Turnarounds are chord with the last chord taking you back to the start to make it possible to play these progressions over and over again as an intro, an ending, a solo or between verses. Here are some cool but easy turnarounds for you!
left hand fingerings is not included to avoid the guitar tabs to look bad. But choose left hand fingers carefully so you don't get into trouble!
In order to learn to play these guitar chord progressions as intended think about your right hand fingerings. My suggestion is that you play the bass notes with your thumb and the first three guitar strings with you first finger, middle finger and ring finger. Sounds easy? After some practise it is.
Of course you can use a pick if you hate picking with you fingers. If you strum the chords you need to mute unused strings with your left hand fingers or otherwise you can pluck the strings with your pick using different patterns.
Let us start with the first chord progression. It includes the guitar chords A F#m7 Bm11 and E7. You can use any right hand pattern you like as you play the chords.
---0---0---0---0------2---2---3---3---
---2---2---2---1---
-------------------
---0-------2-------
-------2-------0---
Easy? Remember everything need practise. Here comes our second turnaround consists of the Amaj7, F#7, Bm11 and E7. When you learn to play these turnarounds I strongly suggest that you follow my advice above about the left hand fingers.
When you have found the most effective fingerings for you stick to the position so you can learn the progressions by heart and be able to move between chords fast.
---0---0---0---0------2---2---3---3---
---1---3---2---1---
-------------------
---0-------2-------
-------2-------0---
Turnaround number three becomes harder, especially the last chord which requires a bit stretching. The chords are A, F#7+, Bm11 and Bb7add+11.
Try to move your fingers as little as possible when changing position. Keep the fingers close to the fretboard as this will help you change chords smoothly. Here is the guitar tab:
---0---0---0---0------2---3---3---3---
---2---3---2---1---
-------------------
---0-------2---1---
-------2-----------
The last turnaround consists of the chords Aadd9, C9, Fmaj and Bb9+11.
The most difficult and most important thing when playing chord progressions on your guitar isn't to hold a chord but the change between chords. To practice really effectively you can choose two consecutive chords and practice changing between them in a slow tempo. Then, when you start to master the technique go faster and faster.
---2---3---1---1---
---4---3---2---1---
-----------3-------
---0---3-------1---
-------------------
Now you can play four guitar progressions that can be mixed to as much as you like. Replace the second chord in a progression with a second chord from another progression and so on. At the end you will have your own cool material.
I will end this learn to play guitar article by showing you a right hand pattern you can use with the chords. Use the pattern once for every chord in the progression. The thumb will of course be on different bass strings depending on the chord.
---a---a------m---m---
---i---i---
-----------
---p-------
-----------
There are many common turnarounds that are used frequently in pop, metal and rock songs. To practice the common progression C, Am, Dm, G7 in different keys is a good way to learn how chords are related tp each other and also a good way to practice the art of changing between chords in a smooth way. Good luck!
About the Author:
Peter Edvinsson is a musician, composer and music teacher. Visit his site Capotasto Music and download your free sheet music guitar tab and learn to play guitar resources at http://www.capotastomusic.com
