beginning songs

[jsilver608]

I am a complete beginner when it comes to the guitar. I started learning about 2 months ago and just recently became a member of this site.

I started going through the beginner lessons, and I just had a question:

under practice songs->2 string songs->song of joy (my question actually deals with reading music in general, but I wanted to give you a point of reference) I see the notes for the song and the cords for the song above the notes (A,G,C,etc). I undersand how to play the cords, but when do I play them? Before the notes?

[Danny Poole]

1. When you look at the top of top of the notation music (eg. Song Of Joy) the chords are written at the begging of the bar, the music is in 4/4 time so you'll strum at the beginning of the bar 4 times. At the moment we are not using any rhythm pattern so just make it \/ \/ \/ \/ (Down, Down, Down, Down).

I understand how to play the cords, but when do I play them? Before the notes?

You will play them on the notes, one guitarist will play the chords and another will play the melody (notes) but not both together.