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SESSION 5 – Basic Open Chords
B o n u s R e s o u r c e s
RESOURCES
Key Concepts
Proper Hand Position for Chord Playing
The 14 Basic Open Chords Proper Fingering for Each Chord
Skills Gained in this Session
Learning the Basic Open Chord Forms
Playing the Correct Number of Strings for Each ChorPlaying a Correct Strumming Rhythm d
Changing Between Chords at the Correct Time
What a musician does is so valued that they are put up on a platform, tickets are bought and
sold, so that others can come and hear them and find enjoyment in their very existence.
Session Overview
In this session a whole new world of guitar playingfocused on reading single notes, now we introduce t is introduced. Up until this point we have he forming and strumming of more than
one note at a time, chords. On page 31 of the lessintroduced. These will be learned a few chord formon book, fourteen chord forms are s at a time with each exercise.
(^) These chords involve various combinations of strings. Some chords are 4 string chords,
some 5 and some use all 6 strings. the strings needed for the particular chord form. T When playing the chords it is important that you phe chord blocks on page 31 in the lesson lay only
book clearly notate which strings are to be played and what fingers are supposed to be used.
The chord exercises use a combination of slashes anbe strummed. Strum the chord for each slash notated. d rhythms to indicate how each chord is to
(^) When the strums are notated in eighth notes as in example 3 on page 32 of the lesson book,
then the strums should be a “down” followed by an “strumming rhythms gradually get more complex. up” strum for each eighth note pair. The
(^) The session concludes with 2 songs, and there are two additional songs in the bonus
resources. through the chords. When learning a song, play through the single note Extra attention should be paid to the key signaturemelody first then strum and sharps used in
“America the Beautiful” and “Turkey in the Straw.” measure. Strum the chord for each beat in the
(^) Chords are a very fun aspect of guitar playing. It may take some effort and time to get the
chord to sound out properly. Often, time is neededmake each chord sound clearly. If it is difficult to get each note of the chord to sound clearly, to develop the hand strength needed to
keep trying because with each attempt your hand strUsually within a few weeks the chord begins to sounength and hand flexibility is developed. d clearly. Don’t be discouraged if chords
seem difficult and slow to form at first.get easier and quicker to form. Be patient, they wi As familiarity with the chord forms increases thell start to sound clearer and clearer. y will
Welcome to a wonderful new world of guitar playing using chords!
CHORD BLOCK
NOTATION
Don’t play
that string.
Play the
string open.
Fret the
string using
the finger
given.
Strum the correct
number of strings
each chord
requires.
It takes time to
develop the hand
strength &
flexibility needed
for chords.

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