EVERY Guitar Chord Explained (by a Music Professor)

Guitar chords are very simple if you learn them right!
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0:00 objective
0:22 Don’t skip this step
1:33 7th chords
2:33 Extensions
3:45 Tension chords
5:18 how music rules work
9:10 Add and 6 chords
10:30 major isn’t major
13:40 Why this matters
14:50 Advanced Triads
16:10 how to use this info

[@andrefludd]

If you want more lessons, sharing this video with your friends, online forums, etc. is a huge help! I also answer every comment on lesson videos. I’ll always do gear videos, but I love to teach guitar as well.

[@What_In_This_World]

D(r) - A (5) - C# (7) - G(10) played on the A-D-G-B strings on the 5-7-6-8 fret respectively, is one of my favorite sounds, especially when transitioning to the “Hendrix chord” E7#9. It’s just so comfortable on the hands and the sound is such a happy blue and I never hear it anywhere.

[@diegolatorre6793]

Please don't get My comment wrong, this video should be the explanation in between rock discipline by John Petrucci and Melodic Control by Friedman, lol. It's just hard For US man hahaha cheers from Peru.

[@artistlovepeace]

Thank you for producing and sharing. I hope you influence a lot of people. You've influenced me.

[@BillySoundFarm]

This is the video that people need, but probably not the one they wanted... If it doesn't do as well as your gear related videos, I hope that doesn't discourage you from doing more like this. I would be interested in more stuff on harmonic progressions.

[@andrefludd]

It won’t discourage me! I’ll add harmonic progressions to the lists. Maybe a list on my favorites

[@cyberjujo4413]

Definitely second that.

[@daves_]

@@cyberjujo4413 qnd I 2nd your second (now I have added tension)

[@TVsBen]

I agree! I too would very much love to see a list of great harmonic progressions and what makes them work.

[@dragonfx310]

I just discovered this channel and already, this video has helped clear the confusion of triads and its extensions for me when other videos didn't. Thank you! You explain things in a clear and detailed manner. Subscribed :).

[@mrjoestrr]

Oh you play the guitar? Name every chord...

[@lunamatic9775]

"Don't argue with people. Just learn the chords you like" This video should be required reading before diving over to any guitar forum. 😂

[@andrefludd]

Guitar players are the best and the worst. 🤣

[@doctorf7501]

This is what I’m after as a music theory deficient, frustrated 20-year guitar player. Great video mate. I’ve got some learning to do

[@mark6302]

underrated channel.

[@frankiechan9651]

Learnt more about chords in 16 minutes than in many, many hours of watching other channels and in reading "traditional" music theory books. That way you were intimidated by the 12,000 chords book is exactly how I'd feel if presented with it.

[@andrefludd]

I’m glad it was helpful! I’ll keep trying to deliver

[@thepostapocalyptictrio4762]

8:32 repetition legitimizes 😀 This video is amazing. One of the best for guitar I have seen.

[@Madchris8828]

Wow at three minutes showing the nineth notes like that is actually seriously helpful and honesty just makes sense.

[@andrefludd]

I'm glad it's helpful! That's something I've never seen anyone teach and growing up it took me years to figure it out on my own.

[@Madchris8828]

@@andrefludd thanks Andre. Good video

[@Loffeno]

Haha the Google search at 2:06 on emptiness is a great subtle joke. Excellent video Andre, your video quality keeps getting better and better; very concise and clear intro to chord theory on guitar. One small tip I learned from video editing courses in college: for text in videos that you want the viewer to read, it should stay on screen for as long as it would take you to calmly read out loud.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@Robstafarian]

Yeah, I was distracted by the annoyance of having to pause to read.

[@michaeldematteis3409]

I remember buying chord books too.i could never remember them till I learned the theory behind how to make chords.makes it much easier.love this music theory stuff

[@andrefludd]

Agreed 100%

[@DimoJohn]

Thanks a lot for the insight: "apart from triads, major isn't really major, minor isn't really minor"! It sumed up for me what I visualized a long time ago, but couldn't really figure in a rational way. When I was messing with triads inversions, the little shapes looked liked pieces of 7ths chords that I knew. Well, now you gave me a aforism to remember and apply intentionally. The soft rule is also a good one. Embraces tradition openly.

[@mtus647]

This is absolutely awesome of you, and truly helpful. Thanks a lot

[@andrefludd]

I’m glad it was helpful!!

[@leeg7106]

Great video! Well done! I love those 11 tensions chords, they add this tightening up or freeze like sound to the melody. In Julie’s London’s first album she does a take with Barney Kessel on guitar on the song “No Moon at All” he starts off with just that interval spread such as with with the “3rd and 11th” playing just the two notes, But a nice example of that sound purposed in a song.

[@danielwright1661]

This was just the video I needed! You explained this very well, great lesson!

[@andrefludd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@louisgarbi1009]

Thank you. This was so clearly explained and demonstrated. Also, I loved the clean tones and the precise articulation.

[@andrefludd]

You're very welcome! Thanks for your comment

[@doctorinthezone3494]

Wish I had this video when I was first learning guitar, would have saved me months

[@randrothify]

Another great lesson Dr. Flood. Need to watch several more times to process fully.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you! I’ll have more as well.

[@armbarre]

This is my favorite video of yours. It feels like it’s pitched precisely where I’m at right now. Thanks!

[@andrefludd]

That means a lot to me. I have a lot more lessons coming thanks!

[@surfrby8876]

Loved this video , just learned a lot , subscribed ! 👍

[@kungfuseadog]

Holy cow dre, that was a light hearted, yet hard hitting infodump that was fun and educational. You nailed it man.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@twobarsfourstars]

This is brilliant, and you are the best for sharing this with us. Feel super fortunate to be having this stuff broken down and getting to enjoy the benefits of getting better through learning. Thank you so much!!

[@andrefludd]

My pleasure!

[@Indaigo1]

Love this so much! 🤗 On my part i try to learn jazz and funk through only A major coming from a death metal/core background. This is what we all need, the 12000+ chords comment is great. Chords are just shapes and context, to get the right sound/feel, as far as i’m concerned right now. The major/minor relevance from 7th and upwards was great imo. Thanks a bunch and keep at it!

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@achannel1818]

This is the video that did it for me. Thank you, Dr Fludd.

[@andrefludd]

You are very welcome

[@eggpod4567]

Damn, this is such a huge help. Thank you. Im not even a minute in and everythings clicking for me so much more then it has before. Youre good man. For real.

[@yeetyfreety6938]

I can't believe you didn't mention diaphonic monochromatic philly dill-whomper 9th over 18th polytonic symphonic chords. This channel has definitely gone down hill.

[@andrefludd]

I'm never going to live this one down. I'm sorry I failed you.

[@yeetyfreety6938]

@@andrefludd Definitely need to make an apology video now. Anyhow, if you end up reading this have a good one man. Your videos are pretty awesome.

[@GTORT]

Agreed

[@BrandonGallemore]

Loved this video. Thanks for making it.

[@andrefludd]

My pleasure!

[@Bubblegoose9000]

This is super helpful! Visualizations really made a few things click for me.

[@duderserious]

Great video…I like your advice at 13:40 Keypoints & First Steps! Thank you 🤙

[@hitesh_blues2353]

Love it! Liked and subscribed. Your guitar is so beautiful, it helped me stay focused and listen 😀

[@andrefludd]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@steelesaldutti]

Excellent video

[@wagonet]

I really like those massive numbers on the fretboard. It helps the viewer reference where you are. Great tutorial 🎉

[@andrefludd]

Glad it was helpful! Thats why I have it

[@DeuceSimmonsOfficial]

Wow, i have never seen a better explanation ! I will share this Video with my Students

[@worldofstrings]

Thanks, Fludd! I've struggled a lot with chord theory and got bored using the same basic chords. You have really opened up the chord vocabulary a lot. Thanks again!

[@andrefludd]

Glad I could help!

[@nickrouse8426]

Also, "You getting carried away" with that section was fantastic to me. To show the rules and simply destroy them all within a few minutes opens our eyes to why we really need to fill in knowledge gaps. Our options will open up tenfold or beyond by understanding the intricacies of the relationships between chords, triads, and their extensions.

[@g-love6507]

Great Lesson .. I'm gonna purchase your lessons ... Thanks !!!

[@andrefludd]

Looking forward to seeing you there!

[@poindextertunes]

tuned in for the old school Carvin guitar. I used to read those catalogues all the time lol

[@ranradd]

Thank you!

[@jarvionnorman9503]

This was a great lesson for me ! I’ve been playing for a few years now, self taught, and I play quartet but this just put all the pieces together for me 🤯

[@andrefludd]

Thanks for watching

[@klopt305]

only halfway thru and im already subscribed, liked the video and commenting for the algorithm. more people should see this, it's an excellent explanation. great work 👍🏽

[@andrefludd]

Thank you so much! More lessons coming very soon

[@simonpark843]

This video is excellent - thank you so much.

[@andrefludd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@simonpark843]

@@andrefludd - your videos are always helpful and enjoyable, also.

[@Amazology]

Awesome. Thanks !!

[@jorgeya2036]

im with you with the maj11 chord. I like it

[@ERNESTOM.FRANCISCOJR.]

❤nice tuturial

[@LilLingLing6789]

Good video, helped jog my memory.. I remember how confusing all this was but you get there in the end

[@andrefludd]

Glad it helped!

[@692time]

Heya that was really eye opening love it thank you very much 🎸🎵❤

[@andrefludd]

Thanks for watching!

[@anastasiasucha]

thank You for this video, as a beginner it helped me grasp the logic of the cords and why they are created that way

[@andrefludd]

My pleasure

[@gergemall]

Thank you, glad I found you .

[@pitpride1220]

Thank you for this, and thank you for making your course fairly priced.

[@andrefludd]

My pleasure!

[@ithaca976]

andre you are legitimately the best guitar teacher on all of youtube

[@andrefludd]

That’s very kind of you! Thanks 😊

[@L-nm2ls]

this is amazing

[@uralgokceel7367]

Sorry for the long comment 😅 I really enjoyed your content and couldn't keep it to myself. Just wow! I had started my music journey with my birthday gift keyboard and had learned theory mainly on the 12 keys. I recently grabbed my dad's old guitar to try and learn it and was discovering chords and resolutions on the 5 strings (cause the high e string was broke😂). I might have watched over a hundred videos on harmony and chords/progressions but I haven't come across a video quite like yours. This is the first video of yours that I watched and I can fairly say that I wanna watch more. The way you introduced chord inversions and how the quality of the chords get more sophisticated as we add extensions was very eye-opening for me. And you telling us that it doesn't necessarily make it more complicated, but, conversly, makes it simpler was spot on. You really seem to know what you're doing and what makes it even more striking is the comments you add and the guidance you provide. Even though I didn't exactly learn a new chord or a cadence or blah blah, I, for sure, am willing to ponder and experiment with my 5 stringed guitar because of the insight you gave me. Thank you for your insightful teaching and keep doing what you're doing. Much love from a graduating high schooler❤

[@andrefludd]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment! I’m going to do a similar video like this on scales and I have lots of other harmony videos coming soon!

[@MaukaMelodies]

Great content. You’re a great teacher because you simplify the mountain of theory for people to visualize so they can learn the rules but then break them when the opportunity arises.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@sodakjohn]

Great video thanks. Subscribed.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@nickrouse8426]

I was thinking about getting the Beato bundle. But your course seems more guitar-centric and better for my means. I really like this video. Might have to grab your lifetime course thing soon. Just found your channel, too. You're good at this, man.

[@andrefludd]

Thanks! The course is there if and when you want it!

[@dandilion62]

great lesson!!!

[@andrefludd]

Thanks! 😃

[@smallguitardude4672]

Love your videos!

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@lilacbelly]

Wow subscribed, Ive been self-taught in the last 4 years, but this technical info is priceless

[@andrefludd]

A lot more coming!

[@joeaquilino19]

Bro I needed this in my life so hard 🎉

[@andrefludd]

I got you covered!

[@jshearer94]

This video is amazing!! I wish it was made earlier while I was accidentally stumbling into figuring it out by myself. Love videos and discussions about theory.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@carlosolaechea1124]

First time watching you. I gotta say, this was excellent.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@brandonprescott5525]

Great video! And please go deeper into the confusing stuff. That's what I'm here for lol! I often think about sevenths and extensions as stacking triads on various chord tones but I haven't really managed to use that in any appreciable way.

[@andrefludd]

That is certainly a correct way to see things. However, I think it’s much easier to implement on piano just by nature of the instrument vs the guitar. Stacking triads is a great approach for soloing on guitar but not so much playing chords (but again that is just my experience always do what works for you!)

[@slavicobelrus2466]

More knowledge = more sound

[@freesk8]

Very interesting! Thanks! :)

[@andrefludd]

Thanks for watching!

[@Crambo2]

This is some of the best guitar content I’ve seen in years

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@mohammedjam7659]

Thanks to KZbin algorithm Man you got a new subscriber

[@andrefludd]

Thanks for subbing

[@michaeljones559]

I wish all guitar tutorial videos used a guitar with that fretboard. Thank you! It astounds me how many such videos I see where the guitar has either no fret markings or markings that are difficult to see.

[@andrefludd]

That’s exactly why I use it for all lessons!

[@davidhealy7743]

Short version, Brilliant sir.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@mysteryshrimp]

Love Carvins. Can't go wrong.

[@rocketpost1]

A very interesting video Andre, albeit at a breakneck speed. I think I'm pretty good on chord theory but there's always something to learn if you keep an open mind. Beautiful sounding guitar you've got there by the way. I think of scales as just guidelines and if all melodies were diatonic, some great songs would never have been written. I like your idea of soft rules.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@kristianwichmann9996]

I love the "soft rule" terminology.

[@RotterStudios]

Just subbed. I have always had a huge mental block on guitar, which is why I play by ear and shapes. I know how it works but I just can't utilize it.

[@oviangstudio]

The truth about chords and melodies on instruments is no matter how many videos or books you read, if u don't spend enough time with the instruments you might never get to see and understand it... I really think you get to enjoy songs more when you see these patterns... Great lesson 👏👏

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@davidhealy7743]

As an old guy that pretty much learned to play by ear this information is concise readily available study to give theoretical insight into what I know how to do , but lack the ability to define. I hope that makes sense. Until seeing this short video I have considered that an insurmountable t 11:06 ask. Thanks , I don’t mean to say this is simple as it is complicated but not fragmented information. You have interested me greatly sir.

[@andrefludd]

I'm glad you found it helpful! And honestly, I do think once we get to the core principles, most of this is simple (Though very difficult to master!)

[@jroc2201]

Very interesting

[@Zumanji__]

Will need to return to this video for the following days..

[@ravenecho2410]

@8:38 i rhink perosnally is how u resolve it, obviously going 11 to 10(M), and then dropping a 4th seems natural or u could take a couple of steps and like sharp the eleventh and so some type of like dim 5 sus to I

[@VicLabs]

This video on repeat is worth its weight in tuition.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@MarkRayBeach]

I am sooooo grateful this video popped up in suggested vids. Been playing guitar for 30yrs, I’m no slouch, but mostly self-taught, I play these types of chords, but never knew the “mystery” behind the names, especially suspended and diminished. Andre!! Thank you so much! Fantastic content. I’ll be sharing this video with family and friends. My mum leads a local ukulele group, I think this video will give her great insight on how to explain chords to the group. You Rock bro!

[@andrefludd]

Glad to help!

[@mike__durrett]

Conclusion: I still don't get music theory but that's okay. 😂

[@andrefludd]

😂 damn. I really thought I could solve it in 15 minutes.

[@mike__durrett]

@@andrefludd it's not you, it's me. 😂

[@toddkennedy5714]

Great stuff! Thank you. By the way, I did begin to enjoy the natural 11 :)

[@andrefludd]

Me too!

[@dragonyoshi1]

Man I just strum along to radio rock songs using simplified top of the neck chords using the free version of the Chord U website don't know what the notes are couldn't explain what a key is to a child but this was pretty interesting nonetheless despite it pretty much going over my head.

[@liquensrollant]

References to Rameau and Wagner in the same video... my absolute best memories attending operas have been at operas by those two composers. I don't really get the argument for why a 6 chord is not a 13, because 9ths are really 2nds, 11ths are 4ths, and neither 2 nor 4 are greater than 7... what did I miss? This video was really illuminating, thanks again!

[@andrefludd]

Good question, so if you play every other note starting from 1 you get 1 3 5 7 9 for out 9 chords. But to get a 6 chord we don’t go every other note, instead it’s 1 3 5 6. So if you think in terms of octaves, the 6th is still in the same octave as the 1 3 5. But with a 9 chord, the 9th is in a different octave than the 1 3 5 7.

[@liquensrollant]

@@andrefludd I think I'll have to watch that bit again, I am still stuck thinking that you could just go 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 and that would be a 6 chord. Or is it that a 6 chord is specifically a 13 chord *without* the 7, 9 and 11? Thanks heaps for replying anyway!

[@maestroeba]

Dr. Fludd, great work! i enjoyed your presentation. what did you mean when you said, learn every major triad in groups of 3 strings: EBG, BGD etc., i know it seems clear but i didn't get it.

[@andrefludd]

Hi, every triad 3 notes which means you only need 3 strings to play it. So it’s good to learn how to play every triad on every set of string strings. E string b string and g string is one set of 3 strings. Etc

[@maestroeba]

@@andrefludd Dr, fludd, thank you for you prompt response. because of your attention to detail, i will enroll in your course. i wish you great success! Dr.e.brian ashton

[@joshuakelly3653]

my home has a green carvin so close to that one lol

[@diegolatorre6793]

I know i need to watch this video, im a 15 year guitar player and i need to take the next step further.... but i can't man, sorry, will keep at the pentatonics, wish me luck, crazy guitar man.

[@Hyperspeed1000]

Damn..I wish you were my guitar teacher. I had one before but I quit going to him after he discouraged me using a chord in a sequence I came up with…I asked him where I can go from that chord and he told me not to play it. It was the opposite of what I wanted…

[@andrefludd]

I try to never discourage creativity. I’m sorry you had the experience but I hope you kept playing the chord!

[@preetangad]

Hey Andre, I keep refreshing every Friday for the last 3 weeks for a video about the new Strandberg. Any idea when that will come out?

[@andrefludd]

Strandberg has been saying next week every week for the last 5 weeks 🤷🏾. I guess I wasn’t on the fancy list that got it a month ago.

[@preetangad]

@@andrefludd thanks for responding. That's weird - maybe something went wrong with your order? I see it in stock on the Strandberg website and a lot on Reverb. My local store had 6 and still have 2 left.

[@AfterSimone]

Hey Andre, I was wondering if you could ever muster up a talk on Jeff Buckley's guitar playing. Imo he's incredibly overlooked, despite thats where he spent most of his life. His skills are best showcased in his live bootlegs. One that immediately comes to mind is his cover 'the way young lovers do' the one thats titled "AMAZING" here on KZbin

[@andrefludd]

I’ll look into it! Thanks

[@ravenecho2410]

I liked thinking of the realtive under for the chord, and perhaos whivh function i think i could also think of the superior. I am curuous, how 137, voicings stabalize in their function vs like adding the 5th and how that might be more like lsubversive dominant as the 5 is the relative 7th Also a lil angry that u used a sharl 6 in thr minor 6 chord example for thr fsharp dim minor, hurt my brain for a bit, dorian and other modes eff with my head

[@RAHHHRAHHH-en8md]

bro thank youuuuu, tryna join jazz band and this is really helpful, the fact that this isn’t the first video that shows when you look up how chords work bugs me

[@andrefludd]

Well this video is only a couple weeks old. Hopefully it gets there! Enjoy jazz band. That was a big part of my high school life

[@Methar39]

Hello, at 9:25, shouldn't the Cadd9 chord be C E G + D instead of C E G + B ? Nice video !

[@andrefludd]

If it’s C add 9 then yes D is the correct note. Probably a few other typos in the video 😅

[@stevieboi61]

👌

[@pellabandgeek]

The major isn't major and minor isn't minor part blew my mind.

[@andrefludd]

Me too when I first put it all together!

[@patrickmaline4258]

👍

[@itookallthenames]

4:02 lol

[@_mgxrcia1550]

This video made me wanna pick up my guitar and play weird chords lol

[@andrefludd]

My job is done 😎

[@fletch4231]

I want to follow along with this video, but I’ve tuned my guitar to an alternative tuning and I really don’t want to go back to standard, do I have to have it tuned in standard to follow along?

[@fletch4231]

Ok idk what is going on this video is kinda hard to understand

[@andrefludd]

This video is honestly made for standard tuning.

[@cj.mccarthy]

9:21 add 9 is D not B. im sure its just a typo tho! great video Dr Fludd

[@andrefludd]

Yea it was a typo thanks!

[@Uncle_Ruckus_]

Bruh he got a sesame Street ass guitar

[@andrefludd]

😂