing of what a chord looks like when you
play it on your guitar. Look at the chord diagram and key below.
Nu t
x x
KEY
Frets
1 2
3
Fretboard
= finger used
= play this string
= dont play this

string
Strings
HERE ARE TIPS FOR READING CHORD DIAGRAMS:
1) The red dots with numbers in them are where you place your fingers.
The numbers tell you which finger to use. Play strings that have red dots.
2) Any string that has an
above it is supposed to be played, even
though there is no finger on it.

3) Any string that has an X above it is NOT supposed to be played.
note...
Lots of song books that you will find in music stores use
chord diagrams like this one to the right. The drawing is
simpler and there are no finger numbers. Thats because
after awhile people begin to remember chords by their
shapes. Once you are familiar with a chords shape, your
fingers will find their places automatically!
xx
2
3
lesson
l got a D
(. .. b u t my M o m is
#3
so p ro ud!)
A good first shape to learn is the "D chord. If you look at the
picture below, you'll see it looks like a triangle. Use the tips below
to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then play
one string at a time to check the sound. Play only the bottom four
strings. Don't play strings with an "x" above them.
Curve your
fingers like
cat claws.
Each finger
touches just
one string.
Thumb looks
like a fret on
the back of
The neck.
x x
Press hard
enough to
get a sound.
Place fingers
close to the
frets.
Looks like a triangle!
1 2
3
1
3
AIS FOR AMPLIFY

.. .t h at m e a
"
n s " m a ke it lo ude r.
lesson
#4
The "A" chord looks like a straight line. Use the

tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord
with a pick, then play one string at a time to check the
sound. Play only the bottom five strings. Don't play the
top string, the one with the "x".
Curve your
fingers like
cat claws.
Each finger
touches just
one string.
Thumb looks
like a fret on
the back of
The neck.
Press hard
enough to
get a sound.
Place fingers
close to the
frets.
Looks like a line!
123
2
3
Simple rhythms
lesson
#4
Playing rhythm guitar is as easy as counting to four!

When you play a chord on your guitar, it is called strumming. You can strum in
two different directions: up and down.
The easiest rhythm is one where you play a single down stroke. Start by counting
to four. Everytime you say the number one, play a down stroke.
The following page has more easy rhythms. Heres how they work.
Say the numbers and play them with down strokes.
Say any + signs as and. Play these with up strokes.
The patterns are easiest to play and to learn when they are said and played together. This
is a very important part of learning rhythms ...if you can SAY IT, you can PLAY IT!
For example, look at rhythm B on the next page. You will SAY, One, two, three and
four. One, two, three and four while you PLAY down down down up down, down
down down up down,
10
Simple rhythms
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
H)
I)
J)
K)
down
down
1
1
2 +
down
down
(up)
down
(up)
1 +
down
+ 4
down
(up) down
+ 4
down
(up) down
3 +
down
1 +
down
down
down
2 +
down (up)
2 +
down
down
3 +
down (up)
down (up)
1 +
2 +
3 +
(up)
1 +
down
(up)
(up)
1 +
(up)
down
down
down (up)
3 +
down
down
1 +
down
down (up)
2 +
down
down
down (up)
(up)
4 +
(up) down (up)
(up)
down
down
4 +
down (up)
down
3 +
4 +
3 +
4 +
down
#4
down
down
down
lesson
(up) down (up)
down (up)
down
down (up)
down
11
First chord progressions
lesson
#5
A chord progression is just two or more chords played one after the other.
Most pop
songs are made up of three to six chords that repeat in some sort of a pattern.
The chord progression below uses just two chords, D and A. The
that
appears at the end of the progression is called a repeat sign. It is there to tell you to start
over again from the beginning of the progression.
The bars to the left here are called a measure. Each measure gets
four beats which we count as 1, 2, 3, 4. You will see that there are
eight measures in this song that get repeated many times.
Progression 1
x x
123
1 2
3
x x
1 2
3
1 2 3 4
note...
The video lesson that goes with this page shows the progression being played with two different
rhythms, one downstroke per measure on the 1 and then two downstrokes per measure on the 1 and
the 3. However, you can play this progression with many different rhythms. Try using some of the
different rhythms from the page called Simple Rhythms from the last lesson.
12
First chord progressions
lesson
#6
The chord progression below uses the same two chords as the last one (D and A) but
this time they are in a different order.
Progression 2
x
x x
123
1 2
x x
123
1 2
3
This chord progression is played with three different rhythms on the video. Here they are:
1st rhythm
down
rest
rest
rest
2nd rhythm
down
rest
down
rest
3rd rhythm
down
down
down
down
note...
The video lesson that goes with this page shows the progression being played with the three different
rhythms above. However, you can also play this progression with many different rhythms. Try using
some of the different rhythms from the page called Simple Rhythms from the last lesson.
13
E is for electric
.. .l ike in "E le ct ri c G
lesson
#7
u it a r! "
The "E" chord looks like a car seat. Use the

sound. Play all six strings.
Curve your
fingers like
cat claws.
Each finger
touches just
one string.
Thumb looks
like a fret on
the back of
The neck.
Press hard
enough to
get a sound.
Place fingers
close to the
frets.
Looks like a car seat!
1
23
2
3
14
BLues in A
lesson
#8
The chord progression below uses three chords, the A, D, and E chords. This is one of the
most famous progressions in the world and it appears in blues, rock, country, hip-hop,
reggae...everywhere! This particular arrangement is a blues. People call it the twelve bar blues
because it has 12 measures.
A
123
A
x x
1 2
123
D
E
x x
A
D
A
A
1
23
1 2
123
A
15
The key of A
A
lesson
#8
Looks like a line.
REMEMBER:
1
123
Curve your
fingers like
cat claws.
2
3
x x
Looks like a triangle.
1 2
1
3
3
E
Looks like a car seat.
Each finger
touches just
one string.
Press hard
enough to
get a sound.
Thumb looks
like a fret on
the back of
The neck.
1
23
2
3
Place fingers
close to the
frets.
16
Makin it minor, makin it sad

The A minor chord
lesson
#9
The "A minor" or Am chord looks a lot like the E chord...

the fingering just starts one string higher on the fretboad. Use the
sound. Play the bottom five strings.
Curve your
fingers like
cat claws.
Each finger
touches just
one string.
Thumb looks
like a fret on
the back of
The neck.
Am
Press hard
enough to
get a sound.
Place fingers
close to the
frets.
Looks like the E chord!
1
23
2
3
17
lesson
Latin Rock Jam
#10
This song has a Latin rock feel to it.
Here are two different rhythms to try it

with. Notice that there are two chords in each measure. Try them both out and
see which you like better. Try some rhythms of your own if you want.
Rhythm 1
Am
x x
Am
x x
23
1 2
23
1 2
Rhythm 2
Am
x x
Am
1
23
x x
1
1 2
23
1 2
1 2
x x
18
lesson
Gee, there are two ways to play G #11

e!
The G chord... twic
There are two different ways to finger a G chord. The chord diagram
below shows one, the photo shows another. Both rock in their own
way...try them both and see which one is easier for you. Use the tips
below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord with a pick, then
play one string at a time to check the sound. Play all six strings.
Curve your
fingers like
cat claws.
Each finger
touches just
one string.
Thumb looks
like a fret on
the back of
The neck.
Place fingers
close to the
frets.
STRETCH!
2
3
Press hard
enough to
get a sound.
19
lesson
The C chord
#11
Use the tips below to help you make the shape. Strum the chord
sound. Play the bottom five strings.
Curve your
fingers like
cat claws.
Each finger
touches just
one string.
Thumb looks
like a fret on
the back of
The neck.
Press hard
enough to
get a sound.
Place fingers
close to the
frets.
1
2
3
20
Syncopated rhythms
lesson
#11
Syncopated rhythms are funky and a little harder to play than simple rhythms. But
if you like rock, funk, blues, rap, hip-hop, salsa, reggae, country or any other music
whatsoever, you will understand how cool syncopation sounds. Try counting out
syncopated rhythms as follows:
A SYNCOPATED RHYTHM
1
2
3 +
YOU SEE
YOU SAY
WHILE YOU PLAY
one
two
three and
down
down
down
+
and
up (rest) up
Notice that the rhythm above has two up-strokes in a row. Also notice that we
didnt say 4 when we were counting. Instead, we rested or skipped that downbeat. A syncopated rhythm is simply a rhythm that skips one or more downbeats and
has two or more upbeats in a row.
On the next page, rhythms L through S are examples of syncopated rhythms. To say
and play them, you simply leave out the gray numbers, resting on those beats.
TIPS FOR TRYING SYNCOPATED RHYTHMS:
1) Try to feel the beat. The missing downbeat is still there, you just dont play it.
2) Playing a syncopated rhythm is like singing the kids song Bingo. Even when
you dont sing the letters, you know theyre there and you give them their space in
the song. Remember: if you can SAY it, you can PLAY it!
3) Another way to practice is to say the word rest on any gray number. For
example on rhythm L: One, two and rest and four. One, two and rest and four
4) Yet another way to practice is to say the word skip on any gray number. For
example on rhythm L: One, two and skip and four. One, two and skip and four
21
Syncopated rhythms
L)
M)
N)
O)
P)
Q)
R)
#11
2 + 3 + 4
down
down (up)
(up)
down
2 + 3 + 4 +
down
down
(up)
(up)
(up)
2 + 3 + 4 +
down
down (up)
down (up)
(up)
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
down (up)
(up) down (up)
down (up)
1 + 2 (up)
+ 3 (up)
+ 4 (up)
+
down (up)
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
down (up)
1
down
S)
lesson
(up)
(up)
down (up)
3 + 4 +
down
down (up)
(up)
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
(up)
(up)
(up)
(up)
22
rock in G
lesson
#12
Try this rhythm while you get used to changing between the chords.
Rhythm 1
x x
1
2
3
1 2
12 3 4
Rhythm 2
When you are more comfortable, try this rhythm for some variety.
C
x x
1
2
3
1 2
1 2+3 4
Rhythm 3
When you are ready to rock, try this syncopated rhythm...or others!
C
x x
1
2
3
1 2
2
3
1 2+ +4
23
lesson
reggae in A
#13
Reggae music has a very syncopated feel.
Most of the emphasis is on the up

beats. That is the opposite of rock where most of the emphasis is on the downbeats. Look at this rhythm:
Notice that all the strums are upstrokes. If you mute the strings after each
upstroke, it will have a real reggae feel. Heres the progression with the rhythm
written below. Be sure to squeeze both the D and E chords into the second
measure.
Rhythm 1
x
x x
1
123
1 2
23
The next rhythm is trickier. The first strum is a downstroke, even though it comes
in on the and of one. So much for rules! Listen to the track to get the feel.
The strum pattern is Down, Up, STOP, Down, STOP which we have shortened
here to be: D U (S) D(S). When you see STOP, be sure to mute the strings.
Rhythm 2
x
x x
1
123
1 2
23
D U (S) D(S)
D U (S) D(S)
D U (S) D(S)
D U (S) D(S)
24
lesson
rock in A
#14
Below you will see a very popular chord progression. You will hear this progression in many very popular tunes. Notice that each measure has two different
chords. All strumming for this one involves downstrokes. The final thing to
notice are the rests. Dont strum any chord where you see (rest).
x x
x x
x x
1
123
123
1 2
23
1 2
1 2
25
l have the power!
lesson
#15
Below you'll find two very cool chords. They are called
power chords and everybody from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana
has used them. They are barre chords. That means that
wherever you play them, they will sound good.
Starting on
the"E"string
Starting on
the "A"string
xx x
xx
LK
R
1
34
34
Tips:
Use the
length of your
fingers to mute.
Curve your
fingers like
cat claws.
Try these on
an electric
guitar!
Place fingers
close to the
frets.
Press hard
enough to
get a sound.
26
power chord progression
lesson
#15
Power chord progressions are heard in many different styles of music including heavy
metal, rock, rap and punk. The cool thing about them is that once you master one power
chord, you can move it up and down the neck to make different chords.
In the progression played during the video, a new kind of rhythm is played. Its called a
sixteenth note rhythm because each measure has 16 different beats in it. To count it we
say one-e-and-a-two-e-and-a-three-e-and-a-four-e-and-a. This rhythm is played using
all down strokes. It also sounds cool if you mute the strings slightly.
sixteen down strokes

per measure
sixteen down strokes

per measure
Thats a lot of
down strokes!!
27
POWER CHORD SCRAMBLE
lesson
#15
When you scramble an egg, you don't worry too much about what part
goes where. You just stir it up!
Well, this song writing exercise is similar. Pick ONE of the two
power chord forms. Next pick three fret numbers between 1 and 9.
Fill the measures below with the fret numbers you chose in any order
you like. Play the chords and see how it sounds. Try using more or
fewer fret numbers depending on what sounds good to you. After
you've tried it with one chord form, try it with the other one too.
Song Title:____________________________
Artist:____________________________
(Your name here!)
fret__
fret__
_____?
fret__
fret__
fret__
fret__
fret__
fret__
28
shuffle BLues in A
lesson
#16
It is amazing to think that playing just two strings at a time can sound sooooo good!
Each of
these three "chords" is played using just two strings at a time. The "A" is played on the 2nd
and 3rd strings. The "D" is played on the 3rd and 4th strings. The "E" is played on the 1st
and 2nd strings. Be careful to only play two strings at the same time. You play each chord by
hitting the open string and first finger together twice, then hitting the open string and third
finger twice. The rhythm can be counted by the fingers:
11 33 11 33
A
xx
x xx
E
xx xx
xx
A
29
THe famous TWONOTE guitar soLo!
lesson
#17
Guitar solos are the kinds of things that

can make an audience sit on the edge
of their seats or stand up and yell
for more. However, taking a
guitar solo yourself is not
as hard as you may
think it is. We say,
"Try to use just
two notes..."
Look!

30
Look at the picture of the guitar neck. See the two
lesson
red dots? Those are the two notes well be playing.

Well be playing them on the high E string
which is also the thinnest string on the guitar
#17
Try this...
Play on the 5th fret with your
Play on the 8th fret with your
4 th finger,
st finger,
Play each note by itself.

Play picking down.
fret
h
t
5
Play picking up.

Play 1 first.
Play 4 first.
!
o
l
o
s
t
s
r
fi
r
u
o
e
k
a
L et's t
fret
8th
We will play it over "The Blues

in A." You can play it over the
jam track on the CD-ROM.
You can also play it with your
guitar teacher or pal.
Mor
ool stuf
t:
fa
No matter what order you play

these two notes in, they will
rock!
ec
www.littlekidsrock.org
31
The Four note soLO #18
lesson
Playing a two-note solo can be cool.
Playing a four-note
solo can be twice as cool!

Look at the drawing of the fretboard and look at the high
E string. Those are the same two notes we just used in
the two-note solo. Now, look at the B string and youll
see that weve added two more.
high
EADGBE
Do you notice any similarities between the two strings

with notes? Each of the fingerings is identical. Therefore,
once you learn to finger the two notes on the E string,
fingering the notes on the B string will feel familiar.
5th fret
Try to rock
along with
the video
Mor
44
ool stuf
t:
fa
ec
11
www.littlekidsrock.org
32
#19
33
#20
34
#20
35
36
can now, officially,

rock out on the
Youve successfully
completed the Little
Kids Rock Guitar One
course! This diploma
verifies that:
CERTIFICATE OF
ACHieVEMENT

Little Kids Rock Guitar

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proudly presents

2006 Little Kids Rock

what is Little Kids Rock?

You can learn other ways to support

Join the band!

A very special thanks to

Little Kids Rock (P) 973.746.8248 email: info@littlekidsrock.org

2006 Little Kids Rock

parts of the acoustic guitar

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

parts of the electric guitar

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Tuning your guitar...Arghh!

If at all possible, get help! Less time tuning can mean

2006 Little Kids Rock

Please support us at www.littlekidsrock.org

= dont play this

above it is supposed to be played, even

though there is no finger on it.

2006 Little Kids Rock

Looks like a triangle!

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

AIS FOR AMPLIFY

The "A" chord looks like a straight line. Use the

Looks like a line!

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Playing rhythm guitar is as easy as counting to four!

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

(up) down (up)

(up) down (up)

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

First chord progressions

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

First chord progressions

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

The "E" chord looks like a car seat. Use the

Looks like a car seat!

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Looks like a line.

Looks like a triangle.

Looks like a car seat.

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Makin it minor, makin it sad

The "A minor" or Am chord looks a lot like the E chord...

Looks like the E chord!

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Latin Rock Jam

This song has a Latin rock feel to it.

Here are two different rhythms to try it

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

Gee, there are two ways to play G #11

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

2006 Little Kids Rock

More cool stuff at: www.littlekidsrock.org

(up) down (up)