Chords

Latest about Chords

A person plays a guitar
6 simple but super-effective ways to make easy chords sound great

By Richard Barrett Published

Simply rearranging the notes can make basic chords sound infinitely more exciting

Chords
Nile Rodgers performs onstage
Banish stock phrases with these smart triad chord ideas

By Richard Barrett Published

It is all too easy to fall into familiar patterns when playing, but these five triads prove that it's just as easy to break out of them and find a fresh perspective on your playing

Chords
John Mayer
Stop spending all your practice time on soloing: rhythm playing is even more important – and embellishing chords will seriously up your game

By Andy Saphir Published

We show you how to take regular chords and level them up with sliding shapes, doublestops and legato

Chords
Jimi Hendrix onstage at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 24th February 1969.
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

By Total Guitar editors Published

Learn about the often overlooked rhythmic foundations of the guitar icon’s world-changing playing

Chords
Mark Knopfler is a dab hand at incorporating chord shapes in his lead playing
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

By Richard Barrett Published

Step away from your usual scales by peppering your leads with some smart new chord shapes

Chords
Alex Lifeson
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

By Richard Barrett Published

What is a contrasting open chord? It's simply an open chord that combines high-fretted notes and open strings, and it can be used to great effect on acoustic or electric guitar

Chords
Close up of a woman playing an acoustic guitar
There’s no such thing as an ‘acoustic guitar chord’ – but these 12 shapes sound amazing unplugged

By Chris Bird Published

Learn a dozen chords that will expand your musical vocabulary and enhance your songwriting – and the best bit? They’re not that difficult

Chords
Nile Rodgers
Your solos and rhythm playing will benefit from learning chords across the fretboard – and major 7ths are a great place to start

By Richard Barrett Published

The major 7th chord is a favorite among guitarists of all stripes, including Nile Rodgers – here are 5 ways to take the shape to the next level, and your overall playing along with it, too

Chords
Person playing a power chord on an electric guitar
“For me, a power chord is laziness”: Rolling Stones, U2 and XTC producer Steve Lillywhite explains why certain uses of power chords are “not art”

By Matt Owen Published

They're used in many of music's most famous songs and form the bedrock of numerous styles, but super-producer Lillywhite isn't overly keen on power chords – here's why

Chords
TGR373 Arpeggio lesson
No, arpeggios aren’t just for jazz and shred solos – here are 5 ways you can use them to freshen up any style of guitar playing

By Jenna Scaramanga Published

Your riffs, rhythm parts and solos can all benefit from a minor 7 arpeggio injection

Chords
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