Latest about Chords
Triads are integral to gospel, neo-soul and jazz guitar – in fact, they're essential for any style of guitar playing. Expand your repertoire now with these effortlessly cool licks
Pickup Music founder Sam Blakelock drops by to reveal how triads can elevate your gospel game, and broaden your horizons when playing jazz, R&B and neo-soul
6 simple but super-effective ways to make easy chords sound great
Simply rearranging the notes can make basic chords sound infinitely more exciting
Banish stock phrases with these smart triad chord ideas
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
We show you how to take regular chords and level them up with sliding shapes, doublestops and legato
Jimi Hendrix smashed the barriers between lead and rhythm guitar with his revolutionary chord work. Learn how the most influential guitarist of them all worked his voodoo style with this essential chord lesson
Learn about the often overlooked rhythmic foundations of the guitar icon’s world-changing playing
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
Step away from your usual scales by peppering your leads with some smart new chord shapes
Introducing contrasting open chords – the open-string shapes used by the likes of Alex Lifeson and Jeff Buckley in some of their dreamiest guitar parts
What is a contrasting open chord? It's simply an open chord that combines high-fretted notes and open strings, and it can be used to great effect on acoustic or electric guitar
There’s no such thing as an ‘acoustic guitar chord’ – but these 12 shapes sound amazing unplugged
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
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
“For me, a power chord is laziness”: Rolling Stones, U2 and XTC producer Steve Lillywhite explains why certain uses of power chords are “not art”
They're used in many of music's most famous songs and form the bedrock of numerous styles, but super-producer Lillywhite isn't overly keen on power chords – here's why
