Recently joined a soul pop band. It has two keyboardist, bass, another guitar, vocalist, two back up singers, and they’re talking about adding a horn section. I’ve found single notes and two to three note chords are the only ones that don’t muddy up the mix.

Here is how I approached chords: 1. Learn CAGED (Both Major and Minor) 2. Learn movable sus2 and sus4 on 6th, 5th and 4th string 3. Learn movable add9 chords on 6th, 5th and 4th string 4. Learn diminished chords on 6th, 5th and 4th string 5. Learn 7th chords on 6th, 5th and 4th string (Major, Minor, Dominant, m7b5, diminished, minor-major 7th) 6. Learn shell chords of 7th chords on 6th & 5th string (Just for Major, Minor, Dominant only) a) learn to locate 9th, 13th and 11th intervals at lower string frets to build fancy jazz chords (ex. Dominant 9th, M13b9, etc.) Extra Steps you might want to take: 7. Learn 6th chords (Major & Minor) on 6th, 5th and 4th string 8. Learn drop 2 voicings for 7th chords on 5th fret (for Major, Minor and Dominant) 9. Learn drop 3 voicings for 7th chords on 6th fret (for Major, Minor and Dominant) Even if you learn up to step 6, you know about 90% of the chords used in modern popular music. And it only took me about 3-4 months to get up to step 6... I am sure ya'll can learn them much faster than I do

As a hobbiest who messes around in my free time writing songs on guitar, these types of videos are super helpful for me as I have little understanding of music theory and do most of my writing by ear. Definitely appreciate your insight and mini lessons you throw out there, thanks a bunch!

Loved the vibe of this video. Seemed more like your friend showing you a bit of his “style” after you asked “Hey I like what you were doin there, where did that come from?” And less like a tutorial.

I’m 43 and 3 years into slowly teaching myself guitar. I played drums and bass up into my 20s and regretted not picking up guitar or really understanding theory. My bass playing was more like timpani. I love most of your videos, you’re a refreshing presence in the guitar community. But these “playing” ones create so many aha moments for me. And it finally suckered me in to buying the CAGED course 😂. I’m still a “bedroom” (home office) player and mostly noodle, but I’m totally going to start a rock band when I grow up.

Not going to lie, I listened to the first 30 seconds before zoning out and just staring longingly at the Novo. Such a beautiful guitar!

Love this type of video from your channel! It's great that you shed a little light on some great techniques, while still plugging your courses to learn more. Keep it up!

I am playing guitar for 5 years and my mind is blown by these simple ideas! Thanks :)

That’s helpful. I play in a Cajun band that doesn’t have a bassist but has two guitars. Melody is fiddle and sometimes Cajun accordion. My role is to cover tempo on a low root while offering something beyond the cowboy chords the other guitar covers. This gives me some ideas to explore, ways to offer something more to the mix while staying true to my role in the band.

You Just gave away in an easy to understand 10 min video some of the best kept secrets to guitar playing that took myself and probablymany others years to figure out

I sing along with my acoustic- that’s just two voices and I still end up removing guitar bits so it doesn’t compete. I’ve pulled whole chords from my current piece. I don’t need to play the same notes I’m singing. I think on my next piece I’m going to follow Rhett’s advice and thin out some more chords.

Thank you. I have often watched your videos and tried to figure out why your index finger was waiving around while you were playing a G chord. Now I know. I'll sleep better tonight!

Really like this sort of lesson/content on expanding and exploring different chord options. Best guitar tutorial video I have watched all month 🙌 Going to spend my weekend practicing this.

I still remember when I was learning the first chords on small Beatles magazines and trying different variations. Theory is fine, but exploring the guitar neck with your fingers is the best trip ever.

Very good points! With the open G, I learned to mute the A from Justin Sandercoe of Justin Guitar several years ago. It was the best advice I got as a beginner. It’s both easier to play and sounds better. The only time I play the A string is if I want to quickly turn it into a Sus chord as a quick embellishment. But by and large, I muted the string. I actually have trouble with Barre chords because of my disabilities. I often replace them with power chords or use less fingers. I guess I was finding a natural solution that was helping me make guitar more accessible- but it often really does sound better anyway. I really should pay more attention to alternate fingering options!

You litterally just blew my mind. This was so helpful and so well detailed. No one talks about this. I've been trying for years to crack the code on how to "break" chord shapes, i do it sometimes but i don't really know what i'm doing. And you just explained it in 5 minutes.

I love this tutorial... I’ve been playing the same chord shapes for years... I've heard about inversions... but you really made a solid case for simplified inversions... also the 10th and 6th shapes... they just SOUND incredible! The way you presented this makes it click in for me. Thanks you for your step by step guidence through these ideas. Well done friend!

Honestly, this approach has been how I've been looking at guitar for years. I break things down, using bit and pieces of the common cowboy and barre chords (especially working up different voicings in CAGED shapes). Working in a duo with another guitarist is my way of working on live improve, from soloing and working out better rhythm accompany with another chordal instrument.

This is exactly the type of thing for chords I was looking for because I have a severed tendon on the index finger of my fretting hand, so making some chords is difficult, but triads and power chords are playable.

Well I've only been playing guitar for 60 years and I've learned some new things today. 🤘

An early part of classical music theory is doing four part harmonisations (often in the style of Bach). And one of the key things is: don't double the third (except when you do). So yes, in your first example there are two Bs in the G chord - the one on the A string and the open B. That will muddy the sound up. Octaves & fifths are perfect intervals. Also you Csus2/sus4, the 2nd & 4th are a long way from the third so not dissonant. Makes total sense.

Dammit, I paid for 6 strings, I'm gonna play all 6.

That guitar sounds beautiful! LOVE the tone!

I enjoyed this video I understand now, and yes, I like to learn things myself, but I now have an explanation for myself so I can keep on learning the things you have just taught me

Been in Nashville about 4 years now. This video explained in a few minutes something it took a few years for me to start figuring out on my own

Bro simplest open G chord, is just middle finger on the low E string, which also mutes the A, which also mutes the hi E . You end up with G, D, G, B. Potent, very power-chord sounding yet it's still major. Play that through distortion YUMMY!! One finger 'n that's it OHHHHHHH yEAHHHH :)

After 20 years of playing guitar I, thankfully, already know all of these things but this is a great resource. There are so many little things to have in your bag of tricks as a guitarist and all of these ones are foundational. I'll be sharing this with friends who are working to get to the next level. Thanks!

Wait a minute! At 2:20 i take issue with what you said. It's not because it's a 3rd that it "muddies" the sound! It's because it's a lower octave! A 3rd doesn't muddy the sound, that's the "emotive" tone. Similarly, at 3:30 I agree that you don't need the tone played with your pinky in that C shape. But it's not because of the reasons you're stating, it's because you don't need to play bass notes on lead guitar. You're stepping all over the bass player and other instruments. That's why lead guitarists play diads & Triads using the thinner strings. Sometimes you want to play a lower tone, but often not. Usually your choice of what string to play is based on the timbre you want. But the lower strings of chords are not played.

I’ve been teaching how to play G like you did in the intro for years now, happy to see I’m not the only one.

I only agree to this in a band context, propably rock. For acoustic music there is nothing wrong with bass notes or the major third in a Gmajor. It brings the warmth and emotion. I play guitar 40 years and composed some hundred songs and I know what I'm talking about. Good day.

Great suggestions to be able to add to a blend without sounding redundant or muddy. So many chord variations for me to learn!

If someone is already playing the basic chords, your approach to playing variations and alternate voicings is also a great approach to playing lead phrases over those chords...as scales tie exactly to those chords. It would be cool to see a "part II" video for this where you do just that.

Bringing it all together in one clear and simple video, Rhett! I have a student who is trying to play electric guitar stepping up from strumming cowboy chords on acoustic- I couldn't have taught a better lesson than this.

Every time I watch one of Rhett's videos, it makes me wish that David Gilmour had a youtube channel in the 70s 🥰 Great work, Rhett 👍🎵🎶🎸

I remember growing up listening to Tony Mottola, my dad’s favorite guitarist. Now there was a player who had an uncanny ear for beautiful chords. One listen to his rendition of Stardust speaks volumes. I wish I had 1/100 of his talent for chord voicings.

Good stuff Rhett! When I play with my old guy band (which has like 4 guitar players) I do these kind of revoicings of chords to avoid mush and (paradoxically?) to stand out more.

This Changed everything for my approach to chords. thanks

Love the way u present ideas on the guitar Really ready to understand the fretboard better and your videos are so on track Thanks

Thanks Rhett. This lesson really helped me see chords in a different way. It opened up a lot of doors for me to explore and challenge myself to get out of that same old 6 string barre chords I have been playing for 30 years. I signed up for the caged course. Looking forward to it.

Thank you, this has given me a lot of new perspectives.

These are very helpful suggestions and a great demo. For the past year I have been experimenting with using all different chords (open, barre, triads) and various positions up and down the neck to get more, what I call flavor, in my playing. I don't have a theory background, so you can imagine that there is a lot of terrible sounding efforts, but every now and then I come up with a beauty of a progression. I was a little surprised to watch and find that I was doing a lot of what you suggested, just because it sounded good to my ear and was interesting to try. I'm glad you promote the CAGED system, because that was my actual jumping off point, to go from beginner and onto better playing overall, years ago. Subbed with appreciation for your well developed channel.

Thank you Rhett!

This fits so well for the role I've taken on in a group, great video!

Great video, dude! Thanks a lot!

Jazz calls this “shell voicings.” ☝️🤓

I am definitely investing in your guitar courses as soon as I get paid. I thoroughly enjoy your videos and guitar playing. Thank you, sir.

This opened my eyes to some other chord voicing options that I wasn’t fully aware of. Now, I have to learn more about where the notes are on the neck so I can figure out how to play a suspended or augmented or a 10th chord.

What a great video! I just purchased your caged course about a week ago and this is a great accompaniment video! It helped me to experience many aha moments !

Love to buy your CAGED course BUT it insists on me adding my home details and paying for overseas shipping🤷‍♂️

Over years of playing live, I picked up a lot of these stylistic alternatives. Thanks for the informative video! I can finally put a bit of theory behind what I've figured out

This did a nice job of reinforcing and adding some depth to ideas I've kind of just been stumbling into. My experience with trying to come up with chords/progressions is very... freeform. Usually "start with power chord, start adding/removing shit, moving it around, finding it elsewhere, and hope it eventually sounds the way I want it to". Those giant barre chords, let me tell you, are complete perfection if you want to write anything with a black metal tinge to it.

Forgot the link to the inverted chord video, at least I didn’t see it when you pointed to the corner of the screen. I’ve seen it, it’s great and I saved it, but thought you should know. Your content is still great as always and much appreciated.

Thanks man, good paced explanations.

Very well taught and conveyed. Got a few nuggets out of this one.

Great video, so helpful.

Super helpful. Thanks!

Outstanding Youngster. Alot offerings

Well done sir!

First of all great video. Secondly, the colors on this video are outstanding. Don’t know if it’s color graded but ❤

Great stuff ! Thx Rhett

You're good : ) I actually understood that. Normally i'd be lost halfway through.

That is a very nice sounding guitar!. About chords. I like Robben's approach in not playing the tonic because the bass player is taking care of that. Makes the rhythm guitar sit nicely in the mix.

Thanks, you made things clearer 👍👍

Rhett Very nice and simple Thanks

It's crazy how we naturally gravitate toward playing in certain ways. I've been playing guitar for 28 years, but I'm entirely self taught and just noodle around most of the time. Before watching your channel I didn't really know squat about music theory (and let's face it, I still don't...Dave Grohl said its ok, lol) but I figured out the simplification technique on my own before I even knew it was a thing, and that's exactly how I play. Example, I play "I will follow you into the dark" by DCFC in a completely different way compared to how Ben Gibbard plays it live, but it still sounds pretty close. On electric, same thing. My G chord is identical to yours. It's fascinating, the little nuggets we pick up over the years. Might need to check out that course of yours, though...My 16 year old son also started when he was 12, and is far and away a better guitarist than I am at this point. 😂 Edit: Only $29 for the full CAGED course?? That's a no-brainer for me. Purchased, can't wait to take a look!

Thanks so much for this.

Thanks Rhett, really enjoyed this. Picked up some cool voicings that I'm definitely going to use!

Great video Rhett, and I'm listening to that chord progression, and the light bulb goes off: Brett Young's "Dance With You."

Awesome video! Fantastic info and very “usable.” Also, love the guitar. Beautiful piece.

Cool. Just what I needed.

Great video as always. I always enjoy videos like these.

Find the bass note and jive. Always got me by.

What a great video! You explained some fairly complex ideas in a concise and easy to understand format. Thanks!

Great topic! I love the "Malcolm Young G5 power chord"... the 3rd on the 5th string does muddy the sound. Never thought of it that way. I am working on fast bluesy progression where I slide into the 1 & 6 string G's from the F, play the low G on the 6th string, the low B flat (flat 3rd) on the 6 string, and then play my chord as this G5. The notes on the 6 string thus walk up to my chord and the flat 3rd from the minor pentatonic/blues scale gives me the quality (minor) in the movement to the chord.

Your best video so far, mate, great content!

Great video! This is a Worship guitar tutorial. I needed this to help add some variety to my chore voicings.

Good one Rhett🎉

Completly clear ... and touching the exact point where I am

Nice picking!

Really awesome video, this kind of thing is so helpful! Will be working on some of these ideas to take to the local jam sessions, cheers Rhett!

That was really helpful. Thanks for the video.

Thank you Rhett for sharing your experience. With this wisdom, I will be a better guitar player/musician.

This was a fantastic explanation. You are very good at simplifying these musical concepts.

When I test a guitar for the first time? Always unplugged. An open G strummed pretty hard but only with the low G and either the high D or high G usually not both. IMHO you can tell volumes about a guitar from that. Great video.

Rhett please do a guitar collection video. I’ve seen you play some cool things and I need to know what you still have. What’s yours and what is on an extended holiday from a company that you we’re supposed to send back, but they never asked about it???

Fun - you have me somethings to work on... thanks!😅

Not sure if this is a new style or something but I really like your style of instruction. Keep it up, Rhett!

That's why I migrated from the guitar (which I now use only for solos) to the baritone ukulele

Extremely well done and thank you for what you do!!

Normally I am a quiet subscriber but this was again sooo cool thank you Rhett!❤

So, is the point that you should go with chord variations that are exclusively “brighter” to stand out in the mix of other instruments?

Good lesson Rhett, thanks.

This was a good one

Your point’s well made although Brian Jones & Lennon preferred full 6 string barre chords.

Awesome explanation excellent work! Totally appreciate it!

Thanks!

I hope one day I have this information on tap. Seems like a long way off but we just have to keep playing!

Yeh sometimes throw in the higher strings on an upstroke of a bar chords .starting to get a feel for rhythm with left hand mute and the right hand keeping a steady beat took months 😂 but was worth it .cheers look forward to next dipped in tone

Please please please keep doing videos like this

I love that pink sparkle guitar! Also the tips! :)