Guitar Lessons Level 3

Chord construction

Chord construction: understanding how chords are constructed.
The seven chords in the key of C also know as the Nashville System using basic open chords. 

Triads

Root position triads are a fundamental concept in music theory, referring to a specific type of chord structure. A triad is a chord made up of three notes that are typically played or sung together. These three notes consist of a root note, a third, and a fifth. The term “root position” indicates that the root note of the triad is the lowest note of the chord when it is played or written.

Triads explained

Root position triads in the key of C. 4 sets.

First inversions of triads are a fundamental concept in music theory that involve altering the position of the notes in a triad.

First inversion triads

Second inversion triads are another essential concept in music theory, further expanding on the idea of rearranging the notes within a triad to achieve different sounds and harmonic textures.

Second inversion triads

Let’s review the triads we have been learning.

Triads review

Chord Enrichment part 1

Chord Enrichment part 2

 Chord Enrichment part 3

Chord Enrichment part 4

Voicings of each triad are played starting with the voicing closest to the nut of the guitar and ending with the one furthest from the nut.

Below we have chord progressions using triads we have studied in previous lessons. It is time to get creative! Use what you have learned about enhancement with the chords. Use chords sus 2, add9, sus 4, 6, 7, maj7, aug and so on.

 Chord progressions using set 1

Chord progressions using set 2

Chord progressions using set 3

 Chord progressions using set 4

Vertical and horizontal approach to the triads

C triads
Dm triads
Em triads
F triads
G triads
Am triads
Bdim triads

More enrichment

Augmented triads (raising the 5th interval a semi-tone to get the #5)
Major 6 triads (raising the 5th interval a whole tone to get the 6)
Dominant 7 triads (raising the 5th interval 1 1/2 tones to get the b7)
Major 7 triads (raising the 5th interval 2 whole tones to get the 7)
Major 7 triads (lowering the 1st interval a semi-tone to get a 7)
Dominant 7 triads (lowering the 1st interval a whole tone to get a b7)
Major 6 triads (lowering the 1st interval 1 1/2 tones to get the 6)
Combining voicing of the C Major 7 triads
Combining voicings of the Dominant 7 triads
Combining voicings of the Major 6 triads