This vertical diagram is the most commonly used diagram for guitar. It is used to show the first four or five frets starting at the nut. The frets are actually the metal wires. However, the „fret area“ (the space between the nut and fret, or from one fret to the next) is generally referred to as the „fret.“ Frets are numbered from #1 as the lowest, all the way up the neck to the highest.
Sometimes a numeral will be used at the lowest fret in the diagram to indicate a different starting fret other than the first fret. This way, you can use this diagram to show any four or five consecutive frets on the guitar.
The strings are also numbered. The highest-pitched string is #1 and the lowest-pitched string is #6. The note pictured is the "third string, fourth fret. It is important to be able to find any location on the neck described in this manner.
Open Position Major Chords
The first seven chords we will learn are major triads, built from the seven natural notes: A-B-C-D-E-F-G. These are termed natural because they have no sharps (#) or flats (b) in combination with the letter name. The letter is also called the root. The root gives the chord its name and is also the 1st note in the major scale of the chord.
• Place the fingers of the fretting hand just behind the metal fret wires, so the finger is in the front half of the fret area. • Use the tops of the fingers (fingertips). • Place thumb behind neck at the second fret • Practice all seven shapes and mernorize them.
„Basic Moves“
„Basic moves“ are short combinations of chords 'two or three) that are typical movements of chord shapes found inside longer chord progressions and songs. These are meant to be practiced on a daily basis in order to make the transition from one chord to another an automatic response. Repetition, patience, and observation of the fretting hand are mar datory to make every move easy.
The repeat sign (:|| ) means to repeat the preceding section. Generally, a repeat sign indicates to play that section a total of two times. However, a direction such as „play 4 times“ can alter the number of repeats to be played. For these exercises, play 4 times as a minimum, and eventually work up your endurance to 8 times on each.
• Practice these progressions slowly and cleanly before speeding up. • Play with downstrokes of the pick on each beat, counting out loud, „one…two…three…four.“ • Each „hash mark“ represents one beat.
Open Position Minor Chords
Here are the seven „natural-note“ minor triads:
More „Basic Moves“
Play the following „basic moves“ for minor triads:
Now let's combine minor and major chords:
Remember:
- Repetition and relaxation
- Play eight times through each set of chords
