8 Ways to Learn the Basics of Accompaniment Guitar

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

To learn the basics of the accompaniment guitar, you will need to understand its style. There are power chords, other chords and notes. Reading this very detailed article will help you understand better.

Steps

Method 1 of 8: Power Chords

Step 1. Power chords are the daily bread of accompanying guitar players, and for good reason

• They only have two or three strings used, so they don't produce high-pitched effects when heavily distorted.
• Plus, they're very easy to play, quick to learn, and it's easy to move from chord to chord on the keyboard.
• Above all, they produce a decidedly rock sound.

Step 2. Keep in mind that power chords aren't technically chords, they're fifth intervals

There is a valid technical reason for this claim, but it is beyond the scope of this article.

• The aspect you have to consider is that the power chords are major or minor, they are "indifferent".
• This means that you can use a C power chord to accompany a C major or C minor chord without worrying about the key.
• Power chords go well with all melodies that contain similar notes.

Step 3. Remember that there are a few different types of power chords

The simplest is the traditional two-string power chord.

Step 4. To play one, put your index finger on the sixth string, and your ring finger on the fifth, two frets higher

Step 5. If you want to play a power chord starting on the fifth string, keep the same finger position, but with the index finger on the fifth string and the ring finger on the fourth two frets higher

Step 6. Turn the gain up to 11 and turn up the volume as much as possible to experience the sound of these power chords

Step 7. Welcome to the world of rock

• Here is a two-stringed G power chord shown on a tablature:

  • --X--
  • --X--
  • --X--
  • --X--
  • --5--
  • --3--

• Here is a Do:

  • --X--
  • --X--
  • --X--
  • --5--
  • --3--
  • --X--

  

  Step 8. If you want a "bigger" sound, you can add the octave

  Real musicians know exactly what an octave is, but you just need to know that you can add one by pressing the next string with your ring finger as well. When you cover two or more strings with one finger, you use a technique called "barrè".

  • Here is the G with the addition of the octave:

    • --X--
    • --X--
    • --X--
    • --5--
    • --5--
    • --3--

  • Here is Do with the addition of the octave:

    • --X--
    • --X--
    • --5--
    • --5--
    • --3--
    • --X--

    

    Step 9. You will have to decide for yourself whether or not to add the octave

    If you want a heavier sound for speed metal or ultra-distorted riffs, this won't do. It won't add much to the chord and may confuse the sounds. If you want a richer sound, the octave will be useful for you. Some people decide by ear what to do.

    

    Step 10. Practice playing power chord across the entire keyboard

    Move them to the keys without thinking twice.

    Chord Tables

    Here is a useful table to understand what chord you are playing when you are on a specific fret. They'll also come in handy in your lead guitar lessons, so don't neglect them

    Upper note (root) on the sixth note (E)

    • Fret / String:

      1. Does
      2. F # (F sharp)
      3. Sol
      4. G # (G sharp)
      5. There
      6. Bb (B flat)
      7. Yes
      8. Do
      9. C # (C sharp)
      10. King
      11. Eb (E flat)
      12. empty: Mi

    Upper note (root) on the fifth note (A)

    • Fret / String:

      1. Bb (B flat)
      2. Yes
      3. Do
      4. C # (C sharp)
      5. King
      6. Eb (E flat)
      7. Me
      8. Does
      9. F # (F sharp)
      10. Sol
      11. G # (G sharp)
      12. empty: The

    Upper note (root) on the fourth note (D)

    • Fret / String:

      1. Eb (E flat)
      2. Me
      3. Does
      4. F # (F sharp)
      5. Sol
      6. G # (G sharp)
      7. There
      8. Bb (B flat)
      9. Yes
      10. Do
      11. C # (C sharp)
      12. empty: Re

    Method 2 of 8: Direct Fifths

    

    Step 1. Try a direct fifth

    A less common but still useful version of the power chord is the "straight fifth".

    

    Step 2. Despite the name sought, it just means playing two strings on the same fret

    This produces a more fatal sound that can be useful, although some people find traditional power chord, with or without octave, to be much clearer and more effective overall.

    

    Step 3. Just for fun though, try out the straight fifths using D and G empty, and then pressing them on the third fret and fifth fret

    If you're not already playing "Smoke on the Water" after 30 seconds, add the sixth fret and that's it

    Method 3 of 8: Drop D tuning

    

    Step 1. Some guitarists tune the E string to D so that they can play the power chords better

    • Many guitarists consider this practice to be similar to cheating, but it is a tuning used by Van Halen, Led Zeppelin and many other famous bands.
    • The "Drop D" tuning allows for a deeper and darker sound, preferred by many metal and alternative guitarists.

    

    Step 2. Try and feel if you like it, but don't rely on it for everything

    Method 4 of 8: Drop C tuning

    Even heavier than Drop D tuning, it's Drop C tuning. Metalcore bands like Atreyu, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, Fall of Troye others use this tuning (some brutal death metal bands like Cannibal Corpse and the Niles tune an even lower half-tone!).

    

    Step 1. In Drop C tuning, not only is the lowest string tuned to C, but all other strings are also tuned one tone lower

    The final outcome (from thickest to thinnest) is:

    • Do Sol Do Fa La Re
    • As mentioned above, this tuning is suitable for darker music, it allows very particular sounds. The Dethklok tuning is C Fa Sib Eb Sol C, or two whole tones (four frets) lower than the standard tuning, to give the music a darker style without varying the intervals between the strings.

    Method 5 of 8: Palm Muting

    

    Step 1. Have you ever noticed the never-ending series of scratchy, hollow backing notes that are heard between the chords of every metal song?

    

    Step 2. This effect is produced with the palm muting technique - pressing the strings with your right hand near the bridge of the guitar

    

    Step 3. Rest your palm near the bridge and play the low E string a couple of times

    Step 4. If you don't make a heavy, dull, full-bodied sound, move your hand until you can

    

    Step 5. It is a good idea to use the bridge pickup on your electric guitar with this technique

    Allows you to produce a fuller sound.

    

    Step 6. If you want sharper sounds instead, use the neck pickup to produce more scratchy, long, buzzing sounds with palm muting

    

    Step 7. The best guitars for palm muting are those with humbucker pickups. Make sure the gain and volume are high so you can better experience the sounds of both pickups.

    

    Step 8. Practice alternating this technique with power chords, cutting the mids on your amp and you will reproduce the sound of the first four Metallica albums

    Method 6 of 8: Traditional Barrè Chords

    

    Step 1. While some people think these are easy chords, others ruin their fingers trying to play them and have problems

    You can choose to use this technique as you please, but include them in your repertoire, as they are too common to be overlooked.

    

    Step 2. To make a major barrè chord, press all six strings with your index finger

    Then put the ring finger on the fifth string, two frets higher.

    

    Step 3. Put the little finger just below the ring finger, on the fourth string (still two frets from the barrè)

    Put your middle finger on the third string, one fret higher than the barrè. The top (root) note of this chord is on the sixth string, so you can use the power chord table on the sixth string to find out what chord you are playing. A G major chord in barrè looks like this in a tablature:

    • --3--
    • --3--
    • --4--
    • --5--
    • --5--
    • --3--

    

    Step 4. To make a minor chord, move the finger position down one string relative to the major chord

    . Don't play the sixth string. The top (root) note is now on the fifth string, so use the power chord table on the fifth string to find out what minor chord you are playing.

    Major Agreements for the Bari

    

    Step 1. Do normal barrè chords kill you?

    Don't worry, it happens to more people than you think. Some metal guitarists don't bother honing their technique for chords that require more than three strings, as the sound produced would still be extremely confusing due to distortion.

    This can lead to awkward situations in auditioning - but knowing some major chords in simple form can help. They are basically identical to power chords, but involve 4 strings

    Step 2. Purists will tell you to play these major chords on 5 strings, to play the E string as well

    If you want to do this and learn the more difficult finger position required, go ahead, if not, you can "cheat" and avoid the E sing, greatly simplifying the finger position.

    

    Step 3. To play these chords, use a barrè on the 4 central strings (A, D, G and B) with the index finger, then use a barrè with the ring finger on the D, G and B strings two frets higher

    

    Step 4. This technique is similar to a power chord with the root note on the fifth string and instead of adding only the octave, you also add the second string

    • Here's what a C major chord looks like in a tablature (X = don't play the string):

      • --X--
      • --5--
      • --5--
      • --5--
      • --3--
      • --X--
    • These chords strike a good balance between the lackluster power chords and the old monsters in 6-string barrè.
    • They won't sound confusing even at very high gain, but they will still sound like "real chords". They are suitable for those accompaniment parts where you have to turn down the volume of the guitar to accompany the singer or another guitarist.
    • The only downside is that some chords (especially those from A through E) must be played quite high on the neck and can sound rather strange. Try using octave power chords for those chords.

    

    Step 5. Unfortunately, there is no trick for minor chords

    You will have to play the four-finger barrè version with the root on the fifth string, as described above.

    Method 7 of 8: Simple Seventh Chords

    

    Step 1. Here are other four-string chords that can add a surprisingly beautiful (and simple) touch to your style

    

    Step 2. To play a major seventh chord, use the barrè with the index finger on the first four strings, then use a barrè with the ring finger on the first three strings two frets higher

    

    Step 3. You will notice that this finger position is similar to that of the power chord, so it should feel natural

    

    Step 4. Believe it or not, minor seventh chords are even simpler. Just use the barrè on the first four strings with your index finger. That's all.

    Method 8 of 8: "Minor Tuning" Mi La Re Fa La Re

    

    Step 1. This alternate guitar tuning is useful for playing large six-string minor chords with a simple barré

    The hand position for producing a 6-string minor chord is identical to that for power chords, but with all 6 strings pressed.

    

    Step 2. Bring the G (third string) to F, the B (second) string to A, and the E (first) to D

    

    Step 3. Use the barrè with the index finger on all 6 strings, and the barrè with the ring finger on the first five, two frets higher

    • Here's what a G minor chord looks like in a tab:

      • --5--
      • --5--
      • --5--
      • --5--
      • --5--
      • --3--

      

      Step 4. You can also play some very nice four-string major chords with a simpler hand position than what standard tuning requires

      

      Step 5. Just use the barrè with your index finger on the first four strings, then put your middle finger on the third string (F) one fret higher

      • Here's what a G major chord would look like in a tablature:

        • --5--
        • --5--
        • --6--
        • --5--
        • --X--
        • --X--

        

        Step 6. You can often also add a bass note to these major chords by playing the fifth string without altering the sound of the chord too much

        • Another benefit of playing major chords this way is that you have free ring finger to add variations.
        • Major chords with variations are not widely used in rock music, so this gives you the chance to experiment with new techniques.
        • The best thing about this tuning is that the low E, A and D strings are unmodified, so you can still use them to make power chords.
        • This tuning is particularly useful for metal songs that start with a lot of clean minor chords and then move on to distorted fifths.