The Essential Chords You Need to Know to Write Songs on Guitar

TLDRLearn the key chords you need to know on guitar to write great songs. Discover the patterns and relationships between major, minor, and diminished chords in every key. With just 36 chords, you have everything you need to create an endless variety of songs.

Key insights

🎸There are only 36 essential chords you need to know to write songs on guitar.

🔗The major, minor, and diminished chords form patterns and relationships in every key.

🔄The 1-4-5 progression is a common and versatile chord progression for songwriting.

🌈Organizing chords in a circle of fifths arrangement helps you visualize their relationships.

🎵By understanding these chords, you can write chord progressions for a variety of genres and styles.

Q&A

How many chords do I really need to know to write songs on guitar?

You only need to know 36 essential chords to write great songs on guitar.

What are the patterns and relationships between major, minor, and diminished chords?

Major, minor, and diminished chords in each key follow consistent patterns and relationships.

What is the 1-4-5 progression?

The 1-4-5 progression refers to the use of the 1st, 4th, and 5th chords in a key, which creates a common and versatile chord progression.

How does organizing chords in a circle of fifths arrangement help?

The circle of fifths arrangement allows you to visualize the relationships between chords and easily transpose them to different keys.

Can I write songs in different genres and styles using these chords?

Absolutely! Understanding these chords allows you to write chord progressions for a wide range of genres and styles.

Timestamped Summary

00:00In this video, learn the key chords you need to know on guitar to write great songs.

02:30Discover the patterns and relationships between major, minor, and diminished chords in every key.

05:45The 1-4-5 progression is a common and versatile chord progression for songwriting.

08:20Organizing chords in a circle of fifths arrangement helps you visualize their relationships.

10:55By understanding these chords, you can write chord progressions for a variety of genres and styles.