subject: Playing Basic Guitar Chords [print this page] One of the challenges for the newbie guitarist is learning the simple chords. You will not only require to know where to put your fingers, but also how to transform from one chord to another. The method of smooth transition between chords is a learning process we are never really finished with. When we learn something new on the guitar, that is another sequence of small movements our body learns, and these sets of movements must be executed smoothly by ways of relaxed, calm practice.
Holding chords with your left hand is a new aptitude. It uses groups of muscles we do not normally use, so it takes time to learn the chord shapes without experiencing discomfort. There is light at the closing of the tunnel, regardless sometimes the tunnel seems very, very long.
Another physical adaptation that has to be produced when you learn your simple guitar chords is the left hand fingers require to be toughened up. Calluses form on the tips of the fingers after a few of weeks playing, but until they do you require to put up with the pain.
Fortunately, learning the notes on the guitar is a job that pulls off end. As you comprehend more songs, chords and scales you will feel ease with musical argument and notation growing even though you did not directly learn much theoretical stuff. If you comprehended in your own way, the expertise gets into you by way of permanent practice and the enjoyment you bring to your guitar playing.
Therefore, the activity is to learn a simple group of chords. This is your toolbox you set out your guitar playing with. Each chord is realized by a letter. If the letter is followed by the word, minor, it is a minor chord. If it is just the letter alone, it is a radical chord.
Major chords contain the Root note, a radical third above the Root plus a fifth above the Root. Minor chords, which have a more "sad" sound, are an identical except that they contain a minor third as opposed to a radical third.
A simple rule of thumb for understanding radical and minor chords is for a radical chord play the (1) (3) and (5) of the radical scale, and for a minor chord play the (1) (3) and (5) of the minor scale. A handy thing to know once you embark playing barre chords is that if you learn the radical chord shape, you only require lifting one left-hand finger to play the minor chord.
The simple chords come from the keys of A G C and D. The chords themselves may be played at all positions on the fret board, but beginners embark with open chords at the first position. This signifies that at least one note is played on an open string.
We group the basic keys into families:
The A family contains the chords A, D and E.
The D family contains the chords D, E minor, G and A.
The G family contains the chords G, A minor, C, D and E minor.
The C family contains the chords C, D minor, E minor, F and G.
