How To Master Triad Chord Shapes On Guitar

by Simon Candy

In this video, you learn all about triad chord shapes on guitar. Triads open up the fretboard as far as playing chords are concerned, and provide you with much greater scope when playing rhythm guitar parts.

In this lesson, you learn the major and minor triads on the top 3 strings of the guitar. You first learn each shape in isolation, followed by two key training methods for instantly knowing where triads are on the fretboard.

• Training Strategy 1: By Shape

The first method has you arranging a chord progression using a single triad shape.

• Training Strategy 2: By Position

The second method has you arranging a chord progression using a variety of triad shapes to remain in the one position on the fretboard.

Both methods combined will ensure you get the triad chord shapes down so you can easily use them in your own guitar playing.

Watch the video below to learn more:

C Major Triad Shapes

The following are the C Major 3, 2, 1 triad shapes:

C Minor Triad Shapes

The following are the C Minor 3, 2, 1 triad shapes: 

How To Train Triad Chord Shapes

Here is a simple chord progression in the key of C we will use to train the triad shapes:

Training Strategy 1: By Shape

The first training method is to arrange the progression above by shape. In other words, use one shape for the whole progression.

• Root Position

Here is the progression arranged using the root position triad shape:

• 1st Inversion

Here is the progression arranged using the 1st inversion triad shape:

• 2nd Inversion

Here is the progression arranged using the 2nd inversion triad shape:

Training Strategy 2: By Position

The second training method is to arrange the progression above by position. In other words, use a variety of triad shapes allowing you to remain in the one position on the fretboard.

• Root Position

This first arrangement of the progression stems from the root position C triad shape:

• 1st Inversion

This second arrangement of the progression stems from the 1st inversion C triad shape:

• 2nd Inversion

This third arrangement of the progression stems from the 2nd inversion C triad shape:

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