Description
In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how easy it is to play rhythm (and lead) by only concentrating on triads (simple 3 note chords). Everything in this lesson is played on the top 3 strings, making it easy to concentrate on learning (less variables). You’ll learn the major, minor, dominant 7, 6 and 9 chord voicings in 3 positions on the neck.
Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson
Part 2 - For Premium Members
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Walk-Through Video
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Video Tablature Breakdown
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yes needed diagrams to print thanks Brian I finally started to nail EP187 to love that kind of stuff keep them coming!
please give us more triad diagrams like on the other sets of strings im new maybey you have them some where? thanks again Brian stay safe buddy.
About a week ago I did a internet search of images for “triads for guitar” . Give it a try you should find one with all six strings with all the inversions
Brilliant addition to your recent lessons that have kept me going through lockdown in England. My understanding has increased by leaps and bounds over the last six weeks. I knew a lot of the theory, but now it’s in my fingers. I’m 73, and I’ll be gigging again when we’re finally allowed. Thankyou Brian.
I’m thrilled to see this lesson! This is something I figured out on my own a few years ago (inspired by many of your lessons) and it’s been THE most important thing I’ve learned (other than the basics) because it opens up so many doors! Feel free to discuss the triads on the three other contiguous string combinations, beginning with my personal favorite – the 4th, 3rd and 2nd. Thank you Brian.
I would also find a similar lesson on 2,3,4/3,4,5/4,5,6 very useful…this was a great lesson
Yes agreed. A really fantastic lesson. I like to have one of the couple of lessons I’m working on be developing my theory like this (with a great tune under it) and another one developing my physical chops. I’d also love to see the triads on the middle strings. I could figure them out I guess but having such a comprehensive lesson and inspiring backing tracks (as well as hearing Brians thoughts) would be much better. Cheers Brian & fellow members.
another great lesson. thanks.
Thanks for another great lesson using triads. I can’t wait to learn this tune!
There’s a lot of valuable information in the lesson and Triad charts which makes me feel that follow up lessons are necessary because for lack of a better way to describe my trying to understand it all, it’s like trying to drink from a fire hose. Maybe I’m making it more difficult than it is because I have notes from 20 years ago where I worked out inversions on the first four strings and never did anything with the information since. I’m hoping more instruction will clear things up for me
Great song lesson. And the supplemental charts are really useful. Thank you
Hi Brian,
this was exactly what made a big “bulb moment” in my brain. In this lesson I understood more in twenty minutes then in the past twenty years of playing.
Thank you for keeping it simple and clear and also for the pdf files.
You made a lot of outstanding good tutorials, but with this you nailed it. May other players that are probably at a higher level foregive me, but I would
very much like to see more of such kind of lessons in the future. I dont want to learn the blues just by copying licks or playing scales up and down. I want to understand how it is made. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Another roadway for my musical journey.
Tons of useful information to digest this week. This should be a big help. Thanks Brian!
WOW?? Merry Christmas to “US”……!!! There’s several weeks worth of presents here (for me anyway) all rolled into one lesson. The triad tab’s plus the accompanying backing tracks in multiple keys. No idea how you do it Brian but thank-you so so much for making learning so achievable. This is gonna be FUN!!!!!
This one’s a keeper! Great lesson. A lot of work went into this with some great charts for future reference. Thanks Brian.
😳 🤔 😃
This is an incedible lesson and a real unlock of the fretboard! Seems like a change of paradigma…
I can’t get enough of that and your way of tasteful teaching.
So stay healthy and keep on going!
Best wishes from Dortmund
Michael B.
A great lesson Brian, I’m blinded by the light bulb…with so many take-aways. I’m with Ian M, how about another lesson on the middle strings?
Brian,
This lesson is HUGE. Fantastic to have all of this together in one lesson rather than picking up little pieces randomly. The PFDs are great for future reference. Please do a similar lesson for double stops. AM, Brian, is the best! Thank you.
Brian,
This is a very useful lesson and looks to be most exciting as you say. I have just listened to the first part and realize that it I was able to preempt much of what you were about to say and so it switches on a searchlight power bulb in all ways. I had instinctively gained lots of scattered bits of this knowledge picked up in many of your other lessons. But here you have bundled it all into the one and made it clear.
Lessons here don’t get any better. However if I say that next week you will surprise us all again with another switch on cast elsewhere!
So congratulations the lesson subject and clarity is a musical gold mine. And you have created a perfect focus with all the aids.
Thanks JohnStrat
Hi Brian
This is just another Great lesson . Most of my life I have played Rhythm Guitar, so I think in bar or full cord shapes most of the time. Recently I have started playing
lead guitar with a band and it’s like a whole new world , this opens the whole neck up to move easily and quickly . I can only agree with everyone else, definitely more
lessons like this.
Kerry
YES! This lesson has lit up a lot of bulbs for me!
SO, YES. To a 6ths and 3rds lesson! Using 1&2, 2&3, 1&3, and 2&4 would be awesome!! ALSO, a triads lesson that might include triads on strings 2, 3, and 4.
One other thing to mention, I really like the jam tracks. I will download them, and import them into my DAW (Studio One) Once I have them in S1, I can change the tempo for practicing. Unfortunately, your definition of a “slow version” is still usually faster than I can play!
Thanks for all you do Brian!!
Thanks for another great lesson Brian. Your patient explanations are so eye opening and these triad diagrams are extremely helpful too. So many light bulbs lite up from this lesson I can’t say enough.
Thanks again
Ray P
Thirty seconds into the video, I paused, and added it to my favorites. Would enjoy a lesson of triads on other strings. Thanks.
I’m running out of superlatives! I keep thinking that you’ve produced the ultimate lesson yet you keep topping yourself. And this is EXACTLY where I am in my development.
Thanks again Brian. This stuff is life changing!
So a F6 and G9 are the same triad? So I guess you choose depending on the key?
Depends on the chord underneath it. Go to 6:18 in the Part 1 video.
Hi Brian,
I’m trying to apply it to 1564 proggression in the key of C.
What triad should I use over the 6 chord in this case Am?
I was hanging out for this week’s lesson, kept checking, and I wasn’t disappointed. What a Great lesson, so much info, with a beautiful, gentle composition. You never cease to amaze us, and you get us all fired up every week Thanks Brian.
This is what we really needed,excellent lesson.Thank you Brian for trying to make us good Guitar Player.The Idea for a lesson on harm.6th and 3rds would also be appreciated.
greetings from Austria.Erwin
Added to favourites!!! This lesson’s what I’ve been looking for soo long. Theory stuff that makes so much fun!
I’ve been with AM now for 2 weeks and I am learning soo much more than with my former guitar teacher. No comparison. I like the way of your teaching, the videos, the slow w. t. and the tabs. I can’t ask for more!
Thank you Brian
Denise
Great lesson, Brian. BTW, is that a 1950’s era Gibson ES -125 arch top electric that you’re playing in this lesson? I don’t recall seeing that one on any of your previous videos. Charley D.
I’ll be channeling my inner Charlie Sexton y’all!
“Love And Theft” with Zimmie
That is syrup
yup yup…
6 to 9 always be “Sooo- What” from Miles Davis
Excellent lesson Brian. Crystallises so many other learnings.
Excellent lesson, Brian!!! Thank you! It’s like a masters-level hack for learning guitarists. I feel like you just showed me how to do a magic trick on the guitar, especially when connecting the lead phrases to the chord shapes. I want to be able to see the fretboard the way you see it. Please add a lesson for the two string, harmonized 3rd/6th.
I have a stack of Hal Leonard guitar books at least a foot high. I have learned more from Brian and this excellent site than all of them put together. Thanks Brian.
There is one guitar book that I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about triads. Its called “Triads for the Rock Guitarist” by Dave Celentano. It is an excellent book and resides in a place of honor-on top of the foot high stack. I refer back to it often.
These specialty lessons with the focus on the subject matter (triads) not only unlock the fretboard but open up a new understanding to another level with the bonus being a great composition to play. Appreciate the clarity given on the content and the extra work to provide the resources that will add greatly to the recent EP356 triads on 2,3,4 strings. Yes please for a specialty lesson on harmonized 6th and 3rds.
Ok so The G6 at the 3,5,4 frets. If you take that shape and slide it to first position it is also a Dm. It is also a Em at the 3rd fret using the Dm shape? So would it be true that 6 chord can also function as a relative minor chord? Or am I over thinking it?
At around 4:50 in part 1, he starts off wanting to show 3 voicing’s for an Em chord. Then, around 6:10 he starts explaining the reason for learning the minor chords, is because those are also the relative major chord’s 6 chord. So, I guess you’re right. That Dm chord shape can function as a 6 chord, or THAT chords, relative minor.
But I’m looking at it a little different. Since I know I want to play a G6 chord, I’m seeing the root (G) at e3. Roots on the e string are either a G shape, or an E shape chord. So, starting with the E shape G chord, I derive the 6 chord by moving the B3 (5th) up 2 frets to the B5 (6th). Keep the G4 (3rd), and you have a 6 chord.
For the stair step shape 6 chord, I see that as being derived form a D shape chord (the root on the B string), again by moving the 5th up 2 frets to a 6th, For the A shape 6 chord (root on the G string), you are again moving the 5th up 2 frets to a 6th,
Thanks for the answer. I will have to review it with my guitar in hand to.make sense of it.
NIce. Your reply has cleared some doubts I had. I still don’t understand why some are calle G9. I think I understand that the G6 is called that because it is the relative minor of G, so Em. What I don’t undersstand is why when we slided it a tone down it becomes a G9. a G9 should be an Am, not a Dm. I’d appreciate if you or anyone owuld clarify that for me. Cheers!
Sure! Consider I-Major, ii-minor, iii minor, IV-Major, V-Dom 7th, VI-minor (relative minor of the Major chord), VII-half diminished. So when accompanying in any tune, use the Pentatonic minor scale of the key and improvise. I had to work at it a bit, but after using bends, pull offs etc., you’ll be amazed how good you’ll sound. To find the relative minor of any key, e.q. see the C on the 1st string, 8th fret and back up three frets to the A on the 5th fret 1st string, that’s your relative minor. Then using the 5 positions of the Pentatonic minor, you’re off to the races. Good Luck.
Jim K
Another great lesson keep the great work up! Love the latest styles of music your are providing.
Thanks
straight to the favorites. lots there to think about. thanks so much Brian. stay well
I spent 30 minutes playing with the major scale to help get familiar with finding the relative minor. It finally hit me that I can simply find the major scale root note on the A string and back up three frets to find the minor scale key. I’m sure that’s a well known method, but it was a eureka moment for me.
What I did Brian was,I started compiling all the riffs and licks from the lessons I loved and I started playing in different scales.Very fast way to learn and memorise.Thank you so much.I would love to see follow up lesson on harmonic third or sixth and how to go about it.Namaste from Nepal.And really appreciate your hard work for make us understand what guitar is all about.
Another great lesson. Yes I would be interested in a two string lesson and also another followup using the 4-3-2 string triands.. Light bulbs are going off all over the place for this old guy.
I’m a beginner. So what’s everybody so excited about?
SUPER BRIAN ! this made me dust off the guitar and gave me the motivation I needed too
start again,,,,,, love the the bluesy jazz feel THANK YOU !!!!
Brain,
Thank you for a excellent lesson your style of teaching is spot on.
Brian – Thank you!!!! I’m really excited and inspired to learn this material and apply it. Hearing someone talk about 6 chords and 9 chords was the equivalent for me of listening to someone talking Algebra equations when I was 14 years old. … intimidating topic until you have a good teacher break it down in simple terms. (and I’m actually became pretty good at Algebra, so I’m hoping that this lesson and my ability to learn …..translates into my guitar playing / creativity getting a lot better!)
Great lesson!
Cory
Thanks so much, Brian! This is extremely useful. The one thing I add to this in my own mind is where the root in each triad is. First string, second string, third string. The root changes as you go up the neck. (all except the 7 voicings!) It seems so simple but this helps me retain and also informs single note playing. Rather than playing shapes, this lesson helps me understand and also changes note locations on the fretboard from rote memory to conceptual understanding.
Brilliant lesson!
Greg
Each week you continue to provide wonderful lessons that teach and challenge. This is outstanding – I’ve always wanted to grasp triads. Thank you.
Hi Brian,
I wouldn’t say this is the best lesson you’ve done, but it is something I have wanted to learn for years. If you can do more in this vein, I’m sure we will all appreciate it. Thanks for all your hard work, and I look forward to your next lesson.
P.S. Haven’t seen that Byrdland in a while. Maybe you can do a lesson on it sometime.
Ryan
Hi Ryan
I’m a brand new premium member, and I think this lesson is amazing. What’s a short list or even just one lesson you think is better? Thanks.
Sid
Hi Brian,
Thank you for this one. It is really interesting as always. By the way it could be nice to have a lesson like that on the SIXTH.
Wow, it’s like the movie the Matrix where Neo sees the code. Your lessons are so revealing Brian! Thanks again for simplifying the fretboard.
Dear Brian
Wonderful – not too elaborate, not too laborious – just wonderful. Very refreshing, my friend.
All the best to you and family.
Greetings from sunny Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Question… For the dominant 7 triads, there seems to be some variance in the intervals of the notes in the different positions. They all have the b7th, but the other 2 notes vary between root, major 3rd and perfect 5th notes. It seems that the b7th note provides the flavour as these triads are played over the major chord progression so the other notes of the triad can vary among the other notes of a dominant 7 chord; 1, 3, 5, b7. Are the notes included in each position, other than the b7, chosen for an easier grab of the triad?
Luv this video, finally making headway with triads.
That is a good question! However, if you look close, only the G7 in measure 16 is “different”. The C7 in measure 18 and the G7 in measure 24, are the standard D7 shape. The C7 in measure 22 is the standard A7 shape. That “different” G7 in measure 16 is explained starting around 3:06 in video 2. At around 3:25, he walks the G note at G12 down to the b7 at G10, then barres fret 10, and plays the 3rd at B12. He does admit it is “different” than he showed (in video 1) you would could play a 7th chord.
Awesome lesson! I love when I can understand what I am doing and why.
Hi all,
Who want a lesson like this on the SIXTH?
That really worked for me Brian; that is your simpler package idea on just three strings. I need to crawl, a lot. The premium video answered some confusing questions I had about fitting the 6, 9 and dom7 triads into the progression.
Harmonized 6th’s and harmonized 3rd’s, I’ve been trying to wrap my head around harmonizing chords, would really like to see your lesson, thanks Brian
Another incredible lesson. I always feel like I’m just spending time with Brian, and he’s teaching me exactly the way I need it. I want a cool sounding tune, and I want to understand how it works. I never get overwhelmed with these lessons because Brian picks the perfect amount of information, is always consistent with the terminology and is just a natural teacher. It’s such a pleasure to spend time with someone like that… even if it’s just through a video!
Today I heard something interesting… I’ve gotten a few other clues before… “adding a new variable”. OK, that’s exactly how we engineers think and talk. I’m starting to wonder if Brian is an engineer, and good at math. Maybe that’s why I feel like he’s speaking directly to me.
Finally, there is another youtube video that was a real eye opener to me. I’m always looking for that logical, simple way to understand guitar music theory. This youtube video showed how there are really only two chord shapes, and the 1,3,5 notes therefore only have two shape options. Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n_G6TuIZ5c&list=PLiYP5lAo2Jmz6nGZiQNw8AbnM7LRaIPb9&index=2 (this is part of a whole series on chords… you might need the intro also)
Brian. This was just great. Very informative, however not too difficult though.
This is exactly what I wish to see, practical theory bits to take into use immediately.
Thank you so much.
Another great lesson! Thanks!
Super helpful.. I never guessed that this would be so “easy”.. it’s still a lot of work to learn and practice all this stuff, but your explanation is great.
Thanks Brian.
D shape G to E shape G on premium lesson at7:30, just taught Soul Man by Sam and Dave. Very Cool!
Another favourite.
Hi Brian- You commented that if the interest was out there you would do a lesson on harmonized 3rds and 6ths (majors and minors). That indeed is something I would welcome a good lesson on. Hope you receive enough requests for this do put a dynamite lesson together explaining and demonstrating them…as well as a composition to play them in context.
Many Thanks
Michael
I was just noticing the guitar you are playing in this lesson. It looks similar to my 1957 Gibson ES 225 T which my dad bought for me in approximately 1959. Mine still looks like new and plays great. Thank you for all the great lessons.
Sir, this lesson is just excellent. The light is still less than full brightness, but it’s coming on with your patient and clear instruction. And I’m still on the first part video. Really outstanding. Thank you.
Invaluable Guitar Food for the Brain. Thanks Brian!
OMG! Light Bulbs Galore. Thanks so much. I have been working on Double Stops and Triads all month and EP362 and 363 were a great help.
Learnin stuff. Makin progress. Thanks Brian.
Absolute classic lesson!
Brian, I’m enjoying this lesson and the following lesson (363). In this lesson, the G9 that you play with one finger on the 10th fret has the notes D, A, and F. No G and no B I would normally see this a Dm chord, but we can call this “G9 without the root and without the 3rd.” Is that how you see it? That seems to open up a whole box of alternate chords. Thank you. I think your lessons are the best around, and you’re an exceptional teacher.
Bryan,
I am a new member, and am primarily a Travis picker who has played in mostly the first position for years. These lessons are really helping me play up the neck, and I am now starting to develop little solo breaks for songs that I have been playing for years. I still use a thumb pick and nails, so when I learn your compositions, they sound more in my style, but to me, that is a good thing. Roy Bookbinder once told me that your left hand is for what you learn, and your right hand is who you are.
Thanks for what you do.
Ted
Good suggestions Brian. I’ve been playing those six string chords for quite awhile, but getting older, it’s challenging to stretch from the 5th fret to the 9th fret for those Major seventh chords. Thanks for the courses.
Jim K
This is the lesson I have been looking for since I started trying to play. Every teacher want you to master “cowboy” chords and barred chords before you learn anything else. I have small hands and this compliments those playing full chords.
thanks, Bill
I have problems with learning your compositions because they’re not familiar to me. Teach us some songs that we have heard before. Classical Gas or Boogie Woogie or something that is familiar to us.
Agreed with evryone. Awesome good lesson. Love the tips and ur way of keeping it simple and digestable.
I have a question. So far we ve been concentrating on the minor and major pentatonics. This lesson seems to be a different way of approaching solos. How do the patterns here relate to the major and minor pentatonic scales?
Thanks.
Great information! thank you. My mind is trying to understand the concept of the 9 chord of the “G Family” can’t light the bulb of moving down 2 frets and getting the 9 chord. A little assistance please. i.e . 1G – 2Am – 3Bm – 4C – 5D – 6Em – 7F#dim – 8G? – 9Am?
Gold ! Thanks a bunch ! (From Brasil)…
Please Help me here/hear. I see the G6 triad would be notes A#, D, E,,, what would be a D minor chord pattern with index finger on the 1 string 6th fret. Were as the Em triad is G, B, E , a D minor pattern at the 3rd fret 1st string. But your separate diagrams show the G6 and Em triads both being played at the same location, with what appears to be the same notes …getting confused!
Those grey cells of yours are amazing Brian.
Really love this one !
I can’t believe I’m actually playing this. Slowly of course. But it’s coming together. It may take me awhile to try it in other keys.
Fantastic lesson Brian. I learned so much from this. A lot of light bulb moments in here. Thank you. So glad I signed up for premium membership.
triad lessons are my favorite
Brian, I’m not sure if you’ll see this bc it’s an older lesson, but I just want to say thank you!!! Wow, there is so much in here that I thought I knew or maybe just tended to overlook bc the simplicity of it, but was sadly mistaken. Once I got the original tune down in the key of G, I transposed to A and ——BAM—- light bulbs!! I can’t wait to dive into the next one ( harmonized 3rds/6ths) which is what I was originally looking for. Thanks so much!!!
new member here, Just wanted to say that your style of teaching and those jam tracks are off the hook!!! just downloaded all the pdf’s for this wonderful lesson, starting a binder with all the Active Melody notes and tabs and stuff. Thanks once again.
I have a suggestion; if possible in the future. The shapes on the pdf, instead of faceless colored circles, the have the degree number in them. I know you’re trying to keep it simple but seeing the root, 3rd, 5th position etc. would be helpful. Thanks, Absolutely love the site
Wow, as a beginner I had to watch this several times to get the triads. So much information here nearly blew my mind. I am able to make some of the connections.
Thank you Brian!
Hi brian, , im new here and also at guitar ,ive just started to learn the basic chords a,b,c,d,e,f,g in minor and major ive subscribed for a year to learn music and play licks, but as soon as someone starts to move these chord shapes up the neck im totally confused, ive looked at this video a few times and im still clueless im 62 years old ,,,,,maybe ive left it too late, kind regards stephen.
Brian I have really enjoyed your EP362 Triad chord shapes lesson,it has opened up new ideas, I thank you.I must say during this pandemic I really have gotten into your lessons and I sure enjoy it.Stay safe. Dave S
I’ve been “faking” T-Bone Walker’s Stormy Monday for years. After completing EP362, I went at it with a totally new vocabulary. Couldn’t put my guitar down. OMG!
RF
To hear what you can do with this, check out Ronnie Earl’s Pastorale. On Spotify at: spotify:album:2DDjoWNGxn5a1D1q3pIpag
Just gorgeous.
Thank you so, Brian!
Hi Brian only recently became a Premium member so glad Idid.You have a great way of explaining whats going on and the jam tracks and PDF’s are so helpful.
Thanks Brian
For example, when I compare the 9 and 6 Triads, the A9 and G6 Chord are in the same position. I do not understand this! How is this to be explained?
When Brian explains the major and minor triads he says they are the D shape, A shape, and E shape for the Major chords
and Dm shape, Am shape, and Em shape for the Minor chords. When he explains the Dominat 7 chord he only explains the D7
shape. Does anyone know what the other two shapes are?
Thanks
Check out EP362 – (link in the description) – I have a PDF file that shows the dominant 7 triads
Actually I’m on EP362 and I have a copy of the dominant 7 triads PDF.
The blue colored shape looks to be a D7 shape but the red and black colored
shapes I’m not about. The black colored shape looks to an A7 shape?
Thanks
Excellent . Lots of very valuable thoughts. Learn a lot. Thanks
Super Great- to take it a step further I used “Neck Diagrams” and added the intervals in the shapes.
Brian- to add to this, how about adding the mixolydian diagrams or do a part B segment and do the overlays you did on the YouTube lesson not that long ago.
This would be a great road to stay on for a while.