Chords
The two octave A Major scale
The major scale formula combines whole and half steps in a pattern to complete a scale
R 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 ½
Chord-A chord is a combination of two or more notes played at the same time. Most chords use three or more notes. Commonly used are the triad (a three note chord), and the power chord. The power chord is the only exception to the rule of three or more notes. It has three actual pitches but only has two note names. The root note is repeated as the octave. The power chord and its full shape, the barre chord, are also very common in many styles.)
G Major
Take note that both the open B string or the third fret D of the B string can appear in the G Chord. Either is correct. The combination of G, B, D together makes the G Major triad no matter which notes are doubled.
The minor chord formula 1, b3, 5
Reading chords with Chord Charts
-Assumes you have a memorized knowledge of some basic chords
-Afford you the freedom to listen to the other musicians around you and establish a rhythm based on the specific scenario.
First position "Caged Perspective" Major Scales, Arpeggio's, and Chords
D Major
You should notice something here. If you do, your reading is coming along nicely. If you notice nothing, remind yourself that the lead sheet notation and the tablature should read the exact same.
E Major
F Major
G Major
Technique Check
Am I using alternate picking as I strum?
Am I holding the pick with my thumb on one side and my first and second finger in the other?
Do I have about ¼ inch of my pick hanging out past my fingertips?
Are my ring finger and pinky resting lightly inside my palm and not on the body of my guitar?
B Major
Root 6 common moveable barre chords
Root six means that the root note of the chord is on the sixth string. If you keep your fingers in the same shape these chords can be repeated anywhere along the sixth string. The root note of the chord defines its name, and the presence of the middle finger on the G-string makes a major chord, versus the minor chord where the middle finger is not present.
Barring - occurs when a finger is laid across a fret as a base shape for a chord to be formed and played.
Root 5 common moveable barre chords
Root five means that the root note of the chord is on the fifth string. If you keep your fingers in the same shape these chords can be repeated anywhere along the fifth string. The root note of the chord defines its name, and the presence of the middle finger on the b-string makes a minor chord, versus the major chord where the middle finger is not present and the ring finger is laid flat across the D, G, and B strings.
Alternate fingerings for the root 5 major barre chord
1, 3, 3, 3 1, 3, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4,
Root 6 major to root 5 minor tricks
Make a root six major barre chord-move each of your fingers down one string and you are playing a root five moveable minor.
The Nashville Numbering System - Each position in a key of music is given a roman numeral, and has a tonality based on the formula of the scale that the chords in a given key correspond to.
Try this playing example
Major and Minor chord symbols and suffixes
Major-M, maj,
Minor-m, min, -
Augmented- +, aug
Diminished- dim, 0
Key of C Major
Using the 2 octave Major Scale to build chord shapes
Rhythm Exercises
The elements of music do not change from instrument to instrument. Only the techniques change. There is no better way to begin effective use of rhythm then by using concepts designed for percussion instruments.
This first exercise is inspired from basic snare drum rudiments. For a drummer the control and practice of right, left, right, left stick control helps them to develop efficient rhythmic accuracy. For a guitarist the same concepts can be adopted but we will use up, down, up, down pick control as a development for the technique. We will still use the R and L to do these exercises. This way you can understand and use many different percussion books and worksheets in the future for your rhythmic development. R stands for Right, and L for Left. On the guitar R will stand for a down-stroke and L for an upstroke.
Choose a chord and strum the following patterns
R, L, R, R, L, R, L, L, R, L, L, L, L, R, R, L R, R, R, L, R, L, L, R,
Choose two chords and try the following by switching from one to the other within each set
R, R, L, L, L, L, R, R, L, L, L ,R, R, R, R, L, L, R, L ,R L, R, L, R,
A sixteenth note is voiced as 1 e + a. 4 sixteenth notes equal one-quarter note or one beat. So it can be said the one-sixteenth note equals a quarter of a beat. Sixteenth notes need to be practiced so that they are played evenly and with clear definition.
Palm muting is a way of limiting the vibration of the strings of the guitar with the right hand so the sustain of the notes are cut off substantially. It is sometimes described as having a much thicker sound and is an efficient way to achieve a smooth control over a heavier tone. It is very common in most forms of guitar playing in some regard.
A rhythm can be played giving emphasis or stronger dynamic to one or more of the sub divisions of the quarter note.
Repeat each of these phrases many times. Make sure that you are comfortable with them.
1 e + a 1 e + a 1 e + a 1 e + a
Spider walking is a technique used to arpeggiate a chord in a repetitious pattern while lifting fingers on and off of the notes in a chord in a pattern that is rhythmically synonymous with the motion of the right hand.
Three more types of chords
The major seventh-
1, 3, (5), 7
__________
__3___5___
__4___4___
__4___5___
__x___3___
__3_______
The dominant seventh
1, 3, (5), 7
__3_______
__3___5___
__4___3___
__3___5___
__5___3___
__3_______
The minor seventh
1, b3, (5), b7
__3_______
__3___4___
__3___3___
__3___5___
__5___3___
__3_______
Alternate Picking
Alternate picking is the most common picking technique you will use. It should become second nature and be your default technique when writing music and playing songs by other artists. It requires that you pick downward and then upward either consecutively or in a rhymically patterned order. It can be used to maximize cleanliness and accuracy in your single note patterns and can allow diversity when playing various strumming patterns. It is a great technique to use when practicing arpeggios because it helps you develop speed and accuracy.
Arpeggio – An arpeggio is the note(s) inside a chord played individually. It can be played in ascending, descending or alternating order. The arpeggio is a common tool in composition just like scales and chords. It can accent or be played as melody, harmony, or rhythm. It can also be used to develop your physical ability by altering the direction, speed, and note values being emphasized.
Remember the first note receives a down stroke and the very next an up stroke.
Go back and play the same pattern with each of these chords.
The next exercise includes cross picking. You are still using alternate picking but skipping strings and going back and forth.
