O.K. some guitar basics. Standard tuning from low (bass) to high is E A D G B E . Though there are multiple tunings that can be used depending on how you want to use them such as drop D, DADGAD, open G and so forth. Standard tuning is the best place to start for beginners as most cord books work off of this tuning. The use of a capo allows you to play in different keys. This device clamps onto the neck just in front of the fret, any where on the neck. I tend to write a fair amount of my music with a capo on the second fret. This seems to work well for my voice, taking the key from E (standard tuning) up to F# . I have been know to capo as high as the 9th fret getting a more dark sound . I tend to like the darker sound that a guitar is capable of and often work in minors keys for that reason . If using a capo or for that matter if you play the whole neck ( using the full length of the fretboard ) for lead , or often jazz cords it is vital that the intonation of the guitar be as close to perfect as possible. We will touch more on this in future blogs. I also will try to post more photos and diagrams to support my blogs. But for now here is a little eye candy. This is my early 80's red Fender strat. This is one of my favorite and most often players. The neck is like glass and the single coil pick-ups are great for lead guitar. She is a comfortable play and I can use it all night with out getting a back ache, unlike the Tour 24 Washburn. My black one is an early 90's in absolutely mint condition ( not a scratch on it ). But the red one I tend to play much more often so she has a few nicks here and there. Till my next post , keep those strings vibrating !