Chords: what are they and how to use them?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The beauty of the melody is created with the help of a harmonious combination of sounds. For example, if you just hold down certain strings on a guitar and drag along the strings, there will be little harmony in such a sound. Before you start making sounds from a musical instrument, it is worth introducing the world of chords.

Chords - what is it?

A chord is a combination of sounds produced simultaneously. This construction is obtained using intervals. The interval indicates the distance between sounds (tone, semitone, quarter tone, etc.). Depending on the number of tones and semitones, a certain name is assigned to it (prima, tone, third, quart, etc.). A chord consists of 3, 4 or 5 notes.

The structure of a chord obeys the following law:

• a certain interval is attached to the lower sound (“before”) (for example, a third);
• then one more sound is added to them - fifth;
• fourth intonation joins existing notes - seventh.

The result is a seventh chord of four notes. Playing the guitar requires knowledge of basic musical structures. It is worth deciding on the chords - what are they and how to use them?

Types of chords

All chords are classified intodepending on the number of notes used and the intervals between them. By the sum of intonations they distinguish:

• triads;
• seventh chords;
• quints, quarts, etc.

The triads are divided into major (large), minor (small), increased and decreased. This is the interval classification.

There are two ways to play with chords. The simultaneous extraction of sound is called harmonic. The melodic game is distinguished by the presence of intervals between sounds. For example, fingering the guitar is an example of melodic playing using a chord. After we have decided on the concept of "chords" (what they are and what types of them exist), you can go a little deeper into musical literacy.

Major chords

Major chords sound fun, perky. They consist of the root tone (to which all others are added), and notes located 4 and 7 semitones (thirds and fifths, respectively) from it.

The G chord is a major chord. It is one of the most popular musical constructions used by beginner guitarists. It consists of the notes "sol", "si" and "re". Clamping it on the neck is quite simple:

• the first string must be clamped on the 3rd fret with the little finger;
• the second string must be pressed on the same fret with the ring finger;
• Third and fourth strings are left open;
• fifth string should be pressed on the second fret with your index finger;
• sixth string must be pressed with the middle finger on the third fret.

Moreone example of a major construction is the F chord. It is formed by the notes F, A, and C. The chord is clamped as follows:

• strings 1, 2 and 6 are clamped with the index finger using the barre technique;
• string 3 must be pressed on the second fret with the middle finger;
• string 4 should be pinched with the little finger on the third fret;
• fifth string should be pressed on the third fret with the ring finger.

There are a large number of major chords based on various patterns, including G and F. They also include many constructions such as A and C. In addition to major constructions, minor chords are often used. What is a minor and what are its features, it is worth understanding in more detail.

Minor chords

The difference between minor chords lies in their sad intonations, sad motives. The interval between the first and second tone in minor is a minor third less than in major. The construction of such a chord is based on the principle of "1 + 3 + 4". When creating it, it is necessary to retreat from the main note first 4 semitones, and then 3.

Minor chords for guitar are represented by the following constructions: Cm, Fm, Em, Dm, Am, Bm and Gm. In the designation of each of them there is a prefix letter "m". The most popular is the Em chord. It is used in many Russian songs performed with a guitar. Em consists of the notes "mi", "sol" and "si". The chord is clamped as follows:

• fourth string is pinched with the ring finger on the second fret;
• fifth string - on the second fret with the middle finger.

Chord Em is distinguished by its soft sound and ease of fingering. Beginning guitarists use it very often.

The successful combination of major and minor chords allows you to create attractive melodies that please with their energy and beauty. Professional musicians are constantly experimenting with these combinations to find the best sound.