| | | Hey Friend,
Let's break yesterday's exercise down a bit...
The chords we 're using in this exercise come from the key of A major, so we're going to use the A major scale to construct the chords. With every chord there are a variety of fingerings you can use. Sometimes even in the same position.
For example, we have at least three different fingerings we can use to play an A major chord in the open position.
If you noticed in the chord charts on the sheet music, you can play A major with index finger on second fret, fourth string. The middle finger is second fret third string and the ring finger at the second fret on the second string.
You could also play a very effective A chord by just barring your index finger across the fourth, third and second strings at the second fret.
The problem with both these fingerings is they aren't the most efficient chord shapes with relation to the progression as a whole. When you need to change chords, you'll be forced to rearrange each of your fingers.
That slows you down.
When I'm playing something, I try to use a fingering that makes the most sense - one where I have the least amount of change in the shapes I'll be playing. If I'm unfamiliar with a chord, I'll try out the suggested fingering, but if I can find an easier, more efficient chord shape that makes the progression flow better, I'll learn that to speed up the learning process.
Here's how I play an A major chord (A) in the open position:
- (high e string) - this is open
- (B string) - ring finger on the second fret - this is C#, the three note of the chord
- (G string) - index finger on the second fret - this is A and the root of the chord, but it is the second instance of the note as we strum it, so we count it as the 8th note (the octave) in the scale we're using to construct the chord.
- (D string) - middle finger on the second fret - this is the E note, and the five note of the chord.
- (A string) - play this open as the root note (tonic)
- (low E string) - mute this string, or just don't play it
The A Major 7 chord (AM7) adds the seventh note from the A major scale. It's a very easy fingering change to just move your index finger up one fret.
- (high e string) - this is open
- (B string) - no change; ring finger on the second fret - this is C#, the three note of the chord
- (G string) - index finger on the first fret - this is G# and the seven note of the scale. Because we've got the open A string giving us a root note, we can let the second instance drop to give us our seven note.
- (D string) - no change; middle finger on the second fret - this is the E note, and the fifth of the chord.
- (A string) - play this open as the root note (tonic)
- (low E string) - mute this string, or just don't play it
The A dominant 7 chord (A7) uses a flattened seven note from the scale. In this case just lift your index finger off the string. Your hand hasn't had to move at all.
- (high e string) - this is open
- (B string) - no change; ring finger on the second fret - this is C#, the three note of the chord
- (G string) - play the string open - this is the flat seven note G that gives us the A7 chord. A very Bluesy sound...
- (D string) - no change; middle finger on the second fret - this is the E note, and the five note of the chord.
- (A string) - play this open as the root note (tonic)
- (low E string) - mute this string, or just don't play it
Lastly, the D major chord (D)is part of the key of A major, so it fits very nicely in this example. It's actually the IV chord in the harmonic progression. The A note from the scale is the five note in the chord's construction, so its harmonic properties are very similar to the A note's.
Take note of the changes in finger location on the fingerboard when you shift from the A7 to the D major chord:
- (high e string) - middle finger on the second fret - this is the F# note, and the three note of the chord.
- (B string) - your ring finger slides down to the third fret to give you the tonic D note of the chord. Notice how your fingers made the moves very quickly and easily.
- (G string) - index finger on the second fret for the A note - the five note of the chord.
- (D string) - play this as open D for fullness. Technically not part of the D major triad, but it sounds good!
- (A string) - string is not played.
- (low E string) - string is not played.
There you have it. This is how I play the chord progression.
How does that work for you? What do you think of the efficiency aspect? Do you think it's as important as I do?
If you still are working out basic chords, you know there's an easier way to accomplish almost the same results. In a pinch - power chords work wonders.
Sure, your not going to get all the melodic nuances that playing full chords affords you, but most of the time that's not what holds us back. It's the fact that we get frustrated because we feel like we need to know how to play these chords.
In reality, all that frustration goes away when you can just rip into a song and rock it. You can figure out "all them fancy chord fingerings" later - after you're completely hooked on guitar!
Try out Easy Power Chords today. Quit swearing - start playing!
Peace~
Dave
|
| | |
|
