Lesson 2 – How To Play All Major Chords (3-String Triads) Using Just One Finger
Once you learn this first shape, you will be able to play every major chord up and down the fretboard, with just one finger! This shape can be used when the chord root is on either the 1st or 3rd string. In a subsequent lesson I will teach you a shape to use when the root is on the 2nd or 4th string. We’ll call the two positions of the 1st Major chord shape … “1-F” and “1-C”.
Major Chord Shape “1-F”
Major shape “1-F” starts on the F-String and ends on the C-String.
The easiest way to play every MAJOR CHORD (up and down the guitar neck) is to strum the “F”, “A”, and “C” strings together, mimicking either the old “A-Chord” shape, or better yet, use a one-finger bar chord. This shape works all the way up and down the guitar neck.
Here are three examples: To play a F-Major chord, simply strum the first three “OPEN” strings (F, A, C). To play a G-Major chord (G, B, D), simply move up to the 2nd fret (on the F-string) and again, press down and strum the first three strings. To play an A-Major chord (A, C#, E), move up to the 4th fret and do the same. Again, this form works all the way up and down the guitar neck.
Practice moving back and forth between chords.
You can also use this same shape to play all the Major chords (up and down the guitar neck) in a higher octave … by simply strumming the “C”, “E”, and “G” strings.
Major Chord Shape “1-C”
Major shape “1-C” starts on the 3rd string (C-String) and ends on the 5th string (G-String). Again, you can use this form to play Major chords all the way up and down the neck on the “C”, “E”, and “G” strings.
Here are three examples: To play a C-Major chord, simply strum the OPEN “C”, “E”, and “G” strings. To play a D-Major chord (D, F#, A), simply move up to the 2nd fret (on the C-string) and again, press down and strum the 3rd, 4th, & 5th strings. To play an E-Major chord (E, G#, B), move up to the 4th fret and do the same.
Practice moving back and forth between chords.
