Same Chord Different Bass Note
Amazing Chords
Today I want to share a straightforward trick with you that you can use to create amazing chords on the guitar with minimal effort.
This approach is mind-blowing because it can open the door to hundreds of different chords and chord progression that sound different than anything you already play.
The goal is to keep the same chord while changing the bass note only.
This way of playing is widely used in Pop music. You can hear the chord changing, but the guitar still plays the same three notes.
The truth is, this type of guitar playing sounds awesome.
We will be working on many amazing chords in E major, and there will be two different examples set over a simple chord progression.
Some of the chords will be stretchy and challenging, so as always, make sure you take things step by step.
Once you feel ready, try to come up with your own chords and really experiment with different progressions, keys, and bass notes.
I hope you get inspired.
Grab your guitar, and let’s get started.
The Video
The Chord Progression
One thing essential you want to understand to get the exercise right is the difference between the chords and the bass.
The chords will be played on the top three strings (G, B, and E), while the Bass is always played with the thumb on the bottom three strings (D, A, and E).
This is such an important aspect to understand because it will help you to structure the exercise correctly.
The chords are E – C#m – A – B.
The Plucking Pattern
The next step would be memorizing the fingerstyle pattern.
As we are mainly focusing on the left hand, I decided to keep the plucking pattern very simple.
This is the plucking pattern: P i m i a i m i (Thumb, index, middle, index, ring, index, middle, index)
Example 1
Easy chord progression on position I. The chords are played on 3rd and 2nd string within the same fret.
Each plucking pattern should be repeated two times.
I really love the fact that even though the chord on the top three strings stays the same, we can transform it and create amazing chords that sound beautiful with a different bass note.
One of my favorites will be the Aadd9(#11), which sounds amazing and suspended.
Example 2
The second chord progression is slightly more challenging because of the finger stretch on the B chord.
We are in a high position of the neck for the other three chords. The finger stretch shouldn’t be a problem.
The chords played in such a high position are awesome when you combine them with an open string. The E open string really creates a beautiful cluster that is only possible in this special key.
The B chord is extremely stretchy, and I really apologize, guys, but there wasn’t any other option available.
