How to Read Electric Guitar Chords

Reading electric guitar chords might seem intimidating, especially if you're diving into the world of metal guitar. But don't worry, it's easier than it looks. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be ripping through those power chords like a pro. In this post, we'll break down the process and give you some tips to make learning guitar chords enjoyable and straightforward.

Getting Started with Guitar Tabs

Before we delve into the chords themselves, let's chat about guitar tabs. If you've never seen a tab before, it's essentially a simplified way to notate music, perfect for guitarists. Think of it as a map that guides your fingers to the right frets without needing to read traditional sheet music.

Guitar tabs consist of six horizontal lines representing the six strings of your guitar—E, A, D, G, B, and E from top to bottom. Numbers on these lines indicate the frets you need to press. If you see a "3" on the top line, for example, that means you press the third fret on the high E string. Easy, right?

• Zero: Means you play the string open, without pressing any fret.
• Numbers: Show which fret to press on a given string.
• X: Mute the string so it doesn't sound.

Tabs are fantastic for learning metal riffs and solos. They show you exactly what to play without the need to understand musical notation. Plus, they often include timing information, which is crucial when you're shredding at high speeds.

Understanding Chord Diagrams

Now that you're comfortable with tabs, let's move on to chord diagrams. These are visual representations of chords, showing you where to place your fingers on the fretboard. A vertical line represents a string, and a horizontal line represents a fret. Dots show where to place your fingers, and numbers below the diagram indicate which finger to use.

• 1: Index finger
• 2: Middle finger
• 3: Ring finger
• 4: Pinky

Open strings are marked with an "O," and strings you don't play are marked with an "X." Once you get the hang of these diagrams, you can figure out any chord you encounter.

When you first start learning chords, focus on the simple ones like E minor, A major, and D major. These are often used in rock and metal, and they're a great foundation for more complex shapes.

The Power of Power Chords

Power chords are your best friend in metal guitar. They're simple to play and have a heavy, aggressive sound that's perfect for the genre. A power chord consists of just two notes: the root and the fifth. This makes them easy to move up and down the neck.

Here's how you play a basic power chord:

• Place your index finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string.
• Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the A string.
• Strum only those two strings.

That's it! You've got a G power chord. Move this shape up and down the neck to play different power chords. For instance, move it up two frets, and you've got an A power chord.

Power chords work because they're simple yet powerful. They cut through the mix and provide a solid foundation for riffs and progressions. You'll use them all the time in metal and rock.

Exploring Barre Chords

Once you're comfortable with power chords, it's time to tackle barre chords. These are a bit trickier because they require you to press down multiple strings with one finger. But once you get them down, you'll unlock a vast array of chords.

To play a barre chord, place your index finger across all six strings on a single fret. Then, use your other fingers to form the chord shape. It takes some practice to build finger strength and dexterity, but it's worth the effort.

Barre chords are versatile and allow you to play major, minor, and seventh chords up and down the neck. They're essential for adding variety to your playing and expanding your chord vocabulary.

Embracing Dissonance: Diminished and Augmented Chords

If you're venturing into more complex metal subgenres, you'll want to explore diminished and augmented chords. These chords add tension and drama to your playing, perfect for creating dark, eerie atmospheres.

Diminished chords are made by stacking minor thirds. They have a tense, unsettling sound. To play a diminished chord, move your power chord shape down one fret on the A string while keeping your root note on the low E string.

Augmented chords, on the other hand, are made by stacking major thirds. They have a bright but odd sound. To play an augmented chord, move your power chord shape up one fret on the A string while keeping your root note on the low E string.

These chords may sound strange at first, but they add depth and emotion to your music. Use them sparingly to create contrast and intrigue in your compositions.

Reading Complex Chord Symbols

As you progress in your guitar journey, you'll encounter complex chord symbols like "Cm7b5" or "G7#9." These might look intimidating, but they're just concise ways to describe chords.

• Letters: Indicate the root note of the chord.
• m: Indicates a minor chord.
• 7: Adds a seventh note to the chord.
• b5 or #9: Indicates altered notes in the chord.

Understanding these symbols takes a bit of study, but they're essential for playing more advanced music. Once you get the hang of them, you'll be able to tackle any chord progression you encounter.

If you're looking for lessons on how to interpret these complex chord symbols, Riffhard offers an extensive library of metal guitar lessons. Our instructors, who are some of the best in the business, break down these concepts in a way that's easy to understand.

Building Speed and Accuracy with Scales

Playing chords is one thing, but playing them quickly and accurately is another challenge entirely. This is where practicing scales comes in. Scales are sequences of notes that help you develop finger strength, dexterity, and speed.

Start with the basic minor pentatonic scale, which is a staple in rock and metal. Here's the A minor pentatonic scale:

e|------------------------5-8--|
B|--------------------5-8------|
G|----------------5-7----------|
D|------------5-7--------------|
A|--------5-7------------------|
E|----5-8----------------------|

Practice this scale up and down the neck, focusing on accuracy and even timing. Use a metronome to gradually increase your speed. As you get comfortable, experiment with other scales like the natural minor or harmonic minor.

Scales are the building blocks of solos and lead playing. They're essential for developing the speed and precision needed for metal guitar.

Adding Dynamics with Palm Muting

Palm muting is a technique that adds dynamics and aggression to your playing. It's achieved by resting the edge of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge while picking. This dampens the strings, creating a tight, chugging sound.

• Rest the edge of your palm on the strings near the bridge.
• Pick the strings, applying slight pressure with your palm.
• Adjust the pressure to control the amount of muting.

Palm muting is crucial for metal rhythm guitar, especially in thrash and death metal. It gives your riffs a percussive quality that makes them stand out. Practice palm muting with different rhythms and chord progressions to master this technique.

For in-depth lessons on palm muting and other rhythm techniques, check out Riffhard. Our instructors cover everything from basic muting to advanced rhythms, helping you become a tighter, more dynamic player.

Putting It All Together: Chord Progressions

Now that you've got a handle on chords, scales, and techniques, it's time to put it all together with chord progressions. A chord progression is a series of chords played in a sequence. It's the backbone of any song, setting the mood and structure.

Start with a simple progression like E minor, C major, G major, and D major. This is a common progression in rock and metal, and it's a great starting point for writing your own music.

Experiment with different chord combinations and rhythms to create unique progressions. Add power chords, diminished chords, or augmented chords to spice things up. The possibilities are endless.

When writing progressions, think about the overall mood and feel you want to convey. Do you want something heavy and aggressive? Or maybe something more melodic and atmospheric? Let your creativity guide you.

Final Thoughts

Reading electric guitar chords is a skill that opens up a world of musical possibilities. From power chords to complex progressions, mastering these techniques will enhance your playing and take your music to new heights. And if you're looking for expert guidance, Riffhard offers lessons from some of the best metal guitarists in the world, helping you sharpen your skills and broaden your musical horizons.