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Home > Guitar Music Theory

Chord Construction - 3 Note Chords - Part 3

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Converting basic major barre chords
(root on the 6th string)

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All of the examples that we have looked at so far involve basic open position chords. So what about converting basic major barre chords into all of the other different types of 3 note chords? As you will see some convert easily, and others do not.

 

 

C
(root 6th string)

|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -1st string
|-G-|---|---|---| 5
|---|-E-|---|---| 3
|---|---|-C-|---| 1
|---|---|-G-|---| 5
|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -6th string
  |
 8th fret

Cm
(root 6th string)

Lower the E(3) on the 3rd string down a half step to Eb(b3)

|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -1st string
|-G-|---|---|---| 5
|-Eb|---|---|---| b3
|---|---|-C-|---| 1
|---|---|-G-|---| 5
|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -6th string
  |
 8th fret

C+
(root 6th string)

To convert C to C+ you would have to raise the G(5) notes up to G(#5). Unfortunately you just don't have enough fingers to play all 6 string here, so you have to start taking some strings out in order to make a useable chord form.

|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -1st string
|---|-G#|---|---| 5
|---|-E-|---|---| 3
|---|---|-C-|---| 1
|---|---|---|-G#| 35
|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -6th string
  |
 8th fret

Co
(root 6th string)

Lower the E(3) on the 3rd string down a half step to Eb(b3), and the G(5) notes on the 5th and 2nd strings down a half step to Gb(b5).

Again, you are not getting anything that is very finger friendly here. You would have to leave some strings out.

|---|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -1st string
|-Gb|---|---|---|---| b5
|---|-Eb|---|---|---| b3
|---|---|---|-C-|---| 1
|---|---|-Gb|---|---| b5
|---|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -6th string
      |
     8th fret

Csus2
(root 6th string)

For Csus2 lower the E(3) down a whole step to D(2). Easy enough in theory, but again not a feasible chord form. You could leave out some strings to come up with a workable chord form.

|---|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -1st string
|---|-G-|---|---|---| 5
|-D-|---|---|---|---| 2
|---|---|---|-C-|---| 1
|---|---|---|-G-|---| 5
|---|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -6th string
      |
     8th fret

Csus4
(root 6th string)

For a Csus4 chord you just have to raise E(3) on the 3rd string up a half step to F(4). With this one you can actually comfortably play all 6 strings.

|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -1st string
|-G-|---|---|---| 5
|---|---|-F-|---| 4
|---|---|-C-|---| 1
|---|---|-G-|---| 5
|-C-|---|---|---| 1 -6th string
  |
 8th fret

Page 9, Converting G to Gsus4

Page 11, Converting basic major barre chords (root on the 5th string)



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