Click on any section:

• The two chord patterns of D and G

• Music is like a box of chocolates

• Time to hit'n'run!

• Playing blind



The two chord patterns of D and G ......................................... top

Chords like to hang around in families.
The head of the family decides who else will be in their family.

These are the chords with D as the head of their family
DEmF#mGABm

These are the chords with G as the head of their family
GAmBmCDEm

It’ll save you heaps of time if you learn these 8 chords from memory.

 2 keys x 6 chords = 8?!

Here are the 8 different chords in D and G for the keyboard.
Middle C is marked to help you find where to play each chord.
Try to use the thumb, middle and pinky fingers on your right hand.
And your thumb or index finger for the single note in the left hand.
Bend your knuckles so you play with your finger tips.

Now here are the 8 different chords in D and G for guitar.
Strings marked “x” aren’t played if you can avoid them.
(some people mark strings “o” for “open” if no fingers are stuck on them)

These are the fingers to use on each string. (1 is your index/pointer finger)
You can use different fingers if you want, but these will save you time learning other chords later on in the course. Strum down with your thumb.




And here are the 8 different chord notes in D and G for the bass.



And here’s how they look on the fretboard.
Anchor your thumb on, say, the pick up and pluck them with your pointer.
(it’s a good idea to learn F# in both spots right from the start)




Click here for your own copy of these chords for FREE.



Music is like a box of chocolates ............................................ top

The easiest way to learn all the chords in D is in a pattern
DABmF#mGDEmA

The easiest way to learn all the chords in G is in a pattern
GDEmBmCGAmD

There are stacks of ways to group these chords in different patterns. Different chord patterns make different songs.
These two patterns are variations on an old piece called Pachelbel's Canon, to help you practise every chord in D and G every time you play!

Click here to order CD 1, with a video showing how to play the chords.



Time to hit'n'run! ..................................................................... top

Make sure you can hit'n'run – play the chord once, lift it quickly and
find the next chord ready to play it on the 1 beat of the very next bar!

The most important beat to play in any song is where the chord
a. changes b. disappears c. tightens

As you become more confident, you can hold the note for longer
before playing the next chord.



Playing blind ............................................................................ top

Play a chord, sing its name and see its shape in your memory as you play it.
Out loud, say which fingers are on which notes.
Hear the chord playing in your memory.
Lift your fingers off slightly but freeze the chord shape.
That'll help to memory lock your muscles.
See and say each finger again.
OK?
Now put your fingers back on the chord again without looking.
Check how close you are.

It really gets your brain and your fingers working together quicker!
But keep at it - your fingers won't usually like these strange chord shapes.

Too many people take too long to learn the chords, because they forget to
a. play records b. play dough c. play blind
(and yep – the bass notes are much easier to remember)


Reckon you're ready to play the chords in a pattern?

Click here to play the chords in D for keyboard (or download them FREE)
Click here to play the chords in G for keyboard (or download them FREE)

Click here to play the chords in D for guitar (or download them FREE)
Click here to play the chords in G for guitar (or download them FREE)

Click here to play the chords in D for bass (or download them FREE)
Click here to play the chords in G for bass (or download them FREE)

Reckon you've got the hang of how to play each chord?
Click here to check you know the 8 chords on keyboard
Click here to check you know the 8 chords on guitar
Click here to check you know the 8 chord notes on bass

(but remember to build them just like the pikkies above!)

And now you know the chords, you're ready for the rock beat...

Click here for a FREE lesson on the rock beat ....................... top