The Reading Guitar Music lessons so far have only used Quarter Notes to allow you to focus on the basics of Reading Guitar music. Now that we have covered the basic notes for reading all 6 strings, we will now add different types of notes starting with;
the Half Note Dotted Half Note and Whole Note
As you saw with the exercises for the first 6 strings, the Quarter Note was played on each beat or count in a bar of music and held for 1 Beat. A Half note is held for 2 beats or counts while a Dotted Half Note is held for 3 Beats. A Dot after any Note (or Rest) in music is played for the full value of the note + Half it's value. A Whole Note is held for a total or 4 Beats or Counts.
Note Name
Note
Note Value
Quarter
1 Beat
Half
2 Beats
Dotted Half
3 Beats
Whole
4 Beats
PRACTICE TIPS
- Say the Note names to yourself as you play them to help remember them until you know them.
- Don't lift your fingers too high off the fretboard, a 1/4" at most will do. The higher you lift your fingers the slower your playing will be due to wasted movement.
- Keep the Thumb of your fretboard hand flat at the middle of the back of the fretboard neck. This will provide you with more control, better reach and faster motion.
There are 3 versions of each of the same exercises below:
- The first version just plays back the Guitar Notes on the score.
- The second version adds a Bass Guitar and Drum Kit to the Guitar.
- The third version only plays back the Bass Guitar and Drums but has the Guitar score for you to follow along with.
We have also included Guitar TAB with each Score for all exercises for reference and to assist those that know TAB but wish to learn how to read music AND for those that can already Read Music but want to learn TAB due to the wealth of Guitar TAB only scores.
The Half note is held for 2 beats or counts. The 1st exercise uses Half Notes as well along with Quarter Notes, which were used in the early Reading exercises.
The Same exercise as above with Bass Guitar and Drums added.
The Same exercise with Only the Bass Guitar and Drums to play along with.
Video Player Option with Music Score and Fretboard Playback
Right-Hand Fretboard Video Playback:
Left-Hand Fretboard Video Playback only:
Dotted Half Notes
A Dot after any Note Or Rest means that you hold the Note or Rest for the Full value + Half the value. Since a Half note gets 2 beats and half that value is 1, the Dotted Half note is held for 3 (2+1) beats or counts. The 2nd exercise adds the Dotted Half Notes along with Half and Quarter Notes, which were used in the previous Reading exercises.
The Same exercise as above with Bass Guitar and Drums added.
The Same exercise with Only the Bass Guitar and Drums to play along with.
Video Player Option with Music Score and Fretboard Playback
Right-Hand Fretboard Video Playback:
Left-Hand Fretboard Video Playback only:
Whole Notes
The Whole note is held for 4 beats or counts. The 3rd exercise adds the Whole Note along with the Half, Dotted Half and Quarter Notes, which were used in the previous Reading exercises.
The Same exercise as above with Bass Guitar and Drums added.
The Same exercise with Only the Bass Guitar and Drums to play along with.
Video Player Option with Music Score and Fretboard Playback
to allow you to focus on the basics of Reading Guitar music. Now that we have covered the basic notes for reading all 6 strings, we will now add different types of notes starting with;
Dotted Half Note 
and Whole Note 
& WHOLE NOTES 
