Thursday, August 02, 2007
Reading chord diagrams
Category: Music
Before getting into chord diagrams I want to let the very young guitar players (around age 6 and under) know that in playing the G chord from the last lesson, if you can't reach the third fret on the sixth string with your second finger that it's OK. As long as you don't strum the sixth string it will sound fine In fact you can play all three chords with just the first four strings. But I want you to keep trying and get your fingers stretching.
Let's look at chord diagrams. I think the best way to learn about reading anything is by learning how to write too. So get yourself a piece of paper, lined is better. The way chord diagrams work is like this. The vertical lines are your strings so there are six of them. The horizontal lines are the frets and there are usually five. There will be a heavy or double horizontal line at the top and this represents the nut. The nut is the plastic bar at the end of the fret board that all the strings are on, each in their little groove.
So beginning at the top line on the left side of your paper (use a pencil to make correcting easier) draw a line straight down about three inches long or ten to twelve lines down. Then draw five more lines down next to this one spaced about one inch apart. So these are your strings. Next draw a line across the top of all these lines right on top of the line on your paper. Make this line heavier by going back and forth a few times. This is the nut.
Go down two lines or one inch on the left string line and make another horizontal line across all six strings. So between the nut and this line is your first fret. Spaced two lines apart or one inch make four more horizontal lines so that you now have five frets. If you place the end of the neck of your guitar right next to your diagram they should look the same.
Your are now ready to make your first chord which will be the A chord or as we say in Canada the "eh" chord. Now it is important to know that the strings are numbered from right to left so that your first string is on the far right and the sixth is on the far left, the first vertical line you drew.
Finger points are made by putting a dot about a quarter inch in diameter on one of the strings in the middle of two frets. So for the A chord make a point on your fourth string at the second fret. Make another point on the third string at the second fret. Then another point on the second string at the second fret. You should have three points side by side. Make sure that the string lines go through the middle of your dots.
Many chords will have some open strings to play and some will have strings you shouldn't play. The open strings are done by making a small O right above the nut where the open string is to be played. Put a small X over the strings you don't want played.
The A chord will want little O's above the first string and fifth string. The sixth string can also be played although some chord diagrams show an X. Don't worry about this too much for now. You can strum all six strings.
Now the rule of thumb for which fingers to play which points is this. Your first finger will usually play the fret that's closest to the nut. In the case of points in the same fret your first finger will go to the highest numbered string. So in the case of the A chord your first finger will be placed on the fourth string at the second fret. Usually your other fingers should fall in place after that. So your second finger goes on the third string at the second fret and your third finger on the second string at the second fret.
You will have to scrunch your finger together a bit I know. So your first finger may be almost touching the first fret bar and your third finger may be almost touching the second fret bar. That's good. Now give all the strings a strum down four times. When playing chords I want you to develop the habit of strumming four times because this is the most common rhythm. Get used to playing in patterns of four and it's multiples like eight, twelve and sixteen.
