Chords
Latest about Chords
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How to introduce “murder mystery” guitar chords to your playing – without getting your fingers in a twist
By Richard Barrett published
Altered chords should not scare anyone. Here are five shapes to explore when looking for a chord with some dramatic dissonance
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Embellishing guitar chords is the best way to liven up your rhythm work – learn 5 Eric Johnson-inspired chord voicings
By Richard Barrett published
Because sometimes you need a chord with a little more harmonic intrigue, we take a look at the theory behind embellished chords and how they can be used in everyday playing
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Confused about altered and extended guitar chords? Here’s the theory behind them – and how they can supercharge your songwriting
By Richard Barrett published
Players such as Jimi Hendrix had extensive altered and extended chord vocabularies to draw upon
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How to understand the meaning behind guitar chord names – and why it matters
By Richard Barrett published
The Who's Pete Townshend made very effective use of suspended chords in tracks such as Pinball Wizard – and when you know the difference between your add9 and you sus4 maybe you can, too
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5 ideas for how you can revoice guitar chords, and enhance your progressions
By Richard Barrett published
By using various voicings of the same chord, you can expand your fretboard knowledge and spice up your chord progressions
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Learn how polychords and slash chords hold the key to musical exploration, just as scales do
By Richard Barrett published
Knowing the difference between slash chords and polychords can give you a much greater understanding of harmony
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Get more out of one of guitar’s most important shapes with 5 chords that demystify the dominant 7th
By Richard Barrett published
They are so commonplace that we take the theory behind them for granted. Here are five 7th chords, the theory underpinning them, and some ideas for modifying them
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5 dissonant guitar chords that hold unexpected delights
By Richard Barrett published
We're always talking about harmonious chord pairings, but these discordant shapes will bring tension and surprise to your playing
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5 shapes to try using 6/9 chords – a voicing loved by the likes of Brian Setzer and a perfect closer
By Richard Barrett published
What are 6/9 chords? Well, it might sound complicated but they simply have the 6th and 9th of the parent scale, and their stacking of 4ths gives them a sound like no other
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