TWO EASY MINOR CHORDSTwo easy minor chords that I usually have my beginning guitar students learn right away are Am & Em. Below is a graphic of these two chords. The whole notes on the staff above the chord grid tell you to strum the chord once, then count to four while sustaining the sound. The numbers on the chord grid (located between the staff and the tablature) represent your fingers. This tells you what fingers to use to make an Am chord. The tablature beneath the chord grid indicate the frets your fingers should be on.   Minor chords are most commonly identified like this: Am Bm Cm Dm Em Fm Gm Major chords are most commonly identified like this: A B C D E F G Notice how the 2nd finger is on the fourth string for both the Am and Em chords. These two chords are easy to play together when you establish an "anchor" with your 2nd finger.   To do this you will have to keep your 2nd finger down on the string as you move from Am to Em. Using an "anchor" finger will help you to land correctly on the other strings as you move back and forth. EXERCISE:
1. Strum Am 2. Keep your 2nd finger down on the string as you lift your other two fingers. Now move to Em and strum the chord. 3. While still on Em, keep your 2nd finger down on the string as you lift your other two fingers. Move back to Am and strum the chord. IMPORTANT: Keeping your 2nd finger down while practicing these two chords will help your fingers develop muscle memory. You will also be applying a principle known among guitarists as economy of motion. In other words, you don't want to slow yourself down with unnecessary motion. Less is more!
Learn How to Play More Minor Chords - Click Here... LESSON OBJECTIVE: To learn the Am and Em chords, develop muscle memory, and understand the concept of "economy of motion." PRACTICE: 1. Play the Am and Em chords until you have them memorized. LEARN MORE: THE MUSICIAN'S TOOLBOX - will give you access to over 100 individual videos of the most commonly used guitar chords. Watch the video below for a quick preview... Over two years of research was put into the creation of this unique software. The camera angle is taken from a first person perspective, making it easier for you to learn how to play the various shapes and positions on the guitar. |
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