Guitar Chords and Harmony. Easy tips

Hot For Chords

Today we are going to talk about
2 note chords.

This lesson is a bit longer than usual but there are some surprises so
make sure you read the entire lesson.

Just as common chords made of three notes are called Triads the 2 note chords are call diads.

Two-string play, or more popularly called double stops.

Another term that you will hear in musical notation circles is diads.

 
So, basically double stops are referring to when you're playing an instrument
and playing two notes at a time, while diads is a music theory term talking about two notes on a musical staff.

 
Two note chords are also know as harmonies because two notes played simultaneously
always make a harmony.

 
Even if the two notes are the same note they are harmony and called unison harmony.

 
So what are common Diads or Double Stops.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I like to play 3rds, 5ths, 6ths and 7ths.

 
This is an easy was to play chord/melody.

 
It may not be the fancy jazz chord melody we usually think of but it can make your
playing more interesting.

 
So lets look at the thirds.

 
Here is a G major scale harmonized in thirds.
E|-----------
B|-----------
G|-4-5-7-9-11-12-14-16-
D|-5-7-9-10-12-14-16-17-
A|-----------
E|-----------

 
More Lessons on Guitar Chords at: http://www.guitar5day.com

 
There are two fingerings. One fingering for the major 3rds:

 

The first, 4th and 5th harmonies. I am referring to the tab sequence above.

 
Use your first finger on the G string , use your second finger on the D string

 
One fingering for the minor 3rds: The 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th

 
Use your first finger on the G string, use your third finger on the D string

 
Practice this a couple of times.

 
When picking the notes I like to pick the D string with my thumb and G string with my first finger.

 
If you are using a pick then use your second finger on the G string.

 
After a while you can here the Latin sound,  and even can start making the harmonies that
are often associated with the trumpets in a mariachi band.

 
Think of the Song La Bamba:

 
Here is a tab of what I mean:

 
E|------------
B|------------
G|-4-4-9-9-11-11-11-9-11-
D|-5-5-10-10-12-12-12-10-12-
A|------------
E|------------

 
Play around with this and change it to your taste and the melody you have in your head.
The finger pattern I showed you works when the lower note is on the Low E string, A string and D string or B string.

 
When you play the Lower note on the G string the pattern changes:

 
I will use the Key of A major

 
(G would start with open G and B strings)

 
E|----------
B|-2-3-5-7-9-10-12-14-
G|-2-4-6-7-9-11-13-14-
D|----------
A|----------
E|----------

 
There are two fingerings. One fingering for the major 3rds:

The first, 4th and 5th harmonies.

 
I am referring to the tab sequence above. Use your first finger on the G string
and B string. One fingering for the minor 3rds:
The 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th

 
Use your first finger on the B string. Use your second finger on the G string.
As you can see by the two different forms we have discussed you just need to add a 5th
and you have triads. But if you had Project X you would have already known that.

 
I hope you enjoyed this lesson!
Next week I will have another lesson
on Hot for Chords!

 

Author: Andrew Koblick teaches guitar lesson through his site: http://www.guita5day.com