Let’s take a break from the C chord and learn the Am chord.
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.
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.
Play this chord with me, one note at a time, count it in: 1 2 3 4.
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.
You are now ready to apply swiftly the Chord Learning Routine. Play along with me.
Am chord
Rewind and repeat this last section.
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:
Listen
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.
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.
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.
Do not lift your fingers up from the fretboard.
Please take a moment to correct your position and sound both with the C and Am chord. Strum each chord to check for clarity.
Please submit your replies to the group forum for peer review.
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
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