In this video lesson you’ll learn how you can cut your bar chords down to size, and still get a great result.
The cool thing about this is that it takes a lot less finger strength to make the chord (you’re not actually barring it), and in addition, you’re getting a totally different and unique sound now from the something you already knew!
The basic idea here is that you take the exact same notes you were playing in whatever bar chords you’re using, but now you just hack the chord in half and only play the top 3 or 4 strings on your guitar.
This really gives the chord a higher sound, which can really help cut through the rest of the band, and it can stand out very nicely from another guitar player who is using the same chords, but perhaps is playing them as open chords instead.
Practice these two patterns – the major pattern and the minor pattern, and get used to thinking about the root note being on the first string instead of on the 6th string.
The other pattern in there that I realized I didn’t show too clearly is just an open D form, but moved up. The root note for that one comes off the second string.
Video Problems? Watch it on YouTube
Related Lessons
Bar chords – in case you need to brush up on your bar chords.
D Form Triads – for more info on those D form chords, like the F# I used in the video
Major Diatonic Scale – a refresher in case you’ve forgotten!
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