Using Chord Phrasing to
Liven up Those Guitar Chords

In the next two lessons we'll be looking at using lead guitar phrases as part of chords and chord progressions. This involves mixing chords with lead guitar lines to emphasise a particular chord flavour and add a bit of filler to what would just be a sequence of chords (which, of course, may sound great as it is).

There are two main ways to incorporate chord phrasing in this way:

1) using hammer-ons, pull-offs and single-string sequences within a chord shape (using any available fingers)

2) "floating" phrases away from and towards a chord based on a key scale

These two techniques really do beef up regular chord progressions, rhythmically and melodically, so I really think these lessons will spark a new kind of creativity in your songwriting and playing!

OK, let's get started with lesson 1...

Making more interesting use of chords

A lot of epic songs have been written just using basic chords, with very little technical embellishment. However, the more creative options you have to play around with, the more unique your music will have the potential to become.

First, let's take some basic chords and start with some very simple ways to make them more interesting.

Use hammer-ons and pull-offs

In the lead guitar section there are lessons on the hammer on and pull off techniques for lead guitar, but you can also use them with chord shapes. You most often hear them being used when chords are being picked rather than strummed, although if your picking is accurate enough, you can mix strumming with more intricate picking to apply those single-string phrases.

This is where barring your index finger with barre chords comes in handy - you essentially provide a point to "catch" the pull-offs and provide a base for the hammer-ons. Let's try it now...

Here's a standard C shape barre chord:

>> Click to hear example - C shape barre phrasing

Try this with the other barre chord shapes too, and their associated chords.

For example, the E shape barre, playing around with the minor shape...

Also, you can use this technique with the open position chords down at the first few frets, e.g. the open G major chord...

Take a look at the sequences below, both based around the open G major chord. Experiment with working your fingers around the chord shape. Don't just play the notes indicated below, there are other tones I haven't mapped out - experiment!!

Fretted-open phrasing

All this is essentially doing is adding and removing certain "flavours" (notes) to the standard major or minor chord shapes. It's completely up to you how you incorporate rhythm to apply these notes.

We'll probably look more at picking rhythm another lesson!

Of course, there's nothing wrong with using influences in your music, but it's how you use those influences that makes or destroys your uniqueness.

OK, I've rambled on enough! Once you're happy with what we've covered in this part, we can move on to the next stage in part 2, which is using phrases away from the chord shape to extend your chords and progressions into more dynamic territory.

Use the links below, and I'll hopefully see you soon!