I only need to learn 3 chords? (rock, rock star, quote, guitar)

Mission Rock Star · 01-08-2008, 12:43 AM

Hi guys, I'm trying to learn guitar. I'm brand new. I'm working on G, Em, C and D7th. I was searching on Google and found an article that says you only need to learn three chords and then you're set. Those chords are Major, minor, and dominant.

I'm completely lost. Aren't there many different major chords that are similar. So how does learning one Major chord help you learn the other major chords?

And the same with the other two, minor and dominant?

Does the article have it right? If so, why am I confused?

M:RS

UrbanAncients · 01-08-2008, 10:09 AM

I play piano, but, I'm pretty sure major, minor, 7th and so on, are only the basis to learn as a chord is made up of a root note, and then you add the 3rd and 5th degree on. That's a major chord, a minor, you sharpen or flatten the 3rd degree of the chord, a 7th, you play the seventh degree of the chord.

At least that's what I think.

TheCaster · 01-08-2008, 10:50 AM

no theres only 3 KINDS of chords
well theres more than 3 kinds but the best known are major, minor, and d7

you have

A major
A minor
B major
B minor
ect theres tons of chords

UrbanAncients · 01-08-2008, 11:57 AM

Yeah, but, I'm pretty sure I'm right. I never said there were only three chords.

Mission Rock Star · 01-08-2008, 02:34 PM

I see what you guys are saying. I don't think I explained it well though. Here's the excerpt from the article. Let me know if it makes sense to you, and thanks for the help.

Quote:

Now there are 12 major scales and each has 7 chords. 7 x 12 = 84 chords.

There are also 12 minor scales each with 7 chords. 7 x 12 = 84 chords.

That's a total of 168 chords, right?

Wrong.

All those scales still have just the 3 basic chord types... major, minor and dominant. You only need to learn 3 chords.

It's "where" you play those chords on the fingerboard that changes their name. C major you play in one place, and if you play the same chord in another place on the neck, it becomes a G major or a D major, or whatever.

UrbanAncients · 01-09-2008, 01:04 AM

Yeah, listen to Mission Rockstar. He explained it alot simpler.
By the way, I always wondered, you know you can get chords where you have to play the 7th degree of that chord? Can you have chords in which you play the 9th degree?

Mission Rock Star · 01-11-2008, 01:08 AM

But it was Mission Rock Star asking the question.

I was just quoting the article. I guess the portion of that article is self explanatory to someone who understands the fundamentals a bit better than me. I'm working on it.

Thanks for the help.

spook · 01-17-2008, 07:42 AM

Don't get too tied up in music theory - JUST PLAY!!!
If it sounds good it is good, no matter what it's called.

TheCaster · 01-17-2008, 07:57 AM

uhm you have to have som ebasic understanding of music theory in order to play.. if you just wing-it you'll suck..

**cardboard adolescent** · 01-17-2008, 12:56 PM

tell that to throbbing gristle and nurse with wound

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01-08-2008, 12:43 AM
Mission Rock Star Groupie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4	I only need to learn 3 chords? Hi guys, I'm trying to learn guitar. I'm brand new. I'm working on G, Em, C and D7th. I was searching on Google and found an article that says you only need to learn three chords and then you're set. Those chords are Major, minor, and dominant. I'm completely lost. Aren't there many different major chords that are similar. So how does learning one Major chord help you learn the other major chords? And the same with the other two, minor and dominant? Does the article have it right? If so, why am I confused? M:RS

01-08-2008, 10:09 AM
UrbanAncients Groupie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: England (And so proud) Posts: 27	I play piano, but, I'm pretty sure major, minor, 7th and so on, are only the basis to learn as a chord is made up of a root note, and then you add the 3rd and 5th degree on. That's a major chord, a minor, you sharpen or flatten the 3rd degree of the chord, a 7th, you play the seventh degree of the chord. At least that's what I think.

01-08-2008, 11:57 AM
UrbanAncients Groupie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: England (And so proud) Posts: 27	Yeah, but, I'm pretty sure I'm right. I never said there were only three chords.

01-09-2008, 01:04 AM
UrbanAncients Groupie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: England (And so proud) Posts: 27	Yeah, listen to Mission Rockstar. He explained it alot simpler. By the way, I always wondered, you know you can get chords where you have to play the 7th degree of that chord? Can you have chords in which you play the 9th degree?

01-11-2008, 01:08 AM
Mission Rock Star Groupie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4	haha But it was Mission Rock Star asking the question. I was just quoting the article. I guess the portion of that article is self explanatory to someone who understands the fundamentals a bit better than me. I'm working on it. Thanks for the help.

01-17-2008, 07:42 AM
spook Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 66	Don't get too tied up in music theory - JUST PLAY!!! If it sounds good it is good, no matter what it's called. __________________ It seems that lately, everybody's crying in their beer - I know that only the good die young - That's why I'm still here!

01-17-2008, 12:56 PM
cardboard adolescent time isn't on my side Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,378	tell that to throbbing gristle and nurse with wound __________________ Free Music! Free Art! The Ocean Will Have Us All