How to Understand Guitar Chords

Guitar chords are the building blocks of music, and understanding them can unlock a whole new world of possibilities on the fretboard. Whether you're jamming out metal riffs or exploring the melodic intricacies of progressive metal, having a solid grasp of chords is crucial. In this post, we'll explore how chords work, why they're important, and how you can start using them to enhance your playing. So, let's get to it!

What Exactly Are Guitar Chords?

Before we break things down, let’s get one thing straight: a chord is simply a group of notes played together. When you strum a chord on your guitar, you're playing a bunch of notes simultaneously. The magic happens in how these notes interact with each other to create harmony. Different combinations of notes give us different types of chords, like major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords.

In the context of metal and its subgenres, chords often serve as the backbone of a song. They provide the harmonic support for riffs and melodies, setting the mood and driving the progression of the music. From the heavy chug of a power chord to the complex layers of an extended chord, each type brings its own flavor to the mix.

So, how do you start understanding these chords? A good first step is to get familiar with the basic building blocks: the notes on your fretboard. If you're new to this, don't worry. Just start with the open strings and work your way through the frets. Knowing where each note lives on your guitar will make it much easier to understand chords.

The Basics: Major and Minor Chords

When it comes to guitar chords, major and minor are the bread and butter. They are the simplest and most common types of chords, and they form the foundation of many songs across different genres.

Major Chords

Major chords are made up of three notes: the root, the major third, and the perfect fifth. They have a bright, happy sound and are often used to convey positive emotions. For example, the C major chord consists of the notes C, E, and G. On the guitar, you can play this chord by placing your fingers on the appropriate frets like this:

e|---0---
B|---1---
G|---0---
D|---2---
A|---3---
E|-------

Minor Chords

Minor chords, on the other hand, have a darker and more melancholic sound. They include the root, the minor third, and the perfect fifth. Take the A minor chord, which consists of the notes A, C, and E. Here's how you can play it:

e|---0---
B|---1---
G|---2---
D|---2---
A|---0---
E|-------

These two types of chords are your starting point. Once you have them under your fingers, you'll be ready to tackle more complex chords and progressions.

Power Chords: The Metal Standard

If there's one chord that screams metal, it's the power chord. Used extensively in heavy metal, thrash, and punk, the power chord is all about simplicity and punch. It's made up of just two notes: the root and the perfect fifth. This stripped-down structure gives power chords a strong, aggressive sound that's perfect for heavy riffing.

Here's a classic E5 power chord:

e|-------
B|-------
G|-------
D|---2---
A|---2---
E|---0---

Notice that there's no third in a power chord. This omission allows power chords to have a neutral sound, neither major nor minor, making them versatile and adaptable to different musical contexts.

Power chords are often played with distortion to add thickness and sustain, making them a staple in the toolkit of any metal guitarist. They’re also easy to move around the fretboard, which is why they’re a favorite for creating fast, driving progressions.

Barre Chords: Expanding Your Range

Once you’re comfortable with power chords, barre chords are your next step. They’re a bit more challenging because they require you to use your index finger to press down all the strings on a particular fret, creating a movable chord shape.

Barre chords allow you to play major and minor chords across the fretboard. Here's an example of an F major barre chord:

e|---1---
B|---1---
G|---2---
D|---3---
A|---3---
E|---1---

And here’s a B minor barre chord:

e|---2---
B|---3---
G|---4---
D|---4---
A|---2---
E|-------

The beauty of barre chords is that once you’ve got the shape down, you can move it up and down the neck to play any major or minor chord. It’s a great technique for exploring different keys and enhancing your musical vocabulary.

Extended Chords: Adding Complexity

For those looking to add more color and emotion to their music, extended chords are where the fun begins. These chords build on the basic major and minor structures by adding additional notes, such as the seventh, ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth.

Let’s take a look at a G7 chord, which includes a minor seventh:

e|---1---
B|---0---
G|---0---
D|---0---
A|---2---
E|---3---

And here’s a C9 chord, which adds a ninth to the mix:

e|-------
B|---3---
G|---3---
D|---2---
A|---3---
E|-------

While these chords might not be as commonly used in metal as power chords, they open up new sonic possibilities and can add depth and sophistication to your compositions. They're especially useful in genres like progressive metal, where complex harmonies and rich textures are part of the appeal.

Understanding Chord Progressions

Chords are important, but the real magic happens when you string them together into progressions. A chord progression is simply a series of chords played in sequence, and it forms the harmonic backbone of a song.

The classic I-IV-V progression is a staple in rock and metal. In the key of C, it would look like this:

• C major (I)
• F major (IV)
• G major (V)

Another common progression is the vi-IV-I-V, often used in ballads and more melodic metal tunes. In A minor, this would be:

• A minor (vi)
• F major (IV)
• C major (I)
• G major (V)

Understanding chord progressions is crucial for songwriting and improvisation. They provide the framework over which you can build melodies, riffs, and solos, creating the structure and emotional arc of a piece.

Using Riffhard to Learn and Practice

Learning to understand and play chords can be challenging, but with the right resources, you can make the process easier and more enjoyable. At Riffhard, we offer lessons from some of the world’s best metal guitarists, focusing on rhythm guitar techniques, including chord playing.

Our interactive player lets you adjust the tempo of lessons, so you can practice at your own pace. Plus, our custom metronome is designed specifically for guitar practice, helping you nail those tricky chord changes and progressions with precision.

Incorporating Chords into Your Playing

Once you understand the basics of chords and progressions, the next step is to incorporate them into your playing. This means not just playing chords in isolation but using them creatively to enhance your music.

Experiment with different chord voicings and inversions. This involves rearranging the order of the notes in a chord to create a different sound. For example, instead of playing a standard E major chord, try playing an E major in first inversion, with the G# in the bass:

e|---0---
B|---0---
G|---1---
D|---1---
A|---2---
E|---4---

Another creative approach is to blend chords with riffs. Many metal songs feature rhythm guitar parts that combine single-note riffs with chord hits, creating a dynamic and textured sound. Practice integrating chords into your riffing to add variety and interest to your playing.

The Role of Chords in Metal Subgenres

Different metal subgenres have their own characteristic use of chords, and understanding these nuances can help you develop your style.

In thrash metal, for example, power chords are often played with fast, aggressive downpicking, creating a relentless and driving energy. Djent, on the other hand, might use extended chords and polyrhythms to achieve a complex, syncopated sound.

Black metal often incorporates open chords and dissonance to create an atmospheric, haunting feel, while death metal might use diminished and augmented chords to add tension and brutality.

By exploring how chords are used in different subgenres, you can expand your musical palette and find new ways to express yourself on the guitar.

Developing Your Chord Vocabulary

Like learning a new language, expanding your chord vocabulary takes time and practice. One effective way to do this is by learning songs from your favorite artists. Pay attention to the chords they use and how they fit into the overall structure of the song.

Transcribing music by ear is another valuable exercise. It helps you understand how chords function in context and develops your ability to recognize different chord types by sound.

At Riffhard, we provide downloadable tabs and Guitar Pro files for all our lessons, making it easy to study and learn new chord shapes and progressions. Our instructors cover a wide range of metal styles, giving you plenty of material to work with.

Final Thoughts

Understanding guitar chords is a fundamental skill that can transform your playing. Whether you're crafting heavy riffs or exploring complex harmonies, chords are the key to unlocking your musical potential. At Riffhard, we’re here to help you on your journey, with lessons from some of the best metal guitarists in the world. Happy playing!