Displaying items by tag: Chords
For the Guitarist Volume 5: Chords
One of the first things we learn as guitar players are chords. You know…..here is a G…..here is a C and so on. But what are chords? Chords are harmonies. The notes in the chord come from the scale they are derived from. If we take the C chord, it comes from the C major scale. You spell that scale C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C…...easy, no sharps or flats. If we take the first, third and fifth notes of that scale, that is how we come up with the notes in a C major chord. Major is the “default” setting for chords. If it just has a letter in the chord description, it is a major. You can have a sharp or flat added but unless it is designated something else it is major.
So how does this information help you? Well, unless you like only playing the same chords over and over again, knowing this is freedom. The chains are lifted. Once again, chords are harmonies. The guitar is like a choir in many ways. Each string represents a voice. Six strings, six potential voices. I say potential because you don’t need to play six note chords all that often. You only need three notes to make a chord. We have six string, but you can do so much with the D, G and B strings alone. These keep you much in the same are that the right hand of the piano would occupy. The bass guitar represents the left hand of the piano. This is not the only approach, but it is so versatile to use this ideology.
A good mental exercise is to take three adjacent strings and find all the major voicings on those strings. Three note chords are called triads. Let’s start on the bottom three strings, E. A and D. Find the lowest voicing you can find on the neck with the three notes of a C chord. The notes are the 1, 3 and 5 of the C major scale or C, E and G. Try this. The first voicing you should find is G on the third fret of the E, C on the third fret of the A and E on the second fret of the D. That is a C major chord.
One thing you may have noticed is that C is not the lowest voice in the chord. So far most of the chords you have learned have the root on the bottom of the chord. The root is the note the chord and/or chord are built from. There are three versions of a triad. Root position is the root on the bottom, in this case it is C. First inversion is the third on the bottom, in this case it is E. Second inversion has G on the bottom, which is the fifth. Find all three version on the bottom three strings.
That was not too hard, right? Now you want to take the fifth note of the scale and do the same. This means you take G and do the same thing with a G major triad. The same rule applies. You use the 1, 3 and 5 of the G major scale. How do you know what those notes are? Scales are just notes going up a ladder. You “scale” a ladder. It is imply climbing one note at a time, letter by letter. There are only seven notes in the musical alphabet, and when you get to G you start over back at A. the trick is that you need to know what scales have sharps or flats. I mentioned the circle of fifths in my last article. There are many images on line you can look at. Do a search for “circle of fifths image” and voila.
My next article will address the circle more directly, in the meantime, try this exercise on all four adjacent groups of three strings on the guitar. That is learning twelve voicings, after the twelfth fret everything repeats. Next article I will give you the key to unlock twelve times that since there are twelve keys. If you have any questions, drop me a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will help you understand. Peace, and I am going to try to get off my butt and start a YouTube channel giving more visual displays of what I mention. If you wanna drop a line to say hello, please do. Until next time, ciao, RR.
Stellar Performances in “Prayer for the French Republic”
21 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewEarly in the first act I whispered to my companion and said “I love this!” Extremely well written by Joshua…
A WONDROUS SOUND - Orchestra and Chorus of the Chicago Lyric Opera is a wondrous compilation of the best of the best!
21 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewThe repertoire for this fabulous program - A WONDROUS SOUND, showcasing the full force of Lyric’s amazing orchestra and chorus,…
Citadel's 'A Jukebox for the Algonquin" - The Reality of Life in a Senior Center sets the Stage for Tunes, Friendship and Rebellion!
20 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewCitadel’s latest production, A Jukebox for the Algonquin, truly captured my heart. It’s a refreshing reminder that as we age,…
A Night to Remember Aboard Marriott Theatre’s Titanic
17 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewAs a lifelong aficionado of the ill-fated ocean liner RMS Titanic, I’ve always gravitated toward any experience that would leave…
The Artistic Home presents CUT TO THE CHASE festival of one-act plays May 1-4 at The Den Theatre
17 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreThe Artistic Home Studio will present the 2025 edition of its annual CUT TO THE CHASE festival of new one…
Chopin Theatre & Gwydion Theatre present "Theatre of the Absurd" festival Eight Darkly Comedic Tales May 2 – May 25, 2025 | Chopin Theatre Studio
17 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreIn an era that often defies reason, Chopin Theatre and Gwydion Theatre launch the first annual Theatre of the Absurd…
Pegasus Theatre Chicago announces cast for its revival of Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery
16 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatrePegasus Theatre Chicago and Director ILesa Duncan proudly announce the casting for the revival of playwright Shay Youngblood's Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery, which follows…
THE LOVE OF THREE KINGS Returns and Kicks Off the Opera Festival of Chicago, May 9 and 11
16 April 2025 in Upcoming DanceThe Opera Festival of Chicago announces the cast and creative team for The Love of Three Kings (L’Amore dei tre Re), with…
See Chicago Dance Announces the Return of Chicago Dance Month, May 31 - June 28, 2025
16 April 2025 in Upcoming DanceSee Chicago Dance, the dance industry's nonprofit service organization celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, is proud to announce that its popular…
Steppenwolf Theatre Announces LookOut's Summer 2025 Season
15 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf's LookOut Series is pleased to announce its action-packed summer lineup of comedy, magic, storytelling, drag and more! The Summer 2025 Season…
Writers Theater Excels in Brian Friel's Funny, Complicated 'Translations'
15 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewBrian Friel’s “Translations,” now playing at Writers Theatre in Glencoe, IL, shows off the renowned Irish playwright’s signature skill in…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces casting for the NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE of a new musical from the producers of SIX - 42 Balloons
14 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the cast of the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. From the multi-award-winning producers Kevin McCollum (Oh,…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces a Bold 2025/26 Season of 12 productions
09 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes announce today the 2025/26 Season. As the nation's largest year-round theater dedicated…
Tickets on sale April 11 for A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness
09 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreTickets go on sale Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. Central time for the world-premiere performances of A Night of Mellon…
TWILIGHT In Concert Comes to Chicago
09 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreGEA Live and Broadway In Chicago in association with Lionsgate, today announced the highly-anticipated 60-city national tour of the first-ever TWILIGHT IN CONCERT ( www.twilightinconcert.com) will visit in…
Layers Unfold in “The Book of Grace” at Steppenwolf
08 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewIn a masterful stroke of programming, Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of "The Book of Grace," Suzan-Lori Parks'…
Theo Ubique and CPA Theatricals to co-produce SENTINELS, a play with music celebrating the contributions of women over the past 80 years, August 1-10
07 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreCPA Theatricals and Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre today announced a co-production of the play with music SENTINELS, which imagines a…
KIMBERLY AKIMBO On Sale
07 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce individual tickets for KIMBERLY AKIMBO, winner of five 2023 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL and the most…
GDC Spring Program Eloquently Distills the Vagaries and Splendor of Life Through Dance
07 April 2025 in Dance in ReviewDance performances can often be moving events but rarely do they hold the density, breadth and depth of emotions Giordano…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater Presents Lively Production of Sunny Afternoon
06 April 2025 in Theatre in Review“It’s not us… all this mucking about with our sound.” Sunny Afternoon is about many things. This is in…
‘Trial of Themistocles’ Shows Off Best of the Culture of Greece, and Chicago Jurisprudence
05 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewWalking into the Harris Theater for the “Trial of Themistocles,” I was expecting something translated from ancient Greek, togas, masks,…
A Hull Lot of Laughs: Titanique Makes Waves On Stage
02 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewAll hands on deck Titanic fans! Get ready for a lavishly produced musical that boldly reimagines the Titanic story, navigating…
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL is Now Playing
02 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreWelcome back to the Moulin Rouge! Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the Tony Award® winning production, MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL is now playing…
Disney's THE LION KING Returns to Chicago
01 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBy popular demand, Disney’s The Lion King will return to Chicago for the first time since 2023, where the production played a sold-out…
Review: The Listeners at Lyric Opera of Chicago
31 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewTHE LISTENERS has undergone several incarnations since the 2021 novel by Jordan Tannahill. It’s been a full-length movie, a TV…
IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS: Spring Concert 2025 - 'Instinct' at Ann Barzel Theater (April 26-27)
31 March 2025 in Upcoming DanceIDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2025 “Instinct” A captivating performance of four distinct works on April 26 & 27…
Dynamic South Chicago Dance Theatre at The Auditorium in one perf only, May 3
26 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreThe Auditorium (Chicago’s Landmark Stage® at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly welcomes back the eclectic energy of hometown favorite South…
Open Space Arts announces staged reading series and a powerful premiere for April through June
26 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts (OSA), who recently won some of the top honors in the Joseph Jefferson Awards for 2024 productions,…
Review: 'it's been ten years since everybody died' at Open Space Arts
26 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewI’ve reviewed a number of shows at Open Space Arts (OSA) – I love the place – so I’m familiar…
Hell in a Handbag Productions' World Premiere of SCARY TOWN By Artistic Director David Cerda Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass April 9 – May 11, 2025 at The Clutch
25 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2024/25 Season with the world premiere of Scary Town, Artistic Director David Cerda's semi-autobiographical…
Latest Articles
-
A WONDROUS SOUND - Orchestra and Chorus of the Chicago Lyric Opera is a wondrous compilation of the best of the best!
Written by Sarz MaxwellThe repertoire for this fabulous program - A WONDROUS SOUND, showcasing the full force of Lyric’s amazing orchestra and chorus, was developed in collaboration between Lyric Conductor Enrique Mazzola and Chorus Director Michael Black. The orchestra started it off with… -
Stellar Performances in “Prayer for the French Republic”
Written by Bill EslerEarly in the first act I whispered to my companion and said “I love this!” Extremely well written by Joshua Hartman with stellar performances directed by Jeremy Wechsler, “Prayer for the French Republic” (a Northlight Theatre Theatre Wit co-production) attempts… -
Citadel's 'A Jukebox for the Algonquin" - The Reality of Life in a Senior Center sets the Stage for Tunes, Friendship and Rebellion!
Written by Kimberly KatzCitadel’s latest production, A Jukebox for the Algonquin, truly captured my heart. It’s a refreshing reminder that as we age, life doesn’t lose its spark—it merely shifts to a new rhythm, one filled with laughter, camaraderie, and unexpected joys. This… -
A Night to Remember Aboard Marriott Theatre’s Titanic
Written by CJ BurroughsAs a lifelong aficionado of the ill-fated ocean liner RMS Titanic, I’ve always gravitated toward any experience that would leave me feeling immersed in that famous moment of an era that nobody any of us knows anymore is alive to…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.