Understanding Chords ( part 2 - the chord progression )

Last time I explained how simple major and minor chords are made and that they tend to be confusing to the guitarist because the guitar has to make 3 note chords ( triads ) over the 6 strings: and sometimes that needs a little more expertise and strategy compared to working it out on a linear keyboard or piano. This problem is usually solved by the guitarist by just memorizing the chord shapes from a chord book or chart and avoiding learning the individual components or the strategy or theory involved in the making of the chords. This method can work for the novice/hobby guitarists but should not be avoided by anyone really studying the guitar and music.

I think just the knowledge of the process of chord making is a nice musical stepping stone to build on as you explore the next step which will be putting the chords into chord progressions.We don't necessarily need complete comprehension at this time, but it is important to think of these lessons as stepping stones to be walked over time and time again as you study and play.

Chord Progressions: A chord progression is a group of chords played in succession: used in music to play or sing a melody or riff over as a part of, or the whole song. 

Eg. We might see something like the song to the right. 

The chord progression for Kumbaya is:  C - F - C (3X) and F- C - G - C

So we have chords made up of 3 notes called a Triads that are put together in various combinations (chord progressions) to make up the popular song we hear everyday on the radio. The challenge for the student guitarist is to go beyond plain knowledge of the those chords to eventually learn how they work as individual chords and how they function together as musical moments.

There, in the chords and melodies, is everything I want to say. The words just jolly it along. It's always been my way of expressing what for me is inexpressible by any other means.

David Bowie Quote