Chords are an integral component of guitar music theory. At first, their charts may seem intimidating; however, with practice they will become easier to grasp.
A chord consists of three notes played simultaneously at specific intervals. This lesson will cover the fundamental major triad; as your skills and understanding improve, more advanced triads and seventh chords may become available to you.
Key of F Major
The key of F major features one flat (B). The Circle of Fifths worksheet illustrates its key signature.
F Major is an extremely flexible chord. Perfect for songs requiring a relaxing or reflective vibe, as well as for creating more upbeat pieces.
F major contains several nonstandard chords in addition to standard triads: sus chords (also called suspension chords), major seventh chords, and dominant seventh chords. Suspended chords consist of regular triads in which one semitone has been moved up or down in order to alter their character; major seventh chords and dominant seventh chords also fall under this heading.
Liszt was known to favor this key, and created many meditative pieces like his Nocturne and Barcarolle in F-sharp as well as the first polka from Harmonies Poetiques et Religieuses S.163. It makes an ideal accompaniment for emotive or spiritual music such as Hey Jude by John Lennon which was written to comfort his son during their parents’ divorce.
Chords
Hey Jude is an easy song to play and sing-along with, making it ideal for beginners who are learning barre chords. Additionally, its limited amount of barre chords provides a good opportunity for experimentation; simply place the capo on different frets to change keys and hear how it sounds; this version uses F major as its starting point, however use any fret of choice until your voice shines through!
This lesson features mostly chords from the diatonic scale of F major, with two exceptions. Paul uses an F7 dominant seventh chord as a bridge into the B section, and an Eb chord at the end borrows from F mixolydian mode which often appears in Beatles songs due to its melodic qualities. Otherwise, all chords should be straightforward when your capo is at 3rd fret.
Verse
A chord is any group of notes played at specific intervals. The most basic chord type, known as a triad, consists of three notes separated by an interval known as the degree scale and represents different notes on a scale.
Guitarists frequently employ Roman numerals to identify which chords they’re playing; for instance, when a guitarist states they are using an I, IV and V chord progression, this indicates they are using a major triad.
Minor triad chords are another type of chord found within the major scale; these use minor intervals instead, giving them a more melancholic sound and dissonant quality that may even dissonance at times, but this shouldn’t be a cause of alarm as just practicing will easily rectify any difficulties you encounter; practicing using only your fingertips for optimal sound will yield results!
Lyrics
Hey Jude is one of the Beatles’ best-known songs and an ideal choice for any celebration or event, thanks to its simple yet emotive lyrics that have touched generations over time. Hey Jude serves as an inspiring message: never give up and always persevere no matter what comes your way!
Paul McCartney originally composed Hey Jude to comfort John Lennon’s son during their parents’ divorce; since then it has become an anthem for those experiencing hardship or depression. Additionally, its grandiose coda at the end of each performance makes Hey Jude a fan-favorite.
Hey Jude’s chord progression is designed for beginners. There are only two chords which do not conform to the diatonic scale of F major – F7 and Eb. These two chords serve to transition into B section while Eb comes from F mixolydian mode.