Help with building major chords

[Dan Shipway]

After watching lesson 8 I understand how basic chords are built but I just can’t seem to actually build them, I have tried building the A,B and D chords but to no avail, I always start on the Low E. I noticed some chords start on other strings but I am not sure why. As always, any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Calvin Phillips]

I have issues with basic chords too.. b is one ive never tried. But any chords i csmt build i try to play the notes seperate.. in other words play the arpeggios. This will help build up the strength in your fingers so eventually youll be able to press down all at once and actually build the chord. Once you have that down.. then you can start changing from chord to chord. Eventually itll become second nature.
I used to have some neat strumming exercises that i cant play anymore too.. so you can definitely lose it and have to regain the strength which is what im gonna have to do to start playing those patterns again.

 

[idssdi]

Chords are what you would call an harmonic interval. It’s an interval where the notes are played together. Melodic intervals would be the notes played separate. The basic major chords are build from the 1(root) 3 (major third) and the 5 (fifth). All the more complicated chords would be a bit more self explanatory. If you take a minor chord you would replace the major third for the minor third which is a b3. Basically try to make sure you have a good understanding of the intervals that should help you a lot!
Hope this helps!

 

[Jak Angelescu]

Hey there buddy! What exactly do you mean that you always tend to start on the low E? When a major chord is built, it is comprised of the 1st, the 3rd, and the 5th. Which means you will always want to start with the root note of that chord. For example, a G major chord will start with the G on the 3rd fret of the E string. A C major chord will start with a C-Note of the A string on the 3rd fret. Sometimes this is not always the case. For example, we do leave the A string open and strum it when we play a D major chord. You will learn as you progress, that you don’t always start with the root note and you will learn different chord shapes as you go a long. There are many different ways that you can play a chord, but the shapes will be entirely different and although the same chord, they will sound a little different. As long as they are comprised of the 1st, of the 3rd, and the 5th. I hope this helps

 

[Jak Angelescu]

I will make sure that I go over this in detail when I post up my breakdown videos for the lessons

 

[idssdi]

Actually you don’t nescecarily want to start in the root note you just want to have the harmonic interval that comprises the 1 3 and the 5 because a chord is really just an harmonic interval(sorry if this is too advanced starting on the root is a good place to start)

 

[Jak Angelescu]

Ids- I’m aware of that. I know there are Things called inversions. I was just trying to give him a basis to go off of regarding his question and his concern. That’s why I said that it’s not always the case and there are different chord shapes but just to get a start he can start building with the root first. There are many major chords that are built with the root note first. I was trying to break it down and a simple beginner level for him. Not everybody is advanced with chord knowledge and theory knowledge and discussing inversions may have confused him too much

 

[idssdi]

Ooh yeah I’m a little drunk right now so you can probably ignore my last post for now.

 

[Holly Lingle]

Ids-. I think it might be a better idea to not make posts or comments if you’re drunk, we tend to say things sometimes and not the best manner. As far as the chords go, Jak is right. I don’t think it’s a good idea to slam a beginner with a bunch of theory because in the beginning they want to learn chords so they can start playing. Theory will come with time, when they want to and have the drive to want to learn it. It’s always beneficial, but it’s not essential in the very beginning of playing. Sometimes it’s best to start with the root note being the chord you’re focusing on because it keeps you in check of what Key you’re in in the beginning. If you have your root with the 3rd or the 5th it can often times confuse someone who doesn’t understand inversions. I think it’s best to learn the major scales as far as the notes that are in every key and then just build major chords Using the 1st of that scale. It just makes it more simple that way in the beginning, there’s no shame in that. I think beginners think that they have to know all this crazy theory and they don’t, or they think they have to shred and they don’t. This isn’t a race, just focus on learning the basics

 

[Jak Angelescu]

Well said, Holly. The tip about helping with the key signature was a good point!

 

[Dan Shipway]

Th problem I had is that I always used the root on the low E so Instead of using 3rd fret on the A string I would use the 8th fret on the E but I wasnt sure as to why the A string i string instead. Does it link to different inversions?

 

[Dan Shipway]

*A string is used instead

 

[idssdi]

No inversions is like a different base note for example. If you play a C major and do the 8th fret on the E string or The 3rd fret on the A string you essentially play the root in the base. What the difference between those two is that the 8th fret on the E string is the e shape of Caged and the 3rd fret on the a string would be the A shape.
An inversion of the C major chord would be playing the 12th fret on the Low end string the 10th fret on the A string and the 10th fret on the D string that’s just and example but don’t really worry about it for now.
Just try to find the chords in all the different CAGED shapes for now.

 

[Holly Lingle]

Hello Dan I think you’re playing power chords. Which are very common in the beginning. You can use other strings to make major open chords.

 

[Dan Shipway]

I believe I have head about the CAGED system before, Doesn’t it have to do with putting a C,A,G,E or D shape behind a bar?

 

[idssdi]

Yes that’s exactly what CAGED is for chords!

 

[Dan Shipway]

I think I may have missed something really important before doing this, fret board knowledge, I have done 0 theory before so I don’t know where all the notes are and I think that my be what is stopping me so far. I will return to this subject at a later date.

 

[Jak Angelescu]

Good for you, Dan! Papa goes over the names of the notes in the beginning lessons so make sure you understandthat first

 

[Dan Shipway]

I found that using octaves helps quite a lot as I am familiar with the notes on the low E and A strings so it is easier to map it out knowing that.

 

[Jak Angelescu]

It’s very true! Learning where the octaves are will help you find notes quicker