Chord Mods – What Every Guitarist Needs to Know • Acoustic Tuesday 238

Chord modifications, or mods, can elevate your rhythm and lead guitar playing. If you’re ready to transform your open chords into deeper, complex chords with just a few adjustments, stay tuned!

This episode will cover chord modifications by way of learning a lick. We’ll start by seeing how chord modifications come up in the guitar lick I call “cement mixer.” This lick reveals so much about playing within a chord shape.

“Cement mixer” is the perfect gateway into chord mods. There’s a perception that chord mods are an advanced technique. However, the sooner you can practice them, the more your sonic landscape will really open up. So, whether you’re a beginner or advanced guitar player, you’re going to learn so much from working on your chord mods.

Chord mods on guitar allow you to add melody to chord playing. It can add another layer of musicality to your rhythm playing. If you play just by yourself, I promise that employing some chord mods will spice up your playing.

In addition to learning the “cement mixer” lick and how chord mods can improve your playing, we’ll get a chance to hear from Darren, a TAC Family member’s experiences on building a guitar routine. It’s well worth your time, so don’t skip!

Featured on this Episode…

  • Rick Turner Guitars
  • Chicago Music Exchange
  • Willi Carlisle
  • Western AF
  • Dion guitars
  • Watchhouse
  • Mule Resonator Guitars

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  1. Well, I’ve been a TAC member for around 3 months however, I was getting in a rut. I like the way Tony teaches, the lessons and the attitude he encourages his student with. I was in a rut it started to slow down. I went to you tube an
    d tried to jump in and play with Hadey, found out I know baby talk and tried to get the chords and timing. Since I know baby talk, I went off on my own tangent and learned how to strum faster louder with more in control even came up with my own tune. That for me is really good. Turnes out I wasn’t in a rut I just needed to stretch my wings a bit. I’m back with new Vigor!!! Tony teach me more!!!

  2. Yes! I used while playing Linger (Cramberrys), chords C (moving finger 1 on and off) and D (moving finger 2 on and off as well as adding pinky sometimes).
    Great ideia I learned in the episode you talk about The Birds .

  3. I use chord mods for the song ‘The Circle Game’ from an A chord to a Mod D (2 strings and an open e)

  4. Throughly enjoyed this AT as I just hit 400 playing sessions in TAC. Great stuff highlighting Darren’s rapid advancement with his TAC journey. Also known to us as Moonhare, I feel particularly blessed to have meet him virtually at a prior Progress Party breakout session as well as ongoing forum interactions. Check out his recent “Play for Us” of his original “The Tin Pan Blues” dedicated to those of us advanced (in years) guitarists “when you feel like the joints aren’t working?!”
    Joined the “mod squad” with Dylan’s “Knock’n On Heaven’s Door” with chord progression of G,D,Am/G,D,C fingerpicked.

  5. This was a great AT segment. I have used chord mods for the G, C and D chords, however Tony’s video showed me a more expanded use! I really like the inclusion of notes from the melody.

    The songs I play with chord mods are:
    Blackjack David by Dave Alvin: G and C chords

    Old Man by Neil Young: D and C chords

    Better Boat by Travis Meadows: C walking down to Am and back again to C

  6. You talked about patience with your guitar routine and all of what you said was right on. There is another time patience is needed and that is on ones progress. I have just passed 1000 playing sessions having started playing just over 3 years ago (with TAC) at age 69. I have recently been in the guitar playing doldrums where progress doesn’t seem as apparent as I would like it to be after 1000 playing sessions. But I’ve been here before and I know that if I keep at it progress will manifest itself. Bottom line is that patience is key in all aspects of this journey.

  7. I’ve been learning Radiohead’s Street Spirit (Fade Out), which uses it with Am, Em, and C. Great to hear your take on it and how it opens us up for experimentation.

  8. Great info on chord modifications- very helpful- maybe you could go into more detail with other open chord modifications- thanks- have not been introduced to this in the past

  9. I use it playing Wagon Wheel in the key of G. When playing the C chord on alternate strokes, I add a G with my pinkie.

  10. Dion: a builder of great significance. One of the guitars with the greatest clarity I have ever heard was a Dion#4 Engelmann top with Birdseye Maple Back and Sides. Whoa Man that is a beaut.