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 Hello!
Learning
different chords are essential to becoming a well balanced
musician.
I
have personally found myself in a playing "rut" that was extremely
hard to get out of.
It
was as if I couldn't play anything new and my imagination
was gone when it came to writing songs. Then I discovered
chords.
When
my professor first suggested chords I laughed because I considered
myself a lead guitarist and I couldn't make the connection
between the two.
Then
I actually started to play around with new chords that were
foreign to me and something magical happened, I started to
write good music.
You
will discover a new world of options with chords. Eric
Clapton is a perfect example of integrating chords into every
day playing.
He
shows us that there is much more to playing chords than just
strumming. He applies a number of different techniques and
concepts that have been associated with playing lead guitar.
My
suggestion and challenge to you is to learn one new chord
everyday. It will only take a few minutes and the end result
will be well worth the time that you invest.
Putting
Chords into practice
Now
it's time to put chords into play.
Pictured
below are five chords. They are called G, Aadd11, Bm, D, Cadd9
(in order of appearance). They sound like they are complicated
to play but it's actually quite the opposite!
Hold
the bass note, located on the low E string, with your index
finger. Use your index finger to lightly mute the A string.
This
isn't hard to do because your index finger is at a slight
angle to begin with and will stay away from the open D string,
which you want to ring out.
Then,
hold the note located on the G string with your third finger.
Now just move it up and down the fretboard!
Notice
how the notes that you're fretting are actually a part of
a movable arpeggio? Check this example out to see what I mean:
...compare
that arpeggio to the G chord from above and you will find
that the chord is in the arpeggio. Everything in music can
be linked up at some point.
Now
mix it up and try some variations of those chords. Don't be
afraid to make it your own by adding some new strumming patterns
and giving it it's own personality.
That's
why we left our examples pretty simple, we want you to add
in your own style. Check out some variations of the chords
below and have fun!
An
inspirational ending...
We
try so hard to emulate our favorite guitarists that we sometimes
forget to develop who we are. The guitar is more than just
an instrument, it's an expression of one's inner most being.
How
many times do we actually take the time just to jam out on
our instruments without trying to be perfect, just letting
the emotion pour through? In the words of B.B King,
"We
all have idols. Play like anyone you care about but try
to be yourself while doing so".
Go
out and play like there's no tomorrow and enjoy life!
If
you enjoyed this lesson then you must read the following...
Check
out Guitar Theory. It goes straight to the heart of music
and explores the theory behind it all. No more boring theory
lessons as the site is loaded with information, lessons, videos
and sounds.
Check
it out by clicking
here
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