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{{Top-Level Crumbs|1}}{{Lesson Crumbs|2}}{{Intermediate Lesson Crumbs|2}} We've already learned all the open position chords diatonic to C Major. Let's learn some common non-diatonic 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.

'''G#''' ||i|-|-|-| '''E ''' ||-|r|-|-| '''B ''' ||-|m|-|-|

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

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

If you remember the F major barre chord, this G{{s}} is the exact same shape, except we use the open strings instead of the barred index fingernon-diatonic to C Major. The Em E major chord is diatonic to the key keys of A, E, and B Major; C {{s}}, F, and G Minor; and A and G{{s}} Harmonic Minor. {{top}} == A Major =={{crumbs|blue|2|Other Open String Chords#E Major|E Major|Other Open String Chords#A Major|A Major|Other Open String Chords#D Major|D Major }} The '''A major chord''' consists of (A C{{s}} E G B). We know that It is similar to the only difference between Am chord, but with the m3 raised to a major and minor chord M3 (C -> C{{s}}). In open position, the C is played on the 3rd2nd string, 1st fret. We raise A major uses the G a half step to G#2nd string, and we have the E major chord2nd fret instead.

'''C#''' ||-|p|-|-| '''A ''' ||-|r|-|-| '''E ''' ||-|m|-|-|

''' ''' ||-|-|-|-| ''' ''' 1

'''C#''' ||-|m|-|-| '''A ''' ||-|m|-|-| '''E ''' ||-|m|-|-|

''' ''' ||-|-|-|-| ''' ''' 1

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

'''C#''' ||-|p|-|-| '''A ''' ||-|r|-|-| '''E ''' ||-|m|-|-|

The Am This is a particularly difficult chord diatonic to finger at first, and the key of C Major consists of (A C E)best way to finger it depends from person to person. Some like to use index, middle, and ring for those 2nd fret notes. We know that 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 only difference between a major nearby open E and minor chord is the 3rdA strings. Some also find it easier to barre those notes with their index or middle finger. We raise the C I find my middle finger works ok for this method, but I have to angle it a half step bit, so that it takes up less distance from side to C#side of the fretboard, giving the high E string clearance to sound. But then I'm not using good fretting technique and we have the A major chorddoesn't sound as good as when I use individual fingers for all 3 notes.

This C{{s}} is a particularly difficult chord to finger at first, and the best way non-diatonic to finger it depends from person to personC Major. Some like The A major chord is diatonic to use indexthe keys of A, middleD, and ring for those 2nd fret notes. I find my fingers are slightly too big to do so comfortablyE Major; however, my middleB, ringC{{s}}, and pinky fit with just enough clearance to sound the the nearby open E F Minor; 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 C{{s}} and the chord doesn't sound as good as when I use individual fingers for all 3 notesD Harmonic Minor. {{top}}

root 1st inv 2nd inv {{crumbs|-blue|-|m|-|-3| FOther Open String Chords# E Major|-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|m|-|-E Major| FOther Open String Chords# |-|-|-|r|-| D |-|-|-|r|-| D |-|-|-|r|-| D |-|-|i|-|-| A |-|-|m|-|-Major| A |-|-|i|-|-| A Major |o|-|-|-|-| Other Open String Chords#D |o|-|-|-|-| D |o|-|-|-|-Major| D Major |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |o|-|-|-|-| A |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|i|-|-| F# |-|-|-|-|-| 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 }}

AgainThe '''D major chord''' consists of (D F{{s}} A). It is similar to D minor, we sharp but with the third m3 raised to M3 (F -> F#{{s}}) . In open position, this is the 1st string 1st fret F raised to go from Dm (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{{s}} is non-diatonic to the key of C Major) . The D major chord is diatonic to D major, A, and G Major; B, E, and F{{s}} Minor; and F{{s}} and G Harmonic Minor. {{top}}

* Practice the above open position E major chord shapesshape. * 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.

* [[C Major Chord]]* [[G Major Chord]]* [[F Major Chord]]* [[E Minor, D Minor, and A Minor Chords]]* [[B Diminished]]* [[7th Chords|Prev: B DiminishedSeventh Chords]]* [[Music Theory - Minor Keys|Next: Music Theory - Minor KeysExtended Chords]] {{top}}{{Intermediate Lesson Crumbs|2}}