One-Finger Guitar Chord Primer, lesson 3

Welcome back to the One-Finger Guitar Chord Primer. Last time, we introduced the single, foundation shape you need to start playing chords on the guitar. That full lesson is here, but here's a summary: press the first finger of your left hand onto strings 2, 3, and 4 of your guitar. Which fret? Use any fret that's comfortable. Once your left hand is in place, pluck strings 2 through 4 with your right hand. That's all there is to it. Your left hand's first finger is now making the one foundation shape that we'll build other chords on.

You can slide this shape to any fret. Just be sure your finger is on strings 2 through 4, no matter what fret you're on. In this lesson, we're going to play a chord progression that slides our single shape to different frets. Before I try to explain it in words, have a look at this playalong video.

The video is playable in Windows Media Player and the (free) VideoLan player. You can download VideoLan here.

After you can play the progression shown in the video, play around with the shape: change the rhythm, use different frets, pluck a single string at a time instead of all three. Use your imagination. The important thing is NOT to be musical at this stage, but to create ideas, and to have fun doing so. By doing this, it'll be much easier for you to build onto the foundation shape.

Let me know if you have any trouble with the lesson, including downloading or accessing the video file. I also want to hear about your success with this chord primer, and suggestions for improvement. Send mail here: dk_NO_SPAM_@MaximumMusician.com. Remove the no spam bit.

Next time, we may continue with the one finger idea, but moved to strings 1 to 3.

Thanks for reading.

The next lesson in the One-Finger Guitar Chord Primer is here.

Copyright 2007 (c) MaximumMusician.com. All rights reserved.

Guitar Chords (GC) builds your chops and helps you identify harmonies by ear. GC teaches you chord substitution; Jazz, Rock and Blues progressions; transposing songs; harmonizing melodies; fingerpicking, alternating bass, arpeggios, and much more.