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For Guitar Step by Step instructions to learn to play guitar & play by ear For use with the DVD Teaching Series By Jordan Biel available at www.The7Theory.com

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Guitar Chords_________________________________ _ Music Book by Jordan Biel

The first chords we’ll learn are below. They’re all “Major” chords. Anytime you see a chord and it doesn’t have a lowercase “m” next to it, it implies that it’s major. If the chord is minor, you’ll see a small “m” next to it. For ex. Am = A minor When you see an X next to a string, it means that you don’t play it. When you see an 0 next to a string, it means you do play that string “open” For example, when playing the A chord, you’ll strum the bottom 5 strings but not the top “E” string. The first 3 chords we’ll learn are D, D2 and Dsus.

D

D2 (also called Dadd9)

Dsus

_______________________________________________________________________

The next 2 chords we’ll learn are G & C2

G

C2

Next are many chords you’ll need to teach yourself. Imagine you’ve laid the guitar down flat on your lap so that you can see all 6 strings – this is how you’ll see the chords below. Remember, X means DON’T play that string. O means DO play it.

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Major Chords

***Every Major Chord consists of the 1, 3, 5 of that chord’s key. Within a given scale there are 8 notes, 7 if you don’t count the Octave (the 8 th) This is why I’ve termed my series The 7 Theory because it teaches you to look for and listen for Numbers 1 through 7 in any given song. And if you’d like to be a songwriter, it will help you immensely because you’ll discover what your options are for chords when you’re writing. For example, a G scale consists of G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em, D/F# & G These are the 7 Chords in the Key of G. Notice how the 1 st, 3rd, and 5th have a root note of G, B, D

A G chord consists of these 3 notes: G B D EAR TRAINING: Major Chords sound HAPPY! They make you feel good, glad, they make you smile, etc. Most pop, rock, and worship songs are in major keys and you’ll hear mostly major chords – you’ll hear some minor chords, but not too many. Minor chords sound SAD. Major = Happy! When you hear someone say “E” they don’t have to say “E major.” It’s assumed that the chord is major if only the chord name is mentioned. If the chord is E minor, the chord chart will have a small m next to the chord and the person will say “E minor”

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For example, E minor looks like this: Em

Em7

With an Em7, the 7th note in the Em scale is added and that is a D note. We’ll learn all about 7th chords in a few weeks. For now, just know that an Em Scale is: E F# G A B C D E The D is the 7th note in the Scale so being a D note is added to the Em chord, we call it an Em7 Every Major Chord consists of the 1, 3, 5 of that chord’s key. For example: the C Chord below consists of C, E, & G The C scale is C D E F G A B C So to build a C major chord, you need the 1, 3, 5 of that scale. (This is true for all of music – the keyboard, other instruments, etc.)

Playing A Progression Let’s try playing a progression. A progression is a series of chords, usually 4 chords, 4 measures. 4 measures = 1 bar. So let’s try this progression: It’s just A for 4 counts, then D for four counts. Try to play it at 80bpm (80 beats per minute – use a metronome or keyboard drum loop to play a steady tempo)

G

C2

G

C2

5 Try this at multiple speeds – multiple bpm(s) Try it to a fast tempo (110bpm), then try it to a slow tempo (65bpm). Then try playing it to a medium tempo (80bpm) This is important to do because ½ of playing is listening!!! I repeat: Half of Playing is Listening. You must focus on the beat – the tempo set by the drummer or metronome and be in sync with that. You can play all the right chords in the right order, but if you’re playing at the wrong pace, then it’ll sound terrible!!! =)

Now let’s try another progression – one with 3 chords in the key of G!

4/4 G

C2

D

C2

When you’re practicing at home, be sure to play these progression at different tempos (speeds) so you’re able to play actual songs – which vary in speed. If you don’t have a metronome or keyboard or something to keep perfect tempo, you need to get one!!! MusiciansFriend.com or Guitar Center will have many affordable options for you.

Now let’s try another progression, one with 4 chords. This again, is in the key of G. We’re simply adding an Em. Let’s try playing C normal instead of C2 (C2 looks like a G chord only the first 2 fingers are down a string) What you’ll notice different here is that there are 2 lines – one thick, one thin at the end of the bar (4 consecutive chords) that means, you’ll repeat that bar and then play the G to end.

Let’s go to the next page to try another progression:

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Em7

C2

G

D

If you can play this progression of Em7 C2 G D You can play about 10,000 songs!!!! Not Kidding! Congratulations! For example, here is a popular worship song with these chords: Playing with a Capo Playing with a capo is fun because you can play in the easy key of "G" and yet the song can actually be in another Key like A. Find the Key. Now find the root (or Tonic) (same name as the key) on the top E string. that is where your middle finger will go when forming a "G" chord. Now put the capo on the 2nd Fret.

______________________________________________________ Now, let’s try playing a progression in another key, the key of A.

7 You might see chords like this

A

D

A

D

_________________________________________________________________________

How do I know the Key of the Song? You can usually know the key of the song by looking at the top left or top right of the chord chart but if it doesn’t say it, you can just look at all the chords present and see which key has all of those specific chords by looking at the Nashville # System page. It has a list of all the keys and the main chords within those keys. For example, the key of G, mainly has these: G Am Bm C D Em D/F# G Almost all of these chords are present in the following song, Healer. *Remember, anytime you see 2 chords that are underlined, it means that you give those chords only ½ the measure. So in this case, the song is in 4/4 timing, meaning every measure gets 4 counts (4 quarter notes) Also, when you see a chord with a / in it, that means you’ll play the note, chord on the left and the bass player plays the note on the right of the slash. For example, when you see D/F# you just play the D, the bass player will play the F#. Note – when you’re playing by yourself, you can often play the full chord – playing the bass note as well. Like for D/F#, just put your thumb on the top E string, 2nd Fret, and now you’ve got D/F#

Let’s jump to the key of A. You might see also see chords like this …

A

E

D

A

F#m

E

*Remember, anytime you see 2 chords that are underlined, it means that you give those chords only ½ the measure. So in this case, the song is in 4/4 timing, meaning every measure gets 4 counts (4 quarter notes) So you’d play A for 4 counts, E for 4 counts, then D A F#m and E only get 2 counts each because they’re underlined. Now, let’s talk THEORY again. It’s important that you know WHY a chord is what it is. This way, you can continue to teach yourself all kinds of music, all kinds of new chords, even new instruments. When you understand MUSIC THEORY as a whole, you’ll be able to pick up other instruments in no time!

8 We’ve covered a lot about major chords and played some cool progressions using major chords, now let’s learn about minor chords. Remember, Major Chords sound Happy or Strong.

Minor Chords

Minor chords sound sad. You’ll hear minor chords When you’re watching a SAD part of a show or movie. They’re very emotional chords and if you heard a progression of 4 minor chords in a row over and over and over, you’d soon probably be depressed!!! Major chords usually sound happy and exciting, not sad.

Minor Chords consist of the 1, 3b, 5 of that chord’s key. Let’s use the Am for our example. The A major scale is: A B C# D E F# G# A (refer to the Nashville # System page for all major scales) So for the Major Chord A, you’ll need the 1st 3rd and 5th - the A, C# & E But to build a minor chord, remember, you have to “flat the 3rd” so you take C# down one half step, making it a normal C. So an Am chord consists of A, C, E (not A C# E) Because there’s an x on the E string, you don’t play it. You need to strum the A string and down (only the bottom 5 strings)

* The lowest note of your chord should always be the ROOT.  

The ROOT is the “1” of the scale and it’s always the same name as the Chord. For example, the ROOT of Cm is C. The root of Gm7 is G.

Let’s learn some Minor Chords.

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Homework: This week, please try to memorize all 4 of the minor chords above. ***Make sure EVERY note (every string you hit) sounds good – nice and clear, not “buzzing”

Bar Chords Bar chords are called “bar” chords because your first finger (index) will make a “bar” across the neck of the guitar and your other fingers will form the rest of the chord. Usually, the top of your first finger plays the root – the lowest note in the chord – usually the same name as the chord. For ex. If you’re playing a Gm bar chord, your first finger is playing a G note on the top string.

Below are some Major bar chords that are played using all 6 strings. These are called Bar Chords or “power chords” You’ll see that they all look the same. They look like the E chord, only with a bar (your index finger) in front of it. Let’s move chromatically (every single fret – every single note – every half step) up the neck, starting with E.

The middle finger is on the G string. The pinky finger is on the D string and the ring finger is on the A string. The index finger, again, is forming the bar across all 6 strings.

PLAY: Let’s try to play this progression using Bar Chords:

F

C

F

C

At home, practice this progression at a slow tempo: 70, then a medium tempo: 90bpm, then a fast tempo 120bpm. Before we move on to more chords, let’s talk about a few styles of playing:

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Palm Muting Let’s play the same progression, F to C, back n forth, but only strum the top 2 or 3 strings and mute the stings a little bit with the palm of your hand – this is why it’s called “Palm Muting”

Notice how they all look the same! You just need to think: Where’s the root (the main note- the first note name of the chord) And then what’s the form? Major or Minor? Etc.

MINOR Bar Chords: The minor Bar Chord formation looks very similar to the regular (major) bar chord, all you do is take the middle finger off. So the middle finger is NOT on the G string. The pinky finger is still on the D string and the ring finger is still on the A string. The index finger, again, is forming the bar across all 6 strings. The top of your index finger is playing the ROOT (the most important note of the bar chord). The root, remember is the same as the chord name. For example, if the chord is an Am, the root is an A note. If the chord is a Bm7, the root is a low B note.

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Here’s an F#m

This is how you play EVERY minor Bar Chord up and down the neck! Just think, “Where is the root?” And move your hand to that spot.

___________________________________________________________

Homework: Try to play this progression to a set tempo (on a keyboard or metronome) Using only bar chords using all 6 strings – with your root on the top E string.

A

F#m

A

F#m

Try this at slow, medium and fast tempos. Now try this second progression using 4 chords at slow, medium and fast tempos.

B

G#m

F#

E

*NOTE This is called a “Walk-Down” in music bc the chords and bass line walks down the scale Let’s play this progression now in the Key of C – also a Walk-Down Using only bar chords using all 6 strings – with your root on the top E string.

C

Am

G

F

Try this at slow, medium and fast tempos.

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Now try this second progression using 4 chords at slow, medium and fast tempos.

C

G

Am

F

It’s important to be playing different progressions every day so you can easily learn songs in the future! Let’s try one more in the Key of C.

C

G

F

Dm

___________________________________________________________ Let’s switch keys now from C to D and play a few progressions w bar chords. Remember bar chords sound really good on the electric guitar so if you play acoustic, you may not play a lot of bar chords, but it’s still REALLY GOOD to know how to! In fact, in certain genres of music, bar chords palm muted on the acoustic sound REALLY COOL – like country and pop-rock. So try this progression in the Key of D:

D

Bm

A

D

G

G

Now try:

G

A

A

D

G

A

Bm

G A D

Remember, chords that are underlined ONLY GET ½ the measure (2 counts in 4/4 timing) Let’s try to play a popular worship song by Hillsong United, Healer

Healer Key: G 75bpm 4/4 Verse 1

G

G

You hold my every moment

C

D

G

You calm my raging seas

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G

D/F#

Em7

C

D

You walk with me through fire And heal_ all my—disea_se PRE-CH Pt. 2

Am7 G/B C

Am7 C

I trust__ in—You__

D

I trust__ in-_ You__

TO CH

Chorus

G

G

Em7

I believe You're my healer

G

G

I believe

Em7

C

You are all I need

Em7

Em7

I believe You're my portion I believe You're more than enough for me

Em7

D/F#

C

D

Em7

D/F#

Jesus You're all_ I_ need_

Let’s play a song YOU want to play? We’ll write the chords here: ________________________________ Time Signature:

Tempo:

C

Key:

Vs. 1

CHORUS

BRIDGE

Let’s learn how to build a minor BAR chord. We’ll start with a Cm bar chord.

C

D

14 We said that the C scale consists of C D E F G A B C So to build a Cm, we need C Eb G Notice how the E is changed to Eb when you’re building a Cm instead of C Major.

Every minor bar chord looks the same, when your root note (played by the top of your index finger) is on the A string. The 2 dots on the 3rd fret indicate the index finger is playing that whole bar – from the A string down to the bottom E string.

Minor Chords with the root on the A string. Minor Bar Chords with the root on the A string are slightly different in that they DO have the middle finger on – playing the B string. Everything is moved down one string. This time, for major bar chords, the middle finger is off and for minor bar chords on (with the root on the A string) the middle finger is ON.

Here’s a Bm

This is how you play EVERY minor Bar Chord up and down the neck! Just think, “Where is the root?” And move your hand to that spot.

HomeWork for This Week: 1) Try to put all of these bar chords to memory. Don’t get overwhelmed or intimidated! Remember, they all look exactly the same, you just move your hand up the neck of the guitar, one fret at a time. If you memorized the top 2 strings (E and A) then you can learn all the bar chords in one week! =) Easy!

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2) Play this progression to slow, medium and fast tempos:

A

Bm

A

D

(repeat)

3) Now play this progression to slow, medium and fast tempos:

A

E

F#m

D

(repeat)

At home, practice this progression at a slow tempo: 70, then a medium tempo: 90bpm, then a fast tempo 120bpm.

The Number System in summary The # System applies a # (1-8) too each note and chord within any major scale.

1 G

2 Am

3 Bm

4 C

5 D

6 Em

5/7 D/F#

Bb

Cm

Dm

Eb

F

Gm

F/A

Playing with a Capo Playing with a capo is fun because you can play in the easy key of "G" and yet the song can actually be in a funky key like Bb or Ab... Find the Key. Now find the root (or Tonic) (same name as the key) on the top E string. that is where your middle finger will go when forming a "G" chord. Now put the capo 3 frets back. Count three back and put it on the 3rd Fret Back.

Let’s figure this out together: Transpose this song from Bb to the key of G Bb

F

Gm

Eb

Ask yourself – what #s are being played? Go ahead and write the corresponding # above the chords above.

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now put the capo on the 3rd fret and play those #s in "G" G D Em C

TRANSPOSE YOUR FAVORITE SONG HERE:

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The Nashville Number System in more detail The # System applies a # (1-8) too each note and chord within any major scale.

The 2, 3 and 6 are always minor! The 1, 4 and 5 are always Major!

1 G

2 Am

3 Bm

4 C

5 D

6 Em

5/7 D/F#

A

Bm

C#m

D

E

F#m

E/G#

Bb

Cm

Dm

Eb

F

Gm

F/A

B

C#m

D#m

E

F#

G#m

F#/Bb

C

Dm

Em

F

G

Am

G/B

D

Em

F#m

G

A

Bm

A/C#

E

F#m

G#m

A

B

C#m

B/D#

F

Gm

Am

Bb

C

Dm

C/E

APPLY: Write out and then play this progression in different keys: 1st in the Key of C 1st Progression: 1 C

5 G

6Am

4 F

Now play that same progression ( 1 5 6 4) in the key of G.

Write it out:

1 ____

5 ____

6m _____

4 _____

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Now play that same progression ( 1 5 6 4) in the key of A. Write it out:

____

____

_____

_____

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Progression:

1 C

6Am

5 G

4 F

Now play that same progression ( 1 6 5 4) in the key of G. Write it out:

____

____

_____

_____

Now play that same progression ( 1 6 5 4) in the key of A. Write it out:

____

____

_____

_____

Now play that same progression ( 1 6 5 4) in the key of D. Write it out:

____

____

_____

_____

Now play that same progression ( 1 6 5 4) in the key of B. Write it out:

____

____

_____

_____

NOTE This is the same music you played on page 9 when we were going over Bar Chords and what a “walk-down” is. Now, you’re just thinking in terms of #s instead of just “ok, this chord… ok now this chord…” Why Think #s? Because when you think in #s, now you can Transpose a Song, Figure out a Song, Write a Song more easily and more!

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Transposing a song. This is what we did above when we took a progression (or a “song”) in the key of C, then changed it to the key of G or A or any key. To modulate is to take a song UP a key! JORDAN CONTINUE WRITING HERE……

Other ways to play some chords if you don’t want to play Bar Chords:

7th Chords 7th chords simply add the 7th note in that scale to the chord. Major 7th Chords = 1 3

5

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“Dominant” 7th Chords (also just named “7th” Chords) = 1 3 5 7b For example, here’s an A7 chord: A7 chord needs :

A C# E G

The G note is the 7th note.

A B C# D E F# G# A is the A major scale. So why is there a G added instead of a G#? Because Major 7th Chords = 1 3

5

7

Minor 7th Chords = 1 3b 5 7b