| Guitarists need to know how to play chords, that's a | | | | Next in the scale is F, this is found on the 3rd fret of |
| fact, but how many guitarists know how to build a | | | | the 4th or D string, follow this with the open G string, |
| chord? | | | | then fret the 2nd fret of that string using your 2nd |
| Imagine playing with a band and you were asked to | | | | finger, which gives you an A note. Two more are left, |
| play a C# minor 7th with a flat 5th and you didn't have | | | | the B note can be played by plucking the open B string, |
| your chord book with you, what would you do? | | | | and the last C which is the octave of our first note, is |
| If you know how guitar chords are formed then it | | | | the first fret of the B string. Fret this using your 1st |
| wouldn't be a problem to you. | | | | finger. There you have a C major scale. |
| So instead of lugging around a big fat chord directory, | | | | You should play this scale a few hundred times to |
| containing thousands of chord diagrams, most of which | | | | really get the pattern into your fingers and the sound |
| you'll never play anyway, learn about the formation of | | | | into your ears. Dont worry, you dont have to play |
| chords and save yourself some weightlifting. | | | | these all in one practice session! |
| Guitarists spend around 80% of there time playing | | | | So how do we now form a guitar chord using the info |
| rhythm guitar, so knowing how to build chords is very | | | | we have learned, you may ask. |
| beneficial, and a useful skill to learn. | | | | Each of the notes of the major scale are numbered |
| For this introduction I will focus on the two most | | | | from 1 to 7, in the case of the C major scale the notes |
| common types of chord, the major and minor. | | | | are C D E F G A B. |
| The easiest way to understand how a chord is | | | | To form a major chord just play the 1st note C, |
| formed is by first looking at the major scale. | | | | together with the 3rd note E, and combine both with |
| A scale is just a series of notes played one after the | | | | the 5th note G. |
| other, there are lots of different and exotic types, but | | | | There you have just played a C major chord. |
| the major scale is the basis of all western music and | | | | It is the 3rd note which determines the 'flavour' of the |
| so it will be wise to get very familiar with it. | | | | chord, if its major or minor. |
| The easiest major scale to start with is the C major | | | | To form the minor chord, as before combine the 1st |
| scale. If you wanted to play a C scale on a piano, just | | | | note C, but in the case of the 3rd note dont play the E, |
| play eight white notes one after the other, starting | | | | drop it down 1 fret and play Eb! then add a G note, the |
| from the white key directly to the left of a pair of | | | | 5th. Then you have a minor chord. Get your ears used |
| black keys. This is the note C, and the notes that | | | | to the sound of the major and minor chords. You'll |
| follow it are in alphabetical order. D E F G A B C. This | | | | discover that the major chord has a bright and happy |
| is called one octave of a C major scale. | | | | sound, whereas the minor chord is much sadder |
| Unfortunately, on the guitar neck, the fretboard has no | | | | sounding. |
| black notes to help us with finding our way around. | | | | This formula can be moved or transposed (musical |
| There are ways of remembering the positions of the | | | | term for moved) to any key. Just play the 1st note of |
| notes but for now I will tell you where the notes are. | | | | the scale with the 3rd and the 5th notes and you will |
| Be sure to say the names of the notes to yourself as | | | | have a major chord. Flatten the 3rd note by one fret |
| you play them. This will definitely help your playing in | | | | or a semi-tone (muso for one fret!) and you will have |
| the long run. | | | | formed a minor chord. |
| The C note on the guitar is found on the 5th string at | | | | This is just the first step in the study of guitar chords, |
| the 3rd fret position, there are plenty of others, but we'll | | | | and how to build and play them. I will be adding more |
| start our studies with this one. Play that note, the C | | | | articles covering chord theory in the near future. Until |
| note, using your third finger to fret it, then follow with | | | | then, keep learning, keep on plucking and most of all |
| the open D string, then 2nd fret of the D string which is | | | | keep enjoying your playing. |
| an E note, using your 2nd finger. | | | | |
