Guitar Chords
They say there are infinite guitar chords. It’s kind of true, because you can never really know them all.
But there’s a trick to finding each one. 😛
In another blog post, we looked at the CAGED system. This method is very helpful for learning many chord variations.
Here is a copied CAGED map of the C major chord and the different ways to play it:
Now, it’s not always necessary to rely on these well-known grips. Other formations can be created with these notes.
However, it is important that we have each note of the C major chord at least once in our assembled chord.
For example, the C major chord always contains the notes: C, E and G. If we look at it with intervals (so that it can also be applied to other chords), these are the following intervals: Root (C ), third (E) and fifth (G).
You have to adjust it accordingly to the chords. A minor chord, for example, does not have the “normal” third, but a minor third.
You can find the intervals of the corresponding chords here, under the chord types and their intervals.
Let’s leave it at the C major chord to make it easier to describe the whole thing.
This diagram now lists all possible C major chord notes on the fretboard. There aren’t any more of them, seriously. 😛
Examples of guitar chords
Now you can decide for yourself which notes to play together. You should just always remember to have each of these notes at least once in your chord. At least once the root, once the third, and once the fifth. No matter where or in what order.
In the following example, the played notes are marked in blue as an example. Here you should make sure that the red note between p5 (fifth) and 3 (third) is not played. Of course, this one can also be played, but now only as an example.
One of my favorite voicings is definitely this one. Here, all the notes are far apart, which gives it a special sound.
And once again the root position. Root position because it is played in order. So first the root, then the third, then the fifth.
By the way, this voicing is the standard piano voicing. So if you press the chord on the piano without any frills, it’s the same notes and the same order as the upper chord diagram.
Timbre
A C major chord is always a C major chord. No matter which of the above voicings you use or what else you do with it.
What changes, however, is the color of the chord.
This is about the intervals within the intervals.
Here, the intervals are not only considered from the root, but are restarted from each note.
For example, in the first example, we have a fifth from the root (R) to the fifth (p5). Then from the fifth to the third, however, a sixth (since we omit the octave (root) in between).
In the second example, exactly the same. Just the whole chord one octave higher.
The third example sounds much less spectacular because it is (logically) a third from the root to the third, but then from the third to the fifth again “only” a third.
These timbres are much more exciting with four-note chords such as the Drop2 chords because you can work much better with the intervals within the chord.
Chord Cheatsheet
Now I have here a list of the most common chords with their intervals and in all keys. So you can also create your own chords with minor, dominant 7 and other chord endings.
