Rhythm Guitar Essentials: Major Triads & Barre Chords

Dramatically expand your chord vocabulary using what you already know! Rhythm guitar is an art form, and weaving in and out of harmonies and creating textures for the band is a big job! Command of your fretboard is essential, and understanding the nuances of voice-leading, chord structures, and rhythmic concepts is key to being a good bandmate.

In this class, we will examine the E, A, and C major barre chords in depth and deconstruct them. We will explore ways to voice chords using three-string groupings derived from the parent barre chord shapes. By doing this, you will open up the fretboard of the guitar to new voice leading possibilities, with the end result being very smooth chord progressions and the ability to fit guitar parts seamlessly into a band without stepping on the toes of the bass player.

Topics covered include: Barre chords, strumming, triads, major chords, left hand muting, band dynamics, harmony, song examples! All chord diagrams will be provided and should be mastered on their own. Chord charts for example song(s) will also be provided for practice.

This class is perfect for: Beginner/Intermediate guitarists looking to break out of block chord shapes and into the realm of voice leading smooth chord progressions. Fans of just about all kinds of rock, pop, blues, and folk music will benefit from this course.

After this class, you will be able to: Identify triads throughout the neck, and voice-lead common progressions using professional techniques. You will be able to play each of the three-string groupings derived from each barre chord, and apply them to a song. Learning how to do these things will allow you to make chord choices that will fit beautifully in a band setting, or just playing on your own.

Skills required: (scale from 1-low to 5-high)

• Barre chords = 3
• Fretboard notes = 2
• Open chords = 3
• Left hand muting = 2
• Hand strength = 3