EXCERPT 2

Chord Workbook for Guitar Volume 1 always had the root of each chord as the lowest note. This is also called the bass voice. Volume 2 will examine these same chords but will place other notes of the chord in the lowest voice. When a chord places notes other than the root in the lowest voice it is said to be an "inversion". When a chord's lowest note is the root it is said to be in root position.

It is common to call a chord with the 3rd in the bass 1st inversion, with the 5th in the bass 2nd inversion and when the 7th is in the bass 3rd inversion.

If a chord contains tensions it is also possible to place these notes in the bass. The example below shows a C?79 with the 9th in the bass.

As more tensions are added to a chord it gets increasingly difficult for a guitarist to play all the notes indicated. Therefore you will find many of the chords presented here have certain notes deleted. The 5th and the root are the most common notes to be left out. It is important to remember that every chord in this book always contains the 3rd and 7th of the chord, with the exception of 7sus4 which has the 4th and the 7th, and the 6th chords which have the 3rd and the 6th.

All chords should first be practiced cycle 5: C,F,Bb,Eb,Db,Gb,B,E,A,D,G. This will help your knowledge of the fingerboard immensely and will also help your hands develop dexterity. All II-V-I chord progression sequences should also be practiced cycle 5. As always, applying these chords in performance situations is the best way to work these sounds into your playing.

All chords marked with an (*) are voicings which require a finger stretch. Care should be taken not to over practice these chords at first in order to avoid injury. As your hand grows more accustomed to these shapes they will feel natural.