| d="body"> | | | | uses a graph-like chart to show where on the frets |
| Guitar chords, (chords played specifically on a guitar,) | | | | the fingers are placed. Both techniques are common |
| differ only from other types of chords by virtue of | | | | among those learning guitar chords, though the number |
| instrument; they're simply a series of three or more | | | | of self-taught guitarists who never learned to read tab |
| notes played together. These notes don't necessarily | | | | is fairly high. |
| have to be played simultaneously, however. | | | | Just like any other instrument, the sheer number of |
| Broken chords (also referred to as arpeggios) are | | | | possible guitar chords can often be overwhelming for |
| three or more notes that aren't played at the same | | | | a new guitarist. And even the frequently taught guitar |
| time but closely enough to still be heard as a group or | | | | chords are beginning to fall by the wayside, making |
| whole. And even the three-note rule is open to the | | | | room for a variety of guitar chords created by tuning |
| occasional exception; some guitar chords consist of | | | | the strings in almost innumerous ways. Though power |
| only two notes, but they still function as chords | | | | chords (guitar chords using a base note, an octave |
| because they work diatonically in the same way that a | | | | note and the fifth) are still the most common type of |
| major or minor chord would. | | | | guitar chords, new bands are increasingly |
| Guitar chords might very well be the most important | | | | experimenting with alternate tunings to create new |
| element of guitar playing; after all, they're the basis of | | | | sounds; alternative bands have been toying with this |
| what makes a song. Most people picking up a guitar | | | | way of playing interesting guitar chords for decades. |
| for the first time figure out a few guitar chords before | | | | So how many chords does a guitarist really need to |
| even going for their first lesson, and still more teach | | | | know? |
| themselves guitar chords without any help from an | | | | Most simple songs contain just 3 chords - called |
| instructor. Self-taught guitarists learn guitar chords in a | | | | "primary chords". So even a stark beginner can learn 3 |
| number of ways. Some learn by listening to their | | | | simple chords well enough to strum along and |
| favorite songs and slowly picking out the notes, a | | | | accompany himself as he sings. But after that, the sky |
| common yet often frustrating process. Others figure | | | | is the limit - there are thousands of possible chords, so |
| out guitar chords by learning to read guitar tab, a type | | | | it is up to the individual guitarist as to how many he or |
| of sheet music intended for fretted instruments that | | | | she want to master. |
