Hybrid
Guitar Chords

If the bass note of a guitar slash chord is not a part of the basic chord, then this is sometimes known as a hybrid chord. The notes of the basic chord are heard in relationship to the bass note, and the bass note is considered the root. These types of chords usually imply much more complicated chord structures. Writing them as a slash chord is sometimes just a simple way to get a complex sound.

Here is an example of a hybrid chord. D/C could be considered a D7/C, a 3rd inversion D7 chord. But depending on the context your ear may not hear this chord in that way. As a hybrid chord, you will hear the C as the root, the D as a 9, the F as a 11, and the A as a 13. If you don't understand what that means at the moment, just think of it as a really complicated chord. As you learn more about music theory and chord construction, this will more sense.

Here is how to play a D/C chord.

The D note on the 4th string open and the C on the 5th string clash against each other. This is why you want to mute the 4th string in this case.

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