5 rock ’n’ roll ending chords you need to know By Richard Barrett published 1 April 24 These jazz-inspired chords will class up any set. Simply add to the conclusion of your jam, et voila!
6 simple but super-effective ways to make easy chords sound great By Richard Barrett published 8 February 24 Simply rearranging the notes can make basic chords sound infinitely more exciting
Banish stock phrases with these smart triad chord ideas By Richard Barrett published 5 February 24 It is all too easy to fall into familiar patterns when playing, but these five triads prove that it's just as easy to break out of them and find a fresh perspective on your playing
Stop spending all your practice time on soloing: rhythm playing is even more important – and embellishing chords will seriously up your game By Andy Saphir published 18 January 24 We show you how to take regular chords and level them up with sliding shapes, doublestops and legato
Understanding alternative chord shapes and inversions can have massive benefits for your lead playing – take a break from scales and give your solos a boost by incorporating these shapes By Richard Barrett published 28 December 23 Step away from your usual scales by peppering your leads with some smart new chord shapes
Introducing polychords – the mind-bending guitar shapes that will take your playing into new harmonic and melodic worlds By Richard Barrett published 26 September 23 Polychords are a neat way to expand your musical vocabulary and can be used in your rhythm and lead playing, as the great Larry Carlton has demonstrated time and time again
There’s no such thing as an ‘acoustic guitar chord’ – but these 12 shapes sound amazing unplugged By Chris Bird published 30 August 23 Learn a dozen chords that will expand your musical vocabulary and enhance your songwriting – and the best bit? They’re not that difficult
Your solos and rhythm playing will benefit from learning chords across the fretboard – and major 7ths are a great place to start By Richard Barrett published 25 August 23 The major 7th chord is a favorite among guitarists of all stripes, including Nile Rodgers – here are 5 ways to take the shape to the next level, and your overall playing along with it, too
10 ways to make your guitar chords more interesting By Charlie Griffiths published 1 August 23 Learn how chords can tap into emotions and you can improve your rhythm chops – and songwriting – fast
How to combine chords and walking basslines on guitar By Martin Taylor published 28 June 23 British jazz maestro Martin Taylor talks us through his chord and walking bassline approach, while keeping that swing going all the time
30 beautiful acoustic guitar chords you need to know By Richard Barrett published 21 June 23 Increase your musical vocabulary and expand your compositional horizons, in each and every key
How to tell the difference between add chords and altered guitar chords By Richard Barrett published 19 June 23 Here are five chords with names to test the brain and a sound that's kind to the ear. Add them to your chord vocabulary now
5 easy ways to create complex sounds from simple chords By Richard Barrett published 22 May 23 Using open strings to embellish your chord work can yield magical results
Learn 5 guitar chords that evoke the golden age of Hollywood By Richard Barrett published 17 March 23 These chords have an orchestral quality that radiates a certain silver screen soundtrack magic
Learn 5 Lydian chords that can add mood and atmosphere to your playing By Richard Barrett published 9 February 23 Joe Satriani is a fan. Danny Elfman, too. And by learning these chord shapes, you can drop some Lydian magic into your songwriting for dramatic effect
Jazz up your chord progressions with this introduction to voice leading By Richard Barrett published 18 January 23 Thou shalt Joe Pass with this lesson in gradual transitions between chords, which allow you to move around the fretboard for new musical ideas
Learn 5 Eric Johnson chords that utilize his trademark ‘shell’ voicing for big ambient clean tones By Richard Barrett published 21 November 22 Got a wicked clean tone but don't know what to play? Step right this way...
Add suspense to your chord progressions with these augmented shapes By Richard Barrett published 1 September 22 The music theory math is easy in this lesson, but can be devastatingly effective
How chords can literally be turned on their heads to produce interesting new harmonic effects in songwriting By Richard Barrett published 11 August 22 Using inversions – or slash chords as they are more commonly known – is a great way of experimenting with familiar chords
How to apply consecutive scale tones in your playing with cluster chords By Richard Barrett published 25 July 22 Five inspirational ideas to take cluster chords out of the realm of fretboard theory and into something you can put into practice