2 Note Chords

This article is about learning to use two notes on two strings to imply a major or a minor chord sound. Generally, three notes make up a major or a minor chord: the root, the third, and the fifth. The only difference between a major and a minor chord is that the middle note, the third, is either a major third or a minor third. So take the root note, either a major third or a minor third, but only play two notes to imply a major or a minor sound. 

The interesting thing about two-note chords is that they are just two different finger shapes that are used up and down the guitar fretboard. You follow one single note up one string and play the notes of a major scale. Then, apply either the major or minor chord shape to those notes to play every chord in that key. 

For example, using the G major scale, the notes are G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#. Play the G note on the fourth string of the fifth fret. Using the same string for all the notes, then play the A note on the 7th fret, the B note on the ninth fret, the C note on the tenth fret, the D on the twelfth fret, the E on the fourteenth fret, and then up to the sixteenth fret to play the F#. Going one fret higher is the G again, one octave from where you started. 

Shape #1 (for a major chord sound) is to take your second finger and put it on that G note (root) on the fifth fret of the fourth string. Then, put the first finger on the fourth fret of the G string (third string). Play these two notes together: the root and the major third. 

Shape #2 (for a minor chord sound), use your third finger on the seventh fret of the fourth string and the first finger on the fifth fret. The root note is an A (on the fourth string), and the minor third is played on the third string. 

 You can take these two shapes, follow the G major scale's notes, and imply every chord in the G major key. 

Root / Shape

G  / #1

A  /  #2

B  /  #2

C  /  #1

D  / #1

E  / #2

F#/ #2

You can replace a whole chord progression using these two string shapes that imply major or minor chord sounds. They can be used on any pair of strings in the same shapes EXCEPT between strings two (B) and three (G). 

For fun, take the same exact scale to strings one (E) and two (B), find the G note on the second string, eighth fret, and follow the scale as above with the corresponding shapes. You will get the same exact sound. 

Finally, one more option with these two string chords is to pedal back and forth, meaning to alternate picking between the two different notes instead of strumming them. 

Have fun with these two-string chords, try different scales, and see what sounds you can come up with!

If you are looking to learn another excellent rhythm guitar skill, you can check out my FREE lesson on how to weave lead guitar melody lines to your rhythm guitar playing here: https://rhythmguitarlessons.net/Pro

Have you ever heard extra notes played between chords and wondered, "Why do THESE notes sound good?" or, "How can I do that?".

Most guitar players struggle to find the right notes to play between chords to make their songs sound better.

The fact is, it's easy to do once you learn how. And the result is your guitar playing sounds much more complex than it is...

This is good news for you:

I've created a brand new eGuide (yes, it's free), where I show you an easy way to connect chords with single-note melodies to sound like a pro.

The best part is it's 100% FREE (no strings attached)!

Download your copy instantly so you can instantly make your rhythm guitar playing sound better. https://rhythmguitarlessons.net/Pro

About Mark Turko: Mark Turko is a professional guitar player and instructor with over 30 years of experience and teaches guitar lessons online.