CH-001 • Basic Open Chords

[dj_madmatt]

That's a C/G chord, a C with a G in the bass.
I used to play this one too, but it didn't fit everywhere I needed a C chord, so I kind of unlearned it again.

thanks that will help in the future. i mean I'm just picking up the guitar again i never had any lessons and this site is helping out a lot. i use to play trumpet so i have theory down and terms and what not its just tricking my self in to trans scribe in to guitar is all. well thanks again.

[Irost]

Hey, couldn't find this anywhere, I'm wondering how to play the "H chord"? Justin mentions it in one of his video lessions, but he doesn't tell how to play it.

[close2u]

there isn't an H chord

muscial notation stops at G

pin-point the reference in the vid ... maybe he's joking

[Irost]

"The note circle" he mention that germans use it.

[Bootstrap]

Irost - for reasons that I'm not sure of, though maybe some of our German friends who frequent this forum might.... the "H" is actually the B natural note....

Cheers, Bootstrap

[Irost]

Ok, Thank you

[MadCat]

If you find a german song with a b note, that could also be the english b-flat.
I struggled with that quiet long, as I'm used to the german system.

Here is a little note translator: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_signature_names_and_translations

[alias_noa]

Hi my name is Wayne, and I used your website and video's to learn some guitar basics over a year ago. I just came across you again on youtube, and found your video about chord exercises. I went from there to your website, and found your guides on which chords to learn first. I'm really glad someone finally organized it, because not all of us can afford music lessons. I just have one question...if i'm trying to play stuff more like breaking benjamin, disturbed, godsmack, and even stuff like slipknot or u know any of that modern stuff, should I still learn the same chords in the same order? I want to make music with violins, piano, and guitar and drums, and i'm realizing its all based on chord progressions so i'm trying to learn all that stuff, but your music is a lot different from what i'm going for so I don't want to learn the wrong stuff . BTW i like page 99 it cheered me up when i spilled my coffee everywhere haha

-Wayne

[Tourniquet]

if i'm trying to play stuff more like breaking benjamin, disturbed, godsmack, and even stuff like slipknot or u know any of that modern stuff, should I still learn the same chords in the same order?

No matter what you want to play you require a solid foundation in the fundamental techniques. once you have those down you can afford to specialize a little.

[UKFretboarder]

Hey everyone, this is my first post.  I've been using Justin's site since february this year and it's amazing! So a big THANKS!  I have a question about the D chord, it's more a concern really. I consider myself around the start of intermediate, my chord changes are pretty fast but I just noticed, the E chord ringing out when I change to D...and also when I change to A. I've been playing D with no thumb muting the 6th and 5th, I tried this for the 1st time last night and it just felt so awkward. I know I will probably get used to it with practice but I just would like to know, is your writst supposed to bend when you hook your thumb over for the mute? Mine does, I'm not sure if that is just natural movememnt but I am a little concerned, if I keep changing to D will it affect my wrist, as you're supposed to keep it as straight as possible? That's harder down by the open chords but when I try with my thumb over it looks pretty squashed    Is it ok to play D with no muting too?

[Bootstrap]

Of course you can play D with no muting - if you accidentally hit the 5th string no big deal as A is a note found in the D chord ie D, F#, A - even if you are way out and hit the 6th string it isn't going to be an absolute clanger as E is also found in the D scale.

Whilst I often mute the 6th string, I never bother muting the 5th string when playing the D chord - I try for accurate strumming and if I hit the occasional 5th string so be it.

Didn't quite know what you meant about the bent wrist so can't help you there.

B

[UKFretboarder]

Heya, thanks for your quick reply. I started panicking about that lol, like I was changing to the D chord for so long without muting. The wrist bending is more like an angled wrist when I hook the thumb over. Usually its right in the middle of the neck. My palm pushes up when I put my thumb over for the mute and pushes my wrist slightly leaning towards
the neck, like this. I'm a little worried if that can lead to wrist problems or if that will be ok for just 1 chord  =) 

[Bootstrap]

Ok - I think I see what you mean about your wrist - I'm no physio but I can't imagine bending your wrist would cause you problems - biomechanically speaking your wrist is designed to bend backwards and forwards it is only when it goes sideways or hyper-extends forwards or backwards that the problems start.

B

[guitar and pen 2010]

Hello,

I have been playing the D,A and E cords for one week. My finger position is good but I have trouble muting some cords. Is this because my finger tips are still very soft? Will it become easier to play a clear cord when they harden up?

[Bootstrap]

Hi G & P - good decision to take up guitar

When you say "muting" I'm guessing you mean make the notes of the chord sound - muting actually means to stop the sound - as soon as you release finger pressure that should happen automatically. If you are still getting sound as you release the chord grip it means you are "flicking off" the string and need to work on your technique a bit to get a clean lift off the strings.

If you did mean you can't make the notes sound clearly then yes your finger tips hadening will assist with this - also making sure your finger pressure is as close to the fret as you can get it (not so easy on E & D)

A week is not very long so stick with it - success will come.

Sorry if I misinterpreted your question.

Cheers, Bootstrap