RRhhyytthhmm GGuuiittaarr MMaasstteerryy PPhhaassee 11 ...dl.cyberfret.com/rhythm-guitar-mastery/samples/Rhythm-Guitar... · Table of Contents - 3 - RRhhyytthhmm GGuuiittaarr MMaasstteerryy

Table of Contents

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RRRhhhyyyttthhhmmm GGGuuuiiitttaaarrr MMMaaasssttteeerrryyy PPPhhhaaassseee 111 --- TTTaaabbbllleee ooofff CCCooonnnttteeennntttsss Chapter 1 - Getting Started................................................................................................................ 12 The Parts of the Guitar.......................................................................................................... 12 Holding the Guitar................................................................................................................. 13 Sitting Positions......................................................................................................... 13 Casual - Right Leg......................................................................................... 13 Classical - Left Leg........................................................................................ 13 Electric Classical Position With Strap........................................................... 14 Standing Positions...................................................................................................... 14 Casual Standing............................................................................................. 14 Classical Position Standing............................................................................ 14 Using a Pick........................................................................................................................... 15 Choosing a Pick......................................................................................................... 15 Holding the pick........................................................................................................ 16 Basic Left Hand Position....................................................................................................... 17

Tuning Your Guitar................................................................................................................20 Tuning By Ear ........................................................................................................... 20 How to Use an Electronic Guitar Tuner.................................................................... 21

How To Read Chord Charts.................................................................................................. 23 Playing Your First Chord....................................................................................................... 24 Easy G Chord............................................................................................................. 25 A Few Music Basics.............................................................................................................. 25 The Staff.....................................................................................................................25 Measures & Bar Lines............................................................................................... 25 Your First Rhythms................................................................................................... 25 Quarter Notes................................................................................................. 25 Half Notes...................................................................................................... 26 Rhythmic Slash Notation............................................................................... 26 Strumming Quarter Notes & Half Notes....................................................... 26 A Quick Intro to Tablature.................................................................................................... 27 Tablature Formats...................................................................................................... 27 Tablature With Standard Notation................................................................. 27 Tablature Only............................................................................................... 28 Internet Tablature........................................................................................... 28 Getting Your Fingers Into Shape............................................................................... 28 Left Hand Finger Exercises........................................................................... 29

Practicing Your Guitar........................................................................................................... 30 How To Use the Book........................................................................................................... 30

Chapter 2 - Basic Open Position Major & Minor Chords..................................................................... 31 E Minor Chord....................................................................................................................... 31 C Major Chord....................................................................................................................... 32

Muting Strings........................................................................................................... 32 Chord Trouble Shooting Tips.................................................................................... 33

Strumming Em and C............................................................................................................ 34

Rhythm Guitar Mastery - 24 hrs of video, 394 Jam Tracks, 2 Books (416 pgs), Chord Dictionary (1640 chords) http://www.cyberfret.com/rhythm-guitar-mastery/

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Table of Contents

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More Rhythms – Dotted Half Notes & Whole Notes............................................................ 35 More On Dotted Rhythms...................................................................................................... 35 Time Signatures..................................................................................................................... 36 Strumming Rhythms in 4/4 Time.......................................................................................... 37 Strumming Rhythms in 3/4 Time.......................................................................................... 37 Real G Chord......................................................................................................................... 38

Uncooperative Pinky? ............................................................................................... 38 Pinky Pushups ............................................................................................... 39

Alternate Real G Chord............................................................................................. 38 Chord Progressions With G....................................................................................... 40

D chord...................................................................................................................................41 Chord Progressions With D....................................................................................... 42

Am Chord.............................................................................................................................. 43 Chord Progressions With Am.................................................................................... 44

E Chord.................................................................................................................................. 44 Chord Progressions With E....................................................................................... 44

A Chord................................................................................................................................. 45 Chord Progressions With A....................................................................................... 46

Learning to place all of your fingers down at once............................................................... 46 Chord Morphing – Learning to switch between chords quickly........................................... 47 Dm Chord.............................................................................................................................. 48

Chord Progressions With Dm.................................................................................... 48 F Chord.................................................................................................................................. 49

Chord Progressions With F........................................................................................ 50 Chapter 3 - Getting More Rhythmic – Strumming Basics.................................................................. 52

8th Notes................................................................................................................................. 53 Basic 2 Beat Strum Patterns....................................................................................... 53 8th Note Pattern #1..................................................................................................... 54 8th Note Pattern #2..................................................................................................... 54 8th Note Pattern #3..................................................................................................... 55 8th Note Pattern #4..................................................................................................... 55 8th Note Pattern #5..................................................................................................... 56

Dotted Quarter Note...................................................................................... 56 8th Note Pattern #6..................................................................................................... 57 Six 2 beat 8th note strumming patterns together........................................................ 58

Practicing With a Metronome ............................................................................................... 58 Random Missing in 8th Note Strums...................................................................................... 58 1 Measure 4/4 Strum Patterns................................................................................................ 59

The Imaginary Bar Line............................................................................................. 59 Transition Strums....................................................................................................... 60 4/4 Strum Pattern #1.................................................................................................. 61 4/4 Strum Pattern #2.................................................................................................. 61 4/4 Strum Pattern #3.................................................................................................. 62 4/4 Strum Pattern #4.................................................................................................. 63

Playing some songs................................................................................................................ 63 Song Simile – 4/4 Strum Pattern #1 - Termination Duration................................................ 64



Table of Contents

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Keeping your right hand in charge......................................................................................... 64 Song Simile – 4/4 Strum Pattern #1 – I do nothing but watch TV........................................ 65 Swing 8th Notes...................................................................................................................... 66 A quick intro to 8th note triplets............................................................................................. 66 When will I play swing 8th notes?.......................................................................................... 67 Song Simile – 4/4 Strum Pattern #1 – Horse Named Bob..................................................... 67 Accents................................................................................................................................... 68 Strumming only some of the strings...................................................................................... 68 Song Simile – 4/4 Strum Pattern #2 – About a Squirrel........................................................ 68 Song Simile – 4/4 Strum Pattern #3 – Will Santa Leave Me Coal?...................................... 69 Switching Chords on the & of the Beat................................................................................. 69 Song Simile – 4/4 Strum Patterns #2 & #3 – Dolly............................................................... 70 Song Simile – 4/4 Strum Pattern #4 – Caged Cat.................................................................. 70 More 1 Measure 4/4 Strum Patterns...................................................................................... 72

4/4 Strum Pattern #5.................................................................................................. 72 4/4 Strum Pattern #6.................................................................................................. 72 4/4 Strum Pattern #7.................................................................................................. 72 4/4 Strum Pattern #8.................................................................................................. 73 4/4 Strum Pattern #9.................................................................................................. 73 4/4 Strum Pattern #10................................................................................................ 73

2 Measure 4/4 Strum Patterns................................................................................................ 74 4/4 Strum Pattern #11................................................................................................ 74 4/4 Strum Pattern #12................................................................................................ 74 4/4 Strum Pattern #13................................................................................................ 75 4/4 Strum Pattern #14................................................................................................ 75 4/4 Strum Pattern #15................................................................................................ 76

15 basic 4/4 strum patterns – No Crutches............................................................................ 76 1 Measure 3/4 Strum Patterns................................................................................................ 78

3/4 Strum Pattern #1.................................................................................................. 78 3/4 Strum Pattern #2.................................................................................................. 78 3/4 Strum Pattern #3.................................................................................................. 78 3/4 Strum Pattern #4.................................................................................................. 78 3/4 Strum Pattern #5.................................................................................................. 78 3/4 Strum Pattern #6.................................................................................................. 78

6 basic 3/4 strum patterns – No Crutches...............................................................................80 Strumming Basics Wrap Up.................................................................................................. 80 Chapter 4 - Misfit Open Position Major and Minor Chords................................................................. 81

Another G Chord....................................................................................................................81 Another A Chord....................................................................................................................82 Other C Chords...................................................................................................................... 82 Shawn’s F Chord................................................................................................................... 83

F Barre Chord Sneak Peak......................................................................................... 83 Song Simile - Day Stays............................................................................................ 85

Cm Chord............................................................................................................................... 85 Fm Chord............................................................................................................................... 86 Gm Chord.............................................................................................................................. 86



Table of Contents

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Misfit Minor Practice............................................................................................................. 87 Closest To Open Position – Easiest Alternatives................................................................... 87

Major – Closest To Open Position – Easiest Alternatives......................................... 88 Minor – Closest To Open Position – Easiest Alternatives......................................... 89

Chapter 5 - String Muting & Rests...................................................................................................... 90

String Muting......................................................................................................................... 90 The Thumb Mute....................................................................................................... 90 Finger Extension Mute............................................................................................... 91 Lazy Finger Mute....................................................................................................... 91

Rests....................................................................................................................................... 92 Rest Symbols............................................................................................................. 92 Techniques for stopping the strings........................................................................... 93 Right Hand Rest......................................................................................................... 93 Left hand Rest............................................................................................................ 93 Right and Left Hand Rests......................................................................................... 94 Rest Exercises............................................................................................................ 94

Quarter Rest Exercise.................................................................................... 94 Quarter & Half Rest Exercise........................................................................ 94

2 beat 8th note strumming patterns with 8th rests....................................................... 95 8th Rest Exercise............................................................................................. 95

Rest Song Simile - Rover’s Dilemma ....................................................................... 96

Chapter 6 - Power Chords.................................................................................................................. 97 Moveable Chords................................................................................................................... 97 Power Chords (5)................................................................................................................... 97

3 String Power Chords............................................................................................... 98 Root on the 6th string power chord................................................................ 98 Root on the 5th string power chord................................................................ 99

2 String Power Chords............................................................................................... 99 2 String Power Chords - Root on the 6th String............................................. 100 2 String Power Chords - Root on the 5th String............................................. 100

Practice Moving Around Power Chords.................................................................... 101 The Power Chord Train................................................................................. 101 Power Chord Hopping................................................................................... 101

Power Chord Hopping Exercise.........................................................101 Transition Strums For Moveable Chords...................................................................102 Power Chord Transition Strum Exercise....................................................................102 Power Chord Song Similes........................................................................................ 102

Power Chord Song Simile – Some of the Large Things................................ 103 Power Chord Song Simile – Tripping Over Power Chords........................... 103 Power Chord Song Simile – Caged Cat Jam................................................. 104

Palm Muting.............................................................................................................. 104 Power Chord Song Simile – Colorless Odorless Viscous Liquid.................. 105

Power Chords with the Root on the 4th String........................................................... 105 3 String Power Chords - Root on the 4th String............................................. 105 2 String Power Chords - Root on the 4th String............................................. 106



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Power Chords With the 5th in the Bass...................................................................... 106

Root on the 5th String Power Chords, 5th in the Bass..................................... 108 Root on the 4th String Power Chords, 5th in the Bass..................................... 108

Slides.......................................................................................................................... 109 Legato Slides.................................................................................................. 109

Ascending Legato Slide Exercise...................................................... 109 Descending Legato Slide Exercise..................................................... 109

Picked Slides.................................................................................................. 110 Staccato.......................................................................................................... 110

Ascending Picked Slide Exercise....................................................... 110 Descending Picked Slide Exercise..................................................... 111

Grace Notes................................................................................................... 111 The Other Power Chord Transitions.......................................................................... 112

Single Open String Transition Exercise......................................................... 112 Power Chord Song Simile - Don’t Fear The Stork.................................................... 112 Open Position Power Chords..................................................................................... 113

Chord Progressions With Open Position Power Chords............................... 114 Power Chord Song Simile – Back In Mauve............................................................. 115

Chapter 7 - Getting to know the names of the notes on the neck....................................................... 116 Open Strings on the Guitar.................................................................................................... 116

Natural Notes on the 6th String.............................................................................................. 116 Fret Markers........................................................................................................................... 117 Naming and playing the natural notes on the 6th string......................................................... 117 Natural Notes on the 5th String.............................................................................................. 118 Note Naming Exercise........................................................................................................... 118 Natural Notes on the 6th and 5th Strings................................................................................. 119 Sharps and Flats..................................................................................................................... 119 Enharmonic Notes.................................................................................................................. 120 Getting to know the note names on other strings................................................................... 120 Note Name on the Neck......................................................................................................... 121 Lining up moveable chord forms with notes on the neck...................................................... 122 Using octave shapes to find the notes on different strings.....................................................123

Basic Octave Shapes on the Guitar............................................................................ 124 Octave Shapes from the 5th string.............................................................................. 124 Octave Shapes from the 4th string.............................................................................. 124 Octave Shape from the 3rd string.............................................................................. 125 Locating notes on the 4th string.................................................................................. 125 Locating notes on the 3rd string.................................................................................. 125 Locating notes on the 2nd string................................................................................. 125

Chapter 8 - Major & Minor Barre Chords............................................................................................ 126

The "Barre" in Barre Chords.................................................................................................. 126 Major Barre Chord – Root on the 6th string........................................................................... 127 Major Barre Chord – Root on the 5th string........................................................................... 129

Major Chord Root on the 5th String Troubleshooting................................................ 129



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Minor Barre Chord – Root on the 6th string........................................................................... 132 Minor Barre Chord – Root on the 5th string........................................................................... 132 Barre Chord Summary........................................................................................................... 133 Non Rhythmic Slashes........................................................................................................... 134 Chord Progressions Using Barre Chords............................................................................... 134 Barre Chord Song Simile - Freddy Freddy............................................................................ 137 Barre Chord Song Simile - Jolly Old St. Pachelbel............................................................... 137 Barre Chord Song Simile – Eric............................................................................................ 138 Building Up Strength In Your Left Hand.............................................................................. 138

Chapter 9 - Dominant 7th Chords......................................................................................................... 139 Basic Open Position Dominant 7th Chords............................................................................ 139

A7 Chord.................................................................................................................... 139 Chord Progressions With A7......................................................................... 140

B7 Chord.................................................................................................................... 141 Chord Progressions With B7......................................................................... 141

C7 Chord.................................................................................................................... 142 Chord Progressions With C7......................................................................... 142

D7 Chord.................................................................................................................... 143 Chord Progressions With D7......................................................................... 143

E7 Chord.................................................................................................................... 144 Chord Progressions With E7......................................................................... 145

F7 Chord.................................................................................................................... 145 Chord Progressions With F7.......................................................................... 145

G7 Chord................................................................................................................... 146 Chord Progressions With G7......................................................................... 146

Reviewing the open position Dominant 7 chords...................................................... 147 The Open Position Dominant 7 Etude........................................................... 147

Moveable Dominant 7th Chords............................................................................................. 147 Moveable Dominant 7th Chords – Root on the 6th string........................................... 147 Moveable Dominant 7th Chords – Root on the 5th string........................................... 149 Practice With Moveable Dominant 7th Chords.......................................................... 150

Mix and Match 12 Bar Blues in A................................................................. 152

Chapter 10 - Boom Chick Strums....................................................................................................... 154 Boom Chick Strum Basics..................................................................................................... 154

Song Simile - Teach Your Brother’s Son’s Cousin’s................................................ 155 Alternating Bass Notes.......................................................................................................... 155

Song Simile - Teach Your Brother’s Son’s Cousin’s (Alternating Bass).................. 157 The “Boom Chick Strum” in 3/4 time................................................................................... 157

Song Simile - Bitter Middle Aged Jim...................................................................... 158 Alternate Bass Note Choices................................................................................................. 159

Major Chords – Alternate Bass Choices.................................................................... 159 Minor Chords – Alternate Bass Choices.................................................................... 160 Dominant 7th Chords – Alternate Bass Choices........................................................ 160

Boom Chick Strums With 8th Notes...................................................................................... 161



Table of Contents

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Walk Ups and Walk Downs.................................................................................................. 163 The How’s, When’s, and Why’s of Walk Ups and Walk Downs............................. 163 G major scale in the first position.............................................................................. 164 When To Play Walk Ups and Walk Downs.............................................................. 165 Walk Ups and Walk Downs in 3/4 time.................................................................... 165 Library of Walk Ups and Walk Downs in 4/4 time................................................... 166

Alternate Bass Hammer-ons...................................................................................................171 Hammer-on and Pull-off Detour................................................................................ 171 Hammer-on and pull of exercise................................................................................ 172 Hammer-on and pull of exercise with open strings................................................... 172 Boom Chick Hammer-On Exercise........................................................................... 173 Major Chord Alternate Bass Hammer-ons................................................................ 173 Minor Chord Alternate Bass Hammer-ons................................................................ 174 Dominant 7th Chord Alternate Bass Hammer-ons..................................................... 174

Chapter 11 - Percussive Strums - Anticipations................................................................................. 175 Percussive Strums.................................................................................................................. 175

Using your left hand to mute the strings.................................................................... 175 Power Chords With Left Hand Mute......................................................................... 175 Open Position G With Left Hand Mute..................................................................... 176 Partial Mutes.............................................................................................................. 176 Using your right hand to mute the strings................................................................. 176 Open Position D With Right Hand Mute................................................................... 176 Back Beat Strums....................................................................................................... 176 Percussive Strums...................................................................................................... 177

Anticipations.......................................................................................................................... 178 Anticipation Strums................................................................................................... 179 When to Anticipate.................................................................................................... 182

Chapter 12 - 16th Notes ....................................................................................................................... 183 16th Note Basics..................................................................................................................... 183 1 Beat 16th Note Strum Patterns............................................................................................ 184

One Beat 16th Note Strum Pattern #1......................................................................... 184 One Beat 16th Note Strum Pattern #2......................................................................... 185 One Beat 16th Note Strum Pattern #3......................................................................... 186 One Beat 16th Note Strum Pattern #4......................................................................... 186 One Beat 16th Note Strum Pattern #5........................................................................ 186 One Beat 16th Note Strum Pattern #6........................................................................ 187

Six 2 beat 8th note strumming patterns together.................................................................... 188 16th note Pattern Exercise #1..................................................................................... 188 16th note Pattern Exercise #2..................................................................................... 189

Tied 16th Note Patterns.......................................................................................................... 189 Tied 16th Note Patterns, Exercise #1.......................................................................... 189 Tied 16th Note Patterns, Exercise #2.......................................................................... 190 Tied 16th Note Patterns, Exercise #3.......................................................................... 190 Tied 16th Note Patterns, Exercise #4.......................................................................... 190 Tied 16th Note Patterns, Exercise #5.......................................................................... 190



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Tied 16th Note Patterns, Exercise #6.......................................................................... 190

1 Measure 16th Note 4/4 Strum Patterns................................................................................ 190 16th Note Push Strums ........................................................................................................... 194 16th Notes With Percussive Strums........................................................................................ 195

The “123 123 123 123 12 12 Strum”......................................................................... 195 16th Note Percussive Strum Song Simile - Stairway Jam...........................................195 16th Note Percussive Strum Song Simile – Puff........................................................ 196

The Gallop............................................................................................................................. 196 Gallop Song Simile – Guppy..................................................................................... 197 Gallop Song Simile – Walk to the Valley.................................................................. 197

Chapter 13 - Triplets........................................................................................................................... 198 8th Note Triplets.................................................................................................................... 198

Basic 8th Note Triplet Patterns.................................................................................. 198 8th Note Triplet Exercise........................................................................................... 199 Swing 8th Notes & 8th Note Triplets........................................................................ 199 Swing 8th Notes & Triplets Song Simile – Ridin’ Godzilla..................................... 200

Quarter Note Triplets............................................................................................................. 200 Quarter Note Triplet Exercise.................................................................................... 200

16th Note Triplets.................................................................................................................. 200 16th note Triplet Song Simile – 27.678 ÷ 27.678...................................................... 201 1 Beat 16th Triplet Rhythmic Patterns.......................................................................201

Chapter 14 - Time Signatures............................................................................................................. 202

Time Signature Basics........................................................................................................... 202 Common Time....................................................................................................................... 202 Cut Time................................................................................................................................ 202

Cut Time Strumming Exercise...................................................................................204 Simple Time Signatures......................................................................................................... 204

Simple Time Signature Exceptions............................................................................ 205 Dotted Rhythm Review..............................................................................................205 Tied Rhythm Review................................................................................................. 205 Triplet Rhythm Review..............................................................................................205

Compound Time Signatures.................................................................................................. 206 To many 3’s in the land of 2’s................................................................................... 206 Ninety Nine Bottles in 2/4 time................................................................................. 206 Compound Time Signature Basics............................................................................ 207 Ninety Nine Bottles in 6/8 time................................................................................. 208 Compound Time Signatures – The Big Concept....................................................... 209 Counting Compound Time Signatures.......................................................................210 Basic Compound Time Signature Rhythmic Strumming Patterns............................ 210 Strumming Direction Dilemma..................................................................................211 Combining the Basic Compound Time Signature Patterns....................................... 211

Pattern 1 + 1................................................................................................... 212 Pattern 1 + 2................................................................................................... 213 Pattern 1 + 3................................................................................................... 213



Table of Contents

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Pattern 2 + 1................................................................................................... 214 Pattern 2 + 2................................................................................................... 214 Pattern 2 + 3................................................................................................... 215 Pattern 3 + 1................................................................................................... 215 Pattern 3 + 2................................................................................................... 216 Pattern 3 + 3................................................................................................... 216

16th Note Compound Time Signature Rhythmic Strumming Patterns...................... 217 6/8 Strum Patterns...................................................................................................... 217

6/8 Song Simile – Days In Brown Burlap..................................................... 218 9/8 and 12/8 Strum Patterns....................................................................................... 219

Odd Time Signatures............................................................................................................. 219 Odd Time Signatures - 4 In The Bottom................................................................... 219

5/4 Time......................................................................................................... 219 5/4 Strumming Exercise..................................................................... 219 Songs in 5/4 Time.............................................................................. 220

7/4 Time......................................................................................................... 220 7/4 Strumming Exercise..................................................................... 221 Songs in 7/4 Time.............................................................................. 221

Odd Time Signatures - 8 In The Bottom................................................................... 221 5/8 Time......................................................................................................... 222

Simple 5/8Time Riff.......................................................................... 222 Simple 5/8 Time Riff Extended......................................................... 223 Beyond All 8th Notes in 5/8 Time...................................................... 223 Songs in 5/8 Time.............................................................................. 223

7/8 Time......................................................................................................... 224 Simple 7/8 Time Riff......................................................................... 224 Simple 7/8 Time Riff Extended......................................................... 224 3 ½ /4 Time........................................................................................ 225 Songs in 7/8 Time.............................................................................. 225

11/8 Time....................................................................................................... 225 Songs in 11/8 Time............................................................................ 225

Staff Paper - Tab Paper - Blank Chord Charts.................................................................................... 226

Staff Paper.............................................................................................................................. 226 Tab Paper............................................................................................................................... 229 Blank Chord Charts................................................................................................................232



Chapter 2 – Basic Open Position Major & Minor Chords

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Dm Chord Dm has a couple of different common fingering. Pick the one that feels most comfortable to you. I find with my private students it is pretty much a 50/50 split which one works best for them. I would probably practice both initially to give them both a fair shake.

Chord Progressions With Dm Dm Chord Progression #1

MP3 (track 37 - 65 bpm: tr 38 - 85 bpm: tr 39 - 110 bpm)

Dm Chord Progression #2 MP3 (track 40 - 65 bpm: tr 41 - 85 bpm: tr 42 - 110 bpm)

Dm Chord Progression #3 MP3 (track 43 - 65 bpm: tr 44 - 85 bpm: tr 45 - 110 bpm)



Chapter 3 - Getting More Rhythmic – Strumming Basics

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Strum Pattern #13 MP3 (tracks 69 thru 76 - see pg. 82)

Strum Pattern #14 MP3 (tracks 69 thru 76 - see pg. 82)



Chapter 6 - Power Chords

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Root on the 5th String Power Chords, 5th in the Bass

Root on the 4th String Power Chords, 5th in the Bass



Chapter 7 - Names of the notes on the neck

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Lining up moveable chord forms with notes on the neck So you have some moveable chord forms, and you know the names of the notes on the 6th and 5th strings. Now it’s time to merge the 2. Sometimes you will have music that has chord charts that tell you exactly where to play a particular chord. Sometimes you will see the chords written in tablature format that will tell you where to play a chord. But sometimes you may just be given a chord symbol like B5, G5 etc. The question will then be where should you play the chord form? Let’s take the 1st example, B5. You know 2 forms that use 3 strings, and 2 forms that use 2 strings. From the symbol alone there is no way to tell which one to play. I am going to use the 3 note version for this example. First you are going to need to find a B note on either the 6th or 5th string.

If you put your 1st finger on either of those B notes, and play the basic 3 string power chord forms that you have learned, you will have a B5 chord. Which one you play depends on where you are going, and where you came from. In general you will try and move to the chord that is closest to the previous or next chord. These two B5 chords sound exactly the same, so sound wise there is not a difference.



Chapter 8 - Major & Minor Barre Chords

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1st Finger is a Moveable Capo Another way to think of barre chords is that you are using your 1st finger as a temporary capo. A capo is a device that you clamp on your guitar at different frets to change the pitch of the open strings. So if I placed a capo at the 1st fret of the guitar and played an E chord, it would sound like an F chord. It would be the same notes as an F barre chord at the 1st fret. There will be a whole chapter on how to use a capo later in this course.

Warning – Don’t over do it! Barre chords take a lot of pressure to get a good sound at first. If you are playing an electric guitar you are going to have an easier time than if you are trying to play these on an acoustic. Practice barre chords in short practice sessions of 5 or 10 minutes at a time. Most of the time practicing more leads to faster progress, practicing something physically demanding like barre chords for long periods of time can actually injure you. You want to feel like your hand is getting a workout, but you should never feel pain. Try and learn the difference between discomfort and pain. Just like if you were lifting weights, your hand is going to need recovery time for the muscles to heal and become stronger.



Chapter 10 - Boom Chick Strums

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Walk Ups and Walk Downs Another aspect of the “boom chick” technique is the use of some extra single note bass lines to connect chords. These are sometimes referred to as “walk ups” or “walk downs”. First here is a basic example of the idea, then we will get into the how’s, when’s, and why’s First Steps

*This is a half note. Half notes in this type of tablature only notation look like a deformed version of a regular half note, and the oval encloses all of the notes that are being held for 2 beats. The How’s, When’s, and Why’s of Walk Ups and Walk Downs The last exercise you just played gives you an idea of what walk ups and walk downs are about, but now here is a little more detail on how you can incorporate these into your own playing. The idea here is that you are going to play a scale wise bass line that leads to the first bass note of the next chord in the song. In time this is going to happen on beats 3 and 4 of the measure before the next chord. For a walk up the first thing you do is find what your destination note is, or your “target note”. This is the first bass note in the next chord. So if I’m headed to a basic open position C major chord, then my target is the 5th string 3rd fret.

Next I want to back up 2 notes in the scale of the key to find my starting note for my walk up on beat 3 of the previous measure.



Chapter 14 - Time Signatures

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and Strum Patterns

For time you are just going to combine 3 of our patterns together in a measure, and you will combine 4. Odd Time Signatures When you hear the term “odd time signatures” substitute the word “unusual” for odd. In , the top number 3 is an “odd” number, but this is not considered an odd time signature. Neither is time. The most common…uncommon time signatures have the numbers 5, 7, 11, and 13 in the top. Odd Time Signatures - 4 In The Bottom The odd time signatures where the quarter note is receiving the beat don’t really sound that odd. You can still bang your head or clap your hands at a regular pace.

Time Let’s test the waters of odd time signatures first with . The easiest way to come up with a strum in time is just to take a strum pattern and add 1 beat. So here is one of our favorite strum patterns.

Now let’s convert it to a strum pattern by adding two 8th notes on the end.

Now give that strum a try with this common chord progression.

Strumming Exercise



Table of Contents

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RRRhhhyyyttthhhmmm GGGuuuiiitttaaarrr MMMaaasssttteeerrryyy PPPhhhaaassseee 222 --- TTTaaabbbllleee ooofff CCCooonnnttteeennntttsss Chapter 15 - sus2 & sus4 Chords....................................................................................................... 12

sus2 Chords............................................................................................................................ 12 Open Position sus2 Chords........................................................................................ 12

Asus2............................................................................................................. 13 Asus2 Chord Progressions................................................................. 13 Sus2 Song Simile – The Legend Lives On........................................ 13

Bsus2.............................................................................................................. 13 Bsus2 Chord Progressions................................................................. 14

Csus2.............................................................................................................. 14 Csus2 Chord Progressions................................................................. 14

Dsus2............................................................................................................. 15 Dsus2 Chord Progressions................................................................. 15

Esus2.............................................................................................................. 16 Esus2 Chord Progressions................................................................. 16

Fsus2.............................................................................................................. 17 Fsus2 Chord Progressions.................................................................. 18

Gsus2............................................................................................................. 18 Gsus2 Chord Progression................................................................... 18

Reviewing the Open Position sus2 Chords................................................................ 18 The Open Position sus2 Etude....................................................................... 19

Moveable sus2 Chords...............................................................................................19 Moveable sus2 Chords – Root on the 6th string............................................. 19 Moveable sus2 Chords – Root on the 5th string............................................. 20 Practicing the Moveable sus2 Chord Forms.................................................. 22 Moveable sus2 Chord Progressions............................................................... 22

sus4 Chords............................................................................................................................ 23 Open Position sus4 Chords........................................................................................ 23

Asus4............................................................................................................. 23 Asus4 Chord Progressions................................................................. 24

Bsus4.............................................................................................................. 24 Bsus4 Chord Progressions................................................................. 24

Csus4.............................................................................................................. 25 Csus4 Chord Progressions................................................................. 25

Dsus4............................................................................................................. 25 Dsus4 Chord Progressions................................................................. 26

Esus4.............................................................................................................. 26 Esus4 Chord Progressions................................................................. 27

Fsus4.............................................................................................................. 27 Fsus4 Chord Progressions................................................................. 27

Gsus4............................................................................................................. 28 Gsus4 Chord Progressions................................................................. 28

Reviewing the open position sus4 chords...................................................... 28 The Open Position sus4 Etude........................................................... 28

Moveable sus4 Chords............................................................................................... 29



Table of Contents

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Moveable sus4 Chords – Root on the 6th string............................................. 29 Moveable sus4 Chords – Root on the 5th string............................................. 30 Practicing the Moveable sus4 Chord Forms.................................................. 30 Moveable sus4 Chord Progressions............................................................... 31

Chapter 16 - Major (add9) & Minor (add9) Chords............................................................................. 32

Major (add9) Chords.............................................................................................................. 32 Open Position Major (add9) Chords.......................................................................... 32

A(add9)......................................................................................................... 32 A(add9) Chord Progressions.............................................................. 33

C(add9).......................................................................................................... 33 C(add9) Chord Progressions............................................................. 34

D(add9).......................................................................................................... 35 D(add9) Chord Progressions.............................................................. 35

E(add9).......................................................................................................... 35 E(add9) Chord Progressions.............................................................. 36

F(add9)........................................................................................................... 36 F(add9) Chord Progressions.............................................................. 37

G(add9).......................................................................................................... 37 G(add9) Chord Progressions.............................................................. 37

Reviewing the Open Position Major (add9) Chords...................................... 38 Moveable Major (add 9) Chords................................................................................ 39

Moveable Major (add9) Chords – Root on the 6th string............................... 39 Moveable Major (add9) Chords – Root on the 5th string............................... 39 Moveable Major (add9) Chords – Root on the 4th string............................... 40 Practicing the Moveable Major (add9) Chord Forms ................................... 40 Moveable Major add9 Chord Progressions....................................................41

Minor (add9) Chords..............................................................................................................41 Open Position Minor (add9) Chords.......................................................................... 41

Am(add9)....................................................................................................... 41 Am(add9) Chord Progressions........................................................... 42

Cm(add9)....................................................................................................... 42 Cm(add9) Chord Progressions........................................................... 42

Dm(add9)....................................................................................................... 42 Dm(add9) Chord Progressions........................................................... 43

Em(add9)....................................................................................................... 43 Em(add9) Chord Progressions........................................................... 44

Fm(add9) ....................................................................................................... 44 Fm(add9) Chord Progressions........................................................... 44

Gm(add9)....................................................................................................... 45 Gm(add9) Chord Progressions...........................................................45

Reviewing the Open Position Minor (add9) Chords......................................45 Moveable Minor (add9) Chords.................................................................................46

Moveable Minor add 9 Chords – Root on the 6th string................................ 46 Moveable Minor (add9) Chords – Root on the 5th string............................... 47 Moveable Minor add 9 Chords – Root on the 4th string................................ 47 Practicing the Moveable Minor (add9) Chord Forms ................................... 48



Table of Contents

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Moveable Minor add9 Chord Progressions................................................... 48 Chapter 17 - Slash Chords – Alternate Bass Notes............................................................................. 49

Decoding Slash Chord Symbols............................................................................................ 49 How to Play Slash Chords..................................................................................................... 49 Chord Inversions.................................................................................................................... 51 Hybrid Chords ....................................................................................................................... 51 Common Major Slash Chords ............................................................................................... 52 Common Minor Slash Chords............................................................................................... 56 Slash Chord Progressions...................................................................................................... 59

Open Position Slash Chord Progressions................................................................... 59 Moveable Slash Chord Progressions......................................................................... 60

Chapter 18 - Essential Triad Shapes.................................................................................................. 61

Triads - Essential 3 Note Chord Voicings............................................................................. 61 Major Triads...............................................................................................................61 Minor Triads.............................................................................................................. 63 sus2 and sus4 Chord Forms....................................................................................... 64 sus2 Triads................................................................................................................. 64 sus4 Triads................................................................................................................. 65 Voice Leading............................................................................................................ 66 Triad Song Simile – Weak Weak Workertones......................................................... 66 Slash Chord Revisited................................................................................................ 67

Chapter 19 – Using a Capo................................................................................................................. 68

Chord Shape vs. Chord Sound............................................................................................... 68 Types of Capos...................................................................................................................... 68

Elastic Capos............................................................................................................. 68 Constant Pressure Capos............................................................................................ 69 Variable Pressure Capos............................................................................................ 70

Putting the Capo on the Guitar...............................................................................................70 Elastic Capos.............................................................................................................. 70 Constant Pressure Capos............................................................................................ 71 Variable Pressure Capos............................................................................................ 71

Knowing the Names of the Notes on the Neck – Rears it’s Ugly Head Again..................... 72 Quick Note Review....................................................................................................72

The Guitar Keys..................................................................................................................... 72 Transposition Chart................................................................................................................ 73

Transposition Chart Examples................................................................................... 73 Changing keys using the original chord shapes......................................................... 73 Keeping the same key, but changing the chord shapes.............................................. 74 A Little Bit of Transposition Practice ....................................................................... 75

Using the capo to arrange a song for 2 or more guitars......................................................... 75 The Capo in Printed Music.................................................................................................... 75

Tablature Relative to the Capo.................................................................................. 75 Tablature With a Capo Using Actual Frets................................................................ 76

Transposition Practice Answers............................................................................................. 76



Table of Contents

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Chapter 20 - Major 7 Chords............................................................................................................... 77

Open Position Major 7 Chords.............................................................................................. 77 Amaj7......................................................................................................................... 77

Amaj7 Chord Progressions............................................................................ 77 Cmaj7......................................................................................................................... 78

Cmaj7 Chord Progressions............................................................................ 78 Dmaj7......................................................................................................................... 78

Dmaj7 Chord Progressions............................................................................ 79 Emaj7......................................................................................................................... 79

Emaj7 Chord Progressions............................................................................ 79 Fmaj7......................................................................................................................... 79

Fmaj7 Chord Progressions............................................................................ 80 Gmaj7......................................................................................................................... 80

Gmaj7 Chord Progressions............................................................................ 80 Reviewing the open position Major 7 chords............................................................ 81

The Open Position Major 7 Etude................................................................. 81 Moveable Major 7 Chords..................................................................................................... 81

Moveable Major 7 Chords – Root on the 6th string................................................... 81 Moveable Major 7 Chords – Root on the 5th string................................................... 82 Moveable Major 7 Chords – Root on the 4th string................................................... 82 Practicing the Moveable Major 7 Chord Forms........................................................ 83 Moveable Major 7 Chord Progressions..................................................................... 83

Chapter 21 - Minor 7 Chords............................................................................................................... 84

Open Position Minor 7 Chords.............................................................................................. 84 Am7........................................................................................................................... 84

Am7 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 85 Bm7........................................................................................................................... 85

Bm7 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 85

Dm7........................................................................................................................... 85 Dm7 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 86

Em7........................................................................................................................... 86 Em7 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 87

Reviewing the open position Minor 7 chords............................................................ 87 The Open Position Minor 7 Etude................................................................. 87

Moveable Minor 7 Chords..................................................................................................... 88 Moveable Minor 7 Chords – Root on the 6th string................................................... 88 Moveable Minor 7 Chords – Root on the 5th string................................................... 89 Moveable Minor 7 Chord Progressions..................................................................... 90

Chapter 22 - Minor 7 (b5) Chords....................................................................................................... 91

Open Position Minor 7(b5) Chords....................................................................................... 91 Am7(b5)..................................................................................................................... 91

Am7(b5) Chord Progressions........................................................................ 91 Bm7(b5)..................................................................................................................... 91

Bm7(b5) Chord Progressions........................................................................ 92



Table of Contents

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C#m7(b5)................................................................................................................... 92 C#m7(b5) Chord Progressions....................................................................... 92

Dm7(b5)..................................................................................................................... 93 Dm7(b5) Chord Progressions........................................................................ 93

Reviewing the Open Position Minor 7(b5) Chords................................................... 93 The Open Position Minor 7(b5) Etude...........................................................93

Moveable Minor 7(b5) Chords.............................................................................................. 94 Moveable Minor 7(b5) Chords – Root on the 6th string........................................... 94 Moveable Minor 7(b5) Chords – Root on the 5th string........................................... 95 Moveable Minor 7(b5) Chord Progressions.............................................................. 95

Chapter 23 - Major 6 Chords.............................................................................................................. 96

Open Position Major 6 Chords.............................................................................................. 96 A6.............................................................................................................................. 96

A6 Chord Progressions.................................................................................. 96 C6.............................................................................................................................. 97

C6 Chord Progressions.................................................................................. 97 D6.............................................................................................................................. 97

D6 Chord Progressions.................................................................................. 98 E6.............................................................................................................................. 98

E6 Chord Progressions.................................................................................. 98 F6.............................................................................................................................. 99

F6 Chord Progressions.................................................................................. 99 G6.............................................................................................................................. 99

G6 Chord Progressions.................................................................................. 99 Reviewing the open position Major 6 chords............................................................ 100

The Open Position Major 6 Etude................................................................. 100 Moveable Major 6 Chords..................................................................................................... 100

Moveable Major 6 Chords – Root on the 6th string................................................... 100 Moveable Major 6 Chords – Root on the 5th string................................................... 101 Moveable Major 6 Chord Progressions..................................................................... 102

Chapter 24 - Minor 6 Chords.............................................................................................................. 103

Open Position Minor 6 Chords.............................................................................................. 103 Am6........................................................................................................................... 103

Am6 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 103 Bm6........................................................................................................................... 103

Bm6 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 104 Cm6........................................................................................................................... 104

Cm6 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 104 Dm6........................................................................................................................... 104

Dm6 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 105 Em6........................................................................................................................... 105

Em6 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 105 Fm6........................................................................................................................... 105

Fm6 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 106



Table of Contents

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Gm6........................................................................................................................... 106 Gm6 Chord Progressions............................................................................... 106

Reviewing the Open Position Minor 6 Chords.......................................................... 106 The Open Position Minor 6 Etude................................................................. 106

Moveable Minor 6 Chords..................................................................................................... 107 Moveable Minor 6 Chords – Root on the 6th string................................................... 107 Moveable Minor 6 Chords – Root on the 5th string................................................... 107 Moveable Minor 6 Chord Progressions..................................................................... 108

Chapter 25 - 7sus2 & 7sus4 Chords................................................................................................... 109

7sus4 Chords.......................................................................................................................... 109 Open Position 7sus2 Chords...................................................................................... 109

A7sus2........................................................................................................... 109 A7sus2 Chord Progressions............................................................... 109

B7sus2........................................................................................................... 109 B7sus2 Chord Progressions............................................................... 110

C7sus2........................................................................................................... 110 C7sus2 Chord Progressions............................................................... 110

D7sus2........................................................................................................... 111 D7sus2 Chord Progressions............................................................... 111

E7sus2........................................................................................................... 112 E7sus2 Chord Progressions............................................................... 112

G7sus2........................................................................................................... 112 G7sus2 Chord Progressions............................................................... 113

Reviewing the open position 7sus2 chords.................................................... 113 The Open Position 7sus2 Etude......................................................... 113

Moveable 7sus2 Chords............................................................................................. 113 Moveable 7sus2 Chords – Root on the 6th string........................................... 113 Moveable 7sus2 Chords – Root on the 5th string........................................... 114 Moveable 7sus2 Chord Progressions............................................................. 114

7sus4 Chords.......................................................................................................................... 114 Open Position 7sus4 Chords...................................................................................... 114

A7sus4........................................................................................................... 114 A7sus4 Chord Progressions............................................................... 115

B7sus4 ........................................................................................................... 115 B7sus4 Chord Progressions............................................................... 116

C7sus4........................................................................................................... 116 C7sus4 Chord Progressions............................................................... 116

D7sus4........................................................................................................... 117 D7sus4 Chord Progressions............................................................... 117

E7sus4........................................................................................................... 117 E7sus4 Chord Progressions............................................................... 118

G7sus4........................................................................................................... 118 G7sus4 Chord Progressions............................................................... 118

Reviewing the open position 7sus4 chords.................................................... 119 The Open Position 7sus4 Etude......................................................... 119



Table of Contents

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Moveable 7sus4 Chords............................................................................................. 119 Moveable 7sus4 Chords – Root on the 6th string........................................... 119 Moveable 7sus4 Chords – Root on the 5th string........................................... 119 Moveable 7sus4 Chord Progressions............................................................. 120

Chapter 26 - Diminished 7th and Augmented Chords......................................................................... 121

Diminished 7th Chords ........................................................................................................... 121 Diminished 7th Chord Progressions........................................................................... 122 I’m Hunting Wabbits................................................................................................. 122

Augmented Chords................................................................................................................ 123 Augmented Chord Progressions................................................................................ 123

Chapter 27 - Jazzy Chords................................................................................................................... 124

Jazzy Major 7 Chords............................................................................................................ 124 Jazzy Minor 7 Chords............................................................................................................ 125 Jazzy Dominant 7 Chords...................................................................................................... 125 Jazzy Rhythms....................................................................................................................... 126

Jazz Comping Patterns............................................................................................... 127 Jazz Comping Patterns – With Anticipations............................................................ 127

Jazzy Chord Progressions...................................................................................................... 128 Jazz Guitar Players................................................................................................................. 129

Chapter 28 - Blues Shuffle Patterns................................................................................................... 130

12 Bar Blues in A................................................................................................................... 130 Basic Shuffle Pattern #1 For A, D, and E.................................................................. 130 Plugging Shuffle Pattern #1 Into a 12 Bar Blues in A............................................... 131

Moveable Shuffle Pattern #1................................................................................................. 132 Blues in A With Moveable Shuffle Pattern #1.......................................................... 133 Blues in B With Moveable Shuffle Pattern #1.......................................................... 134

Anticipations With Blues Shuffle Patterns............................................................................ 134 More Shuffle Patterns With Open Strings............................................................................. 135 Another Common 12 Bar Blues Form................................................................................... 135 2 Measure Shuffle Patterns With Open Strings..................................................................... 136 12 Bar Blues in E................................................................................................................... 137

12 Bar Blues in E – Form #1..................................................................................... 137 12 Bar Blues in E – Form #2..................................................................................... 137

Chapter 29 - Music Theory: Chord Construction Crash Course......................................................... 138

C Major Scale........................................................................................................................ 138 3 Note Chords........................................................................................................................ 138 4 Note Chords........................................................................................................................ 139 Chord Functions..................................................................................................................... 140 Chord Formulas..................................................................................................................... 140 Tensions................................................................................................................................. 142



Table of Contents

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Chapter 30 - Chord Substitution & Embellishment............................................................................ 143

Chord Substitution................................................................................................................. 143 Major Chords............................................................................................................. 143 Minor Chords............................................................................................................. 143 Dominant 7th Chords.................................................................................................. 144

Chord Embellishment............................................................................................................ 144 Embellishing A.......................................................................................................... 144 Embellishing C.......................................................................................................... 145 Embellishing D.......................................................................................................... 146 Embellishing E.......................................................................................................... 146 Embellishing F.......................................................................................................... 146 Embellishing G.......................................................................................................... 146 Embellishing Am....................................................................................................... 147 Embellishing Dm....................................................................................................... 147 Embellishing Em....................................................................................................... 147 Embellishing A7........................................................................................................ 148 Embellishing C7........................................................................................................ 148 Embellishing D7........................................................................................................ 148 Embellishing E7......................................................................................................... 149 Embellishing G7........................................................................................................ 149

Chapter 31 - Arpeggiating Chords...................................................................................................... 150

Arpeggio Picking Pattern #1.................................................................................................. 150 Arpeggio Picking Pattern #1 Exercise....................................................................... 152



Arpeggio Picking Pattern #4.................................................................................................. 154 Arpeggiating Chords Song Simile – Condo of the Setting Moon............................. 155

First and Second Endings.............................................................................. 155 Beyond Straight Up and Down Patterns................................................................................ 156 Arpeggio Picking Pattern #5.................................................................................................. 156 Choosing a Picking Direction................................................................................................ 157

Inside vs. Outside Picking..........................................................................................157 Make Up Your Own Patterns................................................................................................. 159 Songs That Arpeggiate Chords.............................................................................................. 159

Chapter 32 - Drop D Tuning................................................................................................................ 160

Standard Tuning, and Standard Tuning Dropped.................................................................. 160 Transposing Instruments............................................................................................ 160

Drop D Tuning....................................................................................................................... 161 Getting Into Drop D by Ear....................................................................................... 161

Natural Harmonics......................................................................................... 161 Getting Out Of Drop D by Ear................................................................................... 162 The Ultra Easy Power Chord..................................................................................... 162



Table of Contents

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Industrial Accident Music.......................................................................................... 163 Drop D – Key of D?................................................................................................... 164 Drop D Chord Vocabulary......................................................................................... 164

Open Position Power Chords (5)– Drop D.................................................... 164 Moveable Power Chords (5) – Drop D.......................................................... 165 Open Position Major Chords – Drop D......................................................... 166

D & E................................................................................................. 166 G......................................................................................................... 166

Moveable Major Chords – Drop D................................................................ 166 Open Position Minor Chords – Drop D......................................................... 167

Dm & Em........................................................................................... 167 Moveable Minor Chords – Drop D................................................................ 167 Open Position Major (add9) Chords – Drop D.............................................. 167 Open Position Major 7 Chords – Drop D...................................................... 168 Open Position Minor (add9) Chords – Drop D.............................................. 168 Open Position Dominant 7th Chords – Drop D............................................. 168 Open Position Suspended 2nd (sus2) – Drop D.............................................. 168 Moveable Suspended 2nd (sus2) – Drop D..................................................... 169 Open Position Suspended 4th (sus4) – Drop D.............................................. 169 Moveable Suspended 4th (sus4) – Drop D..................................................... 169 Open Position 7sus) & 7sus4 – Drop D........................................................ 169

Staff Paper - Tab Paper - Blank Chord Charts.................................................................................... 170

Staff Paper.............................................................................................................................. 170 Tab Paper............................................................................................................................... 173 Blank Chord Charts................................................................................................................176


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Chapter 15 - sus2 & sus4 Chords

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sus4 Chords Next up are sus4 or suspended 4th chords. You can kind of think of sus2 and sus4 chords as brothers. The do have a similar sound, and are often used in combination with, and as substitutes for each other. Open Position sus4 Chords Asus4 There are 3 common fingerings for an open position Asus4 chord. It just depends on the situation which one you are going to use. So practice all 3. The first one is going to be easiest to relate to a basic open position A chord with your 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers. You just replace the note on the 2nd string with the note 1 fret higher and use your 4th finger.

Then next chord form is exactly the same as the first, just with a different fingering. This one is easiest to relate to an Am chord. It’s just a basic Am chord, only replace the note on the 2nd string with the 2nd string 3rd fret.

The last one you can relate to an A major chord where you barre your 1st finger across the 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings. You are just going to add your 3rd finger to the 2nd string 3rd fret.



Chapter 17 - Slash Chords – Alternate Bass Notes

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Dm root position

root in the bass

1st inversion 3rd in the bass

2nd inversion 5th in the bass

Em root position

root in the bass

1st inversion 3rd in the bass

2nd inversion 5th in the bass



Chapter 19 – Using a Capo

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Knowing the Names of the Notes on the Neck – Rears it’s Ugly Head Again In order to fully understand the idea behind using a capo, you need to have a basic understanding of the notes on the neck of the guitar. You did master that back in Chapter 7 didn’t you?! If not, go back now and learn the names of the notes on the neck. Chords are made up of notes, and therefore the topic of chords can’t be separated from notes. Quick Note Review All natural notes (A B C D E F G) are a whole step (2 frets) apart, except between E-F and B-C, which are a half step (1 fret) apart. The names of the open strings from the 6th to the 1st are E A D G B & E. A sharp ( ) is one fret higher than a natural note, and a flat ( )is one fret lower. Knowing this is important, because you need to understand that a B chord is a half step higher than an A chord. This is why playing an A chord shape with the capo at the 1st fret will give you a B chord sound. The Guitar Keys Below is a list of the "guitar keys". These are the major keys that are most commonly played on the guitar. The chords in the light gray cells are the basic open position chords. The chords in the white cells would require you to play a barre chord. When making a judgment as to which key shape to transpose a song to, a lot of times you will choose the one that will not make you play a barre chord. Or at least give you the fewest number of barre chords. The “Cheater” The capo is sometimes called "the cheater" by some people. Mainly because it lets you play in any key using basic chord shapes. Basically letting you avoid barre chords. This is partially true, but in addition those open position chords have a unique sound, a sound that you could not get using a barre chord form. So besides just making songs in particular keys easier to play, the capo is used to create a sound that you could not get otherwise. The guitar keys I IIm IIIm IV V VIm VIIo C Dm Em F G or G7 Am Bo G Am Bm C D or D7 Em F o D Em F m G A or A7 Bm C o A Bm C m D E or E7 F m G o E F m G m A B* or B7 C m D o *There is not a basic open position B chord. In the key of E, a B7 chord is used more often.



Chapter 28 - Blues Shuffle Patterns

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2 Measure Shuffle Patterns With Open Strings Here are a couple of blues shuffle patterns that are 2 measures long. They work nicely with the blues form you just learned. They can also be plugged into the first blues form you learned, but only in the places where there are 2 measures of the same chord in a row. A Shuffle Pattern #6

A Shuffle Pattern #7 This pattern has something new…a bend. Now we are not going to go into a full-blown explanation of bends, that’s for lead guitar players. We are the rhythm . But on the & of beat 4 in the 1st measure of this pattern you see an arrow pointing up, and “½” above it. This means you are going to bend that note up a half step over the course of 1 beat. You are going bend with your 2nd finger in this case, and do so by pulling the string down towards the floor until the pitch is raised so that it sounds like the 4th fret on the same string If you are playing on an acoustic guitar, this can be difficult. But any bend should do the trick in this situation, even if you can’t get it up quite a half step. If you can’t bend, just substitute the note at the 4th fret on the 5th string instead. This pattern is very similar to the one used in the song “Rock n’ Roll” by Led Zeppelin.



Chapter 31 – Arpeggiating Chords

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Arpeggiating Chords Song Simile – Condo of the Setting Moon “Condo of the Setting Moon” is similar to “House of the Rising Sun”, a folk song that was made popular by group the Animals. First and Second Endings

First and Second Endings are used when part of the previous music is repeated, but has a different ending the next time through. A bracket with a 1 designates the First Ending ( ). At the finish of the First Ending there is a Repeat Sign ( ) at which you will return to either the beginning of the piece, or to a repeat sign that faces the other direction ( ). The music is then played again skipping the first ending and finishing with the Second Ending that is starts with a bracket with a 2 ( ). In “Condo of the Setting Moon” I have actually written it using a 3rd ending as well.



Chapter 32 - Drop D Tuning

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Expanding beyond just the open strings, you can play a 4, 5, and 6 string version of an open position D5.

Here are a few other open position power chords.

Moveable Power Chords (5) – Drop D We have already looked at the first 2 forms of moveable power chords in Drop D. The next 2 just expand up to the 3rd and 4th strings. These just give you a little bigger sound when needed. Because they involve more fingers they can’t be moved around as quickly as the 1 finger versions.



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