Is This Love is a classic reggae song originally recorded by Bob Marley and the Wailers on their album Kaya, and later covered by Hawaiian reggae band Three Plus on their 2003 album 3+ 4 U. This version has slightly altered keys than its original incarnation but should work equally well on both electric or acoustic guitars.
Triads
Triads are chords made up of three notes and are among the easiest types to learn. Additionally, they serve as an excellent introduction to intervals – the basic building blocks of Western music.
To recognize a triad, keep this in mind: its lower two notes should be separated by a major third while its upper note by a minor third. Being able to recognize this by ear allows you to play and improvise in any key without limitations or restrictions imposed by traditional musical notation.
Fingering and inversion exercises can help develop flexibility in your playing, and could even add open-voiced triads into your lead progressions.
Intervals
Intervals refer to how far apart notes sit on the fretboard. When combined with scales, intervals create chords and arpeggio shapes.
Understanding intervals is key to successfully navigating a guitar neck. Doing so prevents you from unwittingly following large shapes or relying on muscle memory alone.
Example of 4th Interval Notes If two notes located two strings and one fret away from your root note constitute the 4th intervals, however this relationship varies based on string and octave choice.
Decisively determining an interval’s size also relies upon its scale; major or minor scale notes can either have diminished (one half step smaller) or augmented intervals that sound harmonically alike are called Diminished and Augmented intervals, while those that differ are called diminished intervals and Augmented intervals respectively.
Chord Progressions
Chord progressions provide the basis of all melodies in all genres of music and knowing how to build them is a critical aspect of guitar chord theory.
Relationships between chords and melodies are highly stable and predictable. If a C Major or Am is played over a D melody, its chord tones (root and third) will correspond perfectly with its D notes.
This chord progression has become one of the most prominent in all of music and can be heard on songs by artists like Rihanna, Sam Smith, and Adele. This specific sequence works particularly well in rock and metal music to add a thrilling edge.
Major 7ths
Seventh chords provide a distinctive sound, making them an indispensable asset in your progressions. To create them, add a major seventh interval above any triad chord.
A maj7 chord is an ideal choice for jazz and ballad music, providing an air of dreaminess and sophistication. They’re also found frequently in rock songs, adding an elegant quality to chord progressions.
Minor major 7ths are non-diatonic chords used widely in R&B and funk music, providing a stronger tone suitable for snappy progressions. You might see them written out differently with just an “m”, though either way it represents the same chord.
Minor 7ths
Minor 7th chords combine the benefits of minor triads with those of adding an added minor seventh note for added accent notes and quirkier sounds than other minor chords. They offer excellent ways to add musical variety into songs across genres by providing songs with that familiar minor chord sound while giving off something lilting or quizzical sound that other chords may lack.
To create this chord, just lower the third of a major 7th by half steps until it becomes a minor 7.
Chord extensions such as #9 and #11 add extra spice to your chords, making your music sound more interesting than before – like adding an extra pinch of seasoning!
Open Chords
Open chords are an indispensable component of most genres of music. Not only are they versatile, but they’re also great for building finger strength and transitioning between different strumming patterns. Chord diagrams feature Xs and Os to indicate which strings need to be muted when playing certain chords.
Standard guitar tuning offers five open major chord shapes; these can be used to create happy, bright songs. When ready to experiment further, try moving the third note of your scale down half step – this changes its sound into something more melancholy and mysterious – give it a try and see for yourself!