C Major

Chords, when expressed in sound, are called voicings. Chord voicings are particular ways we fret & sound chords. We see a chord symbol & decided how to finger it. We have a lot of options for voicing a given chord. Here are the first position chords in the key of C.

Triads in C

These aren't the only way to play these chords. Note that the tones in these chords are listed below the tab.

Next, let's look at grids to see that the tones of chords come directly out of the C Major Scale. Make the connections. We're using scale maps with dots & letters. When we see a fretboard diagram with a bunch of dots [as below], these are typically scale frames [since you can't play all the tones as a single chord].

Continue the process of identifying all of the tones of each chord [...F, G, Am, Bo]. Any combination of the tones within each triad will work [C = c-e-g, Dm = d-f-a, etc.], depending on if the fretted chord sounds good to us [this also depends on if we are strumming, picking, etc.]. Let's always be willing to build chords from scale maps by experimenting with different combinations of tones & fingerings [on our own]. This is a rewarding process & we can learn a lot.

Slash Chords

A slash chord is a chord with a particular tone in the bass & is indicated by a 'fraction'. C/G = C chord with a G tone in the bass.

It is common to play this C/G with this F/C [& with the G fingering in the first tab on this page]. The fingerings work real nice [create a chord puzzle if necessary].

Any of the F chords can also be barred on string 1 & 2. We've avoided barring on this page.

Also to note: in the first graphic on this page [Chords in C], the Dm chord is really a Dm/A & the F chord is a F/A. Both of these chords have a ringing A in the bass, yet they way they resonate doesn't really necessitate a slash chord name. They could have these more specific names, yet they work just fine as is. Slash chords are telling us specific fingerings for a given situation.

In all situations, we have options on how we voice [play] chords when we see a chord symbol. Experience teaches us which types fit which situations.

7th Chords in C

The next step in this process is to extend the chords to 4 tone chords. This is taking EON one more level. We have labeled the new tone [some type of 7 from the chord's root] in green.

One way to figure out which tone is to be added is to find the highest root tone for the chord & go one tone back in the scale. The root of the chord is also the 8 [an octave]. So by going one tone back in the scale from the highest 8, we find the 7 to add to add to the chord. Sometimes it is one fret back, sometimes two.

Again, these chords can be played differently. Use the scale map to identify where the chord tones are in the scale. Experiment with different fingerings & resonance.

The vii chord can be written as paralling to a minor 7 and that makes the chord symbol a minor 7 flat 5. It is also called half-diminished 7 and that is indicated as the degree sign with a slash through it. We see the min7b5 written more often than the degree sign with a slash. Just be aware that this type of chord has two ways to be written. They are the same thing.

For practicing these chords, we play chord scales and progressions. A chord scale is chords played in alphabetical order, as we play a scale [in order]. It is a progression, but rarely will songs go in alphabetical order; just as when soloing, we don't play scales as scales.

Triadic Chord Scale

Let's get used to plugging chords from a key into a Roman Numeral schematic. This way we could plug chords in any key into the map. When we play the same thing [chords, melody] in a different key, this is called transposition [transposing to a new key].

The rhythm slash [different than slash chords] can be any rhythm [quarter, 8th, 16th, or any other rhythm figure - we always mix it up to avoid monotony]. Just keep the rhythm steady, especially during the changes.

7th Chord Scale

Common Progressions

Make Up Your Own

And finally, as always, we create our own.

Connect the chords in ways that sound good to your ear. All of us are songwriters. Start building your catalog of progressions that you have written. And, we write down our work.