Many guitar enthusiasts visiting my website are interested in learning more about guitar chords. So, I thought this would be a good subject for me to give you some pointers on...
There are literally hundreds of guitar chords, plus, the fretboard enables one to use several different fingering combinations to play them. Memorizing every chord can seem like a daunting task for the beginning as well as the more "seasoned" guitarist.
But don't fret! I've put together some tips that will help speed up your chord learning curve!
First of all, it's important to keep things simple when you are just starting to learn how to play guitar. Try to get a good understanding of the basic "open" chords used in and around first position (by "open chords I'm referring to chords that contain a lot of open strings vs. bar chords, etc.)
- Begin with the Major, Minor and Dominant 7th chords in the common keys of: C G D A and E.
- Memorize them all!
- Practice using them in chord progressions and songs.
These basic chord shapes will help you learn how to play other chords up and down the neck. Let me explain...
Chords are made from triads. This simply means that there are 3 tones taken from a given scale to create a chord. So, when you are playing a basic triad guitar chord you are only using 3 notes, or tones, even though you may be strumming all 6 strings. The cool thing is, triads are moveable chord shapes. So wherever you place them on the neck of the guitar, you have a chord.
EXAMPLE:
The 3 tones of the A Major chord are: A C# E
If you take the A Major (triad) chord and move the whole shape up 1/2 step on the neck, you will have an A# chord. If you move another 1/2 step higher, you will have a B Major (triad) chord. If you move down 1/2 from B Major you will have Bb (A# & Bb are on the same fret).
Be careful only to strum the fretted notes of the chord. Do not to play the open strings if the tones are not in the chord. If you want to add another string it must be one of the notes in the triad- open or fretted.
This same phenomenon occurs when using the E Major triad chord shape.
The 3 tones of E Major are: E B G#
As with A Major chord, this triad can be moved up and down the neck. Again, be sure not to play any open notes when you move up the neck unless it's in the triad. Remember, if you wish to add more strings, you must use one of the notes in the triad.
This is also a moveable chord shape. The name of the chord is found in the 4th and the first string.
Whenever you use either of these shapes to play a chord anywhere on the neck, you will have a Major chord. Now you can play a wide variety of natural, sharp or flat chords in any key! Remember what I said- knowledge is power!
Kathy Unruh has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 25 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit her website at:
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