Guitar Learners

Magic Bullet
Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar
------------Handbook
by Lisa McCormick

Guitar Learners Magic Bullet

Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Chords in the Key of C

Quickstart:
Just the Major
Chords
C, F, G

I= C
II = Dm
III = Em
IV = F
V= G
VI = Am

x x

Dm Em

EADGBE

EADGBE

EADGBE

I
Major

II
minor

III
minor

x x

EADGBE

IV
Major

Tip:
Most likely minor:

Am

G
EADGBE

V
Major

x x

Am

EADGBE

VI

relative

minor
2010Lisa McCormick

Guitar Learners Magic Bullet

Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Chords in the Key of G

Quickstart:
Just the Major
Chords
G, C, D

I= G
II = Am
III = Bm
IV = C
V= D
VI = Em

x x

Am

EADGBE

EADGBE

I
Major

II
minor

x x

Bm

EADGBE

III
minor

Tip:
Most likely minor:

Em
x x

Em

EADGBE

EADGBE

EADGBE

IV
Major

V
Major

VI

relative

minor
2010Lisa McCormick

Guitar Learners Magic Bullet

Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Quickstart:
Just the Major
Chords
D, G, A

Chords in the Key of D

I= D
II = Em
III = F#m
IV = G
V= A
VI = Bm

F#m

Em

EADGBE

EADGBE

EADGBE

II
minor

III
minor

x x

I
Major

x x

Tip:
Most likely minor:

Bm
x x

EADGBE

EADGBE

IV
Major

V
Major

x x

Bm

EADGBE

VI

relative

minor
2010Lisa McCormick

Guitar Learners Magic Bullet

Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Chords in the Key of A

Quickstart:
Just the Major
Chords
A, D, E

x x

I= A
II = Bm
III = C#m
IV = D
V= E
VI = F # m

x x

Bm C#m

Tip:
Most likely minor:

F#m

EADGBE

EADGBE

IV
Major

V
Major

x x

F#m

x x

is a
Barre
Chord
or Beyond
1st Position
EADGBE

I
Major

EADGBE

II
minor

III
minor

EADGBE

VI

relative

minor
2010Lisa McCormick

Guitar Learners Magic Bullet

Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Quickstart:
Just the Major
Chords
E, A, B

E
EADGBE

I
Major

TIP:

Chords in the Key of E

I= E
II = F # m
III = G#m
IV = A
V= B
VI = C# m

F#m

x x

x x x

#m

x x

B7

Try B7
in place of B

Tip:
Most likely minor:

C#m
x x

C#m
is a
Barre
Chord
or Beyond
1st Position

EADGBE

II
minor

EADGBE

III
minor

EADGBE

EADGBE

IV
Major

V
Major

VI

relative

minor
2010Lisa McCormick

Guitar Learners Magic Bullet

Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Tip: try the

I, IV, V, & VI
for starters.
Place the I in
the first measure.
Mix up the order
of the other chords.
Experiment with
different rhythms
and techniques.

Write your own chord progressions

2010Lisa McCormick

example: key of G

Em

Can you play this on your guitar?

Can you transpose it to another key?

this symbol means repeat what you just played

Now,
try adding in the
II and/or the III.
Shuffle the order
until youre happy
with your
masterpiece.
Can you add some lyrics?