In this lesson, Bradford teaches Brian how to play a simple chord progression in a very interesting way. Here is the progression we learned (in the key of E):
Chord Progression:
E – F#m – G#m – C#m – B – A
In number form, it’s this:
I – II – III – VI – V – IV
Chord Diagrams:
The ‘boring way’
If you play these chords using the following diagrams, the progression will sound fine, but you might think it’s a bit boring or a bit ‘vanilla’. These are probably the way you first learned how to play these chords.
The ‘interesting way’
Here is the way Bradford played these chords, using a combination of different chord voicing and moveable shapes.
Here are a few notes about these chord voicing and shapes:
- All the minor chords (F#m, G#m, and C#m) use the same exact finger positions, just moved around the neck. With this moveable shape, the low E string determines the chord you’re playing.
- The B and A chords use the same moveable shape. Again, the low E string determines what chord you’re playing.
- When playing the C#m shape, you are in position to play the C#m Pentatonic scale. Since C#m is the relative minor in the key of E, anything you play inside this scale will work in this key.
- You can suspect the B (the V chord) by fretting the G string on the 9th fret.
Gear we used in this video:
Brad’s gear:
- Guitar: PRS (Paul Reed Smith) DGT
- Amp: Kemper Profiling Amp – Bogner Duende profile found on the rig exchange
- Sinasoid cables
- Elixir strings
Brian’s gear:
- Guitar: Shelton Electric Instruments SkyFlite IV
- Amp: Line 6 Helix // using our DLX + JTM45 patch
- Sinasoid cables
- Elixir strings
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My brother has just sent this article to me. He knows that my son is interested in playing the guitar. When we visited him, he advised my son to enroll in a guitar lesson to which I even agreed. I am always a supportive Mom for them!
Guys!
I would just like to thank you for doing an incredible job! You have no Idea how much your ministry ‘worship tutorials’ means to me!
I am an South African living in the US and have been leading worship for 30 years. Your ministry is very encouraging and helpful.
Thank you so much!
Stay blessed!
Abraham Roux
Just bought a Helix LT and discovered your site. Well done…more guitar lessons please. I have had a successful (independent label) music career with only traditional chords and solos (hard rock), published songs with some on the radio back in the day. Teach us more about inversions and triads specific to Worship songs and how they are used throughout.
Keep up the good work!