11. The 7 Diatonic Chords - A String

The A String

• This is the A string of a guitar with all the notes labeled.

The C Major Scale

• This is the C major scale on a piano with all seven notes labeled.

The C Major Scale on the A String

• This is the C major scale on the A string of a guitar.

Major Chords

• Highlight notes 1, 4 and 5 in red because these are the notes that correspond with the root notes of the major chords.

• This is the A string major chord shape.

C Major Chord

Find the root note C on the A string, then use the A string major chord shape to play the C major chord.

F Major Chord

Find the root note F on the A string, then use the A string major chord shape to play the F major chord.

G Major Chord

Find the root note G on the A string, then use the A string major chord shape to play the G major chord.

Minor Chords

• Highlight notes 2, 3 and 6 in blue because these are the notes that correspond with the root notes of the minor chords.

• This is the A string minor chord shape.

D Minor Chord

• Find the root note D on the A string, then use the A string minor chord shape to play the D minor chord.

E Minor Chord

• Find the root note E on the A string, then use the A string minor chord shape to play the E minor chord.

A Minor Chord

• Find the root note A on the A string, then use the A string minor chord shape to play the A minor chord.

• On a guitar fretboard the same notes repeat an octave higher when you go 12 frets to the right.
• Play the A minor chord an octave higher.

Diminished Chord

• Highlight the note 7 because this note corresponds with the root note of the diminished chord.

• This is the A string diminished chord shape.

B Diminished Chord

• Find the root note B on the A string, then use the A string diminished chord shape to play the B diminished chord.

Play Diatonic Chords and Chord Tone Soloing in C Major

• Play the 7 Diatonic Chords (Root on A String):
  • C major (I, 3rd fret: C-E-G), Dm (ii, 5th fret: D-F-A), Em (iii, 7th fret: E-G-B), F major (IV, 8th fret: F-A-C), G major (V, 10th fret: G-B-D), Am (vi, 12th fret: A-C-E), Bdim (vii°, 2nd fret: B-D-F).
  • Practice: Strum each chord 4x (down-down-up-down), cycle through all 7 chords, 5x daily, clean tone.
• Play Chord Progressions:
  • Practice: Play each progression 5x at 80 BPM (down-down-up strumming) using provided backing tracks.
• I-vi-IV-V (C-Am-F-G): C major (3rd fret), Am (12th fret), F major (8th fret), G major (10th fret).

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• ii-V-I (Dm-G-C): Dm (5th fret), G major (10th fret), C major (3rd fret).

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• I-iii-vii°-V: C major (3rd fret), Em (7th fret), Bdim (2nd fret), G major (10th fret).

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• Solo with Chord Tone Targeting Over I-vi-IV-V:
  • Practice: Over C-Am-F-G progression, hold each chord and play its individual notes (chord tones: e.g., C-E-G for C major). Create a 4-bar solo emphasizing these tones over the backing track.

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Use the 7 Diatonic Chords on the A String to Create

• Use the 7 diatonic chords on the A string to create a four-chord progression. For example, you can modify the 1-6-4-5 progression by swapping out a chord to build a new progression.

Summary

• This chapter introduces the A string of the guitar and the C major scale notes on it.
• It teaches how to play major, minor, and diminished chords using specific A string chord shapes.
• Major chords correspond to notes 1, 4, and 5 (C, F, G) in the C major scale.
• Minor chords correspond to notes 2, 3, and 6 (D, E, A).
• The diminished chord corresponds to note 7 (B).
• By memorizing these three A string shapes, all seven diatonic chords in the key of C can be played from a root on the A string.
• In Chapter 30, I'll show you how to play these seven diatonic chords in all 12 keys.
  • 3 Chord Shapes → 7 Diatonic Chords × 12 Keys = 84 Chords

Goal Achieved

You have successfully learned to identify, form, and play all seven diatonic chords in the key of C major using three fundamental A string chord shapes.

From Musician to Rockstar: Your Next Creative Breakthrough Awaits.

Congratulations! You've just built the essential foundation of a rock guitarist, mastering the core chords and theory that most players never learn.

But this is where it gets really exciting.

But this is where it gets really exciting. The next module isn't about learning more rules—it's about learning the proven songwriting framework used by rock legends to craft their own hits.

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In the Next FREE Module, You Will:

• Unlock hidden creative possibilities: Learn to play any major, minor, and diminished chords on the D, G, and B String.
• Demystify the Fretboard: Finally understand the legendary CAGED system and navigate the entire fretboard with complete creative freedom.
• The Breakthrough Moment: Write your first unforgettable song. Go from playing other people's music to crafting a complete, emotionally-driven song that is uniquely yours.