Play Chords You Know But On Different Frets
Wouldn't it be cool if you could instantly add more chords to your guitar vocabulary...
It's so easy to do...
All you have to do is take what you already know and move it!
This article focuses on first-position chords that use open strings and how they can be used to move them all over the guitar neck for very cool-sounding chords.
In the following examples, please note that the low open strings will not be played except for the thickest string on which a finger lands to make the chord shape. We'll discuss the basic chord shape to be used and then explain where these chords can be played to make them sound melodic while still letting those open strings ring.
Start with the E major chord. To play this chord, the third finger is on the second fret of the fifth string, the second finger is on the second fret of the fourth string, and the first finger is on the first fret of the third string. This chord utilizes frets one and two. Next, move this same finger shape on the same strings to frets three and four, then frets four and five, six and seven, eight and nine, and eleven and twelve. Try strumming in this order or out of order to hear the various sounds that the E major chord finger shape produces on these alternate frets.
The next shape is an F major triad. Place the third finger on the third fret of the fourth string, the second finger on the second fret of the third string, and the first finger on the first fret of the second string. This shape utilizes frets one thru three. Then move to frets three thru five, five thru seven, six thru eight, eight thru ten, and ten thru twelve.
The next shape is an A minor shape. To make this shape, place the second finger on the fourth string on the second fret, the third finger on the third string on the second fret, and the first finger on the second string on the first fret. Here, fingers span the first and second frets. Move this same finger shape from frets one and two, to three and four, five and six, six and seven, eight and nine, and ten and eleven. Again, experiment with playing both in the above order and alternate orders.
The next shape is the C major chord shape. This finger shape is made by placing the third finger on the fifth string of the third fret, the second finger on the third string of the second fret, and the first finger on the second string of the first fret. This finger shape spans frets one to three to make the C major chord. Now use that same finger shape and play frets three to five, eight to ten, ten to twelve.
Playing in these finger shapes and moving them around the guitar neck creates some very cool sounds. Let those higher open strings ring. Doing so gives a unique quality to the sound of the chords.
To be clear, of course, when using the C major finger shape (or any of the others), and moving the shape up between frets eight and ten, it is no longer a C major chord. It makes it an entirely different chord, but those added open strings really add character to it. Try this with every chord on any fret. You determine whether or not it sounds good to you.
To recap, don't be afraid to move those shapes all around the neck and to see what they sound like. Experiment! If it sounds good to you, then it is good!
Remember to always have fun with your guitar and I’ll see you next time…
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About Mark Turko: Mark Turko is a professional guitar player and instructor with over 30 years of experience and teaches guitar lessons online.