Lesson 14 – How to play Dominant 7, Dominant 9, Suspended (Sus), Diminished (Dim), and Augmented (Aug) chords
Reference guide for Dominant 7 and Dominant 9 Chords with the root on the F-String. These forms can be used up and down the fretboard.
Dominant 7th chords can be a little challenging. To form the shape for the G-Dominant 7th chord (listed below) place your POINTER finger on the 1st fret of the E-String; your MIDDLE finger on the 2nd fret of the F-String; your RING finger on the 2nd fret of the A-String; and your PINKY finger on the 2nd fret of the C-String. This form can be used to play all Dominate 7th chords.
Dominant 9th chords can be even more challenging. To form the shape for the G-Dominate 9th chord (listed below) place your POINTER finger on the 1st fret of the E-String; your PINKY finger on the 2nd fret of the G-String; then use your MIDDLE and RING fingers on press down the F, A, and C strings on the 2nd fret. With practice, you should be able to simply flatten your RING finger across all three strings. This form can be used to play all Dominate 9th chords. Practice and get familiar with this form on these strings.
Dominant 7 Chords
Dominant 9 Chords
Suspended (sus) Chords
Occasionally, a sus2 or sus4 chord will come up in a song. You can play suspended (sus) chords on either the Major strings (F and C) or on the Minor strings (A and E), however they use different forms based upon whether they are played on the Major strings or on the Minor strings. Note that sus chord shapes are easier if you play sus2 chords on the Minor strings and sus4 chords on the Major strings.
To play sus2 chords on the Major strings (F or C), use the chord shape shown below. This chord shape is a little more difficult and may take some practice. Press down on the middle string with your POINTER finger, then move up two frets and press down on the top string with your MIDDLE finger, and the bottom string with the RING finger. You can substitute the Middle and Ring fingers with the Ring and Pinky fingers, if you like. This form can be used to play all sus2 chords on either of the two Major strings (F or C).
To play sus2 chords on the Minor strings (A or E), use the new sus2 chord shape shown below. Press down on the middle string with your POINTER finger, then move up one fret and press down on the top string with your MIDDLE finger and the bottom string with your RING finger. This form mimics the old traditional “D7” chord and can be used to play all sus2 chords on either of the two Minor strings (A or E).
To play sus4 chords on the Major strings (F or C), you can continue to bar the three strings of the chord with your pointer finger, then move up one fret and press down on the middle string with your middle finger, or you can use the new sus4 shape shown below. To use the new sus4 form, press down on the top string with your POINTER finger and the bottom string with your MIDDLE finger, then move up one fret and press down on the middle string with your RING finger. This form mimics the old traditional “D” chord and can be used to play all sus4 chords on either of the two Major strings (F or C).
To play sus4 chords on the Minor strings (A or C), use the chord shape shown below. This chord shape can be challenging. Press down on the top string with your POINTER finger and the bottom string with your MIDDLE finger, then move up two frets and press down on the middle string with your PINKY finger. This form can be used to play all sus4 chords on either of the two Minor strings (A or E).
Diminished (dim) Chords
Occasionally, a Diminished (dim) chord will come up in a song. Diminished chords may be easier to play on the Minor strings (A and E). To play a Diminished (dim) chord on the Minor strings (A and E), use the new form shown below. Press down on the bottom string with your POINTER finger, move up one fret and press down on the top string with your MIDDLE finger, and the middle string with your RING finger. This form (which mimics the old traditional “Am” chord) can be used to play all Diminished (dim) chords on the Minor strings (A and E).
To play a Diminished (dim) chord on the Major strings (F and C), use the new form shown below. Press down on the bottom string with your POINTER finger and the middle string with the MIDDLE finger, then move up one fret and press down on the top string with your RING finger. This form can be used to play all Diminished (dim) chords on the Major strings (F and C).
Augumented (aug) Chords
Occasionally, an Augmented (aug) chord will come up in a song. To play an Augmented chord on the Minor strings (A and E), use the new form shown below. Press down on the top string with your POINTER finger, move up one fret and press down on the middle string with your MIDDLE finger, and the bottom string with your RING finger. This form can be used to play all Augmented (aug) chords on the Minor strings (A and E).
To play an Augmented chord on the Major strings (F and C), simply press down on the three strings with your pointer finger, move up fret and press down on the bottom string with your middle finger, or if you like, use the new form shown below. Press down on the top string with your MIDDLE finger and the middle string with your POINTER finger, then move up one fret and press down on the bottom string with your RING finger. This form can be used to play all Augmented (Aug) chords on the Major strings (F and C).
