This will be my third or fourth article about what I call "the chord of the moment". There are other subjects, but the fact is that when you're right in the middle of it all -- on stage and the band's playing -- there is only one thing setting the rules: A chord.

The chord of the moment. Even if no one is actually playing a chord, as soon as you've got melody, you've got at least one chord setting the rules, even if it's silent.

Know it.

I mean really know it, that chord, whichever it may be. Know it in all it's positions, "see" it there on the fretboard. Make sure the fundamental notes stand out from any embellishment notes (extensions).They should be there flashing at you from the fretboard. Your fingers should go to them without your brain telling them to. Someone says "B flat", and your hand should be able to find them all, just like that. Or "C sharp" ... or "G"... There are only twelve in all, with major, minor and dominant 7 versions, six or seven variations (as in: flat five, 9th, sus4...) and three or four positions. Oh, and I should mention the little fly in the ointment, the diminished.

Nothing to it really.

What I'm trying to get at here is that once you do learn all of the above -- then sift it , classify it, and most importantly, remember it -- once you've put in the hard work in practise, it all becomes easy. All you have to deal with is one thing: the chord of the moment.

If you're wondering how to sift, sort and classify everything, come visit my site.

K i r k www.lorange.kirk.net

Chord of the Moment www.GuitarSite.com/newsletters/30.htm#moreonchordofthemoment

Read Kirks previous articles:
www.GuitarSite.com/tuition.htm#articles