Category
Chords & Music Theory
Chords are the foundation of almost every song you play on guitar. In this category you learn to read them, fret them and link them together. You will find explanations of chord charts and tabs, of barre chords and of the theory behind them: why certain chords go together, how a progression works and what scales give you when you want to improvise. The topics run from your very first chord to jazz chords and modulation, so there is material for beginners and for more advanced players.
Just starting out? Then first read the overview of guitar chords and then your first chord: E major. Can you fret the chords but switching still feels clumsy? The tips for changing chords faster will help. Want to understand what you are playing? Continue with music theory for guitarists.
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Ear Training Exercises With Guitar
Ear training exercises on guitar teach you to hear what you play: the difference between major and minor, the distance between two notes and…
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Exercise to Make Your Barre Chords Stronger
You make a barre chord stronger by pressing smarter, not harder. Place your index finger right behind the fret, roll it slightly onto its…
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Finger Exercises for Smooth Chord Changes
With targeted finger exercises for smooth chord changes, you train your fingers to move from one chord to the next in a single motion.…
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What Is Harmony in Guitar Music?
What is harmony in guitar music? Harmony is the sound of several notes played at the same time, as in a chord, and the…
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Learning to Modulate on Guitar
Learning to modulate on guitar comes down to one skill: switching smoothly to another key in the middle of a song. You usually do…
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Understanding Chord Progressions on Guitar
A chord progression is the order in which chords follow one another in a song. The fastest way to understand chord progressions on guitar…
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Learning Music Theory for Guitarists
Learning music theory as a guitarist starts with three things: the notes on the guitar neck, how scales are built and how chords come…
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How to Read Guitar Tabs (Tablature): The Complete Guide With Examples
Short answer: Guitar tabs (tablature) use six lines and numbers to show where to play on the guitar neck. Each line is a string,…
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Guitar Scales: The 5 Most Important and How to Practice Them
Short answer: The five most important guitar scales are major, natural minor, minor pentatonic, major pentatonic and blues. Start with A minor pentatonic at…
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How to Learn Jazz Chords on Guitar
How do you learn jazz chords on guitar? Start with five four-note chords: maj7, m7, dominant 7, m7b5 and dim7. Learn them as movable…
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How to Combine Theory and Feel on Guitar
How do you combine theory and feel on guitar? Use theory as a map and your ears as a compass: know which notes fit…
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Blues Scale Guitar Practice for Beginners
The easiest way to practice the blues scale as a beginner is in A, in first position around the 5th fret. It is the…
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Tips for Changing Between Guitar Chords Faster
You learn to change between guitar chords faster by practicing only the transition, moving your fingers as one unit and using fingers that stay…
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How to Learn Barre Chords as a Beginner
How do you learn to play barre chords as a beginner? Start with a small barre across two or three strings, then learn the…
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Spanish Chord Progressions for Guitar
The best-known Spanish chord progression for guitar is the Andalusian progression: Am – G – F – E. You hear this descending series in…
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Simple Country Guitar Chords for Beginners
With the simple country guitar chords G, C, D, Em and Am, plus A and E, you can already play many well-known country songs…
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Learning Arabic Scales on Guitar
An Arabic scale (maqam, plural maqamat) is a series of usually seven notes with its own intervals, sometimes including quarter tones. The easiest way…
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Accompanying Songs on Guitar: How to Play Songs With Chords
Short answer: Looking for guitar songs with chords to play along with? Besides the chord shapes, you need three things: the ability to read…
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E Major Chord on Guitar: Your First Chord for Beginners
You play the E major chord (022100) on guitar with three fingers on the first two frets: your index finger on the first fret…
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Which Guitar Chords Go Together
Which chords go together on guitar? Chords that come from the same key. In every major key you mainly use six chords: degrees I,…