This updated and expanded edition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Music Theory breaks down a difficult subject in a simple way—even for those who think they have no rhythm or consider themselves tone deaf. With clear, concise language, it explains everything from bass-clef basics to confusing codas. This new edition includes:
-A brand-new CD
-A comprehensive ear- training section
-Musical examples of intervals, scales, chords, and rhythms
-Aural exercises so readers can test their ear training and transcription skills
Download a sample chapter.
One of the first challenges faced by the advancing guitar player is studying a core group of basic guitar chords. Why is it so foremost to learn these basic chords? Chords form the backbone of most rock and pop songs, and contribute the harmonic accompaniment to the melody and instrumental solos.
Rhythm guitar based on basic chords provides many of the most memorable rock riffs... Think Ac/Dc's "Back in Black" or The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again". What's in fact spectacular, is that by studying no more than 10 to 15 basic guitar chords, you will be adequate to play thousands of rock and pop songs!
First let's found the definition of a chord. A chord is three or more distinct musical notes played together. In the case of the guitar, this means that at least three strings are strummed or plucked simultaneously to sound three or more notes. Since the guitar has six strings, the maximum numbers of notes in a guitar chord is six. All chords can be located in one of three groups based on the musical buildings of the chord: Major, Minor, or Seventh. Each of these chord groups has its own "sound" or "feel". Major chords sound stable and complete. Minor chords can evoke a more somber or pensive mood, and Seventh chords are jazzy and somewhat incomplete sounding.
There is no proper list of "basic guitar chords" that every one agrees to. However, there is normal deal that there is a list of somewhere in the middle of 8 and 18 basic guitar chords (open string) that every guitarist must know cold. These chords are used in all musical styles from rock and pop to country, jazz, and classical. No matter where you are on your guitar-playing path, you should take the time to learn and master the basic chords. Getting these right will ensure you have the basic tools and skills to learn many songs and increase your playing enjoyment.
So what are the basic guitar chords? Our basic stable includes the major and minor chords from four coarse musical keys, A,G,C, and D. They are played as "open chords", that is at least one string in the chord is not fretted (pressed down with a finger). Open chords are easier to learn and play than more advanced chords such as Barre chords, or complicated chords further up the guitar neck. Our list of basic major and minor chords is:
A Major (or A), A Minor (or Am), C, D, Dm, E, Em, F, G
These chords can be best learned as chord "families" (by key) that can be combined into great-sounding chord sequences that make up lots of favorite songs. Using this chord family advent is much more intelligent and beneficial than just memorizing a bunch of chords in random order!
These chords grouped by chord family (key) are as follows:
A family (Key of A): A, D, E
D family (Key of D): D, Em, G, A
G family (Key of G): G, Am, C, D, Em
C family (Key of C): C, Dm, Em, F, G
Tips for studying the Basic Chords:
1. Pick a Chord family and master it. This will give you quick success and let you play great sounding progressions right away.
2. Use a Guitar Chord Chart as a reference tool. A chord chart shows each chord as an easy to read "chord diagram" with exact finger positions. See this example of a chart of basic guitar chords.
3. Find the chords and lyrics for an easy song that is based on the chord family so you can apply your skills. Many great songs are based on only three chords!
4. Ensure each string sounds right. Take care to make sure that each string is sounding clearly, and that only the strings that should be played are played.
5. Practice, practice, practice! Every day, custom continually change from one chord to someone else until you can do it rapidly. Learn the chord families one at a time.
6. master all the basic chords first. Only then move on to Barre chords and other more complicated chords. First things first!
7. Progress with 7th chords. As a next step you can in fact Progress on your basic chord knowledge by adding 7th and minor 7th chords based on the nine basic major and minor chords.
8. Have fun using your new skills! Enjoy your musical quality by applying it to studying a small set of 5-10 songs you know in fact well and can confidently play at any time.
Copyright 2005 Peter Bussey of http://www.guitar-players-toolbox.com
This record can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire record and the resource box are included.
