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Chords

Open, barre, major, minor, fifth chords + tritones, 7/9, chords by strings 1 2 3 4, strings 2 3 4 6, strings 2 3 4 5, strings 1 2 3 5

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How to build chords

A chord is basically the simultaneous sounding of three or more notes. They are described or named by the intervals they comprise, reckoned either between adjacent notes or from the lowest. The triad, for instance, consists of two thirds (reckoning between adjacent notes) or, equally, a third and a fifth (reckoning from the lowest note). In functional harmony the root of a chord is the note on which it seems to be built. If the lowest note of the chord is also its root, it is said to be in root position; if not, it is said to be in inversion (e.g. 1st, 2nd, 3rd inversion).

The simplest guitar chords are the open chords for major or minor. The barre chords need a bit more practice. These chord forms can be used in all keys, because they are moveable to any position on the guitar neck.

Further explanations of the structure of chords and their extensions are to be found in the chord formula.