lesson 1 - sitting to play the guitar lesson 2 - have fun learning e minor and d minor chords lesson 3 - a basic overview of a 3rd chord in g lesson 4 - different fun rhythms and basic picking lesson 5 - playing in a major lesson 6 - scales - introduction to the scale of a major lesson 7 - which ones are a must and what they are lesson 8 - Answers to common guitar learning problems lesson 9 - a song with 3 chords - margaritaville lesson 10 - folk/60's tune - love the one you're with lesson 11 - Fingering Patterns - All Major Chords lesson 12 - Fingering Patterns - Minor Chords lesson 13 - Fingering Patterns - Major Scales lesson 14 - Fingering Patterns - Minor Scales lesson 15 - Song Structure - Verses,Choruses,and Bridges lesson 16 - Fingering Patterns - Major Bar Chords lesson 17 - Fingering Patterns - Minor Bar Chords lesson 18 - Exotic Sounding Chords - Augmented and Diminished lesson 19 - Classic Guitar Songs - Stairway to Heaven lesson 20 - Basic Melodic Playing - Basic Lead Guitar

Fingering Patterns – Minor Chords

 

 

In the previous lesson we learned about major chords, how they are formed, and basic fingering patterns that will allow you to play seven major chords up and down the neck using the same shape.

 

The next step is to understand the basics. Minor chords are basically defined as a chord that has a minor third above its root. A major chord has a major third above its root. For example, a C Major chord is made up of C, E, and G. A C Minor Chord has the notes C, D#, and G

 

.C minor & C major

 

 

 

As you play the above clip, pay special attention to the difference in sound between the major and minor chords. Minor chords evoke very different feelings. How do major chords make you feel? How about minor chords?

 

Learning Minor Chords

 

Minor chords have their own place in songs and are part of certain chord progressions. Learning minor chords is the next step to building a strong chord vocabulary. Remember, if you have a high chord vocabulary it will help you grow as a player. It will increase your improvisational skills and help you write interesting songs.

 

As you move through this lesson, memorize each of the fingerings given. When you press down the strings, make sure they are pressed thoroughly. Play slowly at first, then speed up your guitar playing as you progress.

 

There are a few ways you can increase your chord vocabulary while learning minor chords. First, you can memorize each of the chords individually. Pick up a chord book and find all the minor chords. Play a few. Now close the book and play them again. Did you successfully memorize them? Chances are, you may have committed one or two to memory, but that’s it.

 

A better way to learn the minor chords is to learn the set fingering patterns associated with them. Once you learn one minor shape you can use this shape to play all the minor chords up and down the neck of the guitar.

 

Basic Minor Chord Shapes

 

In the previous lesson we learned the major chord shape patterns that will help you play the major chords up and down the neck. Now we are learning the same thing for the minor chords. Memorize each shape then practice holding the position up and down the neck. Here are the basic shapes:

 

 

 

 

D Minor  F Minor  A# Minor, B Flat Minor

 

 

Once you memorize these chords and can play them accurately, it is time to move on to the next step of learning all the minor chords.

 

Using the Chord Shapes to Play Minor Chords

 

Those three chords may not seem like much, but they are essential at helping you learn all the major chords. Once you can play those chords proficiently, the next step is to be able to play these shapes anywhere on the neck.

 

Before you look at the diagrams, below, practice holding the chord shapes at each fret. Strum each chord as you do. You want to get used to the feeling of moving your hands up and down the neck and pressing down the strings as you do. This may hurt at first, but you’ll build up the calluses necessary that will eliminate the pain.

Here is a list of all the chords you can make from those basic shapes.

 

Shape 1- D Minor

Fret		Chord

1		Dm
2		D#m, E Flat Minor
3		Em
4		Fm
5		F#m, G Flat Minor
6		Gm
7		G#m, A Flat Minor
8		Am
9		A#m, B Flat Minor
10		Bm
11		Cm
12		C#m, D Flat Minor

Shape 2- F Minor

Fret		Chord

1		Fm
2		F#m, G Flat Minor
3		Gm
4		G#m, A Flat Minor
5		Am
6		A#m, B Flat Minor
7		Bm
8		Cm
9		C#m, D Flat Minor
10		Dm
11		D#m, E Flat  Minor
12		Em

Shape 3- A#m, B Flat Minor

Fret		Chord

1		A#m, B Flat Minor
2		Bm
3		Cm
4		C#m, D Flat Minor
5		Dm
6		D#m, E Flat Minor
7		Em
8		Fm
9		F#m, G Flat Minor
10		Gm
11		G#m, A Flat Minor
12		Am

Don’t let this list overwhelm you. Don’t worry about memorizing these charts. You basically want to be able to hold the shapes accurately for each position. Keep the chart handy while you practice and refer to it if you have any questions. After you can hold the shapes accurately, then you can start memorizing all the chords.

 

Final Tips

 

Remember not to practice too fast. Your main concern is accuracy. Practice slowly and give your fingers a chance to develop calluses. Once you can play each chord shape accurately up and down the neck, you can start memorizing the names of each of the chords.