Lesson 2b – Chord learning (Am) and chord joining routines-

2.4  Am Chord

Let’s take a break from the C chord and learn the Am chord.

2.4.1 Fingers

Please look at the shape and where each finger is placed. Play the chord in the following sequence:

Place your fingers in order

and ….

say aloud the fingers as you do so.

Say one and place your first finger down.

To do so you must have answered the question: What fret and what string does my first finger go on? In this case fret 1 string 2.

Let’s do it together.

Say two and place your second finger down.

To do so you must have answered the question: What fret and what string does my second finger go on? In this case fret 2 string 4.

Let’s do it together.

Note: Please make sure your first finger stays in place.

Say three and place your third finger down.

To do so you must have answered the question what fret and what string does my third finger go on.

Let’s do it together

Keep your fingers in place.

2.4.2  The bass

Name the bass of the chord

What is the bass of the Am chord ? a.  The bass is the name of the chord; on top of which we add more notes to compete the sound.

Where is the bass of the Am chord?

The bass is in the low register. This is the low part of the guitar. The bass can be an open string or a string I am pressing with my left hand.

So do I have a low open string that sounds like a? Yes I do. So, this is the bass and the lowest note of the chord from which we play our chord from.

Play.

2.4.3 One note at a time

Play this chord with me, one note at a time, count it in: 1 2 3 4.

2.4.4 Get a good sound

If any of your notes do not sound clear enough, please use the pencil to correct your finger placement.

Play the chord one note at a time.

2.4.5 Play the Am Chord

You are now ready to apply swiftly the Chord Learning Routine. Play along with me.

Am chord

• Name the bass
• Play the bass 
• Play one string at a time from the bass 
• Clarity Check: If a string sounds muted, place a pen underneath the tips of your fingers and lift them, this will clean up the sound.
• Play one string at a time from the bass

Rewind and repeat this last section.

3. Step 2, Play C and Am chord in tempo

To move on to step 2, you must be able to already play with clarity the C and Am chord.

You will now learn to play the C and Am chord in this manner:

3.1  The Goal

Listen

3.2 Working towards the goal

3.2.1 Spot the common notes

In order to jump from the C to Am chord you need to find the similarities between them. Practice with me this combination. Get your fingers ready for the C chord but apply the Chord Learning Routine.

• Play one string at a time from the bass. ( 1 and 2 and 3 and  4 move)

3.2.1 Slowly join the chords

Now lift up your third finger, put in on the third string and play the Am,  and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4. In the diagram in red, you can see the common notes.

3.2.2 Play along with me non stop

Repeat with me, try not to stop and also say what I am saying: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 move. The word move is your cue to move your finger. This time I will play the chords two times.

 C Chord.

• Name the bass
• Play the bass 
• Play one string at a time from the bass:1 and 2 and 3 and  4 move, 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 move  

Do not lift your fingers up from the fretboard.

3.2.2 Clarity Check

Please take a moment to correct your position and sound both with the C and Am chord. Strum each chord to check for clarity.

3.3 Repeat all step 2

5.0 Step 4  Assignments

5.1 Quiz

Please submit your replies to the group forum for peer review. 

• What is the bass of the Em chord?
• If the Am has three notes A C E,  draw on the fretboard diagram two new shapes that have these three notes.

5.2 Record yourself

Record yourself in video, with your phone, playing example 3.2.2. Your recording must answer yes to the following check questions. Once you are satisfied please submit your recording to the teacher.

Check questions 

• Did you turn on your metronome ?
• Did you tap your feet while recording ?
• Did you count it in ?
• Did you sing what you were doing?