Basic Acoustic Guitar

For The Worship Leader

Scott Cunningham
8AS|0 A000ST|0 60|TA8
For worsh|p Leaders
2 3
Fo0odat|ooa| Aspects oI the Aco0st|c 60|tar
|otrod0ct|oo: One of the most challenging parts of learning to play the guitar is the rhythmic aspect
of it. Why is that? Well, if you think about it, there are three rhythms happening at the same time when
you are leading worship or singing and playing your guitar.
There is a right-hand strumming rhythm, a chording rhythm (the timing of your chord changesj, and
a vocal phrasing rhythm that happens when you are singing. A big part of learning to play the guitar is
connecting those three rhythms together. The goal is for your hands to become so used to the chords
and rhythm that it becomes second nature. This will in turn set you free to sing the way you want to
while playing.
A. 8hythm
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o Gallop Strum
o Down Strum
o Percussive Strum
o Country Strum
o 6/8 Strum (or j
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o Chord Families
o Open Chord ldeas
o Using Your Capo
o Partial Capo ldeas
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Remember singing adds in a 3rd
phrasing rhythm that can take a
little while to incorporate when
learning. Don't get discouraged
though; with a little practice you
will have it.
8. Fee| aod Sty|e
lt's okay to have your own style and feel that you apply to your instrument and songs; it's what
makes you unique.
With that said, as worship leaders one of our simple goals on a very practical level should be
to make our songs as singable and congregational, for the most part, so that others can easily
participate.
Here are a few common questions and answers that have helped me understand music a bit
better and grow to learn the guitar as well. Hope it helps!
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
6/8 Strum
6
8
Percussive Strum
1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a
4
4
Down Strum
1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a
4
4
Gallop Strum
1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a
4
4
1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a
Country Strum
4
4
accent
down strum
up strum
STRUM PATTERNS
2 3
what |s a key?
A key is a family of 7 d|fferent notes that all harmonize with each other. There are 12 keys that
you can actually play in based on our western scale of music, which is made up of half steps
and whole steps.
what keys sho0|d | |earo?
Most guitar players play in about 5 keys comfortably. When l say comfortably, l mean that
they are typically chords that don't require a lot of bar chords and diffcult fngering.
The 5 keys that most guitar players play in, especially when learning are, C, D, E, G, and A.
Each one of those keys are made up of 7 notes that also have 7 correspond|ng chords. For
example, lf you learn the 7 chords in the chord family of the key of D, you can play almost any
song in that key.
what |s a chord Iam||y?
A chord family is made up of 7 chords that all have a relationship to each other, based on the
key that you are playing in. For example, in the key of D you have .
l ii iii lv v vi vll
D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, A/C#
why do | oeed to |earo chord Iam|||es?
lf you learn those 7 chords in each family (C, D, E, G, and Aj, you will be able to play any song
in those keys. You can also easily transpose a song when you are wanting to play it in another
key. lt's also a very useful tool in communicating to other band members what you are playing
using the Nashville Numbering System," as l have heard it called. lt's also a good foundation
for songwriting as it gives you all the chord options in that key to experiment with while you're
writing songs and being creative.
what |s a capo?
First of all, in the words of my good friend Danny Donnelly who taught me most of what l am
sharing with you, Capos are your friend." The capo gives you the ability to play in the same
fngering of a key that you are playing, but to be able to raise the key up a half step every time
you move your capo up one fret toward the sound hole.
-VYL_HTWSL! if l really like playing a song in the key of D using the 7 chords in the chord family
of D, but l fnd that the song is a bit low, because l REALLY like using the D chord shapes and
fngering in that particular song, l can place my capo on fret 1 which sharps the key a half step,
and l am now playing in the key of Eb.
lf l placed my capo in the 2nd fret because l wanted to play the song even higher but still use
the chord family of D because l like the voicing of those chords, l am now actually playing in the
key of E because we have now sharped our guitar a whole step up from D.
Make sense? Hope so . lf not now, it will later . Trust me, if l can learn, so can you!
what |s that 7th chord? 0|m|o|shed . what?
lf you notice, there is a pattern to every key or chord family. The 1, 4, and 5 chords are always
major, and the 2, 3, and 6 chords are always minor. The 7 chords are traditionally always a
diminished chord. Without getting too deep into what that means, it is simply a chord that we
don't often use in our modern worship music.
So, with that said, we do always use a different chord; it's what l like to call a substitute 7
chord." That's the chord you will fnd in every chord family in this book. lt's a practical chord we
use and hear all the time in modern music. ln technical terms, it's the 5 chord of the family in its
frst inversion.
4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0h080 FAN|LY l kY 0F "0"
Other Useful Variations for the Key of C
C
(I chord)
X 3 2 0 1 0
1
2
G/B
(V - 1
st
Inv)
X 2 0 0 4 4
Am
(vi chord)
X 0 2 2 1 0
G
(V chord)
3 2 0 0 0 1
F
(IV chord)
X 0 0 3 2 1 1
Em
(iii chord)
0 2 2 0 0 0
Dm
(ii chord)
X X 0 2 3 1
1
1 2
3 3 3
4
3
3
G2
(V chord)
3 0 0 2 3 3
G6sus
(Vchord)
3 0 2 0 1 3
Gsus
(V chord)
3 2 0 0 1 3
4
1 T 2 4 3 = pointer finger = thumb (optional) = middle finger = anchor finger = pinky finger
1
2 2
F2
(IV chord)
X 0 3 2 1 3
3
1
2
3
2
1
2
(C/E is often used as a 3
chord substitute = 1
chord in first inversion)
(this is traditionally a
B diminished chord
ie... Bdim)
1
1
4
G/B
(V - 1
st
Inv)
X 14 X 0 15 0
1
2
3 4 4
1
2
3 3 4
Fmaj7
(IV chord)
X 3 3 2 1 0
3
1
2
4
C/G
(I chord)
3 3 2 0 1 0
3
1
2
4
1
2
Open Chord Ideas for the Key of C
Em
(VI chord)
1
3
0 7 X 0 8 0
7-
Em
(iii chord)
Dm
(ii chord)
X 5 X 0 6 0
5- 1
3
C
(I chord)
X 3 X 0 5 0
3- 1
3
Am
(vi chord)
X 12 X 0 13 0
3 3
1
F
(IV - 1
st
Inv)
1
3
8- 10- 12- 14- 1
3
G
(V chord)
X 8 X 0 10 0 X 10 X 0 12 0
4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0h080 FAN|LY l kY 0F "0"
Open Chord Ideas for the Key of D
Other Useful Variations the Key of D
D
(I chord)
X 0 0 2 3 2
1 2
A/C#
(V - 1
st
Inv)
X 4 2 2 0 0
1 2
Bm
(vi chord)
X 2 0 2 3 0
1
A
(V chord)
0 0 2 2 2 0
4
G
(IV chord)
3 2 0 0 3 3
F#m
(iii chord)
2 0 2 2 0 0
4 2
Em7
(ii chord)
0 2 2 0 3 0
1 2
3 3
3 3
3
A/C#
(V - 1
st
Inv)
9 X X 9 10 X
Bm
(vi chord)
7 0 0 7 7 0
4 3
A
(V chord)
5 X 0 6 5 0
G
(IV chord)
3 X 0 4 3 0
2
DMaj7/F#
(iii chord)
2 0 0 2 2 0
4 3 2
4
3 2 7- 5- 9-
D
(I chord)
1 2
3
10-
10 X 0 11 10 0
Asus
(V chord)
0 0 2 2 3 0
GMaj7
(IV chord)
3 0 0 0 3 2
1
G2
(IV chord)
3 0 0 2 3 3
Dsus
(I chord)
X 0 0 2 3 3
1
D/F#
(I - 1st inv)
2 0 0 2 3 0
1 T 2 4 3 = pointer finger = thumb (optional) = middle finger = anchor finger = pinky finger
1
4
4
1
2
2 2
3
4
1
2 3 2 3
3
1
2 1
1 2
3
1 2
3
2
3
3
(D/F# is often used as a
3 chord substitute = 1
chord in first inversion)
(this is traditionally a
C# diminished chord
ie... C#dim)
6 7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0h080 FAN|LY l kY 0F ""
Open Chord Ideas for the Key of E
Other Useful Variations the Key of E
E
(I chord)
X 2 2 1 0 0
1
2
B/D#
(V - 1
st
Inv)
X 6 4 4 0 0
1 2
C#m
(VI chord)
X 4 6 6 0 0
1
B
(V chord)
X 2 4 4 0 0
4 4 4
1
A
(IV chord)
X 0 2 2 0 0
4
G#m
(III chord)
4 6 6 4 0 0
1
2
F#m
(II chord)
2 4 4 2 0 0
1
2
4- 4-
3
3 3
3
3 3
E
(I chord)
0 7 9 9 0 0
1
4 3
7-
C#m
(VI chord)
9 X 9 9 0 0
4 3 2 9-
B/D#
(V - 1st inv)
0 6 9 8 0 0
1
2
3
7-
A
(IV chord)
5 X 7 6 0 0
2
1
3
5-
A/F#
(ii chord)
2 0 2 2 0 0
4 2 3
B/G#
(iii chord)
4 X 4 4 0 0
4 2 3 4-
B
(V chord)
7 X 9 8 0 0
2
1
3
7-
4-
E
(I chord)
X 2 2 4 0 0
1 1
B/D#
(V - 1
st
Inv)
11 9 9 11 0 0
A/C#
(IV - 1st inv)
9 7 7 9 0 0
C#m
(IV chord)
X 4 2 4 0 0
4
1
3
B
(V chord)
X 2 4 4 0 0
4
A
(IV chord)
X 0 2 4 0 0
1
E/G#
(I - 1st inv)
4 2 2 4 0 0
7- 9-
1 T
T T
2 4 3 = pointer finger = thumb (optional) = middle finger = anchor finger = pinky finger
1 1
4 4
1
4 3 3
1 1
4 3
1 1
4 3
(E/G# is often used as a
3 chord substitute = 1
chord in first inversion)
(this is traditionally a
D# diminished chord
ie... D#dim)
6 7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0h080 FAN|LY l kY 0F "6"
Open Chord Ideas for the Key of G
Other Useful Variations the Key of G
G
(I chord)
3 2 0 0 3 3
D/F#
(V - 1
st
Inv)
2 0 0 2 3 0
Em7
(VI chord)
0 2 2 0 3 0
D
(V chord)
X 0 0 2 3 2
C
(IV chord)
0 3 2 0 3 3
Bm
(III chord)
X 2 0 2 3 0
Am
(II chord)
X 0 2 2 1 0
1
2
Em
(VI chord)
3
3
Em
(VI chord)
1
3
0 7 X 0 8 0
7-
Em
(VI chord)
0 2 4 0 0 0
1
Dsus
(V chord)
X 0 0 2 3 3
C
6
(IV chord)
X 3 0 2 3 3
G
2
(I chord)
3 0 0 2 3 3
1 T 2 4 3 = pointer finger = thumb (optional) = middle finger = anchor finger = pinky finger
4
1
2
2
3 4
1
2 3
4
1
3 4
1
2 3 4 4
1
2 3
1
(G/B is often used as a 3
chord substitute = 1
chord in first inversion)
(this is traditionally a
F# diminished chord
ie... F#dim)
1 2
3
1
3
2 1
3
2
D
(V chord)
X 5 0 0 7 0
5- 1
3
C
(IV chord)
X 3 X 0 5 0
3- 1
3
G/B
(I - 1
st
Inv)
X 2 0 0 3 3
4 3
1
D/F#
(V - 1
st
Inv)
1
3
9- 10- 1
3
G
(I chord)
X 9 0 0 10 0 X 10 0 0 12 0
8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0h080 FAN|LY l kY 0F "A"
Other Useful Variations for the Key of A
A
(I chord)
X 0 2 2 0 0
1 2
E/G#
(V - 1
st
Inv)
4 2 2 4 0 0
F#m
(vi chord)
2 4 4 2 0 0
E
(V chord)
0 2 2 1 0 0
D
(IV chord)
X 0 0 0 2 3 2
C#m
(iii chord)
0 2 4 4 0 0
Bm
(ii chord)
X 2 4 4 3 0
1 1
3 3
3
3
3 3
C#m
(ii chord)
9 11 11 9 0 0
Bm
(ii chord)
7 9 9 7 0 0
A
(I chord)
5 7 7 6 0 0
4
1 T
T
T
2 4 3 = pointer finger = thumb (optional) = middle finger = anchor finger = pinky finger
1
1
2 2
1
2
(A/C# is often used as a
3 chord substitute = 1
chord in first inversion)
(this is traditionally a
G# diminished
chord ie... G#dim)
1 1 1
4
3 4 3
4 4
4
1
4-
5- 7-
T
4 3
1
9-
D
(ii chord)
X 5 7 7 0 0
4 3
1
5-
E
(ii chord)
0 7 9 9 0 0
4 3
1
7-
F#m
(ii chord)
X 9 7 9 0 0
4 3
1
7-
E/G#
(ii chord)
X 11 9 9 9 0
3
1 1 1
9-
2
8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0h080 FAN|LY l kY 0F "" (Pa|t|a| caoo on 2nd f|et I
E
1
B/D# C#m B
1 1
A E/G#
2
2
F#m
1
4
5- 7- 6- 9-
E
3
3
1
3
3
3 2 3
12-
11-
1 T 2 4 3 = pointer finger = thumb (optional) = middle finger = anchor finger = pinky finger = optional
0 0 6 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 6 5 0 7 0 0 8 7 0 9 0 0 9 9 0 11 0 0 11 12 0
12 0 0 13 12 0
You Welcomed Me Home (Key of C)

Vs 1)
F - C F - C F - C G
Adopted / accepted / befriended by love
F - C F - C F - C G
Chosen / for redemption / for my faith in the Son

Chorus
Am G F - C
I was drowning and you saved me
Am G F - C
And called me your own
Am G F - C
I was running and you chased me
Am G F - C
And you welcomed me home
Am G F (band in) - C (F - C) (F- C) G
And you welcomed me home

Vs 2)
F - C F - C F - C G
Sealed by / the Spirit / washed in the blood
F - C F - C F - C G
He who promised / will be faithful / for His Bride He WILL COME!!!!!

Chorus

Bridge
Dm - F - G Dm - F - G
Hallelujah / Hallelujah








! Scott Cunningham CCLI# 4956695
10
Forever Grateful (Key of C)
Intro: Am Em F (2x)
Verse 1)
Am Em F
A man unworthy to die
Am Em F
But took my place for sins, regrets
Am Em F
The whole worlds sin on his shoulders
Am Em F
A love I never can forget

(pre chorus)
Dm G Am G F
Im forever grateful, for your death on the cross

Chorus
F
At the cross you were crucified
C G
My debt was paid my ransom made
F
At the cross, the veil was torn
C G
The Lamb was slain, I am sustained
Dm - Am - G - Em (2x)
At the cross

Verse 2)
Am Em F
You came willing to die
Am Em F
To take my place for sins, regrets
Am Em F
All my sin on your shoulders
Am Em F
A love I never can forget (To Pre-Chorus)






! Madison Cunningham 2010 (All Rights Reserved)
Instrumental
Dm - Am - G - Em (2x)

11

Crucified with Christ (Key of D)
Intro: D Dmaj7 Bm9 Cmaj7 2x

Verse 1)
D Bm C2
Im Crucified with Christ, and no longer I but Christ who lives in me
(Ive Been)
D Bm C2
Im Crucified with Christ, and no longer I but Christ who lives in me

Pre-chorus
Em D/F# G
And the Life that I now live I live by Faith
Em D/F# G - A
And the Life that I now live I live by Faith, Faith

Chorus -
D Dmaj7/F# G
In the Son of God who died and rose again
D Dmaj7/F# G
The Son became a ransom for all men
Bm Dmaj7/F# G
The Son of God, who took away our sin
Em Dmaj7/F# G A
The Life that I now live I live by faith, in the one of loves me


Bridge:
A G
No Other Name, but Jesus Christ
A G
No Other Way, no Sacrifice
A G
No other Name, Deserves our Praise
A Bm A/C#
No other Name can Save




! Scott Cunningham

12
Your Love is Better Than Life (Key of E)
Intro: E - A/C# - B/D# E (bass droning E)
Vs 1)
E A/C# B/D# E
Oh, whats better than sitting at your feet
E A/C# B/D# E
Whats better than hearing what you speak
E A/C# B/D# C#m - B - A
What better knowing you and all that you are

E A/C# B/D# E
Whats better than drawing close to You
E A/C# B/D# E
What sweeter than freedom in Your truth (to you)
E A/C# B/D# C#m - B - A C#m - B - A - (Am)
Whats greater Knowing You, and all that you are all that you are

Chorus-
E B/D# E/G# A
Your Love is better than life, awakens my soul, the hope thats inside
E B/D# E/G# F#/A#
Your Love, it raises the dead, gives freedom to live, Its my very Breath
F#m G#m A (intro chords)
You love your better than life

Vs 2)
One thing is needed I will seek
The one thing of sitting at Your Feet
The one thing of knowing You, and All that You are

One thing that I desire most,
The one thing of drawing ever close,
Beholding Your Beauty Lord, and All that You are










! Scott Cunningham


13
SATISFIED IN YOU (Key of E)
Vs 1)
A B C#m- E/G# A B E
Im Satisfied in You my God
A B C#m -E/G# A B E
And I will Abide in You, in the vine


Chorus
E E/G# A
I want to live, to live for Your pleasure
E E/G# A
I want to run, to run for Your fame
C#m B A E/G#
I want to dwell in Your house forever,
A - B - C#m -B/D# A - B - C#m- B/D#
To seek Your face As You call my name
A B C#m B/D# - E
To hear You say Well done


Vs 2)
A B C#m- E/G# A B E
Be Glorified, In me, my God
A B C#m -E/G# A B E
Take all of my life, And be magnified

Chorus


Bridge:
C#m B/D# B C#m A C#m B/D# B C#m A
For I am not my own, You bought me with Youre blood (3x)
E/G# C#m A E/G# -C#m A
Your Prec - ous Blood, Your Prec-ious Blood (To Chorus)





!Scott Cunningham CCLI# 4065139


14
Expectation (Key of G)

Chorus
G Em C Am
Our Expectation turns towards heaven and waits for you, we wait for you God
G Em C Am (G Em C - Am)
All creation Longs for heaven and waits for you, we wait for you God

Vs 1)
G Em C D G
Lord we wait for you, for all youre promises
Em C D
Of love and truth of Faithfulness
Em G C D Em
Our hope is built on this, upon your very word
G C Am
Your coming soon.

Chorus
G Em C Am
Our Expectation turns towards heaven and waits for you, we wait for you God
G Em C Am (G - Em - C - Am)
All creation Longs for heaven and waits for you, we wait for you God


Bridge:
G/B - C Am - D G/B - C Am - D
This is our Expectation, this is our Motivation
G/B - C Am - D G/B - C Am - D
This is our great Salvation, this is our sure foundation
G/B - C Am - D G/B - C Am - D
This is our, Liberation, this is our consecration
G/B - C Am - D G/B - C Am - D
This is our Celebration, This is our Expectation (Drums In)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G/B - C Am - D G/B - C Am - D
This is our Motivation, this is our great salvation
G/B - C Am - D G/B - C Am - D
Lord. We wait for you- Lord









! Scott Cunningham CCLI# 5340530
15
Adoration (Key of G)
G D
We bow our hearts, we lift our hands
Em C
We turn our eyes to you again
G D
And we surrender to the truth
Em C
That all we need is found in You

Chorus
Gsus G - D Em - C
Receive our adoration, Jesus lamb of God
Gsus G - D Em - C
Receive our adoration, How wonderful you are

vs 2)
G D
We choose to leave it all behind
Em C
And turn our eyes towards the prize
G D
The upward call of God in Christ
Em C
You have our hearts, Lord take our lives

bridge
D
Every soul you've saved sings out
C G
Everything you've made resounds
D
All creation's standing now
C G
Lifting up your name
D
We're joining in the angel's song
C G
Were gathered to your ancient throne
D
Children in our Father's arms
C - G (TO CHORUS)
Shouting out your praise
! Brenton Brown!
16
w/ permission:)
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Greater than the Heavens (Key of A)

A F#m E D
Who is like you Lord none I know of
A F#m E D
Who is like you God, none Ive heard of
E D
None I know of

Chorus
A A
You are Greater Than Heavens, in all Your Majesty
F#m E
Your Greater than the Mountains, And still You think of me
A E/G# F#m
And all Your Loving-kindness I know I dont I deserve
E D E D A
Lord the greatest part, is how You set Your love on me

vs 2)
A F#m E D
Who is like you Lord in all Your Glory
A F#m E D
Who is like you God, in all of History
E D
In all your Beauty

Bridge A:
F#m A E
Who am I, that you could love me?
F#m A E
Who am I, that you would save me?
F#m A E
Who am I, that youd forgive me

Bridge B
Bm E A F#m
Because of Your Love I am saved, all of my sin is washed away
Bm E A - F#m - E - D
Because of Your Cross I am saved By grace!

! Scott Cunningham CCLI# 4739915
17
Till the Whole World Hears (Key of A)
Vs 1)
F#m A E Bm
We know that you and you alone are God who saves
Our hope is in the promises that you have made
For young and old wholl bow the knee and call your name
Well rise and pray, rise and pray..
F#m A E Bm
Oh Lord we pray that you would send the Laborers
For the Harvest truly is awaiting gatherers
The world is dying without our deliverer
Well rise and pray, rise and pray..

Chorus
A E
Till the Whole World Hears, Till the whole worlds knows
Bm F#m E
Lord Send us out where you would have us Go
A/C# E/G#
Till the Lost World Hears, Till the Last one knows
Bm F#m E
The Grace of God and Love that you have Shown .
F#m A E - Bm
Till the Whole World Hears
vs 2)
F#m A E Bm
Rise-up Christian stand you are victorious
For we know that He has made us more than conquerors
The Enemy he has no power over us
When we Rise and Pray Rise and Pray
F#m A E Bm
Oh stir us up and burn a fire and fan the flame..
With passion just to follow you and preach your name
Oh Lord that you would RISE and work with our days
Well Rise and Pray Rise and Pray

Chorus

Musical section - (D - A - E - F#m 4x)

BRIDGE
D - A - E - F#m D - A - E - F#m
Well live by Faith, we want to live by faith, In Jesus
D - A - E F#m D - A - E F#m
The just shall live by Faith, We want to live by Faith, We want to live by Faith,

Chorus

(END TAG): Look to Jesus pressing on, the time is short, the days are dark
Rise up Christian, with all you are, with all your heart. 3x - Pray!
! Scott Cunningham CCLI# 5340523
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