Guitar Learner’s

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

Chords in the Key of C

Quickstart:
I= C
Just the Major
II = Dm
Chords III = Em
C, F, G Tip:
IV = F
Most likely minor:
V= G
VI = Am Am

x C x x Dm Em x x F G x x Am

EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE

I II III IV V VI
Major minor minor Major Major relative
minor
©2010Lisa McCormick
 Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet
Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Chords in the Key of G

Quickstart: I= G
Just the Major II = Am
Chords III = Bm
G, C, D Tip:
IV = C
Most likely minor:
V= D
VI = Em Em

G x x Am x x Bm x C x x D Em

EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE

I II III IV V VI
Major minor minor Major Major relative
minor
©2010Lisa McCormick
 Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet
Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Chords in the Key of D

Quickstart:
I= D
Just the Major
II = Em
Chords III = F#m
D, G, A Tip:
IV = G
Most likely minor:
V= A
VI = Bm Bm

x x D Em F#m
x x G x x A x x Bm

EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE

I II III IV V VI
Major minor minor Major Major relative
minor
©2010Lisa McCormick
 Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet
Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Chords in the Key of A

Quickstart:
I= A
Just the Major
II = Bm
Chords III = C#m
A, D, E Tip:
IV = D
Most likely minor:
V= E
VI = F # m F#m

x x A x x Bm C#m x x D E F#m
x x
is a
Barre
Chord
or Beyond
1st Position
EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE

I II III IV V VI
Major minor minor Major Major relative
minor
©2010Lisa McCormick
 Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet
Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar x B7
TIP:
Chords in the Key of E Try B7
Quickstart: in place of B
I= E
Just the Major
II = F # m
Chords III = G#m
E, A, B IV = A Tip:
V= B Most likely minor:
VI = C# m C#m

E F#m
x x G
x x x #m x x A x x B C#m is a
Barre
Chord
or Beyond
1st Position
EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE

I II III IV V VI
Major minor minor Major Major relative
minor
©2010Lisa McCormick
 Guitar Learner’s Magic Bullet
Chord Theory Magic, Just for Guitar

Tip: try the

Write your own chord progressions
I, IV, V, & VI example: key of G
for starters.
Can you play this on your guitar?
Place the I in
the first measure. : G Em C D : Can you transpose it to another key?
Mix up the order
of the other chords.
Experiment with
different rhythms : : this symbol means repeat what you just played
and techniques.

: :
Now,
try adding in the
: : II and/or the III.
Shuffle the order
until you’re happy
: : with your
masterpiece.

©2010Lisa McCormick Can you add some lyrics?