Learning the guitar chords

[KeyserSoze]

I may have the opportunity to join a band as a rhythm guitarist. I always thought of rhythm of a guy who plays chords. Is it this simple?

I need to learn more chords, my ability is pretty weak. Is it just a case of going through a chord book? Is that the best way to learn?

I want to be able to just play any chord progression (ok not any, but the more common chords) the songwriter might propose and play anywhere on the fretboard with different variations, adding riffs and stuff.

What is the best way to learn? Know my scales and know where the root, thirds and fifths sit?

[DeadYankee]

You need to know your roots essentially and then there are a few key chord patterns you need to know. I think I've posted the essentials before and I've just got in from a practice so am a bit knackered now.

I'll try and remember to repost the key moveable chord shapes soon but mail me if you like to remind me.

It is more than just playing the chords but you only get there by practice and playing with other people so go for it. The more you get used to the moveable chords the more you will see how they interrelate with the scales and then you can riff off of the chords. It is so much more fun playing with other people - you'll be more motivated to learn new stuff

[DeadYankee]

essential basics for rhythm chords here - http://www.thedvdforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=483814&highlight=chord+shapes

basically you are ditching the root bass notes and leaving them to your bass player

[DeadYankee]

Post 112 onwards - although you've seen this before
http://www.thedvdforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=438024&highlight=theory

[TheoGB]

I think if you can play guitar and the band in question hasn't told you anything in advance then you can only go in there with what you know. Don't bother practicing. When I've asked someone to join my band I've known what I want from them and I've started them off with CDs/tapes of what we play and crib sheets so they know what sort of things to expect.

If you've not had any of that then either this band's just starting or they are going to run things through with you, and therefore I'd say just to go for it.

[KeyserSoze]

Thanks!

Interesting thred about knocking the bass note off. I notice this alot when I watch people perform, they tend to play the open string E shape chord up and down the neck without the root/bass note.

[TheoGB]

Thanks!

Interesting thred about knocking the bass note off. I notice this alot when I watch people perform, they tend to play the open string E shape chord up and down the neck without the root/bass note.

Well that might just be that they miss it or hit it wrong and muffle it. I never make much of an effort to get my chords totally accurate because it's not usually necessary.

You can always fret the bass string with your thumb too. I think Hendrix liked to do that so he could easily get rhythm on the bass string going between the fretted note and the open string.

[DeadYankee]

You can't fret the bass string with your thumb is you are playing an inverted chord

These are standard chord shapes not accidental mistakes

[KeyserSoze]

How do you strum double stops where the notes are not on adjacent strings?

Mute the string(s) between, or use combo of pick and finger?

[DeadYankee]

Whatever works best in any given situation. It will sound different with a band around you

[TheoGB]

You can't fret the bass string with your thumb is you are playing an inverted chord

These are standard chord shapes not accidental mistakes

He said the open E chord being fretted so it wasn't really clear to me which way round. Regardless, it doesn't always have to be a choice to invert a chord when playing guitar: it sounds good enough with only two strings playing most of the time. :)

Keith Richards takes his bass string off so he doesn't hit it at all, doesn't he?

[DeadYankee]

Yeah, he also tunes to openG