Plectrum Guitar

The plectrum guitar is the steel-strung, pick-played instrument most people picture when they hear the word guitar. It does two jobs, and a good player can do both: carry the lead line, and provide the chordal accompaniment underneath someone else's.

How we teach it

Most people arrive wanting to play specific songs, and there is no reason to pretend otherwise. We start from what you want to play and work backwards to the technique it requires — which turns out to be an efficient way to learn, because the reason for every exercise is obvious.

That said, the technical foundation is not optional. Clean chord changes, reliable strumming patterns, a plectrum grip that does not fight you, and a left hand that can move without looking — these are what separate someone who can play four songs from someone who can play anything put in front of them.

What you will learn

• Chords — open, barré, movable shapes, and how to voice them for the song
• Rhythm playing — strumming patterns, muting, dynamics, playing in time with others
• Lead playing — scales, pentatonics, bends, slides, vibrato, phrasing
• Improvisation — soloing over a chord progression with something to say
• Reading — tablature and standard notation

Examinations

Graded examinations in rock and pop guitar and in classical-track guitar are available through Trinity College London, ABRSM, London College of Music and MTB.