Acoustic Chord Progressions

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Acoustic

Excerpt: In this tutorial, we're going to learn a handful of simple chord progressions. I played everything on an acoustic guitar, but the progressions and principles can of course be applied to electric as well. Let each progression spark ideas for you. While you learn each one, think about how you can apply the progression techniques and/or chords into your own pl...

Media Length: 0:36

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Acoustic

Excerpt: In the 2nd progression, we're going to use the following chords: E, EMaj7, C#m7, Aadd9. I like this pattern because of how we incorporate the open B and High E strings with each chord. Let those two strings ring out, and that will give a nice thematic feel to the progression.

Media Length: 0:48

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Acoustic

Excerpt: Next, we'll be using these chords: BMaj7, EMaj7, F#, E. As with most Major 7 progressions, this one sounds very calm and soothing. Make sure you mute the appropriate strings in this. Anytime you see an "X" in the chord diagram, that means you don't want that string to sound. For example, look at the BMaj7 diagram. Notice how the A string has an "X" marking?...

Media Length: 0:54

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Acoustic

Excerpt: In our 4th chord progression, we'll be using the following chords: B, D#m, C#, G#, A#. Please pay very close attention to the strumming pattern I indicated in the tab. This progression relies heavily on a "flow" type of feel with your strumming hand. So make sure your hand is relaxed and you strum exactly how the tab says. Also, be aware of those quick thir...

Media Length: 0:34

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Acoustic

Excerpt: We will now use the following chords: Bsus4, F#m7, C#m7, Aadd9. This is the first progression where we won't be doing any strumming at all. We'll just be picking. Make sure you pick steadily and those sixteenth notes sound crisp and clear. Also, just like in our 2nd progression, we'll again be incorporating the open B and High E strings with our chords to ...

Media Length: 0:33

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Acoustic

Excerpt: Okay, time for our 6th progression. We will be using the following chords: Am, FMaj7, C, Em. For the first three chords (Am, FMaj7, and C), be sure to anchor your index finger on the 1st fret B string since that note is included in all of those chords. Any time you can anchor a finger between chord changes, you should do it. Doing so saves energy, and also ...

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Instructor: Sean Conklin Level: Intermediate Topic: Chords Style: Acoustic

Excerpt: Now, we of course couldn't do a chord progression tutorial without doing a short exercise with the famous "Canon" progression. In this last lesson, we will be using the following chords: C, G, Am, Em, F. Now that you've learned these chord progressions, your journey has just begun. It's time for you to go write your own progression ideas. Then, you can buil...

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