Other Open String Chords
We've already learned all the open position chords diatonic to C Major. Let's learn some common additional open position chords: E, A, and D major. While these individual chords aren't special, the shapes used to voice them in open position are important as we move away from open position.
PreReqs
E Major
The E major chord consists of (E G♯ B). It is similar to the Em chord, but the m3 is raised to a M3 (G -> G♯). In open position, this is the open G string moving up to the first fret. 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.
| Root Pos. | 1st Inv. | 2nd Inv. |
|---|---|---|
E o|-|-|-|-| B o|-|-|-|-| G# ||i|-|-|-| E ||-|r|-|-| B ||-|m|-|-| E o|-|-|-|-| |
E o|-|-|-|-| B o|-|-|-|-| G# ||i|-|-|-| E ||-|r|-|-| B ||-|m|-|-| G# ||-|-|-|p| |
E o|-|-|-|-|
B o|-|-|-|-|
G# ||i|-|-|-|
E ||-|r|-|-|
B ||-|m|-|-|
||-|-|-|-|
|
G♯ is non-diatonic to C Major. The E major chord is diatonic to the keys of A, E, and B Major; C♯, F, and G Minor; and A and G♯ Harmonic Minor.
A Major
The A major chord consists of (A C♯ E). It is similar to the Am chord, but with the m3 raised to a M3 (C -> C♯). In open position, the C is played on the 2nd string, 1st fret. A major uses the 2nd string, 2nd fret instead.
| Root Pos. | Alt | 1st Inv. | 2nd Inv. |
|---|---|---|---|
E o|-|-|-|-|
C# ||-|p|-|-|
A ||-|r|-|-|
E ||-|m|-|-|
A o|-|-|-|-|
||-|-|-|-|
|
E o|-|-|-|-|
C# ||-|m|-|-|
A ||-|m|-|-|
E ||-|m|-|-|
A o|-|-|-|-|
||-|-|-|-|
|
E o|-|-|-|-|
C# ||-|i|-|-|
A ||-|i|-|-|
E ||-|i|-|-|
C# ||-|-|-|r|
||-|-|-|-|
|
E o|-|-|-|-| C# ||-|p|-|-| A ||-|r|-|-| E ||-|m|-|-| A o|-|-|-|-| E o|-|-|-|-| |
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.
C♯ is non-diatonic to C Major. The A major chord is diatonic to the keys of A, D, and E Major; B, C♯, and F Minor; and C♯ and D Harmonic Minor.
D Major
The D major chord consists of (D F♯ A). It is similar to D minor, but with the m3 raised to M3 (F -> F♯). In open position, this is the 1st string 1st fret F raised to the 2nd fret.
| Root Pos. | 1st Inv. | 2nd Inv |
|---|---|---|
F# ||-|m|-|-|
D ||-|-|r|-|
A ||-|i|-|-|
D o|-|-|-|-|
||-|-|-|-|
||-|-|-|-|
|
||-|-|-|-|
D ||-|-|r|-|
A ||-|m|-|-|
D o|-|-|-|-|
||-|-|-|-|
F# ||-|i|-|-|
|
F# ||-|m|-|-|
D ||-|-|r|-|
A ||-|i|-|-|
D o|-|-|-|-|
A o|-|-|-|-|
||-|-|-|-|
|
F♯ is non-diatonic to C Major. The D major chord is diatonic to D, A, and G Major; B, E, and F♯ Minor; and F♯ and G Harmonic Minor.
Homework
- Practice the open position E major chord shape.
- Practice the open position A major chord shape.
- Practice the open position D major chord shape.
- 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.