10 Starting Chords

[Elliottman]

Ok, so ive got a little time to spare so ive decided to get really stuck into my chords. So i go over to Chord House, and have no idea where to start? I want to print a load off, but wich ones? 7's, 2's, Sus 4's, sus 2's, Maj7b5? WTF?

So what 10 A Chords, 10 B chords etc should start with?

[nate]

if u have time to spare to look up chords why not instead try and understand what makes up a 7th or sus4. Then you can apply it to any chord. I mean most shapes just slide up and down the fretboard anyway. This way you can also get some good theory work as well. That's my suggested advice, take it or leave it.

[mlb1399]

Learn them all.

E major style Barre chords

Code: Select all

|-1---1---1---1---1-
|-1---1---1---1---1-
|-2---1---2---1---3-
|-3---3---1---1---3-
|-3---3---3---3---3-
|-1---1---1---1---1-

You have your Fmaj, Fmin, Fmaj7, Fmin7, Fsus4.

Keep that same finger placement and move everything over 1 fret to do all of those chords in F#/Gb. Move everything over 1 more for G and so forth. That's an easy way to learn 60 chords quickly.

[jsgksu]

Learn them all.

E major style Barre chords

Code: Select all

|-1---1---1---1---1-
|-1---1---1---1---1-
|-2---1---2---1---3-
|-3---3---1---1---3-
|-3---3---3---3---3-
|-1---1---1---1---1-

You have your Fmaj, Fmin, Fmaj7, Fmin7, Fsus4.

Keep that same finger placement and move everything over 1 fret to do all of those chords in F#/Gb. Move everything over 1 more for G and so forth. That's an easy way to learn 60 chords quickly.

move them down one string too, theres a shit load more.

You should also know how to play open chords.

[Appfro]

i usually worry about chords when i get to them. if i'm learning a song and the chord is something i don't know, i look it up. for real tabs (not just chords over the lyrics) i never even learn the name of the chord. in writing, i know about where i wanna go but if i want to make up a weird chord, i'll just fool around until i get what i want. maybe that's not the best advice, but it's how i do things.

[Elliottman]

Learn them all.

E major style Barre chords

Code: Select all

|-1---1---1---1---1-
|-1---1---1---1---1-
|-2---1---2---1---3-
|-3---3---1---1---3-
|-3---3---3---3---3-
|-1---1---1---1---1-

You have your Fmaj, Fmin, Fmaj7, Fmin7, Fsus4.

Keep that same finger placement and move everything over 1 fret to do all of those chords in F#/Gb. Move everything over 1 more for G and so forth. That's an easy way to learn 60 chords quickly.

Ok, as far as my guitar theory/know-how goes, that was to difficult for me to understand?! ( i know, call me a dumb ass).

How do i know what a chord is called just by moving my fingers around? What do you mean by "do those chords in F#/Gb??

Seriously, ive been playing guitar for a year and a half and have just lived off tabs. Im really starting to regret this now, any way of making things sooo simple? Thanks

[mlb1399]

It's based upon the note your are playing the 6 string. Your standard tuning on a guitar is E A D G B e.

So the first fret on the 6 string is an F. Every time you move over a fret it is a half step.

This is the all the notes using sharps.
F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E F

So as you move all your fingers over 1 fret from the one I tabbed out you have F#. Then G. Then G#. Get my point.

This is just a simple way to learn chords. As someone else said you should learn A style barre chords as well as open chords. Once you learn A and E style barre chords you have opened up your chordal universe to 120 chords. That is a good start.

[mlb1399]

Here are the A style barre chords:

Code: Select all

|-1---1---1---1---1-
|-3---2---3---2---4-
|-3---3---2---1---3-
|-3---3---3---3---3-
|-1---1---1---1---1-
|-x---x---x---x---x-

This is in order: A#maj, A#min, A#maj7, A#min7, A#sus4

You move everything over 1 fret and it is B. You figure this out by the first note played on the A string.

There is another 60 chords for your chord vocabulary.

Then start learning different chord voicings

Code: Select all

|-0---5---5---9---12---x-
|-2---5---5---10--14---10-
|-2---6---6---9---14---9-
|-2---7---7-------14---11-
|-0---7---0-------12---12-
|-x---5---x---x---x----x-

These are all A major chords

[brian_ok]

I think that learning how to construct chords is more important than memorizing 70 or 120 chords. I'll post more later, but I need to get going...

[mlb1399]

I think that learning how to construct chords is more important than memorizing 70 or 120 chords. I'll post more later, but I need to get going...

I agree. But he asked about which chords to learn so I gave him chords to learn in an easy way.

[brian_ok]

I think that learning how to construct chords is more important than memorizing 70 or 120 chords. I'll post more later, but I need to get going...

I agree. But he asked about which chords to learn so I gave him chords to learn in an easy way.

Yeah...That was more directed to the original poster, not to you...I mean you gave him exactly what he asked for.

[Elliottman]

Ok guys thanks for all the advice, It seems pretty difficult to get your head round so im thinking maybe lessons?

Depends how far i wanna go with guitar. Can get really annoying sometimes!

[mlb1399]

Ok guys thanks for all the advice, It seems pretty difficult to get your head round so im thinking maybe lessons?

Depends how far i wanna go with guitar. Can get really annoying sometimes!

Lessons can definitely help. You can learn on your own but you have to put in the time. As b_fost mentioned, make an effort to learn some music theory. It will really help you out and I believe help you learn faster. Always strive to improve yourself as a musician.

Improving as a musician can mean a lot of things:
Play along to songs to work on tempo/rhythm
Try listening to songs w/o tabs to see if you can figure out what is being played
Read up on music theory
Listen to music and pay attention to what they are doing and changes they make
Practice scales, modes, chords, songs
Play with other musicians or try and throw in your own stuff to songs you listen to