In this quarter, the goal is to learn the major and minor forms
of both the Type 1 (6th string root), and Type 2 (5th string
root) chords. The total practice time allotted for this quarter
is 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Remember one of the main
goals is to build in the habit of practicing at the same time daily
we need to make this easy!
Everything I teach is located off of these 2 chord types; scales,
key components as well as chords. The faster you can locate a
chord, the faster you can find a scale or a key. Knowing type 1
and 2 roots is the foundation of my system. Since we have 3
months I’m figuring about 5 minutes of chord review and drill
with the other 5 minutes devoted to just playing; songs, jamming
whatever. You never want to spend 100% of your playing time
working. This is going to take a year, so you need to have a
little fun. This post will show Type 1 chords, major and minor
forms along with a chart of the note names for the first 12 frets
of the 6th string.
TYPE 1 CHORDS: Are based off the 6th string root. I am only
showing the major and minor forms since about 99% of every-
thing you will play can simplify down to those 2 forms. (the other
1% are diminished and augmented chords) Below the chord
diagrams is a chart of all the note names of the first 12 frets of
the 6th string. This is the entire chromatic scale (everything) &
realistically as much as you can physically play on the 6th string.
You really don’t have to play the chords much beyond the 8th or
9th fret, you can play those chords on lower frets using type 2
chords (next post). The only reason I’m interested in knowing
the notes above the 8th fret is for naming scales and key com-
ponents, which we’ll learn in the 3rd and 4th quarters. If you
need help understanding sharps (#) and flats (b), I will have
a paragraph under the chord and note chart to explain that.
TYPE 1 (6th string root)
1 3 4 2 1–1 1 3 4 1–1–1 fingers
FRET # NOTE
0 E
1 F
2 F#/Gb
3 G
4 G#/Ab
5 A
6 A#/Bb
7 B
8 C
9 C#/Db
10 D
11 D#/Eb
12 E
SHARPS AND FLATS
Those symbols you see on the chart above are called sharps
and flats. Don’t be afraid, they’re just modifiers.
-sharps (#) tell you to raise the chord 1 fret higher. For
example, 3rd fret G to 4th fret G#.
-flats (b) tell you to lower the chord 1 fret. For example,
5th fret A to 4th fret Ab.
The reason you see 2 names on fret 4 in the chart above is
because it takes its’ name from the notes on either side.
G# and Ab are the same note! You can call this note either
name right now either G# or Ab. Once we learn a little
theory it will make a difference but right now who cares?
Also notice there are no sharp and flat notes between
E and F or B and C notes.
This wraps it up for Type 1 chords and their roots. Although
a lot of players know thes chords, I have found most are weak
identifying notes on the upper frets because they don’t
play chords up there. Remember these notes will identify
scale and key components as well, so you need to get all of
the notes down. The next post will be Type 2 chords/roots.
