Power Chord Extensions

  Although power chords are a staple of many guitarists’ toolkits, many players remain unaware that power chords can be far more versatile than they are generally given credit for. By altering just one note on a common power chord shape, you can create an entirely new chord that still retains many of the sonic qualities that have made power chords so beloved. Additionally, it’s easy to

Trying your hand at songwriting can be an intimidating process for reasons, not the least of which is not knowing where to even start with chords. There are many chords to choose from, and not all of them will even work together by most conventional standards. In this piece, we’re to dip just a tiny bit into music theory in order to have a framework for coming up with chord progressions to your so

  There is something about open-position guitar riffs that makes them impossible not to love. The sound of a ringing open string mixed with the punch of the low-end range of the guitar has made open position riffing a staple of just about every style of guitar-oriented music, from blues to death metal and everything in between. But despite how cool open-positon riffs may sound, many guitarists who

For those who don’t know, an arpeggio is the pitches that make up a chord played one at a time as individual notes. Essentially, arpeggios take harmonies and cut them up into melodies. If you’re interested in the more technical/theory-oriented side of that stuff, you can learn more about it here. A Brief Introduction While arpeggios are sometimes used as warm-ups or theory exercises, guitars playe

  Different types of chords can have starkly different sounds from one another, and the perfect chord at the right moment can transform an entire song. Understanding the different types of chords can elevate both your songwriting and guitar playing to new heights. In this article we are going to look at the six most commonly used chord qualities, although it is worth noting that there are many mor

This piece is a lesson aimed at intermediate-advanced level students. In it, we are going to look at how chords are constructed, primarily through the use of simple arpeggios. Preliminary knowledge of music theory is not necessarily required to understand this lesson, but will likely help. Chords are defined as any combination of three or more notes. Basic major/minor chords meet these minimal req