Going Forward

Now it’s time to play!

Start by learning the scale harmony uisng 3- string chords, as laid out in the previous two pages. Be sure you’re clear on which shapes are major and which are minor.

Then, choose a simple song, find the melody on the first two strings, and place the chord on the strings below the melody. For example, you might choose Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, which has a I, IV, V progression (all major chords) and play it in C. You would start with the first chord in the second string set, which has the root on the 2nd string. That chord would be followed by the chord in the first string set that has the root on the 3rd string (still a C chord), then the F chord, using the shape from the first string set with the root on 2nd string.

If it seems tedious at first, stick with it. It won’t be tedious for long. Once you gotten through a line or two of a simple song, you’ll start to get the hang of moving from chord to chord efficiently.

Make it Yours

There are more 3-string chords than the ones I’ve presented on the previous two pages, but you don’t need to memorize any of them. Once you have plenty of experience with the chords on the previous two pages, you’ll find it easy to make chords using the lower strings or to add alterations or extensions. You may even want to add or subtract strings, as is appropriate for your unique creations.

For example, even though I’ve stayed largely with the basic chords in my performance of The Tennessee Waltz, I’ve added some interesting harmonies here and there. You can do the same thing. Feel free to experiment and your chord vocabulary will grow naturally.

Just remember that the best way to expand successfully is to first gain a deep knowledge of the fundamentals. At this point in the course, you have the information you need to use 3-string chords anywhere on the fretboard. Now use that information!

Until you’ve played the chords in a variety of contexts and songs, understanding how to make them will be of little value. But once you’re comfortable with finding and playing 3-string chords, your playing will expand exponentially. Enjoy!

Go to the chords on the first string set.

Go the chords on the second string set.

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