Learning chords can be frustrating due to their variety.
There are five main types of chords to master for complete musicianship.
The video outlines these types in order of difficulty for effective learning.
Level 1: Open Chords
Essential Open Chords to Master:
E major
E minor
A major
A minor
G major
C major
D major
Reasons to Start with Open Chords:
Surface Level Reason: Gain knowledge of seven new chords.
Important Reason: Chord shapes learned here form the basis for all future chords.
Level 2: Bar Chords
Difference from Open Chords:
Open chords involve open strings; bar chords do not.
Bar chords require fretting all notes at a certain fret using the first finger.
Bar Chord Shapes:
E string root major shape
E string root minor shape
A string root major shape
A string root minor shape
Movability of Bar Chords:
Bar chord shapes can be moved up and down the fretboard, unlocking new chords (48 unique chords possible).
Example: E major shape at different frets gives different major chords.
Level 3: Seventh Chords
Definition: Seventh chords consist of four notes instead of three.
Basic Structure: Uses the first, third, fifth, and seventh notes of a scale.
Essential Seventh Chord Shapes:
E string root major 7th shape
E string root minor 7th shape
A string root major 7th shape
A string root minor 7th shape
Usage: Substitute regular chords with seventh chords for a richer sound.
Level 4: Partial Chords
Concept: Play fewer notes from a chord instead of full chords.
Reason: Sometimes fewer notes can communicate musical ideas more effectively.
Example: Playing just the top two strings of a chord may yield a funkier sound.
Creative Decision: Informed by experience and understanding chord components.
Optional Tool: Learning the CAGE system can help identify important notes in partial chords.
Level 5: Chord Extensions and Inversions
Chord Extensions: Adding more notes to chords (e.g. 9th, 11th, 13th).
Inversions: Rearranging chord notes (e.g. play 3-1-5 instead of 1-3-5).
Practical Understanding: Focus on open, bar, seventh, and partial chords for a complete vocabulary.
Learning More: Explore jazz for deeper understanding of chord extensions.
Conclusion
Master the five levels of chords for a complete guitar vocabulary: open, bar, seventh, partial chords, and learn about inversions/extensions to enhance versatility.