This section covers some of the basic moveable chords forms you need to know to play any music. As with all chords you need to apply them to chord progression to remember them and learn how they are used in real music. To learn more chords and apply them to chord progressions I would recommend the physical book: Chord Workbook for Guitar Volume One.
If you want a much cheaper digital version you will find it here: Chord Workbook for Guitar Digital Version.
If you already know all you chords with roots based on the lower E and A string then I highly recommend this digital download which applies these chords to 36 chord progressions and explains Harmonic Superimpostion Theory: Chord Progressions Volume One.
Please note that these are the same progressions found in the Chord Workbook for Guitar and New York Guitar Method Ensemble Book One.
Files:
– Major Chords
– Minor Chords
– Major 7 Chords
Excerpt: Moveable Chord Forms
(excerpted from Chord Workbook for Guitar, by Bruce Arnold)
The chords that follow allow you to learn a chord form and then move it around the neck to get that chord type for every degree of chromatic scale. All the notated examples of chords should be practiced “cycle 5”. Cycle 5 is a way to play all 12 chromatic notes by moving in a pattern of 5ths (or 7 half steps) down from the previous chord. Therefore C moves to F then Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, B, E, A, D, G. On the guitar this means you would play for example the first C major chord at the 3rd fret as indicated and then play the same fingering at the 8th fret on the fifth string. This will give you you F major. Then the 1st fret for Bb major, 6 fret for Eb major etc. The example below shows you how to proceed.
Don’t just memorize the position of each of these chords without thinking of what chord you are playing. Memorize, for now, the shape so you can recognize the chord type then memorize the bottom of each chord to tell you which chord you are playing as you move through the cycle 5 progression. Remember all examples in this book have the root as the lowest note of each chord voicing so by memorizing the bottom note as you move cycle 5 you will be memorizing the notes on the E and A strings. When you have memorized the notes on the E and A strings you only need to memorize the new chord type as you move through this book.
Cycle 5 is one of the most common chord movements in music.Therefore practicing chords in cycle 5 is excellent preparation for playing music.
Cycle 5 Progression or the Circle of Fifths:
C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, B, E, A, D, G
It is also a good idea to go through the cycle in a couple of ways. For example when you get to Gb think F# instead. Gb and F# are said to be enharmonic keys because their pitches are the same on the guitar but their names are different. Refer back to your list of keys to find other enharmonic keys to practice.
Try not to think down a certain number of frets to find the next chord. Memorizing the pitches of each fret will be much better in the long run. All chords contained in this book should be practiced using the cycle 5 movement, and remember when practicing always think what note you are playing rather than memorizing the position.