Unlock the Magic of TRIADS: Easy Guitar Lesson for Beginners!

(Note: I noticed after recording my guitar angle was unfortunately a little out of focus)

Lesson Overview: Triad Power Chords and Technique
Unlock the Magic of Triads: Easy Guitar Lesson for Beginners!

1) Introduction to Triads:
A power chord traditionally consists of two notes or two fingers, but in this lesson, we’ll be adding a third note to create a triad.

A triad is made up of three notes (like a tricycle has three wheels). It's easy to play and makes chords sound fuller and more complex.

2) Building the Chord:
Start with the bass note (lowest note on the biggest string) and build from there.

Playing one note at a time is a good foundation, and adding more notes broadens the sound.

3) Chord Structure:
Use three fingers: pointer, ring, and pinky to form the triad.

Follow the dots on the neck as guides, with your index finger on the first dot then add the ring finger on the next dot up and the pinky on the third string on the same dot the ring finger is on.

4) Importance of Technique:
Use your thumb as back pressure to help press down the strings.

Your forearm should help push the guitar neck into your hand to reduce strain.

5) Practical Application:
Strum the three notes of the triad together. This creates a fuller sound compared to two-note power chords.

Power triads are popular in genres like pop punk (Blink 182, Yellow Card), and you'll often see them used in those songs.

6) Triads Across the Fretboard:
The hand shape used for the triad is unchanging, allowing you to move up and down the fretboard to play triads on different frets.

Example: move from the first dot (third fret) to the next dot (fifth fret) and maintain the same hand shape.

7) Introducing Octaves and Diminished Chords:
Removing your ring finger creates an octave between your pointer and pinky finger (the same note but at different pitches).

Moving the pinky finger up creates a more open chord, often used in rock and pop-punk for a Wider sound..

Experiment with half steps by moving your pinky or middle finger for variation in sound.

8) Move The Pinky
Triads can be played across different strings. Shift the same hand shape up or down a string and play the same technique for a diverse sound.

This approach gives the impression of more complex playing while using simple, efficient movements.

9) Practical Advice:
Guitar is about simplifying movements and making music with minimal effort. Complex hand positions aren’t necessary for great-sounding chords.

Play with these simple hand shapes and experiment by adding or removing fingers, moving up and down the fretboard, and shifting to different strings.

10) Summary and Final Thoughts:
The triad chord technique is easy to master and provides a foundation for making rich, complex-sounding music.

You can sound experienced and versatile without needing to move too much or use overly complicated techniques.

Experiment with moving your pinky and middle fingers while holding down your other fingers to explore new chord possibilities.

Keep it fun and simple, find your favorite sounds, and enjoy the process of playing with this method.