When learning guitar, you’ll want to be able to know how to recognize & understand chord embellishments like C/B. Or possibly D/F#, Or F/C. Knowing how to recognize the chords that you might be looking at in a songbook or possibly in tabs on the internet is very important to be able to play a certain song. Or to possibly add note extensions to a particular chord.
Chord embellishment C/G
In the first chord diagram, we are playing a C major. A chord is one of the basic natural chord shapes in the guitar because it is so common in many songs. In this diagram, we are adding the G note on the 6th string to the C major chord. This adds a slightly different sound to the chord. It gives it a little “darker” tone in the base because you’re adding a lower note to the chord. You’re still playing a C major chord, you are just embellishing it to give it more character.
Chord embellishment D/F#
Here is another very common chord shape you will find in many songbooks and chord charts. The infamous D/F#. In this diagram, we have a D major chord with an F# added in the base. Here, we have a natural D chord shape on the second and third strings on the second and third frets. We then add an F# note on the second fret of the sixth string. Once again, this adds a “darker” tone to the chord.
The F# played over the D chord adds character and a different type of emotion to the chord voicing. If you just play D by itself, it can have a nice, bright nature l sound. But by adding the F# note embellishment, it adds a little bit of moody emotion. Which can be great for certain types of applications.
Watch the video lesson below
Chord embellishments add emotion
By understanding the notes that make up your chords, you can then add texture and emotion to your playing. Music has been known to move people. To make them display certain feelings. Excitement, joy, anger, sadness, etc. This can all be given recognition to the chords being constructed in the song.
Of course, there is more to it than that, but chords and how they are put together is a huge part of that feeling you get from music. That is why if you want to move people with your music, you should learn to understand the inner workings of chord construction and playing rhythm.
Don't let the leads overshadow the rhythm
This is an aspect that I think gets overshadowed by the lead guitar solo. For example,e as in AC/DC. Malcolm lays down the rhythm, and Angus plays the solo over the top. No, when you think AC/D, you picture Angus playing the hot lead guitar! Which he does quite well,l might add. But what is often overlooked is the fundamental rhythm that Malcolm is playing underneath.
A good lead guitar player needs to have a good sense of rhythm to play solos over the top. But it is even more important for the rhythm guitar player to create the emotion of the musical landscape that moves the listener. This can be seen very clearly in any AC/DC song. It can be seen in most rock songs in general.
Understanding music theory
Another great benefit of being able to recognize chord embellishments is a better understanding of music theory. Understanding music theory will open you up to a whole new world! A world of endless possibilities. Where the sky is the limit when it comes to musical composition. Where you’ll learn another sacred language that most guitar players have no idea about.
I say this because most guitar players don’t read sheet music and don’t take the time to learn how music theory works. They merely play by ear. This is good in its own right, but by being able to understand music theory, you’ll be able to soar above the crowd. You’ll be able to put notes together and know for sure that they will sound good. No fumbling around and guessing.
By knowing your notes (and if you don’t know this by now I highly suggest you get on the ball of learning them) you will be able to see where you can add notes to the chord or take notes away to create variations and alterations in the chord voicing.
Become a rhythm guitar-playing alchemist!
A rhythm guitar-playing alchemist. A person who studies the inner workings of properties. These people were scientists who attempted to turn lead into gold. By studying the properties that made up the metal, they felt they could alter the DNA and change the metal into something else. Gold!!
This is what musicians do. They figured outa way to turn lead into gold. Well actually Vynl is into gold but you know what I mean. Think about it, when an album sells 500,000 copies, it’s considered gold! If it sells a million copies, it’s considered platinum! See what I’m getting at?
A step-by-step method
In my humble opinion, I recommend you take some time to learn how chord embellishments work and use them in your music to create color and emotion. This will make your music more enjoyable to listen to and give you greater satisfaction as a guitarist.
If you’d like to learn more about chord embellishments, I recommend you check out the book I authored and self-published, Rhythm Guitar Alchemy.
Rhythm Guitar Alchemy is a comprehensive course on enjoying the fun of playing rhythm guitar and constructing guitar chords. It will lead you on a path to guitar chord mastery. It will teach you how to build and fully understand guitar chords in a simple step-by-step method.
Starting with the triad (three-note chord) and building up and out from there. Learn the foundation of the guitar chord, how to properly form it, what notes are needed for each key, and what’s necessary to create music with them.
Enhance your compositions
Learning to play guitar chords such as majors, minors, sus2, sus4, etc, can help enhance your acoustic guitar playing. This will give you a better understanding of the basics of chord theory, which can help your creative application to compositions.
Addional help avaialble
If you feel you could benefit from personal attention, I also offer private guitar instruction. Sessions that are one-on-one and cater to your interest and skill level. These can help you get your desired results faster and with more confidence. Just contact me through my website, and we'll set up a time to talk.
Until our next lesson, take care.
Sincerely, Dwayne Jenkins
