Guitar chords definition and basic concepts

Learning guitar chords basic concepts.

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Overview

The union of three or more notes played simultaneously is called a Chord.

Chord Etymology: Variant of cord, with spelling alteration due to Latin chorda (“cord”), ultimately from Ancient Greek (Doric) χορδά (khordá), (Ionic) χορδή (khordḗ, “string of gut, the string of a lyre”). A harmonic set of three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously.

How to play

Chords are always divided, or played in Arpeggios, thus, the notes are played one after the other, from the lowest to the highest, but sufficiently quick to produce the effect of their being struck together.

Hands

All the notes of the chord should sound well.

Left hand

It is necessary that the fingers of the left hand should be curved, pressing the strings near the frets without affecting the vibration of the other strings.

3 notes chord

If the chord to be played is composed of three notes, no matter which strings, they are to be played with the thumb, 1st and 2nd fingers.















4 notes chord


If composed of four notes, the 3rd finger must be added.



    

    
    

	

    

    

    

      














5 or 6 notes chord


If of five or six notes, the thumb must play the two or three lowest
notes by sliding from one string to the other, and the fingers take
the three other strings



    

    
    

	

    

    

    

      














Right hand


The fingers of the right hand should be placed against the strings
intended to be struck and not to be moved but to put the strings in motion.


References


    

  • “Of the Chords.” New and Improved Method for the Guitar, by Matteo
Carcassi, Boston : Oliver Ditson & Co, 1853,
p. 15. Archive.org, archive.org/details/newimprovedmeth00carc/.
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	    Guitar chord Basic concepts and definitions.
	


	

	    
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