Hey Friend,

Here we are, the last day of January 2017. Can you believe it?! The year is flying by like your favorite shredder's fastest lick!

We've spent the last few days on B major, so now we look to our VIm chord in the E major key - C# minor.

C#m first popped up as the IIIm chord in the key of A major. I would argue, though, that you'll get more use out of it as the VIm chord, especially in Rock progressions.

For example, there are tons of songs with the I V VIm IV progression, both in the verse and the chorus. In the key of E major, that would be the chords E, B, C#m, A.

Another favorite is starting with the VIm chord and playing this series: VIm IV I V (C#m, A, E, B)

Bottom line, you're going to see C#m used as the VIm chord a lot if you like Rock, Country and Blues. Most of the time the chord shows up as a barre or power chord, but you'll have the opportunity to play C#m triads all over the neck. That way you'll have a choice if barre chords are a struggle.

If this is your first time seeing them, these intro exercises set you up with a nice easy version of the chord in the fourth position (fret).

If it's not your first time, practice them anyway. Make sure you're playing them perfectly. Ensure every note rings out clearly, that your fingers aren't muting any strings.

The exercise has you doing a small chord change from C# major to C# minor - listen carefully to the change in character between the chords.

Be the chords...

Here are the exercise files for your review.

Rock it out, my peeps!

Peace~

Dave