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13

Playing Chords

A couple ways to play chords other than just strumming the whole chord –

Look at this tablature diagram and then read its description.

Hold the E chord. Now pick the low string first and then strum all of the higher strings (5,4,3,2,1) once, then pick the 5^th string and strum all of the higher strings (4,3,2,1) once, then repeat the whole thing.

--Now over the next few years, think of a thousand variations on that possibility. And you can use any chords to do this with, not just E, of course. Make sure you understand the tablature for this.

Next tablature -

Hold that same chord and while holding it, play the 6^th string, then 5^th string, then 4^th, then 3^rd, then 4^th, then 5^th. Then the 4^th string, then the 3^rd, then 2^nd, then 1^st, then 2^nd, then 3^rd. Make sure you understand this tablature also.

Let the notes ring all through this, or not, while you pick different strings. Again, think of a thousand variations of this, some that use different strings in different order or different timings of when you pick the strings, etc. And as always, listen for what sounds best.