(R is the root note)

Notes in chords are referred to by their note number, so that a single scheme can be used, regardless of the chord's root note, or the key and scale you're using. In the above examples, the 5th note is G for a C chord, and E for an A chord.

Selecting every 2nd note in the dominant scale gives us:

Each of these notes may be:

• included as-is
• flattened (1 semitone lower)
• raised (1 semitone higher)
• omitted (deliberately or for convenience)

To understand this, first grab your guitar and play an E chord as shown. Note in order for the first finger to be used as a barre, the fingering has to be changed slightly; use your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers instead of the usual 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers. Now move the chord up one fret and lay your 1st finger across the 1st fret, covering all six strings. You are now holding your first barre chord, F.

This is essentially the same as the F chord you have learned in the open chords section, only the 1st finger barres all six strings instead of just the 1st and 2nd strings. In the same manner, move this F chord up two frets, 1st finger barring the 3rd fret and maintaining the E chord shape. You now have an alternative way to play an G chord

from Guitar Chords and Accompaniment, Chapter 3

See also: What's the correct way to form barre chords?

• How to play Power Chords
• more on chord theory & sites
• Power Chord lesson
• another Power Chord lesson
• Beyond Power Chords

C     2         E     1 1/2    G     Major chord (major 3rd + minor 3rd
D     1 1/2     F     2        A     Minor chord (minor third + major 3rd)
E     1 1/2     G     2        B     Minor chord
F     2         A     1 1/2    C     Major chord
G     2         B     1 1/2    D     Major chord
A     1 1/2     C     2        E     Minor chord
B     1 1/2     D     1 1/2    F     Diminished chord (minor 3rd+minor 3rd)

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