Free Guitar Chord Chart Articles

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Guitar - Beyond The Chord Chart
by: Mike Beatham

We've all been there - soon after we get hold of our first guitar we know that to play anything people are actually going to listen to we need to "learn a few chords". These first few chords for most beginners end up being the open position chords, down at the first few frets.

Soon, we begin to associate these basic chords with shapes - E, A, D, C and G shapes. These 5 shapes are way more fundamental than we initially think, because once it comes to mastering the dreaded F chord, or more accurately, the "E-shape barre", we immediately feel liberated - we can now create major and minor chord variations up and down the neck.

Some stop there. Some may even go on to realize the "A shape barre" (based on the A string) can widen our scope of tone and voicing that little bit more. True, these two movable shapes are indeed enough for most of today's middle-of-the-road rock music. You can write great songs with a mix of the 5 open position shapes, and these two barre shapes, even epics!

But why stop there? Why limit yourself at all? There's so much more to discover on the fretboard. Different voicings - voicings that can make a chord on its own sound 10 times more intricately lush. The truth is, as guitarists get into their 2nd year of playing, these fixed form chords begin to sound, well...a little dull.

Too many guitarists are missing out on producing music that will astound themselves, let alone others, because of their love affair with the quick-reference chord chart, learning parrot fashion, shrugging off any understanding of "what that chord would sound like voiced...here" and knowing your several options.

You may be thinking "this sounds complicated, where do I go from here? What do I need to learn to be able to think outside the box when it comes to constructing interesting chords?"

Two words that will make some jump into their guitar case - chord theory

Chord theory is a subject area of guitar that doesn't necessarily have to be pretentious, elitist or just for jazz/classical guitarists. Explained and learned the right way, knowing some basic guitar chord theory can open up a songwriting factory in your head, producing its goods right on your guitar.

There are 5 steps you need to go through to reach your guitar chord nirvana (and I DON'T mean the band!), the first 3 you probably already have...

1) Learn the 5 barre chord shapes (E, A, C, D and G)

2) Learn the major scale in 8 (yes, eight) different positions based around these barre shapes

3) Use your knowledge of the major scale to create triads, 7ths and extended chords in several positions on the fretboard. This is the foundation for building unique and interesting chord voicings.

4) Use your knowledge of chord construction to create unique chord voicings with inversions all over the fretboard.

5) Don't forget to "float" chords occasionally with open strings.

Once you invest a little of your practice time learning chord theory basics (it doesn't take long to pick up), you'll start to investigate the fretboard as second nature. You'll come up with chord progressions and really use your ears to identify the "right" chord for the change. Your playing will open up to a diverse range of styles.

Most of all though, creating unique original music that is truly "you" won't be limited by the size of a chord chart - it will only be limited by the 6 strings on your guitar.

About The Author
Mike Beatham runs a website with the easiest to follow guitar lessons on the web. Get your chord theory to really sink in and finally open up your playing at www.audio-guitar-lessons.com/guitar-chord-theory.html.

Guitar Lesson: How To Improvise The Classical Guitar Way
by: Peter Edvinsson

When I was a fifteen years old guitarist playing rock solos and classical guitar pieces I remember that I had a desire to be able to improvise on my guitar in a classical manner.

Nowadays I have developed this skill and I love to improvise in the style of composers like Sor, Tarrega, Paganini or others or just trying to find myself somewhere among the notes. These special moments are a form of meditation. They clear my mind and also helps me as a composer to stimulate my creative abilities.

The most important reason for learning classical guitar improvisation is that it's fun!

If you learn classical guitar improvisation it will benefit you in many other ways too:

1. It will be easier for you to memorize classical guitar sheet music.

2. You will find it easier to compose your own guitar pieces in a classical guitar style.

3. You can make up your own techniqal exercises on your guitar on the go.

4. You will understand your guitar better.

There are many ways to develop classical guitar improvisation. How?

You can start with major scales, experimenting with easy chords, or easy classical guitar pieces. The most basic requisite is that you want to learn this art and with this desire you will find ways to practice classical guitar improvisation in all your guitar playing.

I will just mention using classical guitar pieces in this article. But how do you begin?

May I suggest that you begin with an easy melody with just one voice or maybe a two voice piece with bass notes on open strings. Learn a couple of bars by heart and play the melody over and over again and try to change the melody slightly without losing the classical touch.

The ultimate exercise is to use advanced classical guitar solos.

If you think about it you will realize that classical guitar pieces are filled with wonderful licks, more or less complicated.

These licks can be developed and added upon to give you material that will help you developing your improvisational skills.

For example, take a two bar passage in a classical guitar piece that you like and practice it until you master it and then memorize it.

Now you can play around with the passage, break it down, change it, analyze it and so on. If you want to improve as an improvisational guitarist and musician you can regard classical guitar pieces as collections of very musical licks just waiting to be used.

I hope these hints will motivate you to reap the benefits from improvising the classical guitar way.

About The Author
Peter Edvinsson is a musician, composer and music teacher. Visit his site Capotasto Music and download your free sheet music and learn to play resources at http://www.capotastomusic.com


Guitar Chords: How To Solo Over Chords With The Minor Pentatonic Scale
by: John Bilderbeck

Soloing over guitar chords is easy when you know how to use the minor pentatonic scale. Add spice and power to your solo's with these simple but highly effective techniques.

The humble minor pentatonic scale is what most guitar players start with when learning to solo. Trouble is, they don't learn to use the scale to it's best potential.

Here, I'll show you an easy way to use the pentatonic scale to solo over the three most common guitar chord types: Major, minor and dominant 7th chords.

1. Major Chords

A Major chord always has a relative minor chord. The easy way to find the 'relative' minor of any major chord on a guitar is to take the note three half-steps (3 frets) below the root note of the major chord.

For example: a C major chord - the root note is C. On a guitar, the note 3 frets below a C note is A. Therefore, A minor is the relative minor of C major.

So to solo over a C major chord, use the A minor pentatonic scale and you can't go wrong.

Another example: F major chord - three frets below the root of F, you will find D. So you use a D minor pentatonic scale over an F major chord.

Another example: G major chord - three frets below the G root note you'll find E. So... you use the E minor pentatonic to solo over a G chord.

Now, you may have noticed that I listed C, F and G major chords there. Coincidentally, They are the 1, 4 and 5 chords of the 'KEY' of C Major. This applies to all instruments, not just guitar.

More about this later...

2. Minor Chords

These are easy... just use the minor pentatonic of what ever the minor chord is. E.g. Use D minor pentatonic for a D minor chord, an E minor pentatonic for an E minor chord, an A minor pentatonic for an A minor Chord.

Now, did you notice I used D, E and A minor chords as the example? Did you also notice that these chords are the 2, 3 and 6 chords of the 'KEY' of C Major?

More about that later, too...

3. Dominant 7th Chords

You have a couple of choices here. But basically, you would use the relative minor pentatonic, or the minor pentatonic a tone below the root of the dom7 chord.

For example, over G7, you could use either E minor pent (relative minor), or D min pentatonic.

The reason you could use the D minor pentatonic over a G7 chord is because the Dmi chord and G7 chord often go together in chord progressions. Forcing a Dmi sound over a G7 chord gives a G7sus sound.

4. Thinking From a 'KEY" Perspective

OK, what we have looked at is the KEY of C Major. And basically you can use just the A minor pentatonic alone for ALL the chords in C, or you can also use the D and E minor pentatonics to add some color and more conformity to the chords being used at the time.

Remember, these principles apply to whatever chord you are playing at any time, but can also be applied on a KEY basis,which is a more encompassing picture.

The Key of C Major has these chords:

C, Dm, Em, F, G7, Am, Bmin7b5.

Ami pent can be used over them all, or just the C and Am chords.

D min pentatonic can be used over the F and Dm chords.

E minor can be used over the Em and G7 chords.

We didn't mention the 7 chord (Bmi7b5) because it's not used very much. But a good choice is the Dm pentatonic. In fact, though, you can use either of the three pentatonics from the C Major scale - Am, Dm or Em. Try them, see which you like best.

I hope you enjoyed this article. You can find more information about guitar chords at my site: http://www.Free-Guitar-Chords.com

The idea of using pentatonics for different chords is a powerful one, don't overlook the cool sounds you can create with such a simple device.

Also, in a future article, I'll be discussing 'Pentatonic Substitution' where I'll show you how to use substitute and altered pentatonics for even more sound choices.

About The Author
John Bilderbeck is a professional guitar coach. If you would like a free copy of "Pentatonic Guitar Magic" eBook, visit http://www.free-guitar-chords.com/gpc.htm now!


Electric, Classical, Acoustic - Which Guitar Is Best For You?
by: David Arnold Livingston

No one could really pinpoint the exact year as to when the guitar was created. The lute, harp and lyre are the three stringed instruments from which guitars evolved. The features of guitars vary for each musical period. The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments today to bring out soothing music or to perk up one's energy level. Bands and gigs will not be complete without guitars. Guitars are also used as a means to free hidden and unexpressed feelings and emotions or it can as well be a medium to spend time meaningfully together with loved ones and peers.

There are various types of guitars that can suit the intended purpose of the user such as the twelve strings guitars, six strings, classical guitars and electric guitars. Twelve strings made up the twelve strings guitar to achieve a rich tone compared with the standard six string guitars. The courses of strings are played together though the sound produced are different from the other. On the bass course are two strings tuned an octave apart and on the treble courses are the other pairs of strings that are tuned together. The third string in the third course can be tuned by using unison strings or the distinct high-pitched octave guitars strings. The style of standard six string guitars can allow the user to have easy contact on the higher frets on the finger board. This type needs an access on the frets to produce the desired sounds and effects.

Classical guitars of the olden days have cat gut which later on developed into nylon strings. These types of guitars have a flat fingerboard and wide neck. Other guitars experts suggest that classical guitars are the best types for beginners since it has greater string gauge and lighter string tension but still the decision is on the buyer since the classic guitar may not suit their preferences and style. Classic songs and music are best played using classical guitars.

Electric guitars are made up of different materials and use various components to produce the needed sound. Alder, Mahogany, Walnut, Maple and Ash are the commonly used types for the body of electric guitars. The woods and the construction, the types of strings, quality of components used, length of cables and the overall condition of the environment determine the quality of the sound produced. Electric guitars are used in various forms and styles of music may it be pop, country, rock and roll, jazz or blues.

In buying guitars, the user must make sure that the chosen guitar will match his budget, playing style and skills. An electric guitar is easier to play compared with an acoustic guitar. Acoustic guitars can produce audible sounds without using amplifiers. It makes use of either the nylon or wound steel rings. There are also acoustic and electric guitars that can be played with the presence or absence of an amplifier.

Package deals are at times offered for beginners which may include a guitar together with other options like a tuner, pics, strap and case. The soundboard of the guitars must be carefully inspected to determine the type of sound produced. Producers of good quality guitars are usually the well-known companies in the industry like Taylor, Gibson, Yamaha, Fender, Ovation, Martin and Ibanez. There are wide selections of style and design to choose from to match the buyer's distinctness and uniqueness.

About The Author
David Arnold Livingston is a music lover and enjoys guitars. Visit: http://ufguitar.com/ for lots of great information about guitars.
davidarnoldlivingston@visioncoaches.com


Tips on Buying Guitars
by: Mantius Cazaubon

There are so many guitar models on the market today. So many types including electric, acoustic, acoustic electric, nylon string, and steel string guitars. How does one make a selection? Here are a few tips to help you choose one that meets your needs.

1. It depends on how much you can afford.

With such a wealth of guitars available, a working person shouldn't have a problem finding one that fits their budget. But this doesn't mean that you should settle for anything. As the old adage goes, you usually get what you pay for. Usually the more money you invest, the greater the returns. You're going to be spending a lot of time practicing so choose an instrument that you can enjoy. An instrument that you can look forward to playing.

2. What style of music will you be playing?

The style of music to be played should influence your choice of guitar. For instance if you plan on playing rock you should buy an electric guitar, since Rock music is better suited to be played on that type of guitar. If Jazz and blues is your thing you may prefer a semi-acoustic guitar from the start. An acoustic nylon string guitar may be better suited to classical music and smooth Jazz.

3. Child or adult.

Are you a parent looking to buy a guitar for your child? Consider buying a 1/2 size or 3/4 size guitar. Your child doesn't have the reach that an adult has, so these smaller guitars are better suited. Regular size guitars will be more difficult to play and can cause a lack of interest.

You may also want to look into buying an electric guitar for your child if you can afford it. They have a small neck and very light thin strings and are therefore easier to play. If money is an issue a second hand electric guitar may be the answer.

4. Wood type and its relation to tone.

Although there are no rules for choosing guitar woods, there is a guide that you can follow. Generally, darker woods produce a brighter tone while darker woods produces a deeper, richer tone. Medium tone wood like mahogany produce a very even smooth sound spectrum. You should compare various wood colors. The best thing to do is to listen to the tones that a guitar produces before deciding.

5. Pay attention to the guitar's features.

Your guitar must have certain important features. Don't simply focus on looks.

For example, your guitar should have die-cast machine heads (or tuning gears). With this feature, you will be able to tune your instrument more accurately and your guitar will stay in tune longer.

A solid top is also very important. A solid top usually consists of 2 solid matched pieces glued together side by side. This is of better quality than a laminated top where various woods are glued together on top of each other. With a solid top the guitar's tone will be more even and accurate and you can expect a sustaining vibration throughout the guitar's body.

6. Buy a guitar that feels good to you.

You're the one who will be playing that guitar. So you'd better buy one that feels comfortable to you, whether you're sitting or standing. For instance, if the strings are too far from the fretboard, playing will be difficult. An expensive guitar that is not comfortable is a waste. Spend time with the guitar before deciding.

7. The bottom line is sound.

If it sounds good, buy it. No two guitars can ever be the same. It's never about looks. It's about the sound that is generated through the use of the right type of wood and through superior craftsmanship.

You should be able to find a guitar easily online. You can order one that suits your needs today. Some of the best guitar prices can be found on the Internet. You even get free shipping to your door.

About The Author
Mantius Cazaubon offers a buying guide to help you choose an electric guitar that meets your needs on his site www.electric-guitars-guide.com. Visit http://www.electric-guitars-guide.com/ for electric guitar lessons, tips, and reviews.