With all the guitar chords and scales out there, it can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out which ones you truly need to know to get the most out of your instrument. And in the age of the internet, where an endless waterfall of information is at the tips of our fingers, finding a clear and concise answer can pose an even greater challenge.
This is exactly why we created the ultimate resource for guitarists that want to learn all the essential chords and scales in one place:
Hang it up on your wall and never forget how to play an essential chord or scale again!
This article is designed to go hand-in-hand with the Chords & Scales poster so you can see a high-quality, real-world example of every chord and scale. Use these links to jump to a section:
I. Open Chords
II. Bar Chords
III. Scales
IV. Modes
Here you’ll find videos on how to play all of the most important open chords. These are the best guitar chords for beginners, and essential for playing your favorite songs. Open chords can even be played all over the fretboard with the use of a capo — which is one of the best accessories for guitar players.
Bar chords require more strength and dexterity to play than open chords, but can be a particularly useful tool for playing chords in different keys. Learn how to play the ten most important bar chord shapes with these videos.
Guitar scales aren’t nearly as intimidating as many people think they are — and if you want to be able to rip a tasty solo, then you’ll need to know how to play a few. These seven scales are the most basic when it comes to playing lead guitar.
Take things a step further and learn about modes on the guitar. These more advanced scales are a great way to add soul and flavor to your solos while simultaneously deepening your understanding of music theory.
By using these videos along with your Chords & Scales poster, you’ll have a huge library of chords and scales to reference while you improve your guitar skills. If you haven’t picked up your poster yet, you can click here to buy one.
Andrew Clarke is a guitarist, educator, and content creator from Vancouver, Canada. He's best known for his YouTube channel, where he creates easy-to-follow guitar lessons and informative guitar gear videos. Andrew also manages The Riff.
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