Learn Guitar Chords, Scales & Theory with This Step-by-Step Approach
Chords are combinations of notes used to add texture and dimension to a melody. Individual notes have numbers assigned that correspond with specific keys you may be playing in; one sharp (#) is equivalent to two flats (b).
Triads
Triads are one of the easiest chords to learn for beginners, consisting of three distinct notes that form specific intervals. As such, learning triads should be one of their first priorities.
Harmonic chords consist of three notes – a root note, the major third (which is four semitones from it), and perfect fifths which are seven semitones away from it). When combined, these components create a very stable sounding chord.
Building triads has two voicing options – open or closed. Closed triads contain notes close together (for example C E G). Open triads may feature the same chord notes written as different combinations such as C G B; these variations of chord inversion can change its sound drastically.
As you develop an understanding of chord shapes and their respective positions on the fretboard, your grasp of triads will only deepen. Triads form the cornerstone of chords; as such they’ll serve as your basis as you study scales, major chords and minor triads.
Major
As you navigate the chord progressions that comprise a song, it becomes evident that major and minor chords sound distinct. While this might initially seem surprising, these differences in sound have significant bearing on how each piece of music sounds overall.
Major and minor guitar chords differ based on the intervals they employ in their construction. For instance, major chords use ascending thirds (or spaces), meaning each space between non-consecutive scale notes constitutes one whole step or perfect fifth of a scale note interval.
Beginners often start off their guitar studies with chord charts containing C-E-G as a simple visual aid to visualize intervals. More experienced guitarists may benefit from chord shapes with similar intervals but use different extensions like b9 (more on this later).
Minor
Minor chords are most characterized by their somber tone. Major chords tend to have a lively and upbeat sound in comparison. This distinction between major and minor chords stems mainly from their different interval structures – for instance a C major triad contains a major third while its counterpart in minor keys contains an inferior third (ie flat three).
This variation in interval structure is what gives major and minor chords on a guitar their distinct sound and texture, so when learning them for songs it is crucial to understand how these differences impact both sound and mood of music pieces.
No matter if you use tablature or sheet music, understanding basic principles of music theory is essential to playing guitar correctly. By understanding them, you’ll make more informed decisions regarding which notes and chords should be played and where. With practice comes proficiency; patterns will become second nature.
Mixolydian
Mixolydian chords provide the harmonic foundation to melodic ideas, while seventh chords often use Mixolydian scale’s flattened seventh to produce an unusual, dark sound; some listeners might describe it as mysterious or dark; however, others find its soothing qualities make up for any potential uncertainty about the scale’s darker characteristics.
Mixolydian follows a similar formula to Major Pentatonic Scale with one key difference; when creating this mode, seventh note is lowered by half-step to form Mixolydian mode and give a unique sound when used over seventh chords.
As soon as you’ve familiarized yourself with Mixolydian chord progressions, begin improvising over it using different phrasing and techniques in order to hear how the sound may change over time. Furthermore, experiment with other modes like Lydian to develop more distinctive sounds; all these choices provide you with plenty of choices when creating new guitar chords or melodies of your own.