Chord Shapes and Learning Chords
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UL40_LearningChords.shtml | Updated: 02-Jul-2009 - 12:06
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Chord Shapes and Learning Chords
There is no way one can memorize “ALL”chord shapes. Even memorizing a few hundred is time consuming.
A chord “shape” is a function of a particular instrument and tuning. Know how they are built and the notes can work on any instrument.
Beyond the basic open position chords and basic movable form chords (major, minor and seventh), one needs to learn how chords are created. Then you can build ANY chord you will ever need by moving or displacing a note or notes from the basic chords.
It’s the notes that make the chord shape. And, there is no way one can memorize “ALL” chord shapes. Even memorizing a few hundred is impossible.
What the Pros Do
Pro players build their chords on the fly when needed for chords they do not use all the time. They can build ANY chords that is called for. If it is used a lot it just get memorized without any additional effort by simply playing it a lot. Or becomes part of an arrangement or voice leading situation.
A C chord is “C E G” - not this shape that shape. This is the smallest bit of information that is needed to memorize the chord.
Pick up any chord dictionary and one thought that should go through your mind is. There is now way to memorize all those shapes. It would be better off learning how they came up with all those shapes. Most chord dictionaries are also just like pages transposed to all possible keys.
The complete lesson is in the downladable PDF file…
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Chord Shapes and Learning Chords, 6 pages
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FILE: UL40_LearningChords.pdf ( 428 KB )
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Related Lessons
Visit www.CurtShelller.com/lessons/uke/chords/index.shtml for Learning Chords, Chord Progressions and a "little" Chord Theory on How Chords Work.
Ukulele Chord Books
All book sizes are 8.5" x 11" unless noted and music stand friendly, "lay flat" coil binding.
A Guide to Ukulele Chords
Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part “jazz” chords and more...
Print Book & PDF: $14.95 -
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PDF only: $8.97 -
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A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
The volume covers the key of C major and C minor, including detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and the chord substitutions. In “C” and “G” tuning.
Print Book & PDF: $17.95 -
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A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords Volume I
Commonly referred to as “jazz” chords. A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
Beyond learning open and barre chords, most ukulele players struggle with advanced chords. Commonly called “jazz” chords, these more sophisticated voicings find a wide use in all forms of music.
$19.95 -
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Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele
Exploring “Jazz” Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.
Print Book & PDF: $17.95 -
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PDF only: $10.77 -
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The Advanced Guide to Chord Progressions for Ukulele - Volume I
Volume I features the principles of voice leading applied to chord progressions. These principles are explained using chords from volume I of The Advanced Guide to Ukulele Chords. Chapters with common major and minor full diatonic, partial diatonic and chromatic chord progressions are also included to further explore voice leading.
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A Guide to Ukulele Chords
This book is designed as a guide to ukulele (pronounced “oo-koo-lele”) chords. Covering basic ukulele chords that ALL uke players MUST know, movable chord forms, rock uke chords, how to transpose chords, learning the ukulele fingerboard and an introduction to 4-part “jazz” chords and more...
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions
for Ukulele A to Z
Covers the key of C major and C minor, including a detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and the chord substutitions.
A Guide to Ukulele Strums & Rhythmic Patterns
This book is designed as a guide to ukulele (pronounced “oo-koo-lele”) strums. From rock and waltz strums to reggae and broken chord strums.
Ukulele For Guitar Players
Ukulele for Guitar Players is a guide to transferring the accumulated experience and knowledge gained as a guitar played to the ukulele.
The Advanced Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Guitar
Each volume of The Advanced Guide to Blues Progressions for Guitar features basic to advanced blues chord progressions. to be used with the chord voicings from volume I, II & III of The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords.
Exploring "Jazz" Chords on Ukulele
Exploring "Jazz" Chords takes the core chords from A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele and shows their use over a variety of common chord progressions based on songs from the standard jazz repertoire.
A Guide to Advanced Chords for Ukulele
If your goal is to expand your chord vocabulary, The Advanced Guide to Ukelele Chords Series is your answer. Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords. A Guide to Advanced Ukulele Chords Volume I provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords
Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords this provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords
Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords this provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
The Advanced Guide to Guitar Chords
Commonly referred to as "jazz" chords this provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords.
Ukulele Chords
NEW This small (1/2 size) chord book is a great little book to carry with you. Ukulele Chords covers basic open position and basic movable form chords. From these two chord categories a variety of songs and styles can be played.
Harmonic Analysis For Scale Selection And Chord Substitution
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.
Ukulele - Reading Music Series
Reading Music in Open Position, Single Note Studies- Primer. Reading music is not as hard as one might think. It may be new and unfamiliar to you but is not hard when you have a proper plan of attack.
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