How To Find The 'Right' Chords On Guitar

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Guitar can be a challenging instrument, especially when it comes to knowing how to fit in with a band. Today we're looking at 3 approaches to make your chords sound better when you're playing with a band, even if there are other guitar players or chord instruments.

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00:00 - Intro
00:44 - Simplify
04:14 - Stylize
07:35 - CAGED Course
08:15 - Movement
11:28 - Outro

[wheresallthezombies]

Recently joined a soul pop band. It has two keyboardist, bass, another guitar, vocalist, two back up singers, and they’re talking about adding a horn section. I’ve found single notes and two to three note chords are the only ones that don’t muddy up the mix.

[hzcbtbo]

Here is how I approached chords:

1. Learn CAGED (Both Major and Minor)
2. Learn movable sus2 and sus4 on 6th, 5th and 4th string
3. Learn movable add9 chords on 6th, 5th and 4th string
4. Learn diminished chords on 6th, 5th and 4th string
5. Learn 7th chords on 6th, 5th and 4th string (Major, Minor, Dominant, m7b5, diminished, minor-major 7th)
6. Learn shell chords of 7th chords on 6th & 5th string (Just for Major, Minor, Dominant only)
a) learn to locate 9th, 13th and 11th intervals at lower string frets to build fancy jazz chords (ex. Dominant 9th, M13b9, etc.)

Extra Steps you might want to take:
7. Learn 6th chords (Major & Minor) on 6th, 5th and 4th string
8. Learn drop 2 voicings for 7th chords on 5th fret (for Major, Minor and Dominant)
9. Learn drop 3 voicings for 7th chords on 6th fret (for Major, Minor and Dominant)

Even if you learn up to step 6, you know about 90% of the chords used in modern popular music.
And it only took me about 3-4 months to get up to step 6... I am sure ya'll can learn them much faster than I do

[adamwald]

As a hobbiest who messes around in my free time writing songs on guitar, these types of videos are super helpful for me as I have little understanding of music theory and do most of my writing by ear. Definitely appreciate your insight and mini lessons you throw out there, thanks a bunch!

[erikrummel]

Loved the vibe of this video. Seemed more like your friend showing you a bit of his “style” after you asked “Hey I like what you were doin there, where did that come from?” And less like a tutorial.

[mikesalmo]

I’m 43 and 3 years into slowly teaching myself guitar. I played drums and bass up into my 20s and regretted not picking up guitar or really understanding theory. My bass playing was more like timpani. I love most of your videos, you’re a refreshing presence in the guitar community. But these “playing” ones create so many aha moments for me. And it finally suckered me in to buying the CAGED course 😂.

I’m still a “bedroom” (home office) player and mostly noodle, but I’m totally going to start a rock band when I grow up.

[msspi]

That’s helpful. I play in a Cajun band that doesn’t have a bassist but has two guitars. Melody is fiddle and sometimes Cajun accordion. My role is to cover tempo on a low root while offering something beyond the cowboy chords the other guitar covers. This gives me some ideas to explore, ways to offer something more to the mix while staying true to my role in the band.

[HandlebarWorkshops]

Dammit, I paid for 6 strings, I'm gonna play all 6.

[ProcacciniWorshipGuitar]

Love this type of video from your channel! It's great that you shed a little light on some great techniques, while still plugging your courses to learn more. Keep it up!

[SixStringTales]

Not going to lie, I listened to the first 30 seconds before zoning out and just staring longingly at the Novo. Such a beautiful guitar!

[Henrique_A_Melo]

I still remember when I was learning the first chords on small Beatles magazines and trying different variations. Theory is fine, but exploring the guitar neck with your fingers is the best trip ever.

[BeesWaxMinder]

Love to buy your CAGED course BUT it insists on me adding my home details and paying for overseas shipping🤷‍♂️

[ronhutcherson]

I sing along with my acoustic- that’s just two voices and I still end up removing guitar bits so it doesn’t compete. I’ve pulled whole chords from my current piece. I don’t need to play the same notes I’m singing.

I think on my next piece I’m going to follow Rhett’s advice and thin out some more chords.

[kiwi]

I am playing guitar for 5 years and my mind is blown by these simple ideas! Thanks :)

[MashaT]

Very good points! With the open G, I learned to mute the A from Justin Sandercoe of Justin Guitar several years ago. It was the best advice I got as a beginner. It’s both easier to play and sounds better. The only time I play the A string is if I want to quickly turn it into a Sus chord as a quick embellishment. But by and large, I muted the string.

I actually have trouble with Barre chords because of my disabilities. I often replace them with power chords or use less fingers. I guess I was finding a natural solution that was helping me make guitar more accessible— but it often really does sound better anyway. I really should pay more attention to alternate fingering options!

[waltzguy]

Bro simplest open G chord, is just middle finger on the low E string, which also mutes the A, which also mutes the hi E . You end up with G, D, G, B. Potent, very power-chord sounding yet it's still major. Play that through distortion YUMMY!! One finger 'n that's it yEAHHHH :)

[jeffro.]

Wait a minute!
At 2:20 i take issue with what you said. It's not because it's a 3rd that it "muddies" the sound! It's because it's a lower octave! A 3rd doesn't muddy the sound, that's the "emotive" tone.
Similarly, at 3:30 I agree that you don't need the tone played with your pinky in that C shape. But it's not because of the reasons you're stating, it's because you don't need to play bass notes on lead guitar. You're stepping all over the bass player and other instruments.
That's why lead guitarists play diads & Triads using the thinner strings. Sometimes you want to play a lower tone, but often not.
Usually your choice of what string to play is based on the timbre you want. But the lower strings of chords are not played.

[billymcguiremusic]

Honestly, this approach has been how I've been looking at guitar for years. I break things down, using bit and pieces of the common cowboy and barre chords (especially working up different voicings in CAGED shapes). Working in a duo with another guitarist is my way of working on live improve, from soloing and working out better rhythm accompany with another chordal instrument.

[JDStone]

This is exactly the type of thing for chords I was looking for because I have a severed tendon on the index finger of my fretting hand, so making some chords is difficult, but triads and power chords are playable.

[tonyvanover]

You Just gave away in an easy to understand 10 min video some of the best kept secrets to guitar playing that took myself and probablymany others years to figure out

[MarcOlivermusic]

I only agree to this in a band context, propably rock. For acoustic music there is nothing wrong with bass notes or the major third in a Gmajor. It brings the warmth and emotion.
I play guitar 40 years and composed some hundred songs and I know what I'm talking about. Good day.