G Major Pentatonic (Guitar, Beginner)

This is a very simple pattern to use when playing lead lines in the Key of G. Just follow the orange circles, and you'll be playing the G major pentatonic (penta = five, tonic = tones, or notes) scale in no time!

You can enter the scale at any note, but if this is your first time, start off at the Low E string, behind the 3rd fret (where the blue arrow is pointing), or the 15th fret (one octave higher). That hollow circle, as well as the other hollow circles, represent the location of G notes in the pattern. The filled-in circles are the rest of the G major pentatonic scale: the A, B, D, and E notes.

When you memorize this pattern, be sure to jam with someone else in the Key of G major. Among other chords, these chords are often used in the Key of G: G, C, and D. While someone plays rhythm, experiment playing lead guitar with the G major pentatonic scale!

C Blues Horizontal (Guitar, Intermediate)

Learning this expanded pattern will give you total control over the C blues scale - horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. It is advisable to memorize the entire scale in chunks that are four frets wide. Here are a few things to be aware of:

1. Hollow circles represent the C note.
2. Orange circles represent a simple pattern for the C minor pentatonic scale: C, Eb, F, G, and Bb notes.
3. Gray circles represent the rest of the pentatonic scale, outside of the simple diagonal pattern from yesterday.
4. Blue circles represent the jazzy-sounding blue note of the scale: F#.

C Blues Diagonal (Guitar, Beginner)

This pattern of the C blues scale will make you move in a mostly diagonal motion, relative to the fretboard. Here are a few things to be aware of:

1. Hollow circles represent the C note.
2. Orange circles represent a simple pattern for the C minor pentatonic scale: C, Eb, F, G, and Bb notes.
3. Blue circles represent the jazzy-sounding blue note of the scale: F#.

The blues scale sounds great above several varying chord progressions, from those resembling a major key (C7, F7, G7) to those more minor in nature (Cm, Eb, F) to the relative major (Eb, Bb, Cm, Ab), etc.

C Blues Vertical (Guitar, Beginner)

This pattern of the C blues scale will make you move in a mostly vertical motion, relative to the fretboard. Here are a few things to be aware of:

1. Hollow circles represent the C note.
2. Orange circles represent a simple pattern for the C minor pentatonic scale: C, Eb, F, G, and Bb notes.
3. Blue circles represent the jazzy-sounding blue note of the scale: F#.

The blues scale sounds great above several varying chord progressions, from those resembling a major key (C5, F5, G5) to those more minor in nature (C5, Eb5, F5) to the relative major (Eb, Ab, Bb), etc.

C Mixolydian Mode (Guitar, Intermediate)

A mode is just a certain way of expressing a scale. In this case, the C Mixolydian mode expresses the scale in the same way as the F major diatonic scale. The C Mixolydian mode contains the following notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, and Bb.

I personally like the spacey quality of this mode, and it works quite well in many chord progressions that involve the C major chord and the Bb major chord.

Also note that the major pentatonic scale is encoded within the Mixolydian mode (the same simple orange-circle pattern from a few days ago).

C Ionian Mode (Guitar, Intermediate)

A mode is just a certain way of expressing a scale. In this case, the C Ionian mode expresses the scale in the same way as the C major diatonic scale. Deeper theory aside, you can treat the Ionian mode and the major diatonic scale as one and the same.

With that stated, this larger pattern is basically an expansion of yesterday's simpler pattern. The hollow circles still represent the C note. This time, however, the orange circles merely represent the simple pentatonic pattern we discussed two days ago. The gray circles represent the fretboard-wide expansion of the scale - C's, D's, E's, F's, G's, A's, and B's.

C Major Diatonic (Guitar, Beginner)

Yesterday, we played with the C major pentatonic scale, which is made out of five notes - C, D, E, G, and A. Now, let's add two notes - F and B - to the lineup to create the C major diatonic scale (dia = through, tonic = tones). This is essentially the do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti scale, as well as all the white keys on a piano.

Adding to yesterday's pattern, this is a very simple pattern to use when playing lead lines in the Key of C. The hollow circles are the locations of the root note (C), the orange circles are part of the major pentatonic scale, and gray circles represent the rest of the scale (F and B, or the Professor and Mary Ann, if you like).

When you memorize this pattern, be sure to jam with someone else in the Key of C major. Among other chords, these chords are often used in the Key of C: C, F, and G. While the other plays rhythm, experiment playing lead guitar with the C major diatonic scale!

C Major Pentatonic (Guitar, Beginner)

This is a very simple pattern to use when playing lead lines in the Key of C. Just follow the orange circles, and you'll be playing the C major pentatonic (penta = five, tonic = tones, or notes) scale in no time!

You can enter the scale at any note, but if this is your first time, start off at the Low E string, behind the 8th fret (where the blue arrow is pointing). That hollow circle, as well as the other hollow circles, represent the location of C notes in the pattern. The filled-in circles are the rest of the C major pentatonic scale: the D, E, G, and A notes.

When you memorize this pattern, be sure to jam with someone else in the Key of C major. Among other chords, these chords are often used in the Key of C: C, F, and G. While someone plays rhythm, experiment playing lead guitar with the C major pentatonic scale!

Fmaj7 (Guitar, Beginner)

This is Fmaj7, or F major-7th:

1. Place your index finger on the B string, behind the 1st fret (C note). Make sure that you are not touching the High E string in any way, shape, or form.
2. Place your middle finger on the G string, behind the 2nd fret (A note).
3. Place your ring finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret (F note).
4. Avoiding the Low E and A strings, and playing the D, G, B, and High E strings, strum the Fmaj7 chord!

And so ends our FIRST 12 WEEKS, as we've looked at 7 chords per week, through all 12 keys. Tomorrow, we'll begin again in the Key of C, with new chords, newer ways to play the chords we've already looked at, and possibly other instruments to play those chords, scales, and notes...along with other ways to use the knowledge we've been accumulating on this site.

Please stay tuned for the next installment of Chord du Jour (alternatively, DeRamos.org's Daily Chord), and be sure to subscribe to this daily dose of music education! THANK YOU!

Fm (Guitar, Beginner)

This is Fm, or F minor:

1. Using the length of your index finger, make a bar from the Low E string to the High E string, behind the 1st fret (F, Ab, C, and F notes).
2. Your middle finger will not be used for this chord.
3. Place your ring finger on the A string, behind the 3rd fret (C note).
4. Place your pinky finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret (F note).
5. Play the F minor chord.

F6add9 (Guitar, Beginner)

F6add9 (F sixth add-ninth) works extremely easily with the finger placements for certain voicings of Cadd9 and G Major.

1. Place your index finger on the G string, behind the 2nd fret (A note).
2. Place your middle finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret (F note).
3. Place your ring finger on the B string, behind the 3rd fret (D note).
4. Place your pinky finger on the High E string, behind the 3rd fret (G note).
5. Avoiding the Low E and A strings, strum the F6add9 chord.

F+ (Guitar, Intermediate)

In school, I've always ridiculed the concept of the F+. A failing grade is a failing grade, is it not? Anyhow, this chord definitely isn't a high failing grade, F+ is actually F augmented, and here's the breakdown of the chord:

D string = F (root note)
G string = A (major 3rd)
B string = C# (augmented 5th)
High E string = F (root note)

F6 (Guitar, Beginner)

To play the F6 (F sixth) chord, it would be wise to start off with the half-barre F major chord:

F major chord:
1. Using as much of the tip of your index finger as needed, place it on the B and High E strings, behind the 1st fret (C and F notes).
2. Place your middle finger on the G string, behind the 2nd fret (A note).
3. Place your ring finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret (F note).

F6 chord:
4. With your other three fingers in F major position, place your pinky finger on the B string, behind the 3rd fret (D note).
5. Avoiding the Low E and A strings, strum the F6 chord.

F5 Power Chord (Guitar, Beginner)

Here's the F power chord, or F5 chord, or F root-fifth power chord...

1. Place your index finger on the Low E string, behind the 1st fret. That's the F note.
2. Your middle finger will not be used in this chord. You may stick it out, as if you were flipping someone off.
3. Place your ring finger on the A string, behind the 3rd fret. That's the C note.
4. Place your pinky finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret. That's another F note, one octave higher.
5. Playing only the Low E, A, and D strings, rock that F5 power chord!

F Major Chord (Guitar, Beginner)

This is the F major chord:

1. Using the length of your index finger, make a bar from the Low E string to the High E string, behind the 1st fret (F, C, and F notes).
2. Place your middle finger on the G string, behind the 2nd fret (A note).
3. Place your ring finger on the A string, behind the 3rd fret (C note).
4. Place your pinky finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret (F note).
5. Playing all six strings, strum the F major chord.

Bbm7 (Guitar, Intermediate)

A voicing like this version of Bbm7 (B-flat minor 7th), with skipped strings, requires either accurate fingerpicking or muting out certain strings with your fretting hand:

A string: Bb (root note)
G string: Ab (dominant 7th)
B string: Db (minor 3rd)
High E string: F (perfect 5th)

Bbm (Guitar, Beginner)

The symbol "Bbm" refers to the B-flat minor chord:

1. Using the length of your index finger, make a bar from the A string to the high E string, behind the 1st fret (Bb note, F note).
2. Place your middle finger on the B string, behind the 2nd fret (Db).
3. Place your ring finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret (F).
4. Place your pinky finger on the G string, behind the 3rd fret (Bb).
5. Avoiding the low E string, strum the B minor chord.

Bb9 (Guitar, Intermediate)

Just think of the Bb9 - B-flat 9th - chord in the same terms as B9, just one fret lower.

A string = Bb (root note)
D string = D (major 3rd)
G string = Ab (dominant 7th)
B string = C (9th note)
High E string = F (perfect 5th)

Bb7sus2 (Guitar, Beginner)

Bb7sus2, or B-flat 7th suspended-2nd, would be a good candidate for some intermediate-skill level chord analysis, but here's the beginner rundown:

1. Using the length of your index finger, make a bar from the A string to the High E string, behind the 1st fret (Bb, Ab, C, and F notes).
2. Your middle finger will not be used for this voicing.
3. Place your ring finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret (F note).
4. Avoiding the Low E string, strum the Bb7sus2 chord.

If you are an intermediate-level guitarist, try to figure out why this chord is called Bb7sus2; in other words, break down the chord to its parts.

Bb7 (Guitar, Intermediate)

This is Bb7, or B-flat seventh. The Bb note in this voicing isn't the bass note, but the F note (the perfect 5th) is. This is the second inversion of the chord:

D string = F (perfect 5th)
G string = Bb (root note)
B string = D (major 3rd)
High E string = Ab (dominant 7th)

Bb5 Power Chord (Guitar, Beginner)

1. Place your index finger on the A string, behind the 1st fret. That's the Bb note.
2. Your middle finger will not be used in this chord. You may stick it out, as if you were flipping someone off.
3. Place your ring finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret. That's the F note.
4. Place your pinky finger on the G string, behind the 3rd fret. That's another Bb note, one octave higher.
5. Playing only the A, D, and G strings, rock that Bb5 power chord!

Bb Major Chord (Guitar, Beginner)

This fingering of the Bb major chord might be a stretch (literally) for people with smaller hands.

1. Using the length of your index finger, make a bar from the A string to the High E string, behind the 1st fret (Bb note, F note).
2. Place your middle finger on the D string, behind the 3rd fret (F note).
3. Place your ring finger on the G string, behind the 3rd fret (Bb note).
4. Place your pinky finger on the B string, behind the 3rd fret (D note).
5. Avoiding the Low E string, strum the Bb major chord.

Ebmaj7 (Guitar, Beginner)

This is Ebmaj7, or E-flat major-7th:

1. Place your index finger on the D string, behind the 1st fret (Eb note).
2. Your middle finger will not be used for this particular fingering.
3. Using your ring finger like a bar, place it over the G, B, and High E strings, behind the 3rd fret (Bb, D, and G notes).
4. Avoiding the Low E and A strings, strum the Ebmaj7 chord.

Ebm7b5 (Guitar, Intermediate)

Ebm7b5 - E-flat minor 7th diminished-5th if you want to spell it out - contains the following notes:

D string = Eb (root note)
G string = A (diminished 5th)
B string = Db (dominant 7th)
High E string = Gb (minor 3rd)

Ebm6 (Guitar, Intermediate)

Think of Ebm6 (E-flat minor 6th) as Dm6, but one fret higher:

D string = Eb (root note)
G string = Bb (perfect 5th)
B string = C (major 6th)
High E string = Gb (minor 3rd)

Ebm (Guitar, Intermediate)

The bass note of a chord needn't be the root note, as evidenced by this particular voicing of the E-flat (Eb) minor chord. This is the first inversion of the chord, since the bass note is the 3rd note.

D string = Gb (minor 3rd)
G string = Bb (perfect 5th)
B string = Eb (root note)
High E string = Gb (minor 3rd)

Eb6add4 (Guitar, Intermediate)

This is Eb6add4, or E-flat sixth add-fourth, is made of:

D string = Eb (root note)
G string = Ab (added 4th note)
B string = C (major 6th)
High E string = G (major 3rd)

Eb5 Power Chord (Guitar, Beginner)

1. Place your index finger on the A string, behind the 6th fret. That's the Eb note.
2. Your middle finger will not be used in this chord. You may stick it out, as if you were flipping someone off.
3. Place your ring finger on the D string, behind the 8th fret. That's the Bb note.
4. Place your pinky finger on the G string, behind the 8th fret. That's another Eb note, one octave higher.
5. Playing only the A, D, and G strings, rock that power chord!

Eb (Guitar, Intermediate)

The bass note of a chord needn't be the root note, as evidenced by this particular voicing of the E-flat (Eb) major chord. This is the first inversion of the chord, since the bass note is the 3rd note.

D string = G (major 3rd)
G string = Bb (perfect 5th)
B string = Eb (root note)
High E string = G (major 3rd)

G#sus4 (Guitar, Intermediate)

Depending on how you look at it - the context of what you're playing - this is G#sus4 or C#sus2 or D#7sus4/G#.

As G#sus4:
D string = G# (root note)
G string = C# (suspended 4th)
B string = D# (perfect 5th)
High E string = G# (root note)

As C#sus2:
D string = G# (perfect 5th)
G string = C# (root note)
B string = D# (suspended 2nd)
High E string = G# (perfect 5th)

As D#7sus4/G#:
D string = G# (suspended 4th and alternate bass note)
G string = C# (dominant 7th)
B string = D# (root note)
High E string = G# (suspended 4th)