More Open Chords

Hold your left hand fingers down on D7 and give it a strum. Notice the X next to the top two strings on the diagram.(Top two strings? Remember the chord diagrams are upside down). Try not to strike those strings with your right hand when you strum. In actual fact it's really only the top string that sounds bad if you hit it, so don't worry too much if you strike the fifth string as you strum because it will harmonize with the chord.

The other thing you might have seen is that your first finger is in the same position as it is on Am. Hold down an Am chord and change to D7 and then back again whilst keeping your first finger down on the fret board. Each time you finger a chord strum it to hear if it sounds right. Try a few down strokes in a row on Am then change to D7 without stopping the rhythm.

When you feel confident do the same between Em and D7. There aren't any common fingers between these two chords so you'll find it a bit harder. Your best bet will be to change to D7 starting with your first finger, then second, then third. Don't forget to test yourself by continuing the strumming with your right hand as you change chords with your left hand.

Exercise 13 In the following chord progression you're going to use all three chords that you've learnt so far. Have a look at the chord chart below and listen toExercise 13 sound file *. This sixteen bar progression will test your stamina. Notice the last bar finishes with just a down strum on the first beat. When you play it through yourself make sure you let this chord ring out until the sound fades away just like the sound file. It's O.K. to stop between chord changes when you learn a new chord progression initially, but once you've done it a few times try to keep the rhythm flowing, then give it a go playing along with the sound file. Make sure your happy with your progress before you do the next exercise.

The chord in the diagram below is called G major, and commonly referred to as simply G. It may be a bit of a stretch at first but your hand will soon learn to do this comfortably.

As with all the previous chords, practice changing from each one to the new G chord and back again. The change between G and Em is the easiest because of the common first finger. The change between G and D7 is slightly more challenging.

Whilst holding down a G chord try loosening your fingers off the fret board (but not off the strings), move your whole hand back towards the headstock one fret so your third finger is in place for the D7 chord on the second fret first string, then bring your first and second fingers into place on the second and third strings. The process is done in reverse to change back to G.

The change between G and Am is the hardest because there are no common elements to link these chords together. The best approach is to move your first, second, then third fingers into place one at a time. After a while they'll begin to move together.

Exercise 14 The following chord progression contains all the chords you've learnt so far. Follow the chord chart with your eyes and listen to Exercise 14 sound file * before you try it yourself. The rhythm in this exercise made the chord changes a little more difficult than before because of the up stroke at the end of each bar being an eighth beat. You can actually start moving from one chord to the next with your left hand while you are playing the last up stroke with your right hand. This might sound a bit odd at first, but it's much smoother. Practice this idea, then play the progression again. Try playing along with the sound file.

When you think you've got the hang of D7 and G move on to the next page. We're going to look at a different way to read rhythm from chord charts.

 
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Copyright ©1997 Kim Wainwright.