Ever looked at a guitar chord shape and wondered, “What Chord Is This Guitar?” It’s a common question, and often, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Understanding how to analyze chord shapes can unlock a deeper understanding of music theory on the fretboard. Let’s explore a practical example to illustrate this.
Consider a common guitar chord shape, often played without the A string. This shape, when rooted on the low E string at any fret (let’s call it fret N), effectively creates an LN minor 7th chord. In musical terms, this voicing includes the 1st, b7th, b3rd, and 5th degrees of the minor scale (1, X, b7, b3, 5, 1). Every essential note of a minor 7th chord is present in this shape.
Now, let’s add the open A string into the mix. By incorporating the A string, we introduce the 4th (or 11th) interval to our chord. This transforms our minor 7th shape into a voicing of an E minor 11th chord (assuming E as the root). The notes now represent (1, b3, 5, b7, 11), giving us a rich, extended minor chord without the 9th.
However, the beauty of guitar chords lies in their versatility. What if we perceive the A string as the root? Suddenly, the absence of a 3rd degree suggests a 9th chord, possibly major or minor, leaning towards a suspended (sus) chord quality.
Alternatively, if we consider the G note (third fret of the E string) as the root, things get even more interesting. Analyzing the notes in relation to G, we find the root (G), 3rd (B), 5th (D), 6th (E), and 9th (A). This combination creates a voicing of a G69 chord, a harmonically rich and beautiful chord. While it might be a less conventional voicing, all the defining notes of a G69 are present. A typical G69 voicing often used is (1, 3, 6, 9, 5, 1) in degrees, fingered as (3, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3) in frets, for comparison.
In conclusion, when faced with the question “what chord is this guitar?”, remember that context and perspective are key. A single chord shape can hold multiple identities depending on how you interpret the root and the musical context. In our example, both E minor 11 and G69 stand out as strong possibilities, showcasing the fascinating ambiguity and richness inherent in guitar chords, all within standard tuning.
