Chord Theory Magic Handbook

Guitar Learner’ Lear ner’s s Magic Bullet Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar  ------------ Handbook by Lisa McCormick

Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet  Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar 

Chords in the Key of C

Quickstart:   Just the Major Chords C, F, G

 x

I= C II = Dm III = Em IV = F V= G VI = Am

C

 x x

Dm

EADGBE

E A D G B E

I Major

II minor

Em E AD G BE

III minor

 x x

F

E A DG B E

IV Major

Tip: Most likely minor :

 Am

G EA D G BE

V Major

 x  x

 A m

E A D GB E

VI relative

minor ©2010Lisa McCormick 

Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet  Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar 

Chords in the Key of G

Quickstart:   Just the Major Chords G, C, D

I= G II = Am III = Bm IV = C V= D VI = Em

G E A D GB E

I Major

 x  x

 A m

EA D G BE

II minor

 x x

Bm

E A DG B E

III minor

 x

C

Tip: Most likely minor :

Em  x x

D

E AD G B E

E A DG B E

IV Major

V Major

Em EA D GB E

VI relative

minor ©2010Lisa McCormick 

Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet  Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar 

Quickstart:   Just the Major Chords  D, G, A

Chords in the Key of D I= D II = Em III = F#m IV = G V = A  VI = Bm

D

Em

E AD G BE

E A D GB E

 x x

I Major

II minor

F#m

 x x

E AD G BE

III minor

G E A DG B E

IV Major

Tip: Most likely minor :

 Bm

 A 

 x  x

EA D G BE

V Major

 x x

Bm

E A DG B E

VI relative

minor ©2010Lisa McCormick 

Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet  Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar 

Chords in the Key of A

Quickstart:   Just the Major Chords  A, D, E

I = A  II = Bm III = C #m IV = D V= E VI = F # m

 A 

 x  x

 x x

Bm

C#m

 x x

D

Tip: Most likely minor :

F#m

E

F#m

 x x

is a Barre Chord or Beyond 1st Position E A DG B E

I Major

E A D GB E

II minor

III minor

E AD G BE

E A DG B E

IV Major

V Major

E A D GB E

VI relative

minor ©2010Lisa McCormick 

Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet  Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar 

Quickstart:   Just the Major Chords E, A, B

E

x

TIP:

Chords in the Key of E I= E II = F  # m III = G#m IV = A  V= B VI = C# m

F#m

 x x

G

 x x x

#m

 A 

 x  x

B7

Try B7 in place of B

Tip: Most likely minor :

C#m  x x

B

C#m is a Barre Chord or Beyond 1st Position

EADGBE

I Major

E A D G B E

II minor

E A DG B E

III minor

EADGBE

IV Major

EADGBE

V Major

VI relative

minor ©2010Lisa McCormick 

Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet  Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar  Tip: try the

 Write your own chord progressions

I, IV, V, & VI

 for starters.  Place the I in  the first measure. Mix up the order of the other chords. Experiment with different rhythms and techniques.

©2010Lisa McCormick 

example: key of G

:

G

Em

C 

 D

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

Can you play this on your guitar? Can you transpose it to another key?

 this symbol means repeat what you just played

Now,  try adding in the II and/or the III.  Shuffle the order until you’re happy  with your masterpiece. Can you add some lyrics?