One of the fundamental guitar chords, barre C is an ideal starting point. Requiring only four fingers spread over two frets, it makes this chord perfect for children with smaller hands.
Chords derive from scale and follow an orderly, predictable path; once you learn this pattern, understanding chord progressions becomes straightforward.
Open C chord
The Open C chord is one of the first guitar chords many beginners learn, making it an invaluable part of many songs and easy to play using just three fingers. Furthermore, it makes an ideal way to develop power chords.
A triad chord is so-called due to its three notes. While you can typically play it using just your fingertips, additional extension notes such as 5ths may also be added for added color – for instance to create more major chords.
Experiment with different variations of this chord, including sus chords – extended standard chords in which one note has been removed to produce a unique sound – such as Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day using sus chords or adding major sixth augmentation similar to power chords.
Barre C chord
A barre chord is a type of guitar chord in which one finger covers multiple frets on the fingerboard to mutes the strings and create a more muted sound. This technique is especially beneficial to acoustic guitar players and can add lots of character to songs; however, mastery of this technique takes practice.
Barre chords require significant pressure from your index finger, so regular practice is necessary for building strength and dexterity in your fingers. Furthermore, it’s wise to explore various shapes and fingering patterns.
As an example, barre your index finger across all six strings at the fifth fret to form a G barre chord; by moving this shape up two frets you can play D barre chord; alternatively you may create other minor triads by shifting this shape up or down, provided your index finger covers all open strings.
Open D chord
The Open D chord is an ideal way to add depth to your playing. Easy to learn, this chord works in many songs and works particularly well immediately before or after another major or minor chord progression – for instance a Dsus2 or Dsus4 chord are actually made up of 1st and 5th notes of a D major scale!
Open D tuning offers many interesting chord voicings that you can find charts for in the Essential Chord Voicings in Open D Tuning ebook. As these chords are moveable, you can easily switch them out for other keys if desired; for instance, Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles could still sound similar; Island in the Sun by Wheezer contains power chords throughout, providing an ideal song to practice open and barre chords.
Barre D chord
Barre chords are an essential element in many styles of guitar playing. Strummed quickly and with great sound, barre chords can also be used to move up and down the fretboard while changing keys as needed – an indispensable resource for new guitarists!
For this barre chord, place your index finger across all six strings at the tenth fret firmly to “barre” them – this process is known as “barring.” Your ring finger should then be placed at 12th fret of A-5th string to play an A note while pinky finger goes at 12th fret of D-4 (D string) playing D note an octave higher than chord’s root note.
This chord shape is derived from E major, but easily converts to A minor with just one switch. Jazz musicians frequently utilize this variation for its brighter sound when using roots on fifth string as opposed to E major.