<![CDATA[ Latest from Guitar World in Chords ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:10:21 +0000 en <![CDATA[ “Think The Pretenders, Tom Petty or Sam Fender”: 5 easy open-position alternate chord voicings that will give you extra jangle ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/5-easy-open-position-alternate-chord-voicings b5sfmpuyonuMcSrKJ5tYyj Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:10:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ “This can be the area that spawns the most intimidating names”: 5 altered chords you need to know – and how they get their names ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/5-altered-chords-you-need-to-know PD3h8dCCdcM4hwuEZN6ACd Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:15:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “In the world of extended chords, this is as far as we can go”: Demystifying 13th chords, the voicing that Stevie Ray Vaughan used to stunning effect in Lenny ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/13th-chords-demystified q52kvjdw4BEXXBUn3YCVWL Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:54:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Tools to name the weird and wonderful chords you may encounter on the fretboard”: Demystifying chord names, starting with a Hendrix and SRV favorite, the maj9 ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/demystifying-complex-extended-chord-names Kywbrn2znWzWUVR2xxyYLU Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:06:18 +0000 <![CDATA[ “There is a lot of fun to be had by putting random alternative bass notes under a chord”: Pete Townshend, RayDavies and David Bowie all used thirdinversionchords – here’s why (and how) you should, too ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/third-inversion-chords 8KdmbaqV9ymfX2AGNxL5YA Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:25:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook knows a thing or two about using inventive and interesting chord voicings”: How you can swap the notes in a chord to give it a different feel ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/how-to-swap-notes-in-a-chord-second-inversion HuAm9wCcWCRbEgMmkZTLMe Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:23:34 +0000 Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:44:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It can never be a bad thing to know your triads and inversions!” Rush’s Alex Lifeson was a master of first-inversion chords – here are 5 voicings you can use in your playing today ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/5-chord-inversions qumZnNH7EJdZJb2JAUCEDj Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:59:45 +0000 Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:42:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Create wide-ranging, piano-style chord voicings that aren’t available in regular tuning”: Loved by Joni Mitchell and Keith Richards alike, essential to slide players, here’s how you can explore chords in open D ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/open-d-chords-for-acoustic Yq4DPMRfm8urmK49BFhC7h Sat, 23 Aug 2025 10:33:00 +0000 Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:26:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Film and TV music will often leave a dissonant chord hanging unresolved to underline the tension”: Learn 5 altered chords that can create or dissolve harmonic tension ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/altered-chords-to-build-suspense-tension jCqDh2yAvosWGTFKqaWpQb Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:56:50 +0000 Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:19:52 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It's best always to just do the same chord and call it different things”: SNL legend Fred Armisen has a signature guitar strap – but there's something not quite right about his guide to chords ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/accessories/snl-legend-fred-armisen-has-a-signature-guitar-strap jwFcrd2zGHctRcK8NXqkb Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:54:04 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 lo-fi guitar chords to add to your progressions ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/5-lo-fi-guitar-chords Nc7TwGB2fNfLRwsXftBDVM Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:22:13 +0000 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:20:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ Unlocking the power of 7th chords: expand your guitar chords beyond the basics ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/7th-chords-beyond-the-basics be35GpR8a5fY2JdX6zJhrZ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:22:17 +0000 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:38:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ Don't let chord inversions bamboozle you. It's simply the case of shuffling the notes around ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/chord-inversions-bmaj7 aBokJjb3tMF5uvwSc6wVGf Thu, 10 Apr 2025 08:32:00 +0000 Mon, 14 Apr 2025 10:23:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to introduce “murder mystery” guitar chords to your playing – without getting your fingers in a twist ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/murder-mystery-chords Zxkx75sXyWDinPxnkzJoUk Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:00:02 +0000 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:29:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ Embellishing guitar chords is the best way to liven up your rhythm work – and these 5 Eric Johnson-inspired chord voicings will open new harmonic doors in your playing ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/5-eric-johnson-embellished-chords wEqn2pMZxUX8ZPjm9LBv3X Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:45:12 +0000 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:58:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ Confused about altered and extended guitar chords? Here’s the theory behind them – and how they can supercharge your songwriting ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/altered-extended-chords wsgMxEvffXF5n8u7JZHSvG Tue, 07 Jan 2025 09:35:02 +0000 Mon, 13 Jan 2025 10:47:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to understand the meaning behind guitar chord names – and why it matters ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/how-to-understand-chord-names-and-their-meaning nw4Kwx8YHi9zSKTc8jUeHc Tue, 03 Dec 2024 08:56:28 +0000 Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:20:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ A working knowledge of adventurous chord alternatives is a crucial yet underrated skill. Here are 5 ideas for how you can revoice guitar chords, and enhance your progressions ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/revoicing-guitar-chords mfJxXF8DYv67FYa7cEpgBe Fri, 15 Nov 2024 23:06:29 +0000 Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:52:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ Players like Larry Carlton use chords as a launching pad for improvisation, and you can, too. Learn how polychords and slash chords hold the key to musical exploration, just as scales do ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/polychords-slash-chords-improve-your-harmonic-understanding-now uQifXRfNQeNoPL3ySXZbUA Fri, 08 Nov 2024 21:44:49 +0000 Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:44:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We’ve all played them, but how many of us can say we know how 7th chords actually work?” Get more out of one of guitar’s most important shapes with 5 chords that demystify the dominant 7th ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chords/demystifying-the-dominant-7th-chord adXYZnpyntkYhd33Za6CYj Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:10:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 dissonant guitar chords that hold unexpected delights – including one of Alex Lifeson's favorite shapes ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/5-discordant-guitar-chords AVqnMFYxCRUPdvS7VtncZP Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:03:00 +0000 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:32:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ What are 6/9 chords? Meet 5 chord shapes that make perfect set closers – and murder mystery soundtracks ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/6-slash-9-chords JqZ8pgatArAyaNopHmkZK4 Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:59:25 +0000 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:33:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ Open G minor chords: 5 shapes you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/open-g-minor-chords syXdm5VW8yn2FymJt7mVRP Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:00:18 +0000 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:26:10 +0000 <![CDATA[ Open C chords: 5 shapes you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/open-c-tuning-chords ikJFG5yVz8seLpM63dsU6R Tue, 24 Sep 2024 08:45:08 +0000 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:27:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ Open Csus2 chords: 5 shapes you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/open-csus2-chords NHpXCFdRD3KaHyKzmy3w67 Thu, 12 Sep 2024 09:26:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ Open Gsus4 tuning chords: 5 chords you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/open-gsus4-chords KF7PLLpiZqYUapMohWSMoF Tue, 10 Sep 2024 09:07:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ Exhausted all the conventional open tunings? Try the adventurous Aadd9 tuning: here are 5 chord shapes you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/open-a-add9-chords qsizWVs2gWeVPS7D4neCRK Thu, 05 Sep 2024 08:38:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Open G tuning chords: 5 shapes you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/open-g-chords 7T9xpQ2LpA5tEn88jX3tMi Tue, 03 Sep 2024 09:26:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Open D tuning chords: 5 shapes you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/open-d-chords ua9e4hoK3b7FRkiKLoL5sK Thu, 29 Aug 2024 09:50:22 +0000 Fri, 30 Aug 2024 09:22:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ DADGAD tuning chords: 5 shapes you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/dadgad-chords p8hhTSwhK9pt6bnZo2hQoa Tue, 27 Aug 2024 09:24:54 +0000 Fri, 30 Aug 2024 09:23:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ What is the Steely Dan “Mu chord”? Breaking down the left-field chord voicings that will open up your harmonic world ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/steely-dan-mu-chord r6EoFP4SEJpwf8Zx2aipmZ Fri, 23 Aug 2024 10:09:00 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:18:55 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 easy ways to make open chords more interesting ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/5-easy-ways-to-make-open-chords-more-interesting ft8i2GzLmhGBbe9nq6cTMS Fri, 26 Jul 2024 09:22:30 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 weird chord shapes that will add mystery, suspense and drama to your songwriting ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/5-mysterious-chords GQenHH5c2iDombptzWZzkn Mon, 08 Jul 2024 15:39:11 +0000 Mon, 08 Jul 2024 15:41:03 +0000 <![CDATA[ The tritone substitution is a staple of jazz guitar that’s been used by the greats. Here’s how you can use it to quite literally jazz up your chord progressions ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/how-to-use-tritone-substitutions-in-chord-progressions DSdFPN7LMrmGjafudFPAMo Fri, 28 Jun 2024 15:40:54 +0000 Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:40:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ 30 open tuning chords you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/30-open-tuning-guitar-chords-you-need-to-know s7NhJU3vPS4oe3Wd89bScJ Mon, 24 Jun 2024 10:57:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ Want to be a good rhythm guitarist? You need to know your 7th chords – and the CAGED system can help you find them all over the neck ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/how-to-improve-your-7th-chords 5vBJF5fJwpKktjXZ2jJLUR Wed, 19 Jun 2024 09:01:13 +0000 Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:07:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ Dissonant guitar chords: 5 voicings that will add suspense and tension to your playing ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/dissonant-guitar-chords Fto227uWqwsesteYrEngae Sat, 15 Jun 2024 16:40:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ “There’s nothing wrong with a good honest E, C# minor or B, but sometimes it’s nice to give things a twist”: Make like Joni Mitchell, Steve Hackett and Steve Howe and freshen up your chords with alternative voicings ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/5-alternative-chord-voicings jZo28rUtBAMqKL49dQAYLB Tue, 30 Apr 2024 09:44:26 +0000 Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:55:04 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 rock ’n’ roll ending chords you need to know ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/5-rock-n-roll-ending-chords-you-need-to-know XUVrgsWteZJgdfqsxRUdpH Mon, 01 Apr 2024 11:50:34 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:18:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to master CAGED guitar chords and unlock the fretboard ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/caged-guitar-chord-system TbjUhV3tnB8hGnexrKru7A Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:36:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ Triads are integral to gospel, neo-soul and jazz guitar – in fact, they're essential for any style of guitar playing. Expand your repertoire now with these effortlessly cool licks ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/sweet-gospel-triads jczmaWE4jjiZuAfVHJ92yN Thu, 29 Feb 2024 13:07:27 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:18:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ 6 simple but super-effective ways to make easy chords sound great ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/6-ways-to-make-easy-chords-sound-great sH63T7pUqrtiHZxwyP6LkR Thu, 08 Feb 2024 18:04:26 +0000 Tue, 28 May 2024 16:09:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ Banish stock phrases with these smart triad chord ideas ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/triad-chord-ideas-to-freshen-up-your-phrases KajPxhDZPNsx2YTxXwRADW Mon, 05 Feb 2024 22:40:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ Stop spending all your practice time on soloing: rhythm playing is even more important – and embellishing chords will seriously up your game ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/chord-embellishments Tx75CKmyV8GKEvUad9udYZ Thu, 18 Jan 2024 10:19:42 +0000 Fri, 17 May 2024 09:34:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Jimi Hendrix smashed the barriers between lead and rhythm guitar with his revolutionary chord work. Learn how the most influential guitarist of them all worked his voodoo style with this essential chord lesson ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/jimi-hendrix-chords 2XPgnkBCuU2EmKgEkMJo88 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 10:23:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ Understanding alternative chord shapes and inversions can have massive benefits for your lead playing – take a break from scales and give your solos a boost by incorporating these shapes ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/alternative-chord-shapes-inversions QMt8CeS5qp3R6gE3wu9hWK Thu, 28 Dec 2023 10:41:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ Introducing contrasting open chords – the open-string shapes used by the likes of Alex Lifeson and Jeff Buckley in some of their dreamiest guitar parts ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/introducing-contrasting-open-chords USV4Qmh6D3mtjFfyBzTMWZ Thu, 14 Dec 2023 13:28:28 +0000 Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:13:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ Introducing polychords – the mind-bending guitar shapes that will take your playing into new harmonic and melodic worlds ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/guitar-polychords-introduction fheGgwwGDeVxWr9ri5qV9e Tue, 26 Sep 2023 10:05:49 +0000 Fri, 30 Aug 2024 12:19:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ There’s no such thing as an ‘acoustic guitar chord’ – but these 12 shapes sound amazing unplugged ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/12-must-learn-chords-for-acoustic-guitar 3ZFgTwJW7cMpUdTo9GtRvQ Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:49:13 +0000 Wed, 04 Oct 2023 09:26:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ Your solos and rhythm playing will benefit from learning chords across the fretboard – and major 7ths are a great place to start ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/5-ways-to-take-your-major-7th-chords-to-the-next-level f9mBd39DXbKEPok7qr6jRE Fri, 25 Aug 2023 09:58:09 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:19:53 +0000