5 Magic Chord Shapes For Ambient Guitar

Do you struggle to create beautiful ambient guitar chords? Here are 5 chord shapes that you can use to create gorgeous chords for picking and volume swells.
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Bill's pedals / signal chain: (Sweetwater Affiliate links, see disclaimers below):
Levy's guitar strap: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXaq7Y
Fender Eric Johnson Strat: sweetwater.sjv.io/GmjL3m
TC Electronic PolyTune Tuner: sweetwater.sjv.io/q444Ag
D'Addario XPND 2 Pedalboard: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQQQGD
Wampler Ego Compressor: sweetwater.sjv.io/PyyyVX
Strymon Iridium: sweetwater.sjv.io/5gb402
Morley Volume Pedal: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXXXx0
TC Electronic SCF Gold: sweetwater.sjv.io/0ZZZRM
Strymon Timeline Delay: sweetwater.sjv.io/2111yg
Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB: Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/anRm7M
iZotope Ozone 9 Advanced: Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQb17k
Video chapters:
00:00 Intro to Chord Magic
00:57 Setup Your Sound for Beauty
01:53 Chord Shape 1: A
06:01 Chord Shape 2: C
08:37 Chord Shape 3: E Minor
12:18 Chord Shape 4: D
15:44 Chord Shape 5: G
19:33 Putting it All Together
Chords of Orion - Ambient guitar is life
Bill Vencil - Guitars
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Sweetwater Affiliate Disclosure:
Chords of Orion is a participant in the Sweetwater Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for Chords of Orion to earn fees by linking to sweetwater.com.

[@hejduke9060]

Bill, you got my attention. I now have comprehension of the suspension extension for ascension into the ambient dimension.

[@Arthur_My_Dear]

LOL

[@georgerichardson7728]

lol

[@noimspartacus4357]

That's so cool !!?

[@daviddelossantos6075]

Yes bro

[@johnsmith-lb4mo]

[@riccardobassani7405]

the suspended, major 7th and augmented 5th chords are definitely the forever loved of ambient music

[@shadowmeltsflesh3893]

Ah Bill, your tutorial videos are the best ASMR on the internet. You have an amazingly peaceful, calming voice.

[@GlennHallLivingWater]

Exceptional! I'm praying for your healing, brother. God bless.

[@danieljames4163]

Excellent video Mr.Vencil! Ive begun using some of these shapes you've shown here to incorporate into my own Cure-esque tunes that uses a lot more atmospheric tones and its very inspiring for me. Thank you for posting this 🙂

[@danbecker4925]

I really appreciate this! I’ve stumbled across a few of these voicing on the fretboard with my fingers, and my ears loved them, but my brain didn’t know what was going on and I didn’t know where to find all the rest of them. What a gift of a lesson! Thanks!

[@dickstryker]

Bill, thank you for sharing! You are the ambient guitar guru, my man!

[@couchwarriortv]

Happy little trees! I love this, thank you!

[@coeburnett]

Thanks Bill. These were enlightening. And this was the next step I was searching for. You reveal your tonal discoveries. But, if I use them as instructed, I will sound exactly like a student of yours. I need to NOT use your subtle intricacies, but discover my own, in order to carve a niche, just as there are many Blues players, who have a different style. I am positive, this is what you want. Not a bunch of imitators, but to become innovators! Like a launch pad! You are and will continue to be, the touchstone of gentle guidance, in this nebulous genre. It makes sense that you "Live" here and it is most gracious that you welcome us into your home! With honorable respect, Coe

[@BorealBlue]

Your lessons are always a source of inspiration for me. Those sus chords are buttery gorgeous dude. Thank you Bill.

[@nikirose7673]

Beautiful. I'm already using a lot of these shapes but watching you play is inspiring when it comes to putting stuff together.

[@lucglaistermusic]

ooo great lesson. I've been playing ambient for a year or so and I just recently discocered your channel excellent work!!!!! Thank you so much.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

I love learning. We usually end up playing the same things. It gets old so it’s exciting hearing new Melodies, chords etc. This Is a great start

[@TyephoonMonsoon365]

This is what I've been waiting for! This video is plenty of insight het my appetite but I would LOVE to learn more chord variations like this to create more resonating, soul-feeding, heartfelt sounds like this. Practicing these chords just in the first 10 minutes have opened doors of understanding personally deemed ineffable. I can't wait to show Bill what he has taught me... Namaste! - Tye

[@delbo3115]

Bill, you've opened my ears and eyes and brought me to the world of ambient guitar. Look out; here I go.

[@MaTTheWish]

I really enjoyed this lesson,. More like this! Thank you Bill.

[@michaelcraig7766]

I love all of these chords, man. Here's a fun way of playing Em sus2(9). One of my favourites... E: 0 B: 0 G: 0 D: 4 (1st finger) A: 7 (4th finger) E: 0

[@chordsoforion]

Excellent!

[@MarkB-SnowyMtn]

5:23 Sent shivers up my spine. Gorgeous! That's the kind of interesting tonality I am always searching for in my playing. Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@Yyz1971]

I love your enthusiasm! I wish I would have found your channel long ago! Cheers mate!

[@tomgnau]

Hey, Bill Vencil! I've been watching you for years. Thanks for the music, man.

[@peterfuller8229]

Outstanding and inspiring again!

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Saving to learn! Thank you.

[@Fake_Jesus]

Brother, so glad I found your channel. I'm only doing ambient now, and you help fill in the blanks! 🙏

[@Rdascon]

Good music lesson, as always!!!!

[@jovangosen]

Hi Bill, it ´s really exciting, to see how you´re feelin´with "your" chords! It´s seems to be an awesome dinner! Thanks a lot for your ambient and inspiring sounding!

[@johnsmith-lb4mo]

Great lesson Bill, some cool idea's and sounds, i have discovered ambient is the way to go for my retired self, nice and slow

[@davidkastin4240]

Love the lesson. I just recently discovered I like ambient playing.

[@AveyaC2012]

Fantastic. Thank you for sharing. 💞

[@glennmichaelthompson4112]

From the G in 1st inversion one could change to a type of B minor.... keep the index/1st finger on the 5th string 2nd fret (B), & the 3rd finger on the 2nd string 3rd fret (D), now place the 2nd finger on the 3rd string 2nd fret (A). Low to high the notes are B, A, D or Root, b7, b3... a Bmin7 without a 5th. you could add the open 4th string for another D 1 octave lower. The augmented 4ths you were using gives a kind of lydian mode (mood) to the tonalities... really nice.

[@Megaviolin]

Eres Amazing Bill Idolo !!! IDOLO!!!!

[@skipneumann1]

Thanks for these chords! I am just getting into ambient guitar

[@timguitar862]

great video, thanks for sharing

[@datapusher-]

🙏👍awesome... gonna try these!

[@vernondodd]

Awesome thankyou

[@Eynowd]

Great video! Thanks for this one. It's MUCH more useful (right now) than the gear videos. I'd love to see more of this sort of thing.

[@chordsoforion]

There are more gear demos coming, however, I have some more of these types in the works too. Stay tuned!

[@Eynowd]

@@chordsoforion Thanks, Bill! The gear ones are cool, but as I'm only occasionally dabbling with ambient guitar at the moment, I use a Zoom G3xn multi-effects pedal. There might come a time where I invest in the fancy gear, but that's a ways off yet. So the technique stuff is much better to help me get a better understanding of how to play in the style :)

[@jroc2201]

I cant believe I finally discovered this! Ive played like this my whole life, never knew it had a name,my brain is hard wired to think and play like this, I can play other styles, but this is the real me, so cool

[@tristantzara3995]

INSPIRING CHORD SHAPES.😀

[@rexturner8208]

Very helpful. While listening I realized much of this I have heard in church hymns. I can apply all this to keyboard as well. I have just recently gotten interested in ambient music & find it a great style to destress to or to help concentration while working. Will go look to buy your album & just suscribed. Thanks!

[@lightnintrucker]

I really liked them. I got some really nice ideas for more ambience on my channel. And I'll be puttin' 'em to work soon

[@macsarcule]

Pretty cool, Bill!

[@dlpasco]

Thank you for this :)

[@rickiej88]

a hollowbody strat... dont think ive seen them before. nice!

[@bloodynin9757]

Amaze ballz thank you

[@philf4086]

Very informative - thank you! Also, thanks for playing these on a standard guitar. I could - possibly - follow along on your bari but staying conventional here was a benefit to most of us.

[@chordsoforion]

Glad the standard worked for you. Thanks!!!!

[@painter08]

Thanks!

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks very much Tomas!!!!!!!

[@bradybritto]

Intresting!! 👍

[@chrisegg7936]

found this so inspiring, thanks for sharing! Some of my favorite chords of all time (though not necessarily in the context I'm about to share...) are the main chords from the intro of "Shimmer" by Fuel. I found myself using them all the time cuz I love how they sound.

[@Emily_M81]

I mostly came to find a video to say "BILL! I GOT AN ATOMIC FIREBALL FROM SWEETWATER TODAY!" lol I'll stick around for the rest, though, because pretty music and learning.

[@erikavery1105]

I'm using these with my Gretsch Baritone!!!!!

[@bonoyeung5242]

Thanks

[@chordsoforion]

And thanks to you for the support! I really appreciate it!

[@thereareplaces]

Bill - you are obviously talented, knowledgeable and gifted. I appreciate the material you provide to us and view your videos with a hope of learning some new details about improving my playing. So thanks very much for your efforts on our behalf. I noticed that another view suggested that you provide tabs. Either that or on screen chord diagrams might be helpful because your fingering in the videos sometimes does not appear to match what you are saying about finger position. If you check the transcript of this video you might be able to see a few examples of how the mismatches make it difficult to determine where the fingers should actually be positioned. Also, I realize that chord nomenclature varies, but when I look up the chord forms you suggest (particularly suspensions) I am unable to find any reference that looks like what your are fingering. I guess this is another reason for tabs or chord diagrams. It's a great pleasure to share your knowledge and your videos are extremly helpful. Thanks so much.

[@elJosem808]

You really love music.🥲

[@hatusage]

D/F#, sus2 is my favourite chord!

[@BRAG450]

Hey bill, I have to recommend a pedal I bought last year to you since you kind of got me into ambient guitar. Out of all the pedals I bought last year my favorite one is the old blood noise sunlight. It’s a dynamic freeze reverb as they call it but it’s a really great ambient guitar pedal that has delay and reverb and tape reverb. Also haven’t tried it yet but the old blood noise darkstar also is supposedly a great ambient reverb.

[@brianwood8516]

Very cool - I'm a bit slow and would love to see the tabs - maybe a Patreon purchase or something?

[@elJosem808]

5:25 Hahaha, I enjoyed it with you, man. Excellent.

[@aliasdandavisofficial]

This is great. I play in a weird tuning most of the time, so I'll have to fiddle a bit with pencil & paper - but this is great. Thanks for continuing to grind these out. Also, thanks for explaining how the pedals interact with the technique. So many channels run down the changes but only briefly mention what's on their board - or go into detail about their gear but don't talk much about theory/technique. /// I wonder what the trolls on here (& that lurk in the comments of the small handful other ambient channels) &/or the guitar gods that say ambient & shoegaze musicians "can't play" (or at least the one who's last name rhymes with bonamassa) would think of your previous life as (for lack of a better description) a "prog metal guy"? /// Anyway, thanks again, great lesson.

[@kuusteist]

Ser Davos really knows his guitar!

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Very nice, thank you for sharing.

[@titomoms]

This is very educational. Thumbs up!!

[@ChristianThoresen]

Thanks so much for the inspiration! I need to go make a video after seeing this! Keep on playing!

[@dolphin4338]

Hi Bill, how do you know what kind of chord you're creating? Like sus, augmented, diminished? etc. Is it just knowing what notes are on your fretboard and the formulas to create those chords? You do it so quick and effortlessly I thought maybe you have a trick or two.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

I have gotten heavy into bands like Periphery and Skyharbor. They use a lot of ambient guitar in their songs.

[@why67152]

I have been using the CS9 for most everything! It is easier to move from G and D to make playing David Gilmore and Jimmy Page with flow. Any original or OPM muisic is much better. The only time I like a standard C cord is coming out of F down by the nut. Is that a C m7? Nice tutorial Bill!! I needed a tune up!!!

[@painter08]

Bravo..now how to connect that PF chord X X 8 0 6 0 into is puzzling my brain

[@percey]

add afro get Bob Ross of guitar. Learning so much, thank you bro!

[@IXOYE5350]

JUST WONDERFULL.... CNGRTLTNS... THE COMBINATION OF 5 EFECTS THAT YOU MENTINED IN ANOTHER VIDEO... COULD IT BE WITH CLOUDBURST THAT I JUST BOGHT IT? I MEAN DONT NEED ADICIONAL REVERB?....THANKS FOR YOUR HELP...

[@simonmcg23]

Fantastic. I struggle with compressors for ambient music. The ones I have tried always get so noisy on the release. Any suggestions for another to try? Ta

[@peteglase]

Simon-- Check out the Orange KongPressor. Very clean, works well with the ambient stuff.

[@megatherion2695]

Your videos are very helpful and informative

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks very much!

[@johnsmith-lb4mo]

I wonder how many chords and variants there are that can be utilised for ambient guitar, especially when you consider all the ways one can play them

[@fernmiranda]

Dude. You’re in Spotify!

[@chordsoforion]

Absolutely! Also, the other streaming platforms.

[@twiggyb67]

You`re like the Bob Ross of Guitar :)

[@johnmatta2061]

do you have any albums of you just playing. I find myself putting your videos on just to listen to the playing

[@chordsoforion]

Yes indeed. There are 12 Chords of Orion albums on all streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple, etc.). in addition, the Chords of Orion Bandcamp page is here: chordsoforion.bandcamp.com. Finally, if you prefer to stay on KZbin, you will find all of my albums on the Chords of Orion channel page: kzbin.info

[@johnmatta2061]

@@chordsoforion Thank you kindly for sharing your music with us

[@Fake_Jesus]

Can we purchase the tabs of the chords?

[@donjoe6580]

👍

[@guitardweeb]

I just hit the play button but I'm going to guess Fmaj7sus2 is on here. That's fantastic as a 4 chord in C. I may be naming that wrong lol. x x3010 Edit... guess I could have read the description haha.

[@tdesercey]

This guy is like a "part-time" wizard. He needs to wear one of those pointed hats to match his persona.

[@athomeontwo]

Please get a green screen for the background you need to float in space or in the sky or under the ocean during these videos

[@chordsoforion]

I do have a green screen and use it occasionally. Here's a recent one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6a8hp6AhLWqoas

[@athomeontwo]

@@chordsoforion yeah!

[@pb25193]

How does he make every note swell at 5:45?

[@chordsoforion]

I am using a Morley volume pedal to create the swells.

[@pb25193]

@@chordsoforion thanks for the answer. I will try to simulate it in my DAW with hand drawn automation!

[@samseitz9937]

Ah yes the holiest chord of them all the G sus

[@Ottophil]

I love the devil. Flat fifth for me please

[@shadowmeltsflesh3893]

@@Ottophil Sounds like you might enjoy some dark ambient guitar music. (nudge-nudge, wink-wink).

[@Fake_Jesus]

4:36 Using my SmartChord app, if I'm interpreting your fingers properly, 1 5 b7 2, it shows E7sus2. Can't find sus9sus4 anywhere. Not a chord expert...

[@chordsoforion]

The notes that I am playing are A (open string 5), E (2nd fret string 4), B (4th fret sting 3) and D (3rd fret string 2). so AEBD, which I interpret as Asus9sus4. Could also be Asus2sus4. Like I said its up for debate. Don't think it could be interpreted as an E7sus2 as there is no F#. But I am not a chord expert either! 🙂

[@josku5]

Sus9 isn’t a thing though. Most people just say sus2 because it’s simpler than saying Aadd9(omit 3rd).

[@terrypwaldron]

Was thinking the same thing, if the 9 or 2 is on top, it's an add9. No sus9s.

[@stefangolubek8219]

I know Yoy can play C chord. Wow, I'n impressed.. Could You play Eb chord please?

[@jnbernard]

1st chord sounds like opening to 3 Libras

[@denmar355]

Let’s make it simple and say don’t call it a ninth if there is no seventh being used. It’s just an add 2. When there is a seventh used in the chord we then say ninth. Like ascending as in counting. Keeps its logical.

[@chieftain5571]

Add tabs

[@oludhe7]

Came for the chords, stayed for the voice

[@simpson6700]

Unfortunately still a bit outside my skill range

[@peteywheatstraws4909]

Just find a few chords you like, mess around with them, and make it yours. Don't worry about playing exactly what the content creators, or even the guys in bands you like, are playing. Come up with your own stuff and just have fun. Get a little drum machine and you're off on a new journey.

[@DisVietVetUSA]

I bet the first timers novice player are totally confused now, Mmmmmm E7 min to major to G7, Minor major 7th chord, yes chords are the found dations of mellow mode music, now where did I put my Bass

[@DanFlashes99]

I think when you say sus4, I would say sus11

[@chordsoforion]

I get that for sure!

[@stefangolubek8219]

Wow, You must be proud of Yourself. Playing the D major with "e" string on the third position produces D 4 chords. I can't believe how sophistiaced guitarist You are!

[@Fraeg]

Thanks!

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks very much for the support!!!