In an earlier discussion we talked about the fact that with many open chords there are "movements" or extra notes that you can play around a chord while remaining in one position.
In today's discussion we want to take a look at doing something very similar, but instead of playing single notes around a chord to produce a "movement", here we want to look at creating a movement that involves playing multiple notes simultaneously around a stationary chord.
To keep it simple and easy to play this lesson will be based on a multi-note movement using the open "A" chord, but can actually be applied to any key on the guitar.
It's important to note that in order to play this movement you will really need to play the open "A" chord using the "one finger" method.
And not to beat a dead horse here, but anyone who has been a student or subscriber of ours knows that I always encourage new guitar players to learn how to play an open "A" chord using just one finger. It's a little tricky in the beginning, but really worth it in the long run, and this is just another example of why.
Now to the movement. Take a look at the TAB below:
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----2--------3--------2------------------------------------
----2--------2--------2------------------------------------
----2--------4--------2------------------------------------
----0--------0--------0------------------------------------
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When playing the above example you should:
1. Strum an open "A" chord by forming a "barre" with your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings (leave the 5th string "A" open) - playing only the inside 4 strings. Do not play the 1st or 6th strings (E) for this exercise.
2. While keeping your first finger in the "barre" position, place your 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string - and your 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string. Strum that formation including the open 5th (A) string.
3. Finally, lift your 2nd and 3rd fingers while keeping your 1st finger in the "barre" position, and strum the open "A" chord again.
When you play this movement, from a technical viewpoint, you are actually changing from one chord to another.
In this case you start with playing an "A" chord, and then in the second formation you are playing a "D" chord inversion. Good info to be aware of, but not essential in order to make use of, and incorporate this movement into your playing.
The important thing is to "hear" the sound that this movement produces. When you really pay attention you will notice that this is a movement that you've probably heard a million times in a ton of songs.
And the really neat part about this movement is that you can play it anywhere on the guitar.
If take the 5th string (A) out of the picture, and just slide the formation for this movement up the guitar neck you can apply it to any key you like.
In the above TAB we are playing this movement in "A" - but just slide the formation up, for example, 2 frets (and don't play the 5th string), you are now playing this movement in "B". Slide it up 5 frets and you are now playing it in "D".
Play around with this movement and experiment with different rhythmic timings. It's a lot of fun and a great tool to add to your guitar playing arsenal.
Enjoy!
