Reading Chord Charts Diagrams And Symbols

This reading chord charts exercise aims to help you develop the ability to read guitar notations; diagrams and symbols on guitar charts. In this example, we will go through playing in the keys of C, Dmi, Ami, Emi, Fmaj7, G7.

Refer to Guitar Chart I and II in the previous guitar lesson on Reading Guitar Charts to help you with the positions, notes and chord diagrams. Use any fingerings that you are comfortable with and avoid using too much pressure when holding down chords.

When reading chord charts diagrams, be aware of the key signatures, tempos and guitar positions. Find the positions that are as near as possible and the most comfortable for you. Refer to the following chord chart to follow this guitar lesson. (Click Read Guitar Chart: Diagrams & Symbols to download this pdf file. You will need Adobe Reader to read this file. It's provided free at www.adobe.com)

Starting from the first measure at the 1st fret, play the Cmaj chord shape (C, E, G, C, E). Every slash represents one count. The Cmaj7 chord C, E, G, B, E is played in the same position but now has a B note. The sign on measure 3 means to repeat the previous measure (CMaj7).

The Ami chord shape A, E, A, C, E is still played in the 1st fret position. At measure 5, there is the repeat sign, which tells us to repeat the previous measure.

Measure 6 has the chord of a Dmi, D, A, D, F, also played in the 1st fret position. Measure 7 shows the 'repeat the previous measure' sign.

We see the Emi7 chord shape E, B, E, G, B, E in measure 8. In Measures 9 and 10, we have the FMaj chord shape F, A, C, F also played in the 1st fret position. For now, try to keep the positions as near as possible. Avoid too much pressure when holding down the chords. In measure 11 and 12, the CMaj and Cmaj7 are held in the same positions as measure 1 and 2. In measures 13 and 14, we have the G7 chord shape G, B, D, G, B, F. For measure15, the Ami7 chord A, E, A, C, G is used. Measures 16 and 17, DMaj7 chord D, A, D, F# is used. The D6 chord D, B, D, F# is used.

In measure 19, AMaj chord A, E, A, C#, E is used. For AMaj7 use A, E, G#, C#, E. For A6 use A, E, A, C#, F#. Remember all these guitar chords can be played in and around the 1st fret position.

All these chord charts can be reviewed in Guitar Chord Chart 1 and 11 in the previous lesson. Find comfortable fingerings and move to the closest or nearest notes. Practice playing through this chord chart and develop your ear by listening to the different types of chords, the sounds produce. Try to listen if the chord is a major or minor or if your counting is in time with your playing. Check your guitar tuning. Are the notes in tune with the other? Does the chord sound right?

Apply these guitar chord charts to some melodies that you're familiar with. Get some CDs and try to listen to the chord changes. Spend some time with a buddy and try playing and exchanging chords and ideas. Keep your ears open for different genres of music like Pop, Rock, Contemporary, Christian music and Country rock. All these genres of music have so much to offer in terms of melody and guitar chords.

Different keys give us a chance to explore different positions and using a Capo, similar chord shapes can be used. In the key of CMaj, Ami7, Emi, F, G7 shape we can, use the same shapes for the key of DMaj, Bmi7, F#mi7, G, A7. These open chord sounds are very useful when used in transposing to difficult positions. Open sounds give a nice ring and makes it easier to play in certain keys.

Fix the Capo at the 2nd fret. Position the fingers at the 5th fret to get the Cmaj shape. Play the various basic guitar chords using the same shapes for each chord. Now try this in the key of Emaj. Fix the Capo at the 4fret and go through the changes EMaj, C#mi7, G#mi, A, B7. Position the fingers at the 7th fret. Move the Capo up and down the fretboard while still using the C Maj shape.

Explore the Keys of:

*C# or Db

*D# or Eb

*F

*G

*F#

In the DMaj open shape chord (D, A, D, F#) play the chords DMaj, BMi7,EMi7, F#mi7, G, A7. Listen to the changes and sounds as you play.

To get the same shape types for the key of EMaj, fix the Capo on the 3rd fret. Position the fingers to hold the EMaj chord with the same type shape as the Dmaj chord at the 4th fret. Play through and listen to the chords. Same shape type chord and easier playing positions. To get the Fmaj chord to sound in the open ringing tone, fix the Capo at the 3rd fret and place the fingers at the 5th fret to get the DMaj shape.

Using the DMaj shape many positions can be found along the fretboard. Go through these keys for your exercises:

*G

*D# or Eb

*F# or Gb

Apply the same procedure as the above. To get faster results, spend some time with the guitar chord charts and practice, practice, practice. Get a metronome to help you with your tempo. Set it slow first and as you get more proficient, increase the speed.

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