Clean open chords

You already know several open chords. This lesson is about making them sound the way they should: every string ringing, no buzz, nothing accidentally muted. Clean chords are the base for every skill that follows, from fast changes to fingerstyle.

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Place each fingertip close behind the fret wire and arched, so it does not touch a neighbouring string.
• Find the string that is not ringing by picking a chord one string at a time.
• Play C, A, G, E, D, Am, Em and Dm with every intended string clear.

A chord rings cleanly when three things are right: placement, pressure and angle.

Placement. Each fingertip lands just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the space and never on top of the wire. Close to the fret, the string needs the least force to ring.

Pressure. Use only as much as stops the buzz. If a note buzzes, add pressure bit by bit. If a note is dull instead of buzzy, pressure is rarely the problem: another finger is touching the string.

Angle. Arch the fingers so they come down on the string like a hammer, not lying along it. The thumb sits behind the neck, roughly opposite your first or second finger, and the wrist stays relaxed.

The quickest way to find a problem is the ring test: pick the chord one string at a time. The string that sounds wrong tells you which finger to adjust.

These are the eight chords for this lesson. Crosses mean do not play that string; circles mean play it open.

C major, one string at a time.

1. Put your third finger on the A string, fret 3, your second finger on the D string, fret 2, and your first finger on the B string, fret 1.
2. Pick the A string. It should ring. If not, your third finger is probably touching the D string or sitting too far from the fret.
3. Pick the D string (second finger), then the open G string. The open G is a common casualty: if it sounds dull, your second finger is leaning against it. Arch it more.
4. Pick the B string (first finger), then the open high e. A dull e string usually means the underside of your first finger is lying on it. Raise the knuckle slightly and bring the wrist closer to the neck.
5. Strum once, from the A string down, and listen for all five strings.

Repeat for every chord in the lesson. Be patient: this check takes a minute and saves weeks.

Do these in order. Each one is small. Tick the ones you have practised.

• 1.String-by-string check

  4 min

  1. Form a C major chord.
  2. Pick each string on its own, from the A string up to the high e. Skip the low E.
  3. Listen for any note that is dull, buzzy or silent.
  4. Adjust only the finger responsible (move it closer to the fret, arch it more, or change its angle) and pick that string again.
  5. When all five strings ring, strum once and listen to the whole chord.

  You have it when

  • All five strings of C ring clearly when picked one by one.
  • A single strum sounds clean.
  I practised this one

• 2.Clarity round

  5 min

  1. Work through the chords in this order: A, E, D, Em, Am, Dm, G, C.
  2. For each chord, place the fingers one at a time, then check the strings individually.
  3. Strum once and listen.
  4. If more than one string is dull, lift off and place the shape again instead of pressing harder.

  You have it when

  • You get through all eight chords needing to re-place the shape no more than twice.
  I practised this one

• 3.Lift and land

  3 min

  1. Form C. Lift all fingers about a centimetre off the strings but keep the shape in the air.
  2. Land all fingers together and strum once.
  3. Repeat ten times, then do the same with A and G.

  You have it when

  • The shape lands cleanly the first time on at least 8 of 10 attempts.
  I practised this one

This lesson is untimed on purpose: accuracy first. If you like a pulse, set a metronome to 50 BPM and let each chord ring for four beats. The metronome work starts properly in the lesson on changes in time.

• Pressing as hard as possible. Relax until a string buzzes, then add just enough pressure to stop the buzz. A tense thumb and forearm slow every later change.
• Flat fingers that touch neighbouring strings. Arch the fingers and press with the tips. Keep the fretting-hand nails short.
• Fingertips sitting in the middle of the fret space. Place the tip just behind the fret wire. That is where the least pressure gives the cleanest note.
• Strumming strings that are not part of the chord. On C and D, aim the pick at the right starting string, or rest a fingertip lightly on the unwanted string.

Choose any song with open chords and play only the first chord of each section, slowly, checking each string. Clean chords make everything later easier, especially fingerstyle, where every string is heard on its own.

Try it in: Knockin' on Heaven's Door.

Short version (10 minutes)

Run the string-by-string check on C, G and Am, three times each.

Standard version (about 30 minutes)

Do all three exercises. Then play the chords of Knockin' on Heaven's Door (G, D, Am, C) one strum each, checking every chord.

• Fingertips, arched, just behind the fret wire.
• Check each string individually: the dull one tells you which finger to adjust.
• Light pressure, relaxed thumb.
• Accuracy first. Speed comes later.

You are ready to move on when you can honestly say:

• I can play C, A, G, E, D, Am, Em and Dm with all intended strings ringing.
• I can find and fix a buzzing or muted string by checking one string at a time.
• My fretting hand feels relaxed while holding a chord.