CREATIVE CHORD CONSTRUCTION FOR GUITAR. Watch the video first!

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1 CREATIVE CHORD CONSTRUCTION FOR GUITAR Watch the video first!

2 INTRODUCTION BEFORE BEGINNING THIS TRAINING MODULE You will need: An acoustic or electric guitar A connection to the internet Speakers or headphones A computer that can play audio/video files A way to record yourself playing guitar Printed tab sheet and chord chart template You should already be able to: Play chords and single-note passages on guitar Read chord charts and tablature for guitar Identify notes on the guitar s fretboard

3 LEARNING OBJECTIVES BY COMPLETING THIS TRAINING MODULE You will be able to: Understand how chords are built Know the difference between major and minor chords Create new chords with intervals and open strings Substitute your own chord voicings in songs Extend chords using notes from the major scale Use these techniques to write unique guitar parts

4 HOW TO USE THIS MODULE NAVIGATING THE LESSONS 1 This is a quick overview of the navigation elements you will encounter in this module. When you are ready, click the Continue button to proceed to the main menu screen ful tip related to the lesson Calls your attention to important information Question, or quiz, related to the lesson Exercise, or assignment, related to the lesson The step (topic) you are currently in. Clicking here will return you to the step s first screen. Continue the training module here Audio example, or explanation, related to the lesson Returns to the home screen. At any time, you can click these to advance, or return, to other steps (topics). Moves to the next or previous lesson. This (help) screen. 2 3

5 CREATIVE CHORD CONSTRUCTION FOR GUITAR Step 1: How chords are made Step 2: Open Strings and Intervals Step 3: Putting it all together

6 CREATIVE CHORD CONSTRUCTION FOR GUITAR Step 1: How chords are made Step 2: Open Strings and Intervals Step 3: Putting it all together Building chords with the major scale Major and minor chords explained

7 CREATIVE CHORD CONSTRUCTION FOR GUITAR Step 1: How chords are made Step 2: Open Strings and Intervals Step 3: Putting it all together Movable chords with open strings (I-IV-V) 2-string shapes (dyads and intervals)

8 CREATIVE CHORD CONSTRUCTION FOR GUITAR Step 1: How chords are made Step 2: Open Strings and Intervals Step 3: Putting it all together Extending chords and shapes (color tones) Combining techniques (creating chord parts)

9 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE 1 The major scale contains the building blocks for creating chords in the key. We identify keys by their root note. Each respective note in the scale has a corresponding major or minor chord (7 total) associated with it. We will use this scale to build chords and identify chord tones. G Major Scale 2 3

10 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 This chart illustrates the note names of the G major scale. Note: After the F# (sharp) note, the notes repeat. The duplicate notes are referred to as octaves. Octaves can be found above or below the note. Tip: Use octaves to help you identify note names across the guitar neck. 2 3

11 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 This chart illustrates the note numbers of the G major scale. After the 7 th note, the sequence repeats. Refer to these numbers as scale degrees. We use these numbers to identify intervals within the chord. Tip: Start on any note in a major scale; skip every other note, until you have three notes, and you will have your starting note s matching chord. 2 3

12 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 7 chords can be created from the major scale. Combined, these chords make up what is called a "chord scale. G Major Chord Scale The formula for a major chord scale is: 1 (major), 2 (minor), 3 (minor), 4 (major), 5 (major), 6 (minor), 7 (diminished). In G Major: G major, A minor, B minor, C major, D major, E minor, and F# diminished Image adapted from i-love-guitar.com 2 3

13 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 THE G MAJOR SCALE ACROSS THE GUITAR NECK Image adapted from guitarfriendly.net Tip: On guitar, scales can be moved up and down the neck. To change keys, just shift the entire pattern to the location of the appropriate root note. 2 3

14 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE REVIEW In a key, chords are created by notes from the major scale. Scale degrees (note numbers) are used to identify intervals within a chord. Each note name is assigned a number. A major scale contains 7 chords that correspond with each note; there are 3 majors, 3 minors and 1 diminished. These 7 chords make up what is called a chord scale. 2 3

15 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE QUIZ Question #1 True or False: There are 8 notes in the major scale. True False

16 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE QUIZ Question #2 True or False: Each note in the major scale has a chord associated with it. True False

17 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE QUIZ Question #3 How many major chords are in the major chord scale?

18 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED 1 Chords are made up of 3 or more notes. Major and minor chords are built using "triads. The 3 rd interval determines whether a chord is major or minor. For minor chords, the major 3 rd interval is lowered a half-step (1 fret) to create a minor 3 rd interval. 2 3

19 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 G Major Chord: Take a look at this typical G major (open) chord form. Note the interval relationships (Root, Major 3 rd, and 5 th ). Identify the open strings. Can you locate all of the D, G, and B notes in this chord? How many? Hear the answer: 2 3

20 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 Major chords contain: The root note; often, the name of the chord Major 3 rd interval Perfect 5 th interval Can you identify the G major (open) chord form in this chart? How many playable triad shapes are there? Hear the answer: 2 3

21 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 Minor chords contain: The root note; often, the name of the chord Minor 3 rd interval Perfect 5 th interval Did you notice that only 1 note changed from the major triads? Which note changed, and why? Hear the answer: 2 3

22 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 G Major (Triad Shapes): Take a look at these G major triad shapes voiced on the first 3 strings. Identify the notes in these shapes. Identify the interval relationships. Note: Chord tones can be arranged in any order. When the root note is not the lowest pitched note, we call that an inversion. 2 3

23 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE FIND THE CHORD TONES! 1 Illustration adapted from shermandrus.com Exercise: Using the illustration above, how many G major shapes can you create? Print a chord chart. Find combinations of G, B, and D notes and mark them. Create at least 3 playable chord shapes. Record and submit your result (audio or video) to the instructor here. See 3 examples here. 2 3

24 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 THREE SHAPES FOR G MAJOR: Open Strings Frets Notes Hear how it sounds: 2 3

25 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE 1 MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED REVIEW 3 notes (triads) are combined to make major and minor chords. The third interval determines if a chord is major or minor. We can make a major triad into a minor triad by lowering the third one note (half-step). We can arrange chord tones in any order. 2 3

26 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED QUIZ Question #1 Which interval tells us if a chord is major or minor? Root note 5 th Octave 3 rd

27 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED QUIZ Question #2 What 3 intervals are major chords built from? b3-5

28 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED QUIZ Question #3 What 3 intervals are minor chords built from? b3-5

29 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS MOVABLE CHORDS WITH OPEN STRINGS (1-4-5) 2 The 1 st, 4 th, and 5 th scale degrees of the major scale can all be played as major chords; this is known as a ( I-IV-V ) chord progression. Played in many styles and variations, this is a very popular chord progression in pop, rock, and blues. For the key of G, our I-IV-V chords are: G major, C major, and D major. Illustration adapted from guitar-on-the-spot.com 1 3

30 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS CHORD PROGRESSIONS ( SLIDING THE CHORD ) Rather than playing common open chords (G, C, and D), let s try some new techniques for playing I-IV-V. With your guitar handy, play an open G chord. Now, try sliding that chord shape up the neck to the 8 th fret; then to the 10 th fret this gives us alternate versions for C major and D major. Hear how it sounds: 1 3

31 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS CHORD PROGRESSIONS (OTHER KEYS) So far, we have been focusing on G major. As guitarists, it is important to play in other keys. Let s look at I-IV-V, using our sliding chord technique, in E major and D major. E Major: D Major: Hear how it sounds: Hear how it sounds: 1 3

32 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS CHORD PROGRESSIONS (INVERSIONS) In this example, we explore inversions in A Major. By placing the major 3 rd interval in the bass note (low part of the chord) we create a new sound. Combining it with the open A (5 th string) gives us a pedal tone effect. Hear how it sounds: 1 3

33 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS CHORD PROGRESSIONS ( EXPLODING THE BARRE CHORD ) Let s move on to the key of C major. Here, we will play a common 6-string barre chord shape with a twist: lift up the barred notes on the high E and B strings. Listen to the audio below, for a demonstration of this technique in action. Hear how it sounds: 1 3

34 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 MOVABLE CHORDS WITH OPEN STRINGS REVIEW Slide the open G chord up to the 8 th and 10 th frets, for alternate versions of C and D. Try it with other open chords! Inversions can be used, with pedal tones, to make a common progression more interesting. The exploding the barre chord technique removes the barred notes of the chord, and replaces them with open strings. Explore this technique with standard barre chords. 1 3

35 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS MOVABLE CHORDS WITH OPEN STRINGS QUIZ Question #1 True or False: The chord progression is referenced in this section. True False

36 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS MOVABLE CHORDS WITH OPEN STRINGS QUIZ Question #2 True or False: The notes of a chord can be placed in any order. True False

37 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2-STRING SHAPES (DYADS AND INTERVALS) 2 Until now, we have been working with full chords (triads) that have 3 or more notes. For something more compact, dyads are the solution. Dyads are 2-note intervals that can substitute for chords. While not officially chords themselves, they do imply chord tonality. These are very useful tools! Here s a dyad rhythm in A major: Hear how it sounds: 1 3

38 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 DYAD SHAPES (UNISON AND OCTAVE INTERVALS) Unisons and octaves represented the same note at different places on the neck (higher or lower in pitch). As guitarists, these are useful to play together when you want to achieve a fuller sound. Moving up and down the scale, with octave shapes, is an excellent way to create riffs that imply chord movement. Check out the examples: Octaves Unisons Hear how it sounds: 1 3

39 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 DYAD SHAPES (2 ND AND 9 TH INTERVALS) 2 nd and 9 th intervals are used, interchangeably, to represent the same two notes. Typically, a 9 th will be used when the note is found at a higher octave; the 2 nd often shows up as add 2 or suspended 2 nd. When played together, or arpeggiated in chords, these intervals produce a moody sound that is common in ballads. Major 9 th Minor 9 th Hear how it sounds: 1 3

40 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 DYAD SHAPES (3 RD INTERVALS) We covered 3 rd intervals when major and minor chords were explained. As dyads, these intervals shapes can be used to walk up and down the chord scale. Make sure you follow the chord scale when applying this technique! Minor 3 rd Major 3 rd Hear how it sounds: 1 3

41 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 DYAD SHAPES (4 TH INTERVALS) 4 th, or perfect 4 th, intervals are common in many styles of music. Fourths do not have a major or minor sound. They can be interpreted, harmonically, in a variety of ways. Check out the following example: Hear how it sounds: 1 3

42 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 DYAD SHAPES (5 TH INTERVALS/POWER CHORDS) Power chords (5 th intervals) are used, and abused, in all styles of music. These dyad shapes do not contain a 3 rd interval so they are not restricted to a major or minor tonality. For this reason, you can be very creative with how you apply them. These shapes combine power chords with open E and B strings: 5 th Interval (with octave) Hear how it sounds: 1 3

43 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 DYAD SHAPES (FLAT 5 AND MINOR 6 TH INTERVALS) Flat 5 intervals are also known as sharp 4 and tritone. The minor 6 th interval occurs when we produce an augmented (raised one note) 5 th. Both of these produce a dissonant sound when played together. Minor 6 th Flat 5 (tritone) Hear how it sounds: 1 3

44 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 DYAD SHAPES (MAJOR 6 TH INTERVALS) Major 6 th intervals are very common in rock, blues, pop, and country music. They lends themselves well to sliding up and down the neck. 6 th intervals, unlike fourths and fifths, imply major or minor tonality. Be careful to follow the scale when using these! Major Sixths Major 6 th Hear how it sounds: 1 3

45 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 DYAD SHAPES (MINOR 7 TH AND MAJOR 7 TH INTERVALS) Minor 7 th and major 7 th intervals are found in many different situations. Interestingly, minor sevenths can sound major or minor, depending on how and where they are used. Major sevenths, conversely, tend to sound major. Major 7 th Minor 7th Hear how it sounds: 1 3

46 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 DYAD SHAPES (E MINOR SCALE) Using the low E note as a pedal tone, we can walk up and down the E minor scale creating dyads along the way. This technique is common for creating riffs that imply chords in a progression: Hear how it sounds: 1 3

47 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 USE INTERVALS TO WRITE GUITAR PARTS Hear how it sounds: Exercise: Research intervals online. On your guitar, explore their different sounds. Write out a guitar part using your ideas, including at least 3 interval shapes. The part can be as simple or as complex as you like. Record and submit your result (audio or video) to the instructor here. 1 3

48 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS CREATE YOUR OWN DYAD SHAPES! 2 Exercise: Print a tab sheet. Using the G major scale above, write out a dyad part with any 2-note shapes you want (minimum of 4). The part can be as simple or as complex as you like. Mix it up; try skipping strings! Record and submit your result (audio or video) to the instructor here. 1 3

49 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2 2-STRING SHAPES (DYADS AND INTERVALS) REVIEW Dyads are 2-note intervals that can be used to imply chords in the scale. Power chords (5 th intervals) and 4 th intervals work well, as rhythmic elements, in popular music. They are not, specifically, major or minor. 9 th (2 nd ) intervals create a moody sound that is common in ballads. Major 6 th and 7 th intervals can alter, or reinforce, major/minor tonality. Playing through notes in the scale, with the root (pedal tone) in the bass, is a great technique for creating riffs (implying chords). 1 3

50 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2-STRING SHAPES (DYADS AND INTERVALS) QUIZ Question #1 What interval is represented here? Major 7 th Perfect 5 th Major 6 th Minor 9 th

51 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2-STRING SHAPES (DYADS AND INTERVALS) QUIZ Question #2 What interval is represented here? Major 7 th Perfect 5 th Major 6 th Minor 9 th

52 STEP 3: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER EXTENDING CHORDS AND SHAPES (COLOR TONES) 3 Extending Shapes In this section, we will develop new chord ideas by combining (connecting) the techniques learned in Step 1 and Step 2. Video demonstration Expand upon triad and dyad shapes by adding notes that fit the scale; alternatively, use your musical ear to find the notes that work. 1 2

53 STEP 3: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 3 FINDING NEW NOTES FOR OLD CHORDS Form a triad or dyad shape. Add new notes to your chord/shape with whatever fingers, on your fretting hand, are available (not already fretting notes). There are two options for adding these notes: 1. Use your ear; to determine what sounds right or fits the chord/song. 2. Use the matching major scale. Hear how it sounds: 1 2

54 STEP 3: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 3 DISPLACING THE INTERVAL This is a simple technique: displace one of the notes (i.e. move it to a lower or higher octave) in an interval shape. For example, we can take a 5 th interval and raise the 5 th up an octave; or, we can displace the major and minor 3 rd intervals by lowering the 3 rd an octave. Check out the examples Power chord example: 3 rd intervals example: 1 2

55 STEP 3: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 3 COMBINING TECHNIQUES (CREATING CHORD PARTS) The next two examples (pieces of music) pull together ideas from different parts of this training module. Take a look at the tabs, listen to the audio, and see if you can spot the techniques being used. Find ways to use these concepts in your own music! Note: Click the image, to load the complete tab referenced in the audio example below. Open Chords (E minor) Hear how it sounds: 1 2

56 STEP 3: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 3 COMBINING TECHNIQUES (CREATING CHORD PARTS) Note: Click the image, to load the complete tab referenced in the audio example below. Exotic Chords 1 2

57 STEP 3: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 3 MUSIC THEORY EXERCISES: FOR DRILL AND PRACTICE The following learning objects will expand your knowledge of music theory click the image below, to open the website (Flash Player is required). Give special attention to the Identify Chord Aurally and Identify Interval Aurally objects. They provide ear training that will improve your ability to identify interval and chord relationships. Adapted from merlot.org 1 2

58 STEP 3: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 3 FINAL REVIEW The major scale contains the building blocks for creating chords in a key. Use scale degrees to identify intervals within the chord. 3 notes, called triads, are combined to make major and minor chords. The third interval determines if a chord is major or minor. Inversions can be used, with pedal tones, to make a common progression more interesting. The exploding the barre chord technique removes the barred notes of the chord, and replaces them with open strings. Dyads are 2-note intervals that can substitute for chords Expand upon triad and dyad shapes by adding notes that fit the scale, and using your musical ear. 1 2

59 STEP 3: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 3 FINAL EXERCISE: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Combine any three concepts from this training module to create a guitar part, chord progression, song, or reinterpretation of an existing song. This can be as simple or as complex as you like. Be creative, and have fun with this one! Record and submit your result (audio or video) to the instructor here. Optional: Share your result with other students at Google+ Hangouts. 1 2

60 STEP 3: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER 3 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (FOR FURTHER STUDY) Thank you for completing this training module. I hope that what you learned here has given you inspiration to create new chord parts, and add them to your musical vocabulary. The resources included below further expand upon these concepts. Keep exploring the possibilities on guitar! The Write Stuff: Chord Progressions to Get You Started (Songwriting Ideas) 50 Gorgeous Guitar Chord Shapes Stripped Chords: A Look at Dave Matthews Chords (Dyads) The Open String Thing: Movable Chords with Open Strings Open String Chord Ideas 1 2

61 APPENDIX A TAB SHEET AND CHORD CHART TEMPLATES Download the tab sheet and chord chart template

62 END OF TRAINING MODULE! All remaining screens, past this point, are reserved for quiz answers.

63 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

64 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE QUIZ Correct! There are 7 notes in the major scale. Continue with the quiz

65 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

66 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE QUIZ Correct! Each note in the major scale is associated with a chord. Continue with the quiz

67 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

68 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE BUILDING CHORDS WITH THE MAJOR SCALE QUIZ Correct! There are 3 major chords, 3 minor chords, and 1 diminished chord. Finish quiz and continue

69 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

70 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED QUIZ Correct! The 3 rd interval determines if a chord is major or minor. Continue with the quiz

71 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

72 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED QUIZ Correct! Major chords are built from the 1 st, major 3 rd, and 5 th intervals (1-3-5). Continue with the quiz

73 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

74 STEP 1: HOW CHORDS ARE MADE MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS EXPLAINED QUIZ Correct! Minor chords are built from the 1 st, minor 3 rd, and 5 th intervals (1-b3-5). Finish quiz and continue

75 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS MOVABLE CHORDS WITH OPEN STRINGS QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

76 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS MOVABLE CHORDS WITH OPEN STRINGS QUIZ Correct! The chord progression is referenced in this section. Continue with the quiz

77 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS MOVABLE CHORDS WITH OPEN STRINGS QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

78 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS MOVABLE CHORDS WITH OPEN STRINGS QUIZ Correct! The notes of a chord can be arranged in any order. Finish quiz and continue

79 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2-STRING SHAPES (DYADS AND INTERVALS) QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

80 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2-STRING SHAPES (DYADS AND INTERVALS) QUIZ Correct! This is an example of a major 6 th interval. Continue with the quiz

81 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2-STRING SHAPES (DYADS AND INTERVALS) QUIZ Sorry, that is not correct Try Again!

82 STEP 2: OPEN STRINGS AND INTERVALS 2-STRING SHAPES (DYADS AND INTERVALS) QUIZ Correct! This is an example of a perfect 5 th interval. Finish quiz and continue