Difference between revisions of "Other Open String Chords"

Revision as of 15:16, 23 May 2014

We've already learned all the open position chords diatonic to C Major. Let's learn some common non-diatonic chords: E, A, and D major.

PreReqs

• C Major Chord
• F Major Chord

E Major

E   o|-|-|-|-|
B   o|-|-|-|-|
G#   |i|-|-|-|
E    |-|r|-|-|
B    |-|m|-|-|
E   o|-|-|-|-|
      1

E   o|-|-|-|-|
B   o|-|-|-|-|
G#   |i|-|-|-|
E    |-|r|-|-|
B    |-|m|-|-|
G#   |-|-|-|p|
      1

E   o|-|-|-|-|
B   o|-|-|-|-|
G#   |i|-|-|-|
E    |-|r|-|-|
B    |-|m|-|-|
     |-|-|-|-|
      1

If you remember the F major barre chord, this is the exact same shape, except we use the open strings instead of the barred index finger. The Em chord diatonic to the key of C Major consists of (E G B). We know that the only difference between a major and minor chord is the 3rd. We raise the G a half step to G#, and we have the E major chord.

A Major

E   o|-|-|-|-|
C#   |-|p|-|-|
A    |-|r|-|-|
E    |-|m|-|-|
A   o|-|-|-|-|
     |-|-|-|-|
      1

E   o|-|-|-|-|
C#   |-|m|-|-|
A    |-|m|-|-|
E    |-|m|-|-|
A   o|-|-|-|-|
     |-|-|-|-|
      1

E   o|-|-|-|-|
C#   |-|i|-|-|
A    |-|i|-|-|
E    |-|i|-|-|
C#   |-|-|-|r|
     |-|-|-|-|
      1

E   o|-|-|-|-|
C#   |-|p|-|-|
A    |-|r|-|-|
E    |-|m|-|-|
A   o|-|-|-|-|
E   o|-|-|-|-|
      1

The Am chord diatonic to the key of C Major consists of (A C E). We know that the only difference between a major and minor chord is the 3rd. We raise the C a half step to C#, and we have the A major chord.

This is a particularly difficult chord to finger at first, and the best way to finger it depends from person to person. Some like to use index, middle, and ring for those 2nd fret notes. I find my fingers are slightly too big to do so comfortably; however, my middle, ring, and pinky fit with just enough clearance to sound the the nearby open E and A strings. Some also find it easier to barre those notes with their index or middle finger. I find my middle finger works ok for this method, but I have to angle it a bit, so that it takes up less distance from side to side of the fretboard, giving the high E string clearance to sound. But then I'm not using good fretting technique and the chord doesn't sound as good as when I use individual fingers for all 3 notes.

D Major

 root             1st inv          2nd inv
|-|-|m|-|-| F#   |-|-|-|-|-|      |-|-|m|-|-| F#  
|-|-|-|r|-| D    |-|-|-|r|-| D    |-|-|-|r|-| D   
|-|-|i|-|-| A    |-|-|m|-|-| A    |-|-|i|-|-| A   
|o|-|-|-|-| D    |o|-|-|-|-| D    |o|-|-|-|-| D   
|-|-|-|-|-|      |-|-|-|-|-|      |o|-|-|-|-| A    
|-|-|-|-|-|      |-|-|i|-|-| F#   |-|-|-|-|-|     
 0 1 2 3 4        0 1 2 3 4        0 1 2 3 4     

Again, we sharp the third (F -> F#) to go from Dm (diatonic to the key of C Major) to D major.

Homework

Practice the above chord shapes. These chords are all 4ths of each other and sound pretty decent played in a quick progression. Try playing E - A - D, then D - A - E. Really focus on the shapes of the root position chords - we will be using these shapes heavily later on.

Q & A

Related Lessons

• Prev: B Diminished
• Next: Music Theory - Minor Keys