2c with my first, second, and third fingers, you could instead use your second, third, and fourth fingers, or barre strings 2–4.Įxample 3 shows a C–G progression with an eighth-fret barre voicing for the C chord and a tenth-fret barre for the G chord, and Example 4a moves the G chord to the seventh position. Also, note that while I play the C chord in Ex. In Example 2b, the bottom note of the G chord is the third, B, and in Example 2c, the lowest note of the C chord is the fifth, G.
Notice that the lowest note isn’t always the root. Examples 2b and 2c use three-note voicings derived from the fuller chord in Ex. When you play Example 2a, keep your index finger barred across strings 5–1 at fret 3 that will make it efficient to switch between the two chords. The next few examples are based on C and G chord shapes in third position. Keep your fourth finger held down when switching between the C and G chords. To switch between these two chords more easily, you could also try fretting the G chord with your third finger on string 6, second on string 5, and fourth on string 1. For a smoother sound, you can play the C chord a G on string 1, rather than the open E ( Example 1b).
The WorkĮxample 1a shows the most common way to play a C–G progression, that is, with open voicings. In previous lessons you focused on single chords, but this time you’ll be working with two chords you already know-C and G-to play a very common progression in popular music.
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