Chords

[Olly]

This is a very wierd question,are you allowed to make up your own chords and if you are how do you know if it qualifies as a chord

[StoneDragon]

The short answer is... Yes.

You can play anything you want to. If you like it, then it's good... if you don't like it, then it sucks.

On the other hand, you have to look at the fact that "western" music is several centuries old. You are using the same twelve notes that composers have used for hundreds of years. The chances of you coming up with a combination of notes that nobody has ever thought of is zilch. So, you might come up with interesting chords that you don't know the name of, but you won't come up with a chord that hasn't already been used by somebody somewhere along the way.

The trick (I feel) is to learn the theory behind chords. That way, no matter what you come up with, you will know what to call it. You will also understand many different ways in which that chord could be used that you never would have thought of without the theory.

One of my favorite ways of coming up with interesting chords is to combine fretted notes with open strings.

** Side Note **

Theory only goes so far. Once you get the basics down, it's all open territory. You can do anything you want to with the notes. Most people, when they are trying to learn the theory see it as a set of rules and regulations that dictate what you can and can not play. This is not how it works. Theory is nothing more than observations of what has worked in the past and why it worked. Use it to gain a basic understanding of the elements that make up music, but never let it keep you from experimenting and exploring.

[Retro]

Olly,

What you are doing is finding new fingerings or variations of the chords you already know or dicsovering other chords you don't know and that is great. The more ways you can find to play a chord and the more chords you can play, the more versatile you will become. Keep exploring. If it sounds good to you, go with it. To take this all a little farther, take the time to learn the theory necessary to figure out what all the new chords are (they all got names). Music is like arithmetic - Chords are built by adding notes together and notes added together form chords. In fact, add a few notes together and what you play may potentially be several different chords depending on how you use it. The more you learn about what you are doing, the more you will be able to do. So, go for it! http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/wink.gif

[Retro]

SD,

I see you answered this while I was typing up my reply.

[StoneDragon]

heh heh... that happens sometimes... between the two of us, I hope we got the point across http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[Olly]

Thankyou.Just another thing,once you've made up a chord how do you know what to call it?

[Retro]

Figure out what notes you are playing and what chord that adds up to (in the context of what key you are playing in). Thats where the music theory comes in. There are books about chord construction you can get and there's also a wealth of information on the web. In fact, SD may have something in some of his lessons that may help you. How 'bout it SD, you got something on this?

[StoneDragon]

Only in a round-about way... and not enough to identify any but the most basic chords. I'm planning to whip up a "chords complete" lesson for the theory section.... but haven't gotten that far yet.

[MrSamson]

Stone...the the heck is taking you so long to "whip up" those lessons anyway....

AAhhhhhhh....who is MrSamson to talk??

(Practice Room has been neglected as of lately)

http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/devil.gif

[StoneDragon]

I'm a moozicianin.... wadda ya expect http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/smokin.gif

Other than inexcusable procrastination on my part, I've been dealing with computer issues at work and spending most of my free time spankin' the plank and learning way more than I ever really wanted to know about how computer hardware works in order to put together a dedicated digital audio workstation that will allow me to produce my own CDs. (stay tuned for an upcoming detailed post in the Red Light District forum)

The POD PRO that I bought is probably the worst thing that could have happened to my productivity away from the guitar... one of the best things to ever happen to my guitar chops though http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/wink.gif