The Fundamental "Open" Chords: A "chord" may be defined as a combination of three or more notes. Each of the strings on the guitar can produce one note at a time, so by playing several strings at the same time, a chord is created. Different chords are produced by pressing down different combinations of notes in the left hand. The "open" chords are an important set of fundamental fingering patterns on the guitar. They are called open chords because they all contain open (unfretted) strings.
Below are diagrams for the most common and easy to play open chord shapes used by guitarists. There are three types of chords in the list below. Chords labeled by a capital letter are called "major" chords. Major chords sound "happy", with a plain and commonly recognizable sound. Chords labeled by a capital letter and a lower case m are called "minor" chords. Minor chords sound dark or sad. Chords labeled by a capital letter and a number 7 are called "dominant seventh" chords, or "seventh" chords for short. 7th chords sound bluesy. (For a complete explanation of chord diagrams, please see the Power Chord lesson).
(diagram)
To play any of the chords above, make the shape indicated by the diagram with your left hand fingers, and then strum the strings with a downward motion of the right hand. To make the chords sound clear, follow these guidelines:
- Curve your left hand fingers and try to contact the strings on the extreme TIPS of the fingers. This will give you the greatest possible leverage against the string and will keep you from deadening any adjacent strings.
- Place your left hand fingers as close to (just to the left of) the indicated frets. This will help eliminate annoying "buzz" sounds.
- Keep your left hand thumb on the bottom half of the back of the guitar neck, situated in between the index and middle fingers. If your thumbs wraps over or rests on top of the guitar neck, the mobility of your left hand fingers is restricted and you will not be able to reach the upper strings very easily.
- Make sure that you are strumming all of the indicated strings in the chord diagram. If you don't hit all of the strings with your right hand, your chord will not sound complete.
The chords above are common in every type of music. You will use them regularly as long as you play guitar, and they will form the basis for many other patterns on the fretboard. Listen to the recording of each shape and try to copy the sound as closely as possible.
(Recordings) |
