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  Theory
Chord Construction - 3 Note Chords - Part 3


Converting basic major barre chords
(root on the 5th string)

C
(root 5th string)

Note that I have also indicated the G(5) note on the 1st string below. While often this note is left out in the most common fingering for a major barre chord with the root on the 5th string, it is important to know that is there as a possibility.

 

 

 |(G)|---|---|---| 5 -1st string
 |---|---|-E-|---| 3
 |---|---|-C-|---| 1
 |---|---|-G-|---| 5
 |-C-|---|---|---| 1
X|---|---|---|---|  -6th string
   |
  3rd fret

Cm
(root 5th string)

To alter C to Cm, lower the E(3) on the 2nd string down to
Eb(b3).

 |-G-|---|---|---| 5 -1st string
 |---|-Eb|---|---| b3
 |---|---|-C-|---| 1
 |---|---|-G-|---| 5
 |-C-|---|---|---| 1
X|---|---|---|---|  -6th string
   |
  3rd fret

C+
(root 5th string)

For C+ you are going to raise the G(5) on the 5th string up to G#(#5). Here we are just going to leave out the 1st string.

X|---|---|---|---|   -1st string
 |---|---|-E-|---| 3
 |---|---|-C-|---| 1
 |---|---|---|-G#| #5
 |-C-|---|---|---| 1
X|---|---|---|---|  -6th string
   |
  3rd fret

Co
(root 5th string)

To alter C to CO, lower the E(3) on the 2nd string down to
Eb(b3). And lower the G(5) on the 4th string down to Gb(b5). Again I have left out the first string.

X|---|---|---|---|  -1st string
 |---|-Eb|---|---| b3
 |---|---|-C-|---| 1
 |---|-Gb|---|---| b5
 |-C-|---|---|---| 1
X|---|---|---|---|  -6th string
   |
  3rd fret

Csus2
(root 5th string)

To convert C to Csus2 lower the E(3) on the 2nd string down a whole step to D(2).

 |-G-|---|---|---| 5 -1st string
 |-D-|---|---|---| 2
 |---|---|-C-|---| 1
 |---|---|-G-|---| 5
 |-C-|---|---|---| 1
X|---|---|---|---|  -6th string
   |
  3rd fret

Csus4
(root 5th string)

To convert C to Csus4 raise the E(3) on the 2nd string up a half step to F(4).

 |-G-|---|---|---| 5 -1st string
 |---|---|---|-F-| 4
 |---|---|-C-|---| 1
 |---|---|-G-|---| 5
 |-C-|---|---|---| 1
X|---|---|---|---|  -6th string
   |
  3rd fret

 

Page 10, Converting basic major barre chords (root on the 6th string)

Page 12, Converting basic 3 note major chord shapes



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