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APOSTOLIC PRAISE 101-Guitar
APOSTOLIC PRAISE© 101-Guitar is designed as a crash course in guitar. It is very hands-on;
in fact, you will be playing with chords almost immediately. This course
teaches basic chord theory, including major and minor chords, 7th chords,
minor 7th chords, and major 7th chords. Playing the guitar should not have to involve years
of lessons. You can learn to play and be capable of playing in church in a couple of months
or less. Practice, dedication, commitment, and APOSTOLIC PRAISE© are the keys. Note that
this course teaches how to play accompaniment style. You are playing as if someone else is
singing the melody to the song. You will not be playing the melody, just the chords (which
are much more important—and easier to play-- than the melody). Learning to insert the
melody is very difficult and will only come after you learn the chords. Chords first; melody
second. Neither does this course teach how to read the type of music that is used in
classical music. Knowing how to do this is not really applicable in the typical Apostolic
church setting; reading chords and playing by ear are. This course should be used together
with the APOSTOLIC PRAISE© CD 1. The CD lets you hear the melody and because it
contains piano, drums, bass, strings, and saxophone, it gives you the feel of playing with a
real band.
May God richly bless and anoint your music and ministry in Jesus’ name,
Richard W. Smith www.ApostolicPraiseSchoolofMusic.com
Email: [email protected]
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard W. Smith has been playing music for so long that he has literally forgotten how young he was when he started! He believes that he was around six years old. He possesses a love for and is able to play a wide variety of musical styles including salsa, merengue, black gospel, jazz, blues, contemporary gospel, and southern gospel—in that order. He has been teaching guitar, bass, and piano lessons for about four years to people of all ages, from six to sixty. However, he has taught many, many children, and this is why his APOSTOLIC PRAISE© is so easy and simple to understand, learn, and follow.
HISTORY
As a young man interested in learning how to play church music, I had a very long and difficult journey trying to learn how to play in church. I started out with classical music training and soon learned that I would never learn how to play in church or play by ear that way. My mother taught me how to play basic minor and major chords, and I could play several church songs just using those chords, but I had to have the music in front of me. Even then, I had to play the song exactly the same way every time. How boring, right?
However, when we moved to a UPC church in Tampa Bay, Florida, I took two “by ear” lessons from their organist who also played the bass, drums, and piano for their services and also learned from a variety of other popular music courses.
Upon moving back to Georgia, I began playing regularly for a small home missions church in Cumming. There were usually no other musicians (besides an occasional drummer), and so everything depended on me! If I messed up, everybody knew it! However, it was an excellent training ground, without the normal pressures of learning how to play in a bigger church.
WHAT’S THE POINT?!
The point I’m trying to make is this: my journey from the time I began learning to play until the time I was actually able to play in church was long and arduous, with a lot of hard work, pain, practice, getting mad at myself, losing my temper because I couldn’t get a run or chord exactly right, and promising I would never play music again.
What I want to do with Apostolic Praise© is shorten this path for others. I wish I had had access to something like Apostolic Praise in the beginning stages of my music ministry. The point of Apostolic Praise is to teach the student how to play as skillfully and as quickly as possible! There are also handy chord guides and cheat sheets to help you along the process.
One young lady that I taught using this material was playing in church within two months! Of course, how quickly you will be playing in church depends on how quickly you learn and how much you practice.
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HOW TO USE THIS COURSE
This course can be used in two ways:
1. A TEACHING TOOL FOR MUSIC TEACHERS
2. A TEACH-YOURSELF MUSIC COURSE
Basic Instructions:
1) Start on the exercise song page and teach yourself how to form the chord.
2) Double-check the chord on the Cheat Sheet.
3) Write the Roman numerals for that key over each chord.
4) Play the exercise songs.
5) Play the actual church songs.
6) Memorize the church songs. (Play without the music.) This is crucial!
Ready? Let’s get started!
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GUITAR BASICS - The Parts
The guitar is made up of three main parts.
The top of the guitar is called “the head.”The middle of the guitar is called “the neck” or “the fretboard.”The bottom of the guitar is called “the body.”
The “frets” are the little metal pieces on the neck that divide the notes.
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GUITAR BASICS - The notes
What are the notes?
Most guitars are made up of six strings.
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT MEMORIZING THESE NOTES FOR NOW.
For now, we will simply learnthe notes of the strings themselves.We will add to this knowledge shortly.
As shown, in the image to the right,the thickest string (your 6th string)is your low E string.
Next down is the A string.
Next is the D string.
Next is the G string.
Next is the B string.
The thinnest is the E string.
There are also notes known as sharps (#) means go up and flats (b) means go down. These are the notes between the other notes. For example, the notes between F and G is F# or Gb. The notes between G and A is G# or Ab. Between A and B is A# or Bb. Between C and D is C# or Db. Between D and E is D# or Eb.
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E A D G B E
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1st Fret
What is a chord?
1) A chord is when you play more than one note together. They are the building blocks of playing songs. 2) Here is how you play a G major chord.
Now, just in case you do not understand how to read this chart for the G major chord to the right, let me explain.(Because we will be showing allthe chords using this kind of chart.)
The thick flat line at the top is the nut (where the fretboard begins).
The lines going up and down are the strings.The string farthest to the left is your low E string (the thick one).
The black circle tells you which fret the note is played on. (For example: The black circle with the 3 is on the 3rd fret.)
The white number on top of the black circle tells you which finger to use to hold down that note.(For example: On the black circle with the 3, you use your middle finger to hold down that note.)
Here is how the number to finger idea works.Pointer Finger = 1; Middle Finger = 2; Fourth finger = 3, Pinkie = 4
The circle above the nut means that no finger is used on that string, you just play it as an “open string.” (Think “O” for “open.”)
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2nd Fret
3rd Fret
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1st Fret
2nd Fret
3rd Fret
How to Play the G Major Chord Using Both Hands
Using the chart at the right, we are going to play a G major chord.
1) The 4th finger (3) is used on the 6th string (the low E), 3rd fret.
2) The middle finger (2) is used on the 5nd string (A string), 2nd fret.
3) The D string is left open, as well as the G string, and the B string.
4) The pinkie finger (4) is used on the 1st string (high E), 3rd fret.
*Make sure that you hold down the appropriate frets, with the correct fingering in your left hand. (Or in your right hand if you are playing left-handed - you will still use the same fingering either way - just in your right hand. As most people are right-handed, this course will address the student as if they are right-handed.)
In your right hand, (the hand you are strumming with - using either your pick or the back of your fingernail on your middle finger), as you hold down the G major chord in your left hand, strum down and play each string in a quick motion. (You will play all 6 strings for G major).
It probably won’t sound that great.It rarely does on the first try, so NOW TRY IT AGAIN.
Now most likely, you may hear a funny “clink” noise.If this occurs 1) hold your fingers down tighter (ouch), 2) make sure you are not holding your finger on top of one of the frets (the metal pieces on the neck), 3) play each string by itself and make sure it rings clearly. The back of one of your fingers may be touching them and keeping them from ringing.
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How to hold your pick
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X
X X
How to Play the C Major Using Both Hands
Using the chart at the right, we are going to play a Cmajor chord.
1) The fourth finger (3) is used on the 5th string (A string), 3rd fret.
2) The middle finger (2) is used on the 4th string (D string), 2nd fret.
3) The 3rd string (G string) is left open.
4) The pointer finger is used on the 2nd string (B string), 1st fret.
5) The 1st string (high E string) is left open.
*Notice here that there is an “X” over the low E string. This means when you strum, you will only strum the bottom 5 strings. You will not strum the low E string (the 6th string) with your right hand.
USING THE SAME TECHNIQUES, PLAY A D MAJOR CHORD AS SHOWN ON THE RIGHT.
*Remember, do not strum the “E” or “A” string,as there is an “X” over them. Only strum the bottomfour strings.
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Reading the Rhythm
1) Whenever you see the chord name (G), you strum a “G” major chord.
2) Whenever there is just a slash (/), you also strum.
3) For example, if it says G / / /, then you would strum a G major chord four times.
Count “1 - 2 - 3 - 4.”
4) Now try the exercise song below.
Exercise Song 1: For G, C, and D major chords in G
G / / / G / / / C / / / C / / /
G / / / G / / / D / / / D / / / G
Now, we are going to learn a simple song using those chords. Slow songs are usually easier to learn than fast songs, so we are going to learn a few slow songs.
This is a well-known hymn “Amazing Grace.” Please note that this is a very BASIC way to play it. We will build upon it and add better-sounding chords and such in later lessons.
Also, please note that we are playing what is called “accompaniment style.” We are playing as if someone else is singing the melody. We are not playing the melody; we are playing the chords. Chords first; melody second.
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SONG 1: AMAZING GRACE
G / / G / / C / / G / / G / / G / / D / / D / /Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me,
G / / G / / C / / G / / G / / D / / G / / REPEAT: D / /I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see, END: G
Now, the toughest part on the guitar is switching to the right chord at the right time IN RHYTHM.Do not become discouraged if you cannot do it as fast as you want to yet. Just keep practicing!
Once you have practiced this by itself a few times, listen to the practice track provided that has the FULL BAND playing and then try to play with it when you feel ready. This will give you practice like you are really playing with others in a band or church service!
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LESSON 2 *HOW TO PLAY MINOR CHORDS
We will learn about the difference between major and minor chords here in a minute. For now, let’s just learn the chords themselves! Play an Em minor chords as shown in the image to the right. You strum all six strings starting with the top string and strumming down when playing an Em chord on the guitar. (“O” means play the string “open” and “X” means do not strum that string.
Em chord is made up of E G B notes.
To play an Am chord, you strum all of the strings except for the very thickest string (the E string). Am chord is made up of A C E notes.
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LESSON 2 EXERCISE SONG 1 with MINOR CHORDS G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / / G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / / G EXERCISE SONG 2 with MINOR CHORDS G / / / Em / / / C / / / D / / / G / / / Em / / / C / / / D / / / G *Be careful with these next two songs. Instead of each chord being played FOUR times like the two songs above, we play each chord only THREE times! (Count 1 2 3, 1 2 3) EXERCISE SONG 3 with MINOR CHORDS G / / D / / G / / G / / Am / / D / / G / / G EXERCISE SONG 4 with MINOR CHORDS G / / G / / C / / G / / Em / / Am / / D / / D G Now let’s go learn some real songs!
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LESSON 2 SONG 2: Blessed Be Your Name (G) V1: G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / /
Blessed be your name, in the land that is plentiful, G / / / D / / / C / / / C / / /
Where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name. G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / / Blessed be your name, when I’m found in the desert place,
G / / / D / / / C / / / C / / / Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name, G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / / Every blessing you pour out, I’ll turn back to praise, G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / / When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say.
Ch: G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name, G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name. V2: G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / /
Blessed be your name, when the sun is shining down on me, G / / / D / / / C / / / C / / / When the world is all as it should be, blessed be your name. G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / / Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering,
G / / / D / / / C / / / C / / / Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name, G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / / Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise, G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / / (go back to chorus) When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say.
V3: G / / / D / / / Em / / / C / / /
You give and take away, you give and take away, G / / D / / / Em / / / C / / /
My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name.
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LESSON 2 SONG 3: AMAZING GRACE (G) G / / G / / C / / G / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, Em / / Am / / D / / D / / That saved a wretch like me, G / / G / / C / / G / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, Em / / D / / G / / D / / Was blind but now I see. (To end: G) We are going to continue studying the key of G for little bit here. However, what do we mean by the “key of G?” Let’s learn about...MAJOR SCALES Each note on the piano has it’s own major scale. A “scale” is a series of notes that follows a pattern. The notes in the G Major Scale are G A B C D E F# G. The notes in the C Major Scale are C D E F G A B C. Wait a minute, what is an F#? Let’s learn about sharps (#) and flats (b). THE MUSICAL ALPHABET Just like we have an alphabet for our language that we speak, there is also a musical alphabet. There are only 12 notes. 7 of them are regular alphabet letters and 5 of them are sharps and flats. Here they all are in order. WITH SHARPS (think “go up” for “sharp” a tack is sharp and it sticks up) C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B WITH FLATS (think “go down” for “flat” the ground is flat and it is down) C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A Bb B Now whether you call it a sharp or flat, it is the same note. (In gospel, we usually use the flat name.) C# = Db D# = Eb F# = Gb G# = Ab A# = Bb
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LESSON 3 ROMAN NUMERALS Roman Numerals are the numbers the Romans used to count with. (They used the letter “i” for 1 and the letter “V” for 5. Keep reading...) The Roman Numeral System is the key to understanding and playing music, as well as playing by ear. To use it, we simply give each note of the major scale a number. For example, G is 1 (I), A is 2 (ii), B is 3 (iii), C is 4 (IV),
D is 5 (V), E is 6 (vi), and F# is 7(vii). Whenever the Roman Numeral is uppercase, that means it is a MAJOR chord. Whenever the Roman Numeral is lowercase, that means that is a MINOR chord. (The vii* chord is a diminished chord. It is neither major or minor, we will learn about it later.) G major scale = G A B C D E F# G I ii iii IV V vi viiº I Exercise Song 3: For I, IV, and V major chords in G I / / / IV / / / V / / / IV / / / I / / / IV / / / V / / / IV / / / I Exercise Song 4: For I, ii, IV, V, and vi in G I / / / IV / / / V / / / vi / / / ii / / / V / / / I / / / I
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NOW LET’S WRITE YOUR OWN SONG Exercise Song 1: For G, C, and D in the key of G Using G, C, and D, write your own song. Any order. Finally, you need to end on G, since you are in the key of G.
___ / ___ / ___ / ___ /
___ / ___ / ___ / ___ / G Exercise Song 2: For G, C, D and Em in the key of G Using G, C, D, and Em write your own song. Any order. Finally, you need to end on G, since you are in the key of G.
___ / ___ / ___ / ___ /
___ / ___ / ___ / ___ / G Exercise Song 3: For G, C, D, Em, and Am in the key of G Using G, C, D, Em, and Am write your own song. Any order. Finally, you need to end on G, since you are in the key of G.
___ / ___ / ___ / ___ /
___ / ___ / ___ / ___ / G
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SONG 4: OH HOW I LOVE JESUS (G) I / / V / / I / / I / / ii / / V / / I / / I / / Oh how I love Je sus, Oh how I love Jesus, I / / I / / vi / / vi / / ii / / V / / I / / I / / Oh how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me. TO END: I SONG 5: BREAK EVERY CHAIN (Tasha Cobbs) (G) Intro: vi / IV / I / V / Ch vi / IV / I / V /
There is power in the name of Jesus vi / IV / I / V /
There is power in the name of Jesus vi / IV / I / V /
There is power in the name of Jesus vi / IV / I / V /
To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain (2x) V1 vi / IV / I / V /
There's an army rising up vi / IV / I / V /
There's an army rising up vi / IV / I / V /
There's an army rising up vi / IV / I / V /
To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain (2x) Music: vi / IV / I / V / vi / IV / I / V / Br vi / IV / I / V / vi / IV / I / V /
I hear the chains falling I hear the chains falling
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LESSON 4
THE KEY OF C
The notes in the key of C (C major scale) are C D E F G A B C As we learned from studying Roman Numerals, we can give each one of these notes a number. Learning this system is VERY IMPORTANT for both understanding how music works and playing by ear. C D E F G A B C C D E F G A B C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 I ii iii IV V vi vii* The I chord (one chord), IV chord (four chord) and V chord (five chord) are usually played as MAJOR CHORDS. The ii chord (two chord), iii chord (three chord) and vi chord (six chord) are usually played as MINOR CHORDS.
We already know C and G, so the only NEW chord here is F major.
Exercise Song 1: For C, F, and G major chords in C C / / / C / / / F / / / F / / / C / / / C / / / G / / / G / / / C
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LESSON 4 SONG 6: AMAZING GRACE in C C / / C / / F / / C / / C / / C / / G / / G / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, C / / C / / F / / C / / C / / G / / C / / REPEAT: G / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see, END: C MINOR CHORDS in C There are three minor chords in the key of C E minor, A minor, D minor.
We already learned Em and Am, but be sure to practice Dm! You play Dm by strumming all the strings except E and A. (Strum starting on the D string with the D string open and then strum down). EXERCISE SONG 1 with MINOR CHORDS C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / / C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / / G EXERCISE SONG 2 with MINOR CHORDS C / / / Am / / / F / / / G / / / C / / / Am / / / F / / / G / / / G *Be careful with these next two songs. Instead of each chord being played FOUR times like the two songs above, we play each chord only THREE times! (Count 1 2 3, 1 2 3)
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LESSON 4 EXERCISE SONG 3 with MINOR CHORDS C / / G / / C / / Am / / Dm / / G / / C / / C EXERCISE SONG 4 with MINOR CHORDS C / / C / / F / / C / / Am / / Dm / / G / / G / / C EXERCISE SONG 5 with MINOR CHORDS Em / / Am / / Dm / / G / / Em / / Am / / Dm / / G / / C Now let’s go learn some real songs!
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LESSON 4 SONG 7: Blessed Be Your Name (C) V1: C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / /
Blessed be your name, in the land that is plentiful, C / / / G / / / F / / / F / / /
Where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name. C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / / Blessed be your name, when I’m found in the desert place,
C / / / G / / / F / / / F / / / Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name, C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / / Every blessing you pour out, I’ll turn back to praise, C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / / When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say.
Ch: C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name, C / / / G / / / Am / / / C / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name. V2: C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / /
Blessed be your name, when the sun is shining down on me, C / / / G / / / F / / / F / / / When the world is all as it should be, blessed be your name. C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / / Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering,
C / / / G / / / F / / / F / / / Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name, C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / / Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise, C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / / (go back to chorus) When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say.
V3: C / / / G / / / Am / / / F / / /
You give and take away, you give and take away, C / / G / / / Am / / / F / / /
My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name.
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LESSON 4 SONG 8: AMAZING GRACE (C) C / / C / / F / / C / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, Am / / Dm / / G / / G / / That saved a wretch like me, C / / C / / F / / C / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, Am / / G / / C / / G / / Was blind but now I see. (To end: C) SONG 9: SURROUND ME O LORD (C) C / Em / F / G / Surround me, O Lord C / Em / F / G / Surround me, O Lord C / Em / F / Am / Surround me, O Lord Dm / G / C / G / And let Your presence fill this place (To end: C)
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LESSON 5
INTRODUCTION TO BAR CHORDS BASS NOTE ON E STRING
Not all chords can be played as simply as a C or G chord. Some chords on the guitar require what is known as a “bar chord.” With a “bar chord” you are simply putting your finger over the fretboard to “Bar” an entire fret. For example, let’s look at a G major chord played as a bar chord.
The note we are playing on the E string determines what chord we are playing. What is so cool about this, is that we can move this bar chord all the way up or down to make different chords. For example, an F major chord. F MAJOR CHORD Gb MAJOR CHORD Bb MAJOR CHORD
Now would be a good time, to practice playing this chord, starting with F and going to Gb, then G, then Ab and all the way up the guitar as far as you can go! TIP: Be sure to hold your index finger (the 1) on the bar as tight as you can! If not you will get some “dead” strings that are not playing. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t get it tight enough. Just keep practicing it daily and your finger will get stronger to the point where it is a good clean sound.
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LESSON 5 OPTIONS
So know you have what I like to call “options.” When you come to a G chord in a song, it does not matter if you play it the ORIGINAL way to learned in LESSON 1 or if you play it as a bar chord! However, please note that in certain places, in certain songs (depending on the melody of the song) the ORIGINAL may sound better or the BAR CHORD may sound better so just listen to your ear!
MINOR BAR CHORD ON THE E STRING
The cool thing about bar chords, is that it makes your life a lot EASIER once you get the hang of them. Instead of trying to remember all kinds of crazy positions for different chords, you now just have to remember a FEW! If you have started to get the hang of the Major Bar Chords, these Minor Bar Chords are going to be a piece of cake! All you have to do to change a major bar chord into a minor bar chord is just lift your middle finger off the guitar. Let’s look at Gm as a bar chord for example.
How easy is that?! And now, not only have you learned G minor chord, as you have to do is slide your hand up one position to have an Abm chord. Go up two and you have an Am chord. Now is a good time to practice all of the minor bar chords on the E string. Start on F and go all the way up the guitar. Am Bar Chord
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LESSON 6
SUSPENDED 2 CHORDS
Now major and minor chords are not the only chords that we play in gospel and church music. These are only 2 of about 30 different chords that we play. Let’s look at what will probably be the MOST IMPORTANT chord that you ever learn. This is called a suspended 2 chord and it is a BEAUTIFUL chord that will change the way you sound. We use this chord to “upgrade” a major chord and make it sound better. This chord is normally played as a bar chord with the bass note on the A string (we do not strum the E string). Bb2 CHORD
We are playing a Bb note on the A string, so that means this is a Bb2 chord. If we slide it down one position to where we are playing a B note on the A string, it is a B2 chord. If we slide it down one more to where we are playing a C note on the A string, it is a C2 chord.
Now would be a good time to practice playing all the suspended 2 chords, going all the way up the guitar.
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LESSON 6 SUBSTITUTION CHORDS
Now we are going to introduce to something that is very powerful. It is called “substitution chord theory.” Now, major and minor chords are nice chords, but they are kind of BORING. So what do we do to replace them and make them sound better? We upgrade them by SUBSTITUTING another chord for them. Major chords can be replaced (99% of the time) with a SUSPENDED 2 Chord to make them sound better. So anytime you come to a major chord in a song, remember that you can SUBSTITUTE that major chord with a Suspended 2 chord! So let’s play “Blessed Be Your Name” again but let’s SUBSTITUTE some suspended 2 chords into it! *NOTE: We don’t substitute the G for G2 because the only G2 we have learned is kind of awkward to get to. SONG 2: Blessed Be Your Name (G) V1: G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2/ / /
Blessed be your name, in the land that is plentiful, G / / / D2 / / / C2 / / / C2 / / /
Where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name. G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / Blessed be your name, when I’m found in the desert place,
G / / / D2 / / / C2 / / / C2 / / / Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name, G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / Every blessing you pour out, I’ll turn back to praise, G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say.
Ch: G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name,
G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name.
V2: G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / Blessed be your name, when the sun is shining down on me, G / / / D2 / / / C2 / / / C2 / / / When the world is all as it should be, blessed be your name. G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering,
G / / / D2 / / / C2 / / / C2 / / / Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name, G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise, G / / / D2/ / / Em / / / C2 / / / (go back to chorus) When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say.
V3: G / / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / You give and take away, you give and take away,
G / / D2 / / / Em / / / C2 / / / My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name.
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LESSON 7
THE KEY OF F
The notes in the key of F (F major scale) are F G A Bb C D E F As we learned from studying Roman Numerals, we can give each one of these notes a number. Learning this system is VERY IMPORTANT for both understanding how music works and playing by ear. F G A Bb C D E F F G A Bb C D E F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 I ii iii IV V vi vii* The I chord (one chord), IV chord (four chord) and V chord (five chord) are usually played as MAJOR CHORDS. The ii chord (two chord), iii chord (three chord) and vi chord (six chord) are usually played as MINOR CHORDS.
We already know F and C, so the only NEW chord to learn here is Bb major. Bb major chord is a bar chord and is technically played like one of these options below.
Bb OPTION 1 Bb OPTION 2
But let me share a SECRET with you. I usually play either option 2 or a Bb suspended 2 chord like we learned in Lesson 6. The choice is yours.
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LESSON 7 Exercise Song 1: For F, Bb, and C major chords in F F / / / F / / / Bb / / / Bb / / / F / / / F / / / Bb / / / Bb / / / C SONG 11: AMAZING GRACE in F F / / F / / Bb / / F / / F / / F / / C / / C / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, F / / F / / Bb / / F / / F / / C / / F / / REPEAT: C / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see, END: F MINOR CHORDS in F There are three minor chords in the key of C E minor, A minor, D minor.
We have already learned all of these chords before. So let’s do our exercise songs! Remember that you have OPTIONS on the Am chord too (you could play it like you see above or you could play it as a bar chord on the 5th Fret of the E string same way you see Gm chord above, but with your bar index finger going across fret 5. EXERCISE SONG 1 with MINOR CHORDS F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb / / / F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb / / / F
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LESSON 7 EXERCISE SONG 2 with MINOR CHORDS F / / / Dm / / / Bb / / / C / / / F / / / Dm / / / Bb / / / C / / / G *Be careful with these next two songs. Instead of each chord being played FOUR times like the two songs above, we play each chord only THREE times! (Count 1 2 3, 1 2 3) EXERCISE SONG 3 with MINOR CHORDS F / / C / / F / / Dm / / Gm / / C / / F / / F EXERCISE SONG 4 with MINOR CHORDS F / / F / / Bb / / F / / Dm / / Gm / / C / / C / / F EXERCISE SONG 5 with MINOR CHORDS Am / / Dm / / Gm / / C / / Am / / Dm / / Gm / / C / / F Now let’s go learn some real songs! TIP: I recommend using the Bb2 chord in most songs. It is much easier to go to.
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LESSON 7 * Remember that you can also use C2 in this song to replace the regular C major chord. SONG 12: Blessed Be Your Name (F) V1: F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / /
Blessed be your name, in the land that is plentiful, F / / / C / / / Bb2 / / / Bb2 / / /
Where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name. F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / / Blessed be your name, when I’m found in the desert place,
F / / / C / / / Bb2 / / / Bb2 / / / Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name, F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / / Every blessing you pour out, I’ll turn back to praise, F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / / When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say.
Ch: F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name, F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name. V2: F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / /
Blessed be your name, when the sun is shining down on me, F / / / C / / / Bb2 / / / Bb2 / / / When the world is all as it should be, blessed be your name. F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / / Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering,
F / / / C / / / Bb2 / / / Bb2 / / / Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name, F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / / Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise, F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / / (go back to chorus) When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say.
V3: F / / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / /
You give and take away, you give and take away, F / / C / / / Dm / / / Bb2 / / /
My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name.
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LESSON 7 SONG 13: AMAZING GRACE (C) F / / F / / Bb2 / / F / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, Dm / / Gm / / C2 / / C2 / / That saved a wretch like me, F / / F / / Bb2 / / F / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, Dm / / C2 / / F / / C2 / / Was blind but now I see. (To end: F) SONG 14: SURROUND ME O LORD (C) F / Am / Bb2 / C2 / Surround me, O Lord F / Am / Bb2 / C2 / Surround me, O Lord F / Am / Bb2 / Dm / Surround me, O Lord Gm / C2 / F / C2 / And let Your presence fill this place (To end: F)
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LESSON 8
THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT CHORD YOU WILL EVER LEARN
Now we are going to study minor 7ths. We have learned already that we can replace major chords with suspended 2 chords. But now we need a tool that we can use to replace minor chords. SUBSTITUTION RULE: You can use a minor 7th to replace a minor chord 99% of the time. Let’s examine a few ways to play minor chords. There are many, many ways to play them but we will examine some of the more useful ways for gospel and church music. A suspended 2 chord adds the 2nd note of the scale to a major chord. Remember that C major chord has the notes C E G. C2 (or Csus2) has the notes C D E G (technically Csus2 is just C D G with no E). (Think how “suspended” means getting “kicked out.” Kind of like at school when someone is bad. We suspend the 3rd and replace it with the 2 in a suspended 2 chord. “D” is the 2nd note of the scale in the key of C). So that is the theory behind Suspended 2 Chords. The theory behind a minor 7th chord is this: C minor chord (Cm) has the notes C Eb G. Why? Because you flat the 3rd to make a major chord into a minor chord. And C major chord (C) has the notes C E G. To make a minor 7th chord, we add the 7th note of the scale and then flat that note. The 7th note of the scale in the key of C (C D E F G A B C) is “B.” When we flat B it becomes Bb (B flat). Therefore, the technical notes in a C minor 7th are C Eb G Bb. An easier way to think of the minor 7th is as two notes down from your bass note. So if you are playing an Am and want to make it into an Am7, you simply add a “G note.” Why? Because that is the note two notes down from A (A is your bass note in an Am7). OKAY...so we got that out of the way. We have to be careful on guitar because sometimes we can just learn the chords and not learn the theory. And we MUST always UNDERSTAND what we are doing. Music is a language and we want to be able not to just to SPEAK, but to also READ and UNDERSTAND it so that we can best use it to play and glorify God! So let’s look at minor 7ths in the KEY OF C.
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LESSON 8 Our three minor chords in the key of C are Dm, Em, and Am. Dm is the ii chord, Em is the iii chord and Am is the vi chord. The funny thing is that the minor 7th chords are actually easier to play than the regular minor chords (and they sound a whole lot better too). So now, let’s just kind of forget about those minor chords we learned and instead let’s UPGRADE to these minor 7th chords!
EXERCISE SONG 1 with MINOR 7th CHORDS C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / / C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / / C2 EXERCISE SONG 2 with MINOR 7th CHORDS C2 / / / Am7 / / / F / / / G / / / C2 / / / Am7 / / / F / / / G / / / C2 *Be careful with these next two songs. Instead of each chord being played FOUR times like the two songs above, we play each chord only THREE times! (Count 1 2 3, 1 2 3)
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LESSON 8 EXERCISE SONG 3 with MINOR 7th CHORDS C2 / / G / / C2 / / Am7 / / Dm7 / / G / / C2 / / C2 EXERCISE SONG 4 with MINOR 7th CHORDS C2 / / C2 / / F / / C2 / / Am7 / / Dm7 / / G / / G / / C2 EXERCISE SONG 5 with MINOR 7th CHORDS Em7 / / Am7 / / Dm7 / / G / / Em7 / / Am7 / / Dm7 / / G / / C2 SONG 15: Blessed Be Your Name (C) V1: C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / /
Blessed be your name, in the land that is plentiful, C2 / / / G / / / F / / / F / / /
Where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name. C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / / Blessed be your name, when I’m found in the desert place,
C2 / / / G / / / F / / / F / / / Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name, C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / / Every blessing you pour out, I’ll turn back to praise, C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / / When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say.
Ch: C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / / Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name,
C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / C / / / Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name.
V2: C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / /
Blessed be your name, when the sun is shining down on me, C2 / / / G / / / F / / / F / / / When the world is all as it should be, blessed be your name. C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / / Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering,
C2 / / / G / / / F / / / F / / / Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name, C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / / Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise, C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / / (go back to chorus) When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say.
V3: C2 / / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / /
You give and take away, you give and take away, C2 / / G / / / Am7 / / / F / / /
My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name.
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LESSON 8 SONG 16: AMAZING GRACE (C) C2 / / C2 / / F / / C2 / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, Am7 / / Dm7 / / G / / G / / That saved a wretch like me, C2 / / C2 / / F / / C2 / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, Am7 / / G / / C2 / / G / / Was blind but now I see. (To end: C2) SONG 17: SURROUND ME O LORD (C) C2 / Em7 / F / G / Surround me, O Lord C2 / Em7 / F / G / Surround me, O Lord C2 / Em7 / F / Am7 / Surround me, O Lord Dm7 / G / C2 / G / And let Your presence fill this place (To end: C2)
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LESSON 9
MINOR 7th BAR CHORDS
Sometimes it is just easier to play a minor 7th as a bar chord. For most of our flat chords (Abm7, Bbm7, etc), this is the best way. Playing a minor 7th with the bass note on the E string is EASY! It’s the same as playing a Gm bar chord, but you just lift up your pinkie finger. Look how EASY this is! Then just move it down one to make an Abm7. Practice this bar chord on all chords on the E string, starting at the Fm7 chord (index finger bar over the 1st fret.
MINOR 7th CHORDS IN KEY OF F Our three minor chords in the key of F are Gm, Am, and Dm7. Gm is the ii chord, Am is the iii chord and Dm7 is the vi chord.
Let’s go ahead and practice our EXERCISE songs.
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LESSON 9 EXERCISE SONG 1 with MINOR CHORDS F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / F EXERCISE SONG 2 with MINOR CHORDS F / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / C / / / F / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / C / / / G *Be careful with these next two songs. Instead of each chord being played FOUR times like the two songs above, we play each chord only THREE times! (Count 1 2 3, 1 2 3) EXERCISE SONG 3 with MINOR CHORDS F / / C2 / / F / / Dm7 / / Gm7 / / C2 / / F / / F EXERCISE SONG 4 with MINOR CHORDS F / / F / / Bb2 / / F / / Dm7 / / Gm7 / / C2 / / C2 / / F EXERCISE SONG 5 with MINOR CHORDS Am7 / / Dm7 / / Gm7 / / C2 / / Am7 / / Dm7 / / Gm7 / / C2 / / F Now let’s go learn some real songs! TIP: I recommend using the Bb2 chord in most songs. It is much easier to go to.
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LESSON 9 * Remember that you can also use C2 in this song to replace the regular C major chord. SONG 18: Blessed Be Your Name (F) V1: F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / /
Blessed be your name, in the land that is plentiful, F / / / C2 / / / Bb2 / / / Bb2 / / /
Where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name. F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / Blessed be your name, when I’m found in the desert place,
F / / / C2 / / / Bb2 / / / Bb2 / / / Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name, F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / Every blessing you pour out, I’ll turn back to praise, F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say.
Ch: F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name, F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name. V2: F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / /
Blessed be your name, when the sun is shining down on me, F / / / C2 / / / Bb2 / / / Bb2 / / / When the world is all as it should be, blessed be your name. F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering,
F / / / C2 / / / Bb2 / / / Bb2 / / / Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name, F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise, F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / / (go back to chorus) When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say.
V3: F / / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / /
You give and take away, you give and take away, F / / C2 / / / Dm7 / / / Bb2 / / /
My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name.
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LESSON 9 SONG 19: AMAZING GRACE (F) F / / F / / Bb2 / / F / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, Dm7 / / Gm7 / / C2 / / C2 / / That saved a wretch like me, F / / F / / Bb2 / / F / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, Dm7 / / C2 / / F / / C2 / / Was blind but now I see. (To end: F) SONG 20: SURROUND ME O LORD (F) F / Am7 / Bb2 / C2 / Surround me, O Lord F / Am7 / Bb2 / C2 / Surround me, O Lord F / Am7 / Bb2 / Dm7 / Surround me, O Lord Gm7 / C2 / F / C2 / And let Your presence fill this place (To end: F)
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LESSON 10
MINOR BAR CHORDS ON THE A STRING
We have learned minor chords as a bar chord with the bass note on the E string. However, we can also play minor chords with the bass note on the A string. Here is Bm and Cm below, played with the bass note on the A string. (Remember not to strum the E string! Only strum from the A string down!)
Now would be a good time to practice playing all of these chords from B minor to C minor and all the way up the guitar as far as you can COMFORTABLY go. There are three minor chords in the key of G A minor, B minor, E minor. Am is the ii chord, B minor chord is the iii chord and Em is the vi chord. EXERCISE SONG with MINOR CHORDS Bm / / Em / / Am / / D / / Bm / / Em / / Am / / D / / G SONG 21: SURROUND ME O LORD (G) G / Bm / C2 / D2 / Surround me, O Lord G / Bm / C2 / D2 / Surround me, O Lord G / Bm / C2 / Em7 / Surround me, O Lord Am7 / D2 / G / D2 / And let Your presence fill this place (To end: G)
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LESSON 10
MINOR 7th BAR CHORDS ON A STRING
The minor 7ths on the A string are even EASIER than the minor chords on the A string!
Go ahead and play these in all keys going up the guitar (start at Bbm7, go to Bm7, go to Cm7, just keep sliding your position up one note at a time. It is helpful to say the name of the chord while you play it (C minor 7th). Our three minor 7th chords in the key of G are Am7, Bm7, and Em7. Gm is the ii chord, Am is the iii chord and Dm7 is the vi chord.
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LESSON 10 EXERCISE SONG 1 with MINOR CHORDS G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / G EXERCISE SONG 2 with MINOR CHORDS G / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / D2 / / / G / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / D2 / / / G *Be careful with these next two songs. Instead of each chord being played FOUR times like the two songs above, we play each chord only THREE times! (Count 1 2 3, 1 2 3) EXERCISE SONG 3 with MINOR CHORDS G / / D2 / / G / / G / / Am7 / / D2 / / G / / G EXERCISE SONG 4 with MINOR CHORDS G / / G / / C2 / / G / / Em7 / / Am7 / / D2 / / D2 / / G Now let’s go learn some real songs!
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LESSON 10 SONG 22: Blessed Be Your Name (G) V1: G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / /
Blessed be your name, in the land that is plentiful, G / / / D2 / / / C2 / / / C2 / / /
Where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name. G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / Blessed be your name, when I’m found in the desert place,
G / / / D2 / / / C2 / / / C2 / / / Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name, G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / Every blessing you pour out, I’ll turn back to praise, G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say.
Ch: G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name, G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / /
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your glorious name. V2: G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / /
Blessed be your name, when the sun is shining down on me, G / / / D2 / / / C2 / / / C2 / / / When the world is all as it should be, blessed be your name. G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering,
G / / / D2 / / / C2 / / / C2 / / / Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name, G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise, G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / / (go back to chorus) When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say.
V3: G / / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / /
You give and take away, you give and take away, G / / D2 / / / Em7 / / / C2 / / /
My heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name.
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LESSON 10 SONG 23: AMAZING GRACE (G) G / / G / / C2 / / G / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, Em7 / / Am7 / / D2 / / D2 / / That saved a wretch like me, G / / G / / C2 / / G / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, Em7 / / D2 / / G / / D2 / / Was blind but now I see. (To end: G) SONG 24: SURROUND ME O LORD (G) G / Bm7 / C2 / D2 / Surround me, O Lord G / Bm7 / C2 / D2 / Surround me, O Lord G / Bm7 / C2 / Em7 / Surround me, O Lord Am7 / D2 / G / D2 / And let Your presence fill this place (To end: G)
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LESSON 11
MAJOR 7th CHORDS
Major 7th chords are a lot like suspended 2 chords. They also have a very beautiful, worshipful sound. However, we can only use Major 7ths on our I chord and IV chord (see how knowing the Roman Numeral System is important). Technically, a Major 7th is a major chord + 7th note of major scale. So the notes in a Cmaj7 would be C E G B (or you think of it as adding the note just below the bass note). They will not work on just any major chord like a Suspended 2 Chord. SUBSTITUTION RULE: You can substitute a Major 7th Chord on the I or IV chord in a slow song 99% of the time (always listen to your ear sometimes it will not sound good).
HOW TO PLAY A MAJOR 7th CHORD
Major 7th chords are usually played as a bar chord. This bar chord works like all the others. Just slide it up or down. Your bass note is on the A string. Whatever note you are playing on the A string will change the chord. Now would be a good time to practice all of the major 7ths by going up and down the guitar and playing them all.
EXERCISE SONG 1 with MAJOR 7th CHORDS (FMaj7 or FM7) Cmaj7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / Cmaj7 EXERCISE SONG 2 with MAJOR 7th CHORDS Cmaj7 / / / Am7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / G / / / Cmaj7 / / / Am7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / G / / / C2
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LESSON 11 EXERCISE SONG 3 with MAJOR 7th CHORDS Cmaj7 / / / Em7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / G / / / Cmaj7 / / / Em7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / G / / / C2 SONG 25: SURROUND ME O LORD (C) Cmaj7 / Em7 / Fmaj7 / G / Surround me, O Lord Cmaj7 / Em7 / Fmaj7 / G / Surround me, O Lord Cmaj7 / Em7 / Fmaj7 / Am7 / Surround me, O Lord Dm7 / G / C2 / G / And let Your presence fill this place (To end: C2) EXERCISE SONG 1 with MAJOR 7th CHORDS (FMaj7 or FM7) Fmaj7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / Bbmaj7 / / / Bbmaj7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / Bbmaj7 / / / Bbmaj7 / / / Fmaj7 EXERCISE SONG 2 with MAJOR 7th CHORDS Fmaj7 / / / Dm7 / / / Bbmaj7 / / / C2 / / / Fmaj7 / / / Dm7 / / / Bbmaj7 / / / C2 / / / Fmaj7 EXERCISE SONG 3 with MAJOR 7th CHORDS Fmaj7 / / / Am7 / / / Bbmaj7 / / / C2 / / / Fmaj7 / / / Am7 / / / Bbmaj7 / / / C2 / / / Fmaj7
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LESSON 11 SONG 26: SURROUND ME O LORD (F) Fmaj7 / Am7 / Bbmaj7 / C2 / Surround me, O Lord Fmaj7 / Am7 / Bbmaj7 / C2 / Surround me, O Lord Fmaj7 / Am7 / Bbmaj7 / Dm7 / Surround me, O Lord Gm7 / C2 / F / C2 / And let Your presence fill this place (To end: F2) EXERCISE SONG 1 with MAJOR 7th CHORDS (GMaj7 or GM7) Gmaj7 / / / Gmaj7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / Gmaj7 / / / Gmaj7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / Gmaj7 EXERCISE SONG 2 with MAJOR 7th CHORDS Gmaj7 / / / Em7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / D2 / / / Gmaj7 / / / Em7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / D2 / / / Gmaj7 EXERCISE SONG 3 with MAJOR 7th CHORDS Gmaj7 / / / Bm7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / D2 / / / Gmaj7 / / / Bm7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / D2 / / / Gmaj7 SONG 27: SURROUND ME O LORD (G) Gmaj7 / Bm7 / Cmaj7 / D2 / Surround me, O Lord Gmaj7 / Bm7 / Cmaj7 / D2 / Surround me, O Lord Gmaj7 / Bm7 / Cmaj7 / Em7 / Surround me, O Lord Am7 / D2 / G / D2 / And let Your presence fill this place (To end: F2)
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LESSON 12
DOMINANT 7th CHORDS
Dominant 7th chords are a very powerful chord. They are used heavily in FAST songs, but we also use them in slow songs. We can use Dominant 7ths on our I chord when it is followed by the IV chord or on the V chord when it is followed by the I chord. (see how knowing the Roman Numeral System is important). It can also be used on the I, IV or V chord in a faster song like “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus” as a vamp. (A vamp is when you are on the same chord for a long time and is made up of different rhythms and fills that you use to fill up the space so it does not sound boring. We use these a lot in faster songs.) Technically, a Dominant 7th is a major chord + 7th note of major scale + flat the 7th note. So the notes in a C7 would be C E G Bb (or you think of it as adding the note two notes below the bass note). They will not work on just any major chord like a Suspended 2 Chord. SUBSTITUTION RULE: You can substitute a Dominant 7th Chord on the I chord when going to IV chord or on the V chord when going to I chord. (always listen to your ear sometimes it may not sound good).
HOW TO PLAY A DOMINANT 7th CHORD
Dominant 7th chords are usually played as a bar chord. This bar chord works like all the others. Just slide it up or down. Your bass note is on the E string here. Whatever note you are playing on the E string will change the chord. Now would be a good time to practice all of the dominant 7ths by going up and down the guitar and playing them all with the bass note on the E string.
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LESSON 12 Now let’s learn the Dominant 7ths on the A string, starting with C7. Practice this in all chords.
EXERCISE SONG 1 with DOMINANT 7th CHORDS (SLOWER RHYTHM) C / / / C7 / / / Fmaj7 / / / C / / / Am7 / / / Dm7 / / / G / / / G7 / / / C EXERCISE SONG 2 with DOMINANT 7th CHORDS (FASTER RHYTHM) C7 / / / C7 / / / F7 / / / F7 / / / C7 / / / C7 / / / G7 / / / G7 / / / C7 SONG 28: AMAZING GRACE (C) C / / C7 / / Fmaj7 / / C2 / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, Am7 / / D7 / / G / / G7 / / That saved a wretch like me, C / / C7 / / Fmaj7 / / C / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, Am7 / / G7 / / C / / G7 / / Was blind but now I see. (To end: C2) *Notice that we play a D7 in this song. This is the correct chord to play here. We have upgraded from the Dm chord that we previously used for practice.
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LESSON 12 “Can’t Nobody” and “Jesus on the Mainline” in C You can also listen to the practice tracks to “catch” the rhythm of this vamp. The rhythm of it goes like this: one + two + three + four + one + two + three + four + (we pronounce the + signs as “and” so you are counting “oneandtwoandthreeandfourand) You can make up your own rhythms and vamps but one vamp you could play would be like this: one + two + three + four + one + two + three + four + C7 C7 C7 C7 C7 C7 So we are hitting the guitar chords on the “one” beat, the “and after two” and the “four” beat. SONG 30: CAN’T NOBODY (C) C7 (v) C7 (v) Can’t nobody, do me like Jesus, F7 (v) F7 (v) Can’t nobody, do me like the Lord, C7 (v) C7 (v) Can’t nobody, do me like Jesus,
(single notes in both hands) G7 (v) (C – E – F – F# G – A – Bb B) (or you could do C7 / / / then G7 / / / ) He’s my friend. (To end: C7) SONG 31: JESUS ON THE MAINLINE (C) I7 (v) I7 (v) Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, IV7 (v) IV7 (v) Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, I7 (v) I7 (v) Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, (single notes in both hands) V7 (v) (I – III – IV – #IV V – VI – bVII VII) Jesus on the mainline now. (To end: I7)
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LESSON 12 EXERCISE SONG 1 with DOMINANT 7th CHORDS (SLOWER RHYTHM) F / / / F7 / / / Bbmaj7 / / / F / / / Dm7 / / / Gm7 / / / C / / / C7 / / / F EXERCISE SONG 2 with DOMINANT 7th CHORDS (FASTER RHYTHM) (Two Bb7 OPTIONS HERE) F7 / / / F7 / / / Bb7 / / / Bb7 / / / F7 / / / F7 / / / C7 / / / C7 / / / F7 SONG 29: AMAZING GRACE (F) F / / F7 / / Bbmaj7 / / F / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, Dm7 / / G7 / / C / / C7 / / That saved a wretch like me, F / / F7 / / Bbmaj7 / / F / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, Dm7 / / C7 / / F / / C7 / / Was blind but now I see. (To end: F) *Notice that we play a G7 in this song. This is the correct chord to play here. We have upgraded from the Gm chord that we previously used for practice.
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LESSON 12 “Can’t Nobody” and “Jesus on the Mainline” in F You can also listen to the practice tracks to “catch” the rhythm of this vamp. The rhythm of it goes like this: one + two + three + four + one + two + three + four + (we pronounce the + signs as “and” so you are counting “oneandtwoandthreeandfourand) You can make up your own rhythms and vamps but one vamp you could play would be like this: one + two + three + four + one + two + three + four + F7 F7 F7 F7 F7 F7 So we are hitting the guitar chords on the “one” beat, the “and after two” and the “four” beat. SONG 30: CAN’T NOBODY (F) F7 (v) F7 (v) Can’t nobody, do me like Jesus, Bb7 (v) Bb7 (v) Can’t nobody, do me like the Lord, F7 (v) F7 (v) Can’t nobody, do me like Jesus,
(single notes in both hands) C7 (v) (F – A – Bb – B C – D – Eb E) (or you could do F7 / / / then C7 / / / ) He’s my friend. (To end: F7) SONG 31: JESUS ON THE MAINLINE (F) I7 (v) I7 (v) Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, IV7 (v) IV7 (v) Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, I7 (v) I7 (v) Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, (single notes in both hands) V7 (v) (I – III – IV – #IV V – VI – bVII VII) Jesus on the mainline now. (To end: I7)
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LESSON 12 EXERCISE SONG 1 with DOMINANT 7th CHORDS (SLOWER RHYTHM) G / / / G7 / / / Cmaj7 / / / G / / / Em7 / / / Am7 / / / D / / / D7 / / / G EXERCISE SONG 2 with DOMINANT 7th CHORDS (FASTER RHYTHM) G7 / / / G7 / / / C7 / / / C7 / / / G7 / / / G7 / / / D7 / / / D7 / / / G7 SONG 32: AMAZING GRACE (G) G / / G7 / / Cmaj7 / / G / / Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, Em7 / / A7 / / D / / D7 / / That saved a wretch like me, G / / G7 / / Cmaj7 / / G / / I once was lost, but now I’m found, Em7 / / D7 / / G / / D7 / / Was blind but now I see. (To end: G) *Notice that we play a A7 in this song. This is the correct chord to play here. We have upgraded from the Am chord that we previously used for practice.
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LESSON 12 “Can’t Nobody” and “Jesus on the Mainline” in G You can also listen to the practice tracks to “catch” the rhythm of this vamp. The rhythm of it goes like this: one + two + three + four + one + two + three + four + (we pronounce the + signs as “and” so you are counting “oneandtwoandthreeandfourand) You can make up your own rhythms and vamps but one vamp you could play would be like this: one + two + three + four + one + two + three + four + G7 G7 G7 G7 G7 G7 So we are hitting the guitar chords on the “one” beat, the “and after two” and the “four” beat. SONG 33: CAN’T NOBODY (G) G7 (v) G7 (v) Can’t nobody, do me like Jesus, C7 (v) C7 (v) Can’t nobody, do me like the Lord, G7 (v) G7 (v) Can’t nobody, do me like Jesus,
(single notes in both hands) D7 (v) (G – B – C – C# D – E – F F#) (or you could do G7 / / / then D7 / / / ) He’s my friend. (To end: G7) SONG 34: JESUS ON THE MAINLINE (G) I7 (v) I7 (v) Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, IV7 (v) IV7 (v) Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, I7 (v) I7 (v) Jesus on the mainline, tell him what you want, (single notes in both hands) V7 (v) (I – III – IV – #IV V – VI – bVII VII) Jesus on the mainline now. (To end: I7)
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