Doesn’t it seem to be the case that most guitarists prefer playing lead to chords?
This is often because they think playing chords isn’t fun.
But here is the real reason why guitarists do this:
Guitarists often don’t learn how to make basic chords sound really cool.
Good news is, this isn’t a hard thing to do. Once you learn how to do it, you can play cool music anytime you want using creative chords.
Watch this video demonstration to learn some really cool ways to play guitar chords:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoLJca4usCI
These are five quick ways to play common chords in a more interesting and unique manner:
Idea #1. Imply The 5th Mode Of Harmonic Minor With A Single Major Chord. Do It Like This:
Want to make regular major chords sound really cool?
Easy.
Pay close attention to how the chord functions.
This means: instead of thinking of every major chord as the first chord in the key, think of it as the fifth chord in the key instead.
This video demonstrates how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRV6CSDLZjM
Idea #2. Build Your Chords By Using More Notes From The Scale. Like This:
So, there are seven notes in the major scale.
Major and minor chords are built using only 3 of these notes. (you use the scale degrees 1 3 5 for major and 1 b3 5 for minor).
Here’s an idea though: try adding other scale degrees such as 2 or 6 or 7.
This is a great way to make your chords sound much more interesting and expressive. (Plus it’s not very hard to do).
For example:
The following is a common open C major chord:
Now, this is a C major add 9 chord, which adds the second scale degree (also known as the ninth):
This is a C major add 11, which adds the fourth scale degree (F in the C major scale):
This is a C major add 6 (also known as the 13th)… meaning you add an “A” note in the key if C major:
This is a C major 7 chord, which adds the note “B” to the open C major chord uing the open B string (in this case):
Experiment by adding different notes of the scale to any chord progression you know to make it sound much more expressive and interesting than before.
Idea #3. Easily Give Your Chords A “Modal” Feel. Here Is How To Do It:
Adding more notes from the scale sounds cool…
… but adding notes from a completely different scale sounds badass!
Very cool!
Here is how you expand beyond just using major and minor keys using just one chord…
Use these examples:
Example 1: Bb “Lydian chord”.
Don’t worry, this isn’t as complicated as you might think.
All it actually means is you are adding an E note to a Bb major chord (this note is a raised fourth degree in the Bb major scale). Watch 3:49 in the first video above to see how this sounds.
If you only play this chord by itself, you are in the key of Bb Lydian. While playing solos above this chord, use the B flat lydian or F major scales.
Example 2: G major add 9 add b6 — this means you add the notes A and Eb to a normal G major chord. Watch the video at 1:22 to hear this.
(This chord implies the fifth mode of melodic minor.)
Example 3: A minor major 7th chord — this is just an a minor chord that has a raised seventh (G# in the key of A minor) added to it.
Question: “Tom Hess, can I add more than just one note at once?”
Answer: No doubt about it. Watch the video at the top of this article where this is demonstrated.
If you struggle with finding notes on the fretboard, watch this video to get better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9SsLQk9dDA
Tip: Soloing over chords with added notes generally sounds more interesting and expressive than soloing over basic chords. Understanding how to get more emotion out of these chords takes practice though. Check out this free guitar soloing resource to see some easy ways to express yourself without needing many notes.
Idea #4. Use Good Voice Leading With Your Chords. Like This:
Don’t make the mistake of treating every chord you play like a big block of notes.
Instead, think of every note as it’s own individual melody.
Fact:
… chords were originally made from melodies.
This means:
You can think of each note in a chord as a note in a melody. And when you play chords, think of multiple melodies being played at the same time.
This name of this concept is voice leading.
Using good voice leading in your music makes it sound more professional.
(It also gives your guitar playing a neo-classical kind of sound.)
Check out this video to see how to great voice leading sounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVRLSvVNHec
Idea #5. Use Unconventional Note Spacing. Here Is How:
You know how most common chords on guitar have the lowest pitch notes on the wound strings and the highest pitch notes on the thin strings?
Let’s take a creative approach here.
Check out these chords:
Notice how the highest note in most of these examples is played on the B string instead of the high E string.
This is common practice on piano, but doesn’t occur as much on guitar.
Keeping this in mind:
Create chords using this style to make your playing sound really unique and creative.
You now have several cool ideas to help you play creative guitar chords. The next action to take is to learn how to solo more creatively, so you’re overall playing becomes even more musically expressive. Check out this free guitar soloing resource to see some easy ways to express yourself without needing many notes.
About The Author:
Tom Hess is a highly successful guitar teacher, recording artist and composer. He teaches guitar players from all over the world in his online guitar lessons. Learn more on the Tom Hess Wikipedia page.
