Open Chords
Chords can be tricky at first (especially changing from one chord to another and keeping time). Don’t worry though, by slowly practicing and changing chords in a economical manner you'll soon be jamming along with your favourite artists...
If you're having lessons with me we begin learning a few "open", and E Major is the one I always teach first, followed by G Major, Cadd9 and D Major.
With these chords, by the end of your first week you'll be playing (albeit slowly for now) along with some classics!
When appropriate I'll give you alternate fingerings for some chords to practice - these aren’t just for the sake of it either, finger positions and choosing the best chord options becomes a really useful skill as you progress and start learning chord progressions, new songs and the best chord changes to suit your needs.
Kenny Rogers - "The Gambler"
E
Open Chords - E Major
E Major Triad: Fingering #1
(Most common)
E Major Triad: Fingering #2
(Great for barre chord prep.)
The chord diagrams I've made for you don't just show you where to put your fingers, but they also provide you with alternate fingerings (when appropriate). Show you the notes you're playing to make that chord and inform you of the scale degrees, which will make chord voicings and chord extensions make so much sense when we start talking them in future... You'll immediately know why 7th, 9th , 11th , 13th , Sus2, Sus4 chords etc... etc... are named the way they are.
E Major - Notes and Scale Degrees
E Major Triad. Notes that make E Major: - E G# B
E Major Triad Scale degrees. (More on this later)
Boom Boom! It's John Lee Hooker
Em (E Minor) Fingering, Notes and Scale Degrees
Em (E minor) Triad: Fingering
Em (E minor) Triad: Notes - E G B
Em (E minor) Triad: Scale Degrees
E7 (Dominant 7) Fingering, Notes and Scale Degrees
E7 Open Chord:
Fingering #1.
E7 Open Chord:
Notes.
E7 Open Chord:
Scale Degrees.
Em7 (minor 7) Fingering, Notes and Scale Degrees
Em7 Open Chord.
Fingering #1.
Em7 Open Chord:
Notes.
Em7 Open Chord:
Scale Degrees.
