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  Chord Primer for Guitar

by Thom Gustafson

 

This course is intended to teach the beginning guitar student how to make chord changes while keeping a steady beat. I've been developing it since 1982 and it graduates through a series of songs and chord exercises in a smooth, progressive manner.

Click on this link to view or download a pdf. If you need a program to view pdf files use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

I have sound files for the 20 songs in the book. Left click on a song title to begin playing or downloading each .mp3.

The two measure count-in for 4/4 time is two half notes then four quarter notes 1-(2) 3-(4), 1-2-3-4. The count-in for 3/4 time is two measures of quarter notes 1-2-3, 1-2-3. Have fun!

Introduction, how to read the charts, tuning guide.

 

Song #1-"Skip to My Lou"  

Song#2-"Clementine"

Song#3-"She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain" 

Song#4-"On Top of Old Smoky"

Song#5-"Oh Susanna"  

Song#6-"He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" 

Song#7-"Michael Row the Boat Ashore" 

Song#8-"Silent Night"

Song#9-"Home on the Range"

Song#10-"Polly Wolly Doodle"

 

Song#11-"If You're Happy and You Know It"     

Song#12-"Amazing Grace"  

Song#13-"Dixieland"  

Song#14-"The Old Gray Mare"

Song#15-"When The Saints Go Marching In"

Song#16-"My Bonnie"

Song#17-"I've Been Workin' On the Railroad"

Song#18-"The Man on the Flying Trapeze"

Song#19-"America the Beautiful"

Song#20-"The Star Spangled Banner"

 

Ever wonder why I use these stupid old public domain songs? Click here to find out.

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