Self-instruction manual for playing the seven-string guitar. About the seven-string guitar and its tuning! How they teach how to play the seven-string guitar at the Virtuosi school

27.06.2019

At first glance, the answer is obvious. The difference is one string. But this is not so, because it is possible from six string guitar make it seven-string without adding a seventh string.
For example, he performs his songs, as is known, on a seven-string, but in fact on six. It’s just tuned to a seven-string, but without the fifth string – H (B).

Now we can safely draw the logical conclusion that the difference is not in the number of strings, but in the musical structure. Open strings seven string guitar sound in G major. Hence the name of this tuning “open G”.

If you already play a six-string guitar, then you will have to relearn if you want to play Russian seven-string tuning, because Chords with this tuning are plucked differently.
And a little poetry. :)
Many grew up listening to seven-string melodies. Those who watched the film “The Elusive Avengers” will never forget the experience in the tavern. He played in his native language seven string guitar!

7 string guitar tuning:

The first string, pressed at the 7th fret, should sound in unison with the tuning fork A (440 Hz)
The second string, pressed at the 3rd fret, should sound in unison with the open first string.
The third string, pressed at the 4th fret, should sound in unison with open second string.
Fourth string, pressed at the 5th fret, should sound in unison with the open third string.
The fifth string, pressed down at the 3rd fret, should sound in unison with the open fourth string.
The 6th string, pressed down at the 4th fret, should sound in unison with the open 5th string.
The 7th string, pressed down at the 5th fret, should sound in unison with the open 6th string.

Playing a seven-string guitar for beginners is quite simple, although it is very different from playing an acoustic six-string. This is a favorite instrument of the gypsies and is also popular in Russia. So information about it will be useful primarily to those who are interested in such musical instrument, as well as lessons in playing this instrument practically from scratch. The main difference is that the sound it produces is simply magnificent, so playing it will be interesting to many.

It is quite possible to learn the game on your own, without a teacher. The seven-string guitar is not very difficult to play, so it is suitable even for beginners. You can learn using modern tools such as online videos. You can try learning from books. Both books and videos are easy to find, and if you know how to formulate queries in search engines, this will not be too difficult for you. A self-instruction manual for playing the seven-string guitar can be either in a video version or with consideration only of theory - any of them will help you in your work.

Playing the seven-string guitar for beginners does not always require extensive knowledge. Sometimes superficial skills and abilities are enough to perform any melody. The most popular chords, if you learn them, will help you accompany easy songs. And the most important thing for a guitar is to be useful in big company to perform a soulful song.

Is everything as complicated as it seems?

Playing the seven-string guitar can seem daunting for any beginner. For beginners, it is worth explaining that a seven-string instrument differs from a six-string instrument, and not only in the presence of another string, but also in its entire structure. Consequently, many melodies are performed differently on it.

The seven-string guitar is a separate instrument that bears only a vague resemblance to the six-string. A person who is interested in learning lessons of varying complexity on a seven-string “gypsy” guitar from scratch will need to study great amount nuances, but they are easy to remember. If you are looking for a tutorial on how to play a seven-string guitar, then remember that not only the playing, but also the sound in this case will be very different from a six-string.

For many young people, learning to play the guitar is especially important. There are popular motifs that, once you learn, will help you shine. Such melodies are given as examples by teachers who film video lessons on playing an ordinary seven-string guitar. A self-instruction manual for playing the seven-string guitar for beginners and video lessons on the Internet already have analyzes of popular melodies. Well-known and quite simple for beginners:

songs by Nirvana;
Metallica;
popular motifs of Russian composers.

And admit it, it’s much more pleasant and interesting to take lessons on familiar songs on a seven-string guitar than to learn an unknown and boring tune.

How to study using a self-instruction manual?

To learn how to play a seven-string guitar at a sufficient level, it is most convenient for beginners to learn the symbols of all the chords and write them down in a special notebook. This is where seven-string guitar lessons begin.

You need to choose the right tutorial for playing the seven-string guitar based on your level of knowledge and preferences in music. These video lessons are very convenient for beginners, where the performer plays and simultaneously demonstrates chords.

The advantage of such seven-string guitar lessons is that you can clearly see how this or that task is performed, how to perform the composition correctly and avoid mistakes. You constantly hear the sound of Moldova itself performed by a professional, which a book cannot provide you with.

This tutorial of the game for beginners is very suitable, where it will be shown in detail close-up the process of a performer performing any techniques. Experience shows that such lessons help to better understand the material and repeat it in practice. It is also convenient when the display is accompanied by the text of notes, chords, strings.

The game is not a very complicated process, and absolutely anyone can learn the game. Of course the music data is playing important role, but far from the key one. Guitar playing is largely based on chords, that is, how well you know the combinations of strings and frets and can press them.

If you are starting to play from scratch, it is better to use a tutorial that will show you exactly the chords. Lessons for playing the seven-string guitar from scratch in this form will be simpler. Start, of course, with the basics. Carefully watch how a professional who is filming a video lesson for you performs this or that technique.

If you do not have unique musical talents, you can always learn chords and chord progressions with hard work. It may not be virtuoso performances or your own compositions, but you will be able to play the melodies you have learned with dignity.

If you are new to playing a seven-string guitar, you should know that the strings of such a guitar are usually metal. This means that your fingers will hurt from playing the guitar. You can, of course, take nylon ones, but their sound is not so clear and resonant. And seven-string guitar lessons from scratch can be shorter than lessons on a classical instrument.

If you learn to play the seven-string guitar from video lessons, you may have problems understanding some of the nuances of the game. If something is unclear, you can watch lessons from other guitarists or write to the author of the video, asking him to tell you something in more detail. Usually “teachers” willingly agree to help - this is how you will have a remote guitar teacher. You should not “lean” on a person - after all, you are simply asking a person for help, and not hiring him.

What should you know about learning to play the seven-string?

If we talk in general about playing the seven-string guitar, we can confidently say the following things:

this instrument has not lost and will not lose its relevance and popularity for many years;
the seven-string is a universal musical instrument that will help you (if you have musical ear) play any song on the guitar, even in camping conditions;
A seven-string guitar is different from an acoustic guitar in many ways, but that doesn't make it any better or worse. She's just different;
Learning to play a seven-string guitar for someone who expects instant results is useless, especially if you practice on your own using a self-instruction manual.
the most important thing is work and perseverance.

The power and range of sound of seven-string electric guitars exceeds the capabilities of more conventional six-string instruments. An additional string at the bottom gives more room for the guitarist's self-expression, and updated chords with changed fingerings and new sounds open the way to new interesting sound solutions.

How to play a seven-string electric guitar. Content:

What is the difference between a seven-string guitar and a six-string one?

Comparison of six-string and seven-string electric guitars

Among the main differences, in addition to the number of strings, six-string and seven-string instruments differ in pickups and their characteristics, the length and width of the neck, as well as a different sound range. But first things first.

Pickups

Fokin Pickups Demolition 7-String Guitar Humbucker Set

Seven-string guitars are used in extreme and heavy styles of music - alternative metal, various cores and even djent. The low-end sound of these guitars is provided by special high-output humbuckers like those found in DiMarzio, EMG, or Fokin Pickups products.

7-string guitar pickups are designed to accommodate the increased number of available sounds and range of the instrument.

Mensura

Often, dropping the sixth string on a regular guitar causes problems with tuning the instrument, even when using extra-high tension strings.

Seven-string guitars are equipped with necks with scales ranging from 26 to 29.4 inches (660 mm to 749 mm). This size gives greater tuning stability. Sometimes there are guitar models on the market with necks like six-string instruments - the scale length of such necks is 25.5 inches (648 mm), just like Fender guitars.

The increased length of the neck and the use of extra-high tension strings force manufacturers to play it safe when designing. Many necks of seven-string instruments are reinforced with the help of additional materials.

Neck width

Jackson Chris Broderick Pro Series Soloist 7

The standard neck width of an electric guitar is 43 mm. The neck width of the seven-string guitar has been increased to 48 mm.

Manufacturers are actively working to improve the playability of such guitars. Thanks to this, when playing, guitarists do not feel discomfort along the entire length of the neck and are not limited in the speed of movement along the frets.

Seven-string guitar tuning

Standard tuning for a seven-string electric guitar: B, E, A, D, G, B, E

In the industry, the standard tuning for such instruments is considered to be (from low to high):

Si (B);
Mi (E);
A (A);
D (D);
Salt (G);
Si (B);
Mi (E).

Just as on six-string guitars the sixth string is lowered to D to create a drop D tuning, seven-string electric guitars use a drop A tuning, lowering the seventh string to A.

Drop A tuning for seven-string electric guitar: A, E, A, D, G, B, E

Thus, the guitar tuning looks like this:

A (A);
Mi (E);
A (A);
D (D);
Salt (G);
Si (B);
Mi (E).

Strings

Jackson Chris Broderick Pro Series Soloist 7

Understanding how to play a seven-string electric guitar requires a lot of patience and a change in your own thinking. The sixth string is no longer the lowest, get used to it!

How to play a seven-string electric guitar. Scales and chords

Adding a seventh string better reveals the sonic potential of an electric guitar. When playing a seven-string guitar, the guitarist can use new chord fingerings, enriched with additional notes. For example, chords often have added IX or XI degrees.

For the purposes of this material, we will only use the standard tuning of seven-string electric guitars - B, E, A, D, G, B, E.

To understand how to play a seven-string electric guitar, let's understand the principles of constructing chords on such an instrument. The examples given are chords familiar to a six-string guitar, enriched with additional steps.

Badd9 chord diagram for seven-string guitar

Badd11 chord diagram for seven-string guitar

Bm9 chord diagram for seven-string guitar

Bsus9 chord diagram for seven-string guitar

Cmaj7 chord diagram for seven-string guitar

D5 chord diagram for seven-string guitar

The situation is similar with respect to scales: the form remains the same, but additional space for maneuver appears. The seventh string adds new colors to the sound, and the guitarist can cover almost three octaves within one scale when playing. At the same time, changes in positions during the game are kept to a minimum.

Pentatonic scale in E minor for seven-string guitar

Scale E major for seven-string electric guitar

Which seven-string electric guitar should you choose under $1100?

Most seven-string instruments can be found in the lines of Japanese guitar manufacturers Yamaha, Ibanez, LTD, Caparison, as well as American companies Schecter, Washburn, Jackson. Other well-known companies also make seven-string electric guitars, but the choice of models is much smaller.

Seven-string electric guitars are divided by quality. The better the quality of the tool, the higher its cost. We chose three guitars - cheap, mid-priced and expensive in the price range up to $1100.

Schecter Diamond Series C-7 Deluxe

Price: $299

The C-7 Deluxe from Schecter is a versatile budget model with a basswood body and maple fingerboard.

LTD EC-407BFM

LTD EC-407

Price: $782

A killer-heavy seven-string electric guitar with a mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and a pair of EMG pickups.

Ibanez RGIR27E

Price: $1099

Average quality tool price segment. Pronounced bottom, bright top. Basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard. The guitar has a locking vibrato and killswitch.

How to play the seven-string guitar. Exercises and examples

Example 1. Getting used to the instrument

When first introduced to seven-string electric guitars, one is surprised by how low the extra string sounds.

To understand how to play a seven-string electric guitar, try a simple palm muting exercise. This exercise will help you understand the specifics of playing a seven-string guitar and teach you how to control the resonance of the instrument.

Example 2: Muting the Strings

Because the 7th string continues to sound as it moves to other strings, playing riffs with open strings runs the risk of polluting the sound.

To avoid dirt, mute the open string with the tip of your finger, which you use to pinch notes on other strings.

Example 3. Playing scales

Due to the wider neck, at first you may have problems playing the lower (bass) strings.

The third example is aimed at improving finger stretching. As you play it, you'll get used to the wider neck of a seven-string electric guitar.

For greater convenience, place thumb at the bottom of the bar, that is, make the reach of your palm as wide as possible. This will make it easier to reach the lowest strings.

Example 4: Changing strings

The fourth exercise develops clarity and purity of sound production of individual notes, especially those located on different strings. Please note that in the example the game is on alternating stroke, not straight.

Example 5: Power Chord Riff

Having become familiar with the instrument, let's play power chords. The difference between power chords on six- and seven-string electric guitars lies in the number of strings - on a seven-string instrument, power chords can be played on four strings. Thanks to this, the chords sound more powerful, and due to muting with the palm, you can achieve an even heavier sound.

The first measure uses a straight stroke (downstroke), while in the second the exercise switches to an alternating one.

Example 6: Trivium style

The example is inspired by the playing style of Corey Beaulieu from the group Trivium. The point of the example is to combine power chords and short melodic lines.

Mute all power chords that fall on the downbeat, and play power chords on the downbeat without muting. This will place emphasis during the game and give the game more dynamics.

Playing melodic sections will also require muting, but we will mute the lower strings to avoid dirt and unnecessary noise (see Example 2 above).

Example 7. Chris Broderick's style

Example based on the playstyle of Chris Broderick from Megadeth and Act of Defiance. The example is performed in the Phrygian mode (see).

Do not chase the speed of execution; first practice a clean execution of the exercise at a slower pace.

The most difficult moment in the example is the transition from a rhythmic line to a melodic line. Practice the transition very slowly and gradually pick up speed. When playing the melody line, mute the lower strings to avoid mud while playing.

In addition to the six-string guitar, there is also a seven-string guitar. There is a fatal seven-string, the tuning of which repeats the tuning of a six-string with a lower B string. And there is a typically Russian seven-string instrument with a slightly different tuning. We wrote about this in detail in this article.

Chords for rock seven-string guitar

Since the tuning of such a guitar is similar to the tuning of a six-string, the chords are played on it.

Chords for Russian seven-string guitar

The repertoire performed on such a guitar is slightly different: mainly Russian romances. Let us first remember the structure of this instrument: the string count starts from the thinnest: D of the first octave-B-Sol-D of the small octave-B-Sol-D of the large octave. Moreover, this is not the only option; some musicians adjust the guitar to their voice, for example, Vladimir Vysotsky lowered the strings a tone lower.

1. C chord

As with the six-string, this chord here should not pose much difficulty for a beginner.

Forefinger placed on the fifth string of the first fret (this is the tonic of the C chord).
The middle finger pinch the second string of the first fret.
The ring finger is placed on the fourth string of the second fret.
Finally, use your little finger to pinch the first string on the second fret.

A simplified version of this chord - without the fourth string pressed.

This triad can also be played with a full barre at the fifth fret.

Surely you have already realized that the G chord in the first position with this tuning is played on empty strings, that is, without the participation of the left hand. However, there is another variation of this chord that uses all four fingers of the left hand.

On the third fret, press the second string with your index finger.
At the 4th fret, pinch the 3rd string with your middle finger.
Use your ring finger to press the 4th string at the 5th fret.
Use your little finger to press the 1st string at the 4th fret.

The thumb is not involved in the chord.

This chord involves the thumb pressing the 7th bass string. The index finger presses the 3rd string on the 1st fret, the middle finger presses the 4th string on the 2nd fret, and the ring finger presses the first string on the third fret.

4. Em chord for seven-string

The fingering is almost the same, only the 3rd string remains open.

This is one of those chords for seven-string guitar, which requires the left thumb to pick up. However, do not be alarmed: practice makes perfect.

7. H chord

Here you also need to take a barre, but only a full one, on the 4th fret. Other fingers are not involved in this triad.

As the musicians say, the Russian seven-string classical guitar- the most romantic instrument that has a rich history. This article will introduce the reader in detail to this truly charismatic instrument.

It is immediately worth noting that the seven-string classical guitar comes in four types:

Classic. Contains normal tuning with an extra bass note B (B). Oddly enough, its only advantage is the expansion of the bass range. This also includes the seven-string electric guitar.
Mexican. with two necks and, accordingly, 14 strings. Each group of strings can be tuned differently, this is the advantage of the Mexican guitar. However, its production has almost completely stopped.
The Brazilian guitar is almost no different from the classical one, with the exception of minor design innovations.
Russian. The most popular type of the Hundred professional musicians from all over the world (including such masters as Paul McCartney and Bulat Okudzhava) appreciated its unique character. This article will be devoted to this guitar.

A Brief History of the Russian Seven-String Guitar

Andrey Sikhra, the founder of the Russian guitar, is rightfully considered the father of the Russian seven-string guitar. guitar music, author of more than a thousand compositions. The debut of the Russian seven-string took place in Vilnius in 1793.

Guitar construction

It is worth mentioning that the Russian seven-string classical guitar is almost completely different from the usual acoustic one. Despite the obvious one small difference, the designers radically redesigned its structure. tuning and playing which is a little specific will require increased skills from the musician (barre, for example, will be more difficult to take).

Firstly, the tuning on a Russian guitar is completely different - D (the thickest string), G, H, d, g, h, d1 (where the notes are with a small letter - this means that the note is an octave higher than the one written with a capital). There are other tunings, but this is information for enthusiasts, since they are rarely used.
Secondly, the Russian guitar uses only metal strings. No nylon.
Thirdly, the bar is attached to the body with a screw, which determines the angle of the bar.
And fourthly, a different arrangement of strips inside the case.

As you can see, the design difference is quite large, but classical instrument no more complicated than a 7-string guitar, which has never been a problem for guitarists to tune. Even novice musicians easily managed to get used to the new design.

Guitar tuning and playing

How can a 7-string guitar whose tuning is so linear and simple cause problems for beginners? Of course not! For tuning, a classic tuning fork, a tuner and an ear are used (all can be used together).

When tuning a seven-string guitar by ear, the easiest way is to first tune the very first string (the note D) according to a standard (it can be the fourth string on a regular guitar, a piano key, or an audio recording from the Internet). You can also use an Internet tuner.

Now you can tune the remaining strings relative to the first one already tuned. Here's a step-by-step mini-instruction describing how to tune the first string of your guitar, and then all the others:

The second string on the third fret should sound like the first string open.
The third string on the fourth fret is like the second open string.
The fourth on the fifth fret is like the third.
The fifth on the third fret is like the fourth.
The sixth on the fourth fret is like the fifth.
The seventh on the fifth fret is like the sixth.

This is worth doing even without experience, because tuning a guitar is the gray everyday life of a guitarist. By the way, strings for a 7-string guitar are absolutely easy to get for residents big cities- in music stores you can always find a couple of sets, but for those who live in small populated areas, you will have to order them from the online store.

What to play on a seven-string guitar?

The range of genres covered on the Russian seven-string guitar is even smaller than on the classical one. It is absolutely not suitable for most genres. Her genres are folk ballads, romances, plays and bard melodies. The melodies of Vladimir Vysotsky are great for learning - they are relatively simple and recognizable (there will be something to brag about in company). Tabs should also be “seven-stringed”.

Yes, by the way, it is not easy - a 7-string will require not only the strings, but also the hands. You will have to completely relearn how to play chords on such an instrument. The pressing technique will remain completely the same, but the finger positions will be different, even in the chords of the same name.