Chord Variations



When playing simple chord progessions we sometimes find ourselves lingering on a chord for what seems a long time.  Everybody's idea of a long time is different so some people may find this lesson more useful than others. In a nutshell what this is about is adding notes to an existing chord to give it new flavour and character.  

You have probably used alot of these chords unknowingly just by moving your fingers round the fretboard exploring sounds.  I will list all the chords in tab form.

1 - The first chord is Aminor7 - we get this shape by staring with Aminor and taking off our 3rd finger.

1 -0---
2 -1---
3 -0---
4 -2---
5 -0---
6 -----
AMINOR7

2 - Aminor7 can also be played by putting your little finger down on string 1 in the 3rd fret while leaving Aminor in place.  

1 -3---
2 -1---
3 -2---
4 -2---
5 -0---
6 -----
AMINOR7

A Brief note on how to apply these chords. Try strumming DDD DDD on Aminor then apply one of the new shapes and strum this. This will create new sounds and sense of movement within the songs harmony.



3 - Now for some sus chords. Start with Aminor again and now add your little finger on fret 3 of String 2.  

1 -0---
2 -3---
3 -2---
4 -2---
5 -0---
6 -----
ASUS4



4 - Asus2 works well in conjuntion with Aminor and Asus4. Simply play AMinor and take off your 1st finger.

1 -0---
2 -0---
3 -2---
4 -2---
5 -0---
6 -----
ASUS2



Now that you have mastered these shapes mix them all up together and try to improvise as much as possible. Some players like to sit on one shape and keep it simple and some like to add alot more - THE CHOICE IS YOURS !!!

Lesson courtesy of http://www.allmusicacademy.co.nz