Guitar Chords and Guitar Notes

 Guitar Chords Positions

How to identify Guitar Chords and Notes Position on Guitar?

In this post we are going to learn How to Identify Guitar Chords and Notes positions and also look at all the chords such as A Chord, A# Chord, B Chord, B# Chord, C Chord, C# Chord, D Chord, D# Chord, F Chord, F# Chord, G Chord and Gb Chord on Guitar Chords one by one.

If you will check around you there are so many guitarist who know how to play different Guitar Chords, believe me there are only few how knows the technique to find the Guitar Chords position other than they already know and play. So here question arises is there a method to identify different barre Guitar Chords and their position by just learning couple of open guitar chords.

YES. There is a method!!!

We will identify all below guitar chords using this technique in this post,

A Chord, A# Chord, Bb Chord, B Chord, C Chord, C# Chord,  Db Chord, D Chord, D# Chord, Eb Chord, E Chord,  F Chord, F# Chord, Gb Chord, G Chord, G# Chord.

Before starting explaining the technique let me brief you three building blocks to achieve and apply the Method to identify other Barre Guitar Chords from basic open chords.

1.    Guitar Notes Series | Identify Guitar Chords:

Well there is a Guitar Chords and Notes series which we need to use in order to apply technique, which is well explained in “How to Play Guitar | Chord | Scales | Techniques”. 

I am going to brief about Guitar note series in this post as well.

If you will look at the Guitar fretboard then there are 6 strings and multiple frets, each fret is separated by Separator. So there are 6 Notes in each fret (on every string), considering all available Frets there are so many different position on fretboard.

 There is a Guitar Note series which is repeated in nature and help us to find different notes name on certain string.

Guitar Chords | Identify Guitar Chords and Notes

Every string name represents open note name. e.g. If you play A string open (without pressing it) so consider it as A note in the series and the next note shown in the series (Which is A# or A sharp) will point towards the first fret position (Press A string on first fret).

Then the next note given in the Guitar Notes Series i.e. B Note is available in the second fret (Press String on second fret) on A string.

Guitar Chords | C major Scale to Identify Guitar Chords and Notes

In this way we can place guitar notes in all frets on any string with the help of String name i.e. E B G D A E. The above picture will tells you about representation of Guitar Notes on B String.

So we can use this Guitar notes series in order to identify Chords as well but there are some rules to use it. Now the question arises that this Guitar notes series gives notes name on different position on strings, however chords are using multiple notes at the same time so will it correctly work in case of Guitar chords also. Answer is YES!!!

2.    Guitar Chords Shape:

Guitar Chords shape is basically the position of left hand (For Right handed guitarist) fingers on different Guitar notes.

Well Guitar Chords shape for all basic open chords has been already discussed at Chords of Guitar Chart: Guitar Chords: Open Chord, you can go through it.

This post will help you to understand the difference between Guitar Major Chords and Minor chords and the correct position (how to play) of basic open chords such as E Major Chord, Em (E Minor) Chord, A Major Chord, Am Chord, C Major Chord, F Major Chord, Fm (F Minor) Chord & F simplified Chord.

So the basic requirement to identify chords using Guitar Notes series is that Chord pattern should be same thorough out the fretboard.

Let's take up example of A Major Chord so it's a three finger pattern. If you will follow the same pattern of A Major Chord and move to next fret to the right side without changing the pattern then Guitar Series pattern will be followed.

Now coming to last rule in the series is GUITAR CHORDS GAP RULE.

3.     GAP Rule for Guitar Chords and Notes:

Gap rule says every chord will have a gap of one Guitar Fret in between them. There are two exceptions in this rule are,

B C (No fret gap between these Guitar Chords)

E F (No fret gap between these Guitar Chords)

Now, Guitar Notes series with Gap rule Followed without changing the Pattern in order to identify other Guitar Chords.

A - B C - D - E F - G - A and so on. (Use Guitar Note series diagram to follow)

So there is a gap (Need to skip one fret and move towards right side of fretboard) of one fret between Guitar Chords such as  between A Chord and B Chord, C Chord and D Chord, D Chord and E Chord, F Chord and G Chord, G Chord and A Chord. However, there is no gap between B Chord and C Chord, E Chord and F Chord.

Guitar Chords:

Hope all three building blocks are clear to you now.

Initially, let's start with the A Chord class Pattern which is nothing but A Major Chord. So to identify other Chords we need to know the exact position of A Major chord.

A Major Chord:

Place your three finger on string 2,3 and 4 on second fret on Guitar to play A major Chord as shown in figure and keep this shape as it is and skip 1 fret and move to Forth fret to play B Chord. You need to keep this position intact and put bar to play other chords available on fretboard.

Guitar Chords | A Major Chord

Later in the post we will check position of A sharp (A# Chord) or the other name of A sharp (A# Chord) is B Flat (Bb Guitar Chord).

A - B C - D - E F - G - A and so on. (Use Guitar Note series diagram to follow)

As per Series rule we are holding B chord now with same three fingers and strings 2,3 and 4 (Only Fret number changes from two to four).

But we have missed something which is to put a Barre here. If you will have a close look on the A major chord then you will see that there is permanent  Barre placed in the Guitar Neck which is a NUT.

So thing to be consider here is to place a Barre with the same gap on the left side of finger pattern in order to suffice all requirements to follow.

And that's it, now we have a correct pattern and Guitar series to follow.

So B Chord will look like as below.

B Chord: 

B Chord will position like the picture below. Later in the post we will check position of B sharp (B# Chord) or the other name of B sharp Chord (B# Chord)  is C Flat Chord (Cb Chord).

Guitar Chords | B Chord

Barre on the second fret, Middle finger, Ring finger and smaller finger are positioned on Forth Fret holding Forth, third and second string respectively to play B Chord.

You are already aware now that for Chord B and C (No fret gap between these Guitar Chords) there is no gap.

Now, as per Series rule, since we are holding B barre Chord. If you keep same pattern intact and move this pattern to the next right side fret then you will hold C barre Chord.

So Guitar C Chord will look like as below.

C Chord: 

C Chord will position like the picture below.

However we know the open position of C Chord in first 3 guitar Frets but this is again a different position for C Chord with Barre.

Later in the post we will check position of C sharp Chord (C# Chord) or D Flat Chord (Db Chord) both are same.

Guitar Chords | C Chord

Barre on the third fret, Middle finger, Ring finger and smaller finger are positioned on fifth Fret holding Forth, third and second string respectively to play C Chord.

A - B C - D - E F - G - A

Look at the Series rule, since we are holding C barre Chord. There is a gap of one fret in between C chord and D Chord as per Guitar Note series. If you keep same pattern intact and move this pattern to the next to next right side fret then you will hold D barre Chord.

D Chord: 

D Chord will position like the picture below. However we know the open position of D chord in first 3 guitar Frets but this is again a different position for D Chord with Barre. Later in the post we will check position of D sharp (D# Chord) or E Flat Chord (Eb Chord) both are same

.

Guitar Chords | D Chord

Barre on the fifth fret, Middle finger, Ring finger and smaller finger are positioned on seventh Fret holding Forth, third and second string respectively to play D Chord.

You are holding D barre Chord now and to pick E barre Chord you need to keep pattern intact and again skip one fret and so on.

E Chord: 

E Chord will position like the picture below. However we know the open position of E chord in first 2 guitar Frets but this is again a different position for E Chord with Barre.

Guitar Chords | E Chord

This way you can identify other remaining chords such as E Chord, F Chord and G Chord.

F Chord: 

F Chord will position like the picture below. However we know the open position of F chord in first 3 guitar Frets but this is again a different position for F Chord.

Later in the post we will check position of F sharp (F# Chord) or we can say G Flat (Gb chord) as both are same.

Guitar Chords | F Chord

G Chord: 

G Chord will position like the picture below. However we know the open position of G chord in first 2 guitar Frets but this is again a different position for G Chord.

Guitar Chords | G Chord

So we have taken A major chord as a base to identify other chords.

Hope you are enjoying the concept, here we are just playing with the concepts to learn to play with Guitar!!!

Now, we will address the FRET GAPS, Frets which we left between A Chord and B Chord, C Chord and D Chord, D Chord and E Chord, F Chord and G Chord.

Look at the Guitar Notes series again; these gaps are basically Sharp # chord or Flat chord.

Guitar Chords | Identify Guitar Chord with Note Series

As per the diagram, In between A chord to again repeated A chord (with the same pattern) many sharp chords are available such as below,

A Sharp Chord (A# Chord), C Sharp Chord (C# Chord), D Sharp Chord (D# Chord), F Sharp Chord (F# Chord) and G Sharp Chord (G# Chord) will come.

Hope the concept explained in the above post section is clear to you now, please look at the above GUITAR NOTES SERIES and let’s fill all Sharp or Flat Chords now. I am just mentioning their position in the below post.

Let’s Fill all Frets with A major Chord Pattern:

Just to give you a glimpse, the series with skipping any fret without changing pattern is as below,

A Chord-> A# Chord-> B Chord-> C Chord-> C# Chord-> D Chord-> D# Chord-> E Chord-> F Chord-> F# Chord-> G Chord-> G# Chord.

Let’s verify it with the notes available on Guitar A string,

Guitar Chords | Guitar Notes on A String

A Sharp Chord (A# Chord):

This chord also known as B Flat chord (Bb Chord).

A# Chord and Bb Chord are same chord and will position like the picture below.

Guitar Chords | A# Chord or Bb Chord

C Sharp Chord (C# Chord):

This chord also known as D Flat Chord (Db Chord).

C# Chord or Db Chord will position like the picture below.

Guitar Chords | C# Chord or Db Chord

D Sharp Chord (D# Chord):

This chord also known as E Flat chord (Eb Chord).

D# Chord or Eb Chord will position like the picture below.

Guitar Chords | D# Chord or Eb Chord

F Sharp Chord (F# Chord):

F Sharp (F# Chord) chord also known as G Flat chord (Gb Chord).

F# Chord or Gb Chord will position like the picture below.

Guitar Chords | F# Chord or Gb Chord

G Sharp Chord (G# Chord) or Ab Chord (A Flat Chord):

G# Chord or Ab Chord will position like the picture below.

Guitar Chords | G# Chord or Ab Chord

In this post we took pattern of A major Chord.

In the same way we can identify different Chord positions with the help of E major open chord and A minor open chord. This series of Guitar chord is also very important to know and many people just trying to learn their position and name without even understanding the concept which is actually very easy as explained in this post.

I am going to explain this series as well and I will suggest that you guys can also try to fit pattern of E major open chord and A minor open chord and follow the Guitar series to identify other Barre chords associated with them. Wish you all the best.

There is lot more to share, Keep in touch and stay happy.

Happy Guitar Chords and Guitar Notes Learning!!!

How to Play Guitar | Chord | Guitar Scales | Techniques

(Complete learning Procedure | Finger Exercises | Guitar Note Series| Guitar different Notes position | Finger Picking Techniques | Guitar Scales | Guitar Chords)

Well the initial post ‘How to Play Guitar – Lesson 1’ was all about very basics on Guitar which explains about  “Know your guitar, Types of Guitar, Body Parts of Guitar, What is a chord, how tohold a guitar pick & how to hold guitar” which helps you to know your guitar and just to build your understanding on Guitar.

‘How to Play guitar’ in my term is to understand your guitar by understanding Guitar music, different terminologies, guitar scales and how to apply music theory on Guitar to build Melodies and to play Chords to perform Solo.

I am going to cover all these terms in this post so this post is going to be very interesting for you guys.

I will try to brief you all you need to learn to start playing songs or melodies on your guitar with proper explanation.

1.     FINGER EXERCISES:

You have to practice basic Finger exercises on fretboard or finger board, this is the initial step towards handling your Guitar and playing something on guitar. You may not recognize but yes it will help you on below mentioned points in many ways.

a.       You will learn how to play different notes on fretboard with the help of different fingers and understand the role and co-ordination of thumb and rest of the fingers on the fretboard or finger board.

Thumb is actually used to support the pressure we are applying to stings with the help of fingers. Thumb is placed in the back side of fretboard to support and all fingers are placed in the front of fretboard and are free to play different notes to play melody. 

Initially as a beginner you will see it little difficult to play but by the time you are habitual.

b.      These exercises help you to stretch your finger. This point is very relevant as there are many chords or melodies for which we need to stretch are finger a lot. And that is the reason this is very important to perform stretch exercises.

c.       You get confidence with time as these exercises have their own tune and at least you have started with some tune.

d.      This is required as these exercises helps to place your finger properly on the note. Finger should be placed in a way it should not interrupt or touch any other string. This talent is required when you are playing any melody or Chords later.

There are many Exercises which you can start as a beginner, intermediate or experts. Also, when you start repeating these exercises 15 – 20 minutes daily then you will see the difference after couple of days or weeks (depending upon effort invested) that you are habitual of doing it and these become very easy for all of you to play.

 I will try to cover all relevant exercises in upcoming post.

2.     Understanding of Guitar Note Series:

There are certain rules provided by Guitar Music theory which we need to follow throughout guitar learning and so on.

As per the Music theory there is a series of Notes which are obeying for most of the music instrument including Guitar, Piano, etc.

A    A#    B    C    C#    D    D#    E    F    F#    G    G#    A

Here, # sign denotes ‘Sharp’, so we can say A# as ‘A Sharp Note’.

Same can be written as below,

A    Bb    B    C    Db    D    Eb    E    F    Gb    G    Ab    A

Here, b sign denotes ‘Flat’, hence Bb is termed as B Flat and Db Note is termed as D Flat Note and so on.

Remember that both A# (A Sharp Note) and Bb (B Flat Note) are same. Similarly C# (C Sharp Note) and Db (D Flat Note) are same and F# (F Sharp Note) and Gb (G Flat Note) are same.

There are 12 Notes available as per Music theory which is repeated in nature. After completion of 12 notes it starts from first one again.

You can see A note is coming twice in the Series, this is just to represent the first place to repeat the series again.

 A    A#    B    C    C#    D    D#    E    F    F#    G    G#    A   A#    B    C    C#    D    D#    E    F    F#    G    G

You will notice that there are 12 notes which are different and coming in a particular sequence and all 12 notes are repeating their sequence after completion of 12 notes.

Starting Note can be any Note depending on the Scale.

This series plays a vital role in below tasks,

o   To identify the position of Notes.

o    To identify the series or family members of different Guitar Scales.

o   To identify the position of Guitar chords throughout the Fretboard or Finger board etc.

3.     Understanding on Identification on different Notes position on Guitar:

I hope you have gone through the section and post ‘The Guitar String Names and Position’ so assuming you have a good understanding of all strings and their positions. The second step is to understand notes.

Confused humm??

Let me clear this, all strings have different names E, A, D, G, B and E. Alright?  But there is a meaning behind their names.

Every string name tells the note played in open position. Let’s take up an example of B string.

Why B string is known as B string? It’s simple, since its sound like B note when played in Open position.

Open Position means we just need to strum B string without pressing and string from left hand (Position for Right hand guitarist).

So let’s continue on the previously taken example of B String now.

B String Note Sequence | Different Positions:

We have already discussed that B string is played as B note when played in Open position.

Check the note sequence shared in the ‘Understanding of Guitar Note series’ section and pick all notes coming after B Note as shown below,

B    C    C#    D    D#    E    F    F#    G    G#    A   A#    B    C    C#    D    D#    E    F    F#    G    G

Now every single step or note from left to right represent the playing position of B string with a difference of one fret.

So the B string itself holding B note when played open hence leave the first B note.

Next note to the right side is C note that means we can play C note on B string at first fret.

Next comes as C# that means we can play C# (C Sharp Note) on B Sting at second fret.

Next one is D that means we can play D note on B Sting at second fret.

And so on.

This way you can apply this series to find different notes available on your Guitar fretboard. You just need to remember the String name and pull all notes starts from that name.

That’s it!!!

I don’t know exactly how it looks to you but believe me this concept is very interesting and easy to use.

Why this is very important is that same concept is used to find Chords as well so basically you would not want to ignore this one.

4.     Understanding of Different finger Picking Technique:

Well there are different picking patterns which are required to play different Melodies.

However these techniques are required everywhere in all types of songs and Melodies but are really plays vital role if you are learning or playing Spanish style or melodies.

Playing melodies is basically a co-ordination of you left hand and right hand. Considering the Guitarist as Right handed, Guitarist left hand fingers positioned on the Fretboard side and right hand is on the Guitar body or sound hole side.

Why I am insisting on the co-ordination is because the same string picked by the left hand finger on any fret, same string need to be played by your right hand finger. And these strings and their position changes very often at the time of playing especially any Melody.

So don’t miss this one.

5.     Understanding on different Guitar Scales:

 The third phase in ‘How to Play Guitar’ is to know the different Guitar Scales as per music theory; Guitar Scales is a very big topic itself to discuss but at the same time are building block of Guitar and so is very important to know in the beginning.

You would want to know the basics of Guitar Scales, what are the different types to Guitar scales, how to identify the family members of any particular scales, what is the difference between Guitar major scale and guitar minor scale, what is guitar Chromatic scale. So these are some basic questions.

Well, I have neatly explained everything about Guitar Scales in below posts which you should check in sequence to have complete, required and useful understanding on Guitar Scales.

o   Guitar Scales | Chromatic Scale and it’s Variation

o   Guitar Scales| Major Scale, Tone and Semi Tone

o   Guitar Major Scale and Guitar Minor Scale

Once you will go through these posts then only you will realize the purpose and importance of these topics and why Scales are known as building in guitar terms.

Let’s quickly move to the next phase.

6.       Chords Understanding:

Then after you should have an understanding on chords and their types, position etc.

In simple term,

Guitar Chord is an arrangement of three or more different notes played simultaneously on guitar.

To play any chord there is a arrangement of Fingers by which we need to press different notes on the fretboard. Every chord has its own scales.

Sequence of different Chords are played to perform Solo and different songs. As a beginner we can start with some basic Open chords and then after adequate practice we can also starts with the Barre Guitar Chords which are little difficult to play.

You can go and check Chords of Guitar Chart: Guitar Chord: Open Chord to have a better understanding of Guitar Chords. After this lesson you will be able to play basic Open chords.

I believe this post helps you to understand the complete procedure and all details about what and how to learn and all their Guitar basic associated terminologies.

Hope you have enjoyed this post and it will help you to learn more and more about guitar related specialized topics.

There is lot more to share, Keep in touch and stay happy.

Happy Learning!!!