For example in "A Shape" / "Major chords" - you should have maj, a couple of maj 7, a couple of maj 9, maj 11, maj 13, maj 6, maj 6/9, maj 7#11 etc.
It should now be up to you to find and explore chords on your own. I should just be sparking off new ideas and showing you where to look, but you need to do the finding yourself. You might want to start exploring the chord grips I show in these lessons and then take it further yourself. These lessons are based in a jazz context but can be applied to any style really!
I suggest working you way down the page and making sure that you know ALL the chords and when you find one that you don't know - click on it and do the lesson.
1. Play the 12 Bar Sequence using the chords based around the 6th string root.
2. Play the 12 Bar Sequence using all chords with a 6th string root.
3. Play the 12 Bar Sequence using the chords based around the 5th string root.
4. Play the 12 Bar Sequence using all chords with a 5th string root.
5. Mix it us as much as you like be solid with playing the chords anywhere!!
2. Play the 12 Bar Sequence using all chords with a 6th string root.
3. Play the 12 Bar Sequence using the chords based around the 5th string root.
4. Play the 12 Bar Sequence using all chords with a 5th string root.
5. Mix it us as much as you like be solid with playing the chords anywhere!!
Make sure you memorise the relationships between the chords with either the 5th or 6th string roots!
| (I) | (I) | (I) | (I) |
| (IV) | (IV) | (I) | (I) |
| (V) | (IV) | (I) | (V) |
For example, to find a note on the 3rd or 4th string, simply put your third finger on the note you want to know and put your first finger in the relative position shown by the diagrams above (in this case two frets back and two strings over). The note under your first finger will be on the 5th or 6th string and you should know the note name!
To get a note on the 2nd string you have to use the third shape shown and put your first finger on the note you want to know and stretch out your third finger to the 5th string note that you know.
The first and 6th strings have the same notes all the way up, so they are pretty easy.
Simple or what?
And now you can find any note on the fingerboard just by knowing the notes on the bottom two strings (if you don't know them by now - get busy - you need to know those notes for just about everything: barre chords, scale shapes etc.)
Extra Info on Posture:
Classical vs Rock posture
If you want to play classical guitar, then use the classical posture (put the guitar on the same leg as your fretting hand). If not then play the ‘normal’ way and place it on the same leg as your strumming hand. For right-handed players this means placing your guitar on your right leg.
If you want to play classical guitar, then use the classical posture (put the guitar on the same leg as your fretting hand). If not then play the ‘normal’ way and place it on the same leg as your strumming hand. For right-handed players this means placing your guitar on your right leg.
This will give you a better posture for playing and I think it looks kind of strange when people play rock or pop with the classical posture. It just looks weird! That said, there are some amazing guitarists who play this way.
Raising the right leg (and crossing your legs)
I find it easier to keep an electric guitar cosy and tight if I lift my right leg a little. That usually means lifting my right knee a bit by putting my toes on the floor instead of the heel, sometimes with the heel resting on the chair leg. I’m not saying that you should, or have to do this, but sometimes I do, and there were a few questions about it on the forum.
I find it easier to keep an electric guitar cosy and tight if I lift my right leg a little. That usually means lifting my right knee a bit by putting my toes on the floor instead of the heel, sometimes with the heel resting on the chair leg. I’m not saying that you should, or have to do this, but sometimes I do, and there were a few questions about it on the forum.
The other alternative that achieves the same thing is to cross your right leg over your left. This kind of makes a little ‘V’ shape at your hip which helps hold the guitar securely; I like sitting like this, too!
Strap placement and standing up
Set your strap so that the guitar is roughly in the same place when you stand as when you sit. This will make it a lot easier to play, unless you want to play with the strap low, and plan to always practise standing up (which is not recommended!).
Set your strap so that the guitar is roughly in the same place when you stand as when you sit. This will make it a lot easier to play, unless you want to play with the strap low, and plan to always practise standing up (which is not recommended!).
Keeping the neck still
Make sure that your fretting hand is not supporting the guitar neck at all and that the neck is stable when you are playing. The last thing you want is the neck wobbling about when you are trying to practise getting your fingers in the right position.
Make sure that your fretting hand is not supporting the guitar neck at all and that the neck is stable when you are playing. The last thing you want is the neck wobbling about when you are trying to practise getting your fingers in the right position.
Using a mirror
If you have a bit of a belly, or find yourself straining your neck to see the fingerboard, you might consider using a mirror. I used my dad’s shaving mirror when I first practised pretty much all of the time, so I could check the position of my fretting hand, but having a big mirror so you can see both hands and your posture is ideal.
If you have a bit of a belly, or find yourself straining your neck to see the fingerboard, you might consider using a mirror. I used my dad’s shaving mirror when I first practised pretty much all of the time, so I could check the position of my fretting hand, but having a big mirror so you can see both hands and your posture is ideal.
Relax your shoulders
Many people develop tension in their shoulders when they play, especially when doing difficult things. Stay relaxed and you will make it easier for yourself. Imagine that your fretting hand is nailed to the neck and then just let the whole shoulder and elbow relax. It will help your fingers stretch as well: you will always get a better reach when you are relaxed.
Many people develop tension in their shoulders when they play, especially when doing difficult things. Stay relaxed and you will make it easier for yourself. Imagine that your fretting hand is nailed to the neck and then just let the whole shoulder and elbow relax. It will help your fingers stretch as well: you will always get a better reach when you are relaxed.
Fretting Finger Position
Making sure that you understand why it is important to put your fingers just behind the fret is vital – if you know why, you are more likely to do it the right way. You need to play as close to the frets as you can (without actually touching the fret). This means that you don’t have to press down too hard and your fingers will hurt less (although all beginners get sore fingers – this is normal – don’t worry about it!).
Making sure that you understand why it is important to put your fingers just behind the fret is vital – if you know why, you are more likely to do it the right way. You need to play as close to the frets as you can (without actually touching the fret). This means that you don’t have to press down too hard and your fingers will hurt less (although all beginners get sore fingers – this is normal – don’t worry about it!).
Pressing too hard will also make some notes go sharp, which will make your chords sound horrible, so really watch out for that.
Try pressing as lightly as you can near the fret while still getting a good, clear note. Then move your finger away from the fret, and notice how much more pressure you need to aply to get a good sound. As a beginner, you want to position your finger where you can get a good sound with the least pressure, which is next to the fret.
You can see this exercise on the video. Do this exercise! Please. REALLY IMPORTANT!!
Thumb placement
Try and keep the thumb positioned behind the neck when you start. Later on you will probably bring it over to play particular chords, bass notes and all sorts of other tricks, but as a beginner, keep it behind the neck and it will help develop the muscles that you will need to play barre chords.
Try and keep the thumb positioned behind the neck when you start. Later on you will probably bring it over to play particular chords, bass notes and all sorts of other tricks, but as a beginner, keep it behind the neck and it will help develop the muscles that you will need to play barre chords.
£10 music stand vs £1000 chiropractor bill...
Having your sheet music or book sitting next to you on the bed or sofa and twisting around to see it is a sure-fire way to give yourself neck and back problems later in life, and I can assure you that the small investment of a music stand is well worth it. You don’t need a fancy one; just the basic fold-up type is fine. (If you've got excess cash to blow, check out RAT stands they are super cool lookin').
Having your sheet music or book sitting next to you on the bed or sofa and twisting around to see it is a sure-fire way to give yourself neck and back problems later in life, and I can assure you that the small investment of a music stand is well worth it. You don’t need a fancy one; just the basic fold-up type is fine. (If you've got excess cash to blow, check out RAT stands they are super cool lookin').
Keep the nails short on your fretting hand
I already mentioned this, but you should make sure that you keep your nails nice and short, or the nail will dig into the wood of the fingerboard and make your fingers lie too flat. You should use the tips of your fingers to play the notes when you start. Later you might start to use them a little flatter, but learn to use the tips first.
I already mentioned this, but you should make sure that you keep your nails nice and short, or the nail will dig into the wood of the fingerboard and make your fingers lie too flat. You should use the tips of your fingers to play the notes when you start. Later you might start to use them a little flatter, but learn to use the tips first.
If I write all the chords in fret number, look at the numbers going diagonally down, left to right. Notice that they stay the same until they hit the 2nd string they go up a number? * with the excpetion on last note of of the C which doesn't follow the pattern because of the multiple choices of grip for the G chord.
E: 0 . 2 . 2 . 1 . 0 . 0
A: 0 . 0 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 0
D: 2 . 0 . 0 . 2 . 3 . 2
G: 3 . 2 . 0 . 0 . 3 . 3
C: 3 . 3 . 2 . 0 . 1 . 0
F: 1 . 3 . 3 . 2 . 1 . 1
A: 0 . 0 . 2 . 2 . 2 . 0
D: 2 . 0 . 0 . 2 . 3 . 2
G: 3 . 2 . 0 . 0 . 3 . 3
C: 3 . 3 . 2 . 0 . 1 . 0
F: 1 . 3 . 3 . 2 . 1 . 1
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