Playing Chords
When three or more notes are played together, or at the same time, the sound produced by the simultaneous ringing of these notes is called a chord. Chords are produced when we press one or more of our fingers on the strings against the fretboard in set patterns. In the beginning this can prove rather painful but our fingertips and the muscles in our hands will get tougher and the pain will pass.
To begin playing chords, we will use what is called the pivot system. The pivot system is a system whereby changing chords is made easier. This is done by keeping one or two fingers on the fretboard and only moving the other fingers to create a new chord. Thus the finger or fingers you will be keeping down, or fretted, will be your pivot.
Let’s begin by learning how to read the chord diagrams.
In the diagram below you will see an A Major Chord. In the square box the lines running from top to bottom are your guitar strings. From left to right running down, the strings are numbered, E6th, A5th, D4th, G3rd, B2nd and E1st. The lines running from left to right are your guitar frets. Inside the box there are three black dots, these dots represent your finger positioning. The numbers at the bottom directly under the strings with the dots tell you which fingers you will be using. Above the box there is an X and two O’s. The X tells you not to play the 6th string and the O’s tell you that you will be playing the 5th and 1st strings open. There you have it, you will be placing your 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers on the 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings. Playing this together with the 5th and 1st strings open you will be playing an A Major.
To begin playing chords, we will use what is called the pivot system. The pivot system is a system whereby changing chords is made easier. This is done by keeping one or two fingers on the fretboard and only moving the other fingers to create a new chord. Thus the finger or fingers you will be keeping down, or fretted, will be your pivot.
Let’s begin by learning how to read the chord diagrams.
In the diagram below you will see an A Major Chord. In the square box the lines running from top to bottom are your guitar strings. From left to right running down, the strings are numbered, E6th, A5th, D4th, G3rd, B2nd and E1st. The lines running from left to right are your guitar frets. Inside the box there are three black dots, these dots represent your finger positioning. The numbers at the bottom directly under the strings with the dots tell you which fingers you will be using. Above the box there is an X and two O’s. The X tells you not to play the 6th string and the O’s tell you that you will be playing the 5th and 1st strings open. There you have it, you will be placing your 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers on the 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings. Playing this together with the 5th and 1st strings open you will be playing an A Major.
