How to Clean Up Your Guitar Chords and Get Professional Sound

Have you ever wondered how some guitar players get that crisp, clean, clean sound? Often it has nothing to do with their equipment. It’s the notes they don’t play that makes them sound so good. 

Each chord is made up of specific notes in much the same way as each word in our English language has a specific spelling. While the majority of guitarists focus their attention on the left hand fingering of the chord, it’s vitally important to have the right hand playing the correct notes also.

Almost every day I come across guitarist who has been playing the guitar for years — some playing longer than I’ve been alive! But no matter how long some of these people have been playing they still play incorrect notes in their chords.

Generally speaking it’s the incorrect bass notes in their chords that seem to be the most pressing problem. In fact many of their problems stem from what I would call incorrect or partially correct information.

For example, contrary to the majority of popular chord books on the market a “D” major chord in the open position is not a five string chord — not if you want to get the sound of the guys and gals on the recordings!

Here’s the best way to quickly clean up your chords and give your ears a chance to hear how these chords should really sound.

I’ll use all open chords for my examples:

1. Any “A” chord should be a five string chord omitting the sixth string.

2. Any “B” chord would be a played with five strings omitting the sixth string.

3. Any “C” chord should be a five string chord omitting the sixth string.

4. Any “D” chord should be a four string chord omitting the fifth and sixth strings.

5. Any “E” chord would be a played with six strings.

6. Any “F” chord should be a four string chord omitting the fifth and sixth strings.

7. Any “G” chord would be a played with six strings.

What I mean by ‘any’ “A” chord is that regardless of the chord being an “A” major, “Am” (minor), or A7 (dominant seventh), etc., the guitarist would still only play five strings remembering to omit the sixth string.

Similarly, any type of “D” chord would be played as a four string chord; any type of “E” chord would likewise be played as a six string chord.

About the Author:
Mike Hayes is a guitar teacher, author, performing musician and session guitarist with over 30 years of professional experience. Find out more about how to learn guitar fast with his popular FREE e-course.

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