Root Notes
It's difficult to explain root notes. Therefore, let's look at an example. Where is the
F root note? First we need memorize the notes on the Low E and A string:
LE1 = F
LE1 = F #
LE2 = G
LE3 = A b
LE4 = A
LE5 = B b
LE6 = B
A1 = F
A2 = F #
A3 = G
A4 = A b
A5 = A
A6 = B b
A7 = B
O.K. easy enough. Now we know the F root note is on the LE string.
How to Read the Notation
7 moveable shapes
part one
Now let's make an F chord. Here is the F chord:
1 3 3 2 1 1
LE1 is the root note and has been bolded and underlined.
Now let's find the B b root note and make an B b chord.
We know that the B b root note is A1. Here is the B b chord:
x 1 3 3 3 1
A1 is the root note and has been bolded and underlined.
part two
Let's say we want to make a G chord. But we only know the F chord
1 3 3 2 1 1
What do we do? We know that LE1 is the F root note. In addition, we know that LE3 is the
G root note. Therefore, we move the F chord shape to the 3rd fret.
1 3 3 2 1 1
becomes
3 5 5 4 3 3
Each note is moved down two frets like the root note (LE1).
Another Ex: Let's say we want to make a C chord. But we only know the B b chord
x 1 3 3 3 1
What do we do? We know that A1 is the B b root note. In addition, we know that A3 is the
C root note. Therefore, we move the B b chord shape to the 3rd fret.
x 1 3 3 3 1
becomes
x 3 5 5 5 3
Each note is moved down two frets like the root note (A1).
Let's say we want to make a G m chord. But we only know the F m chord
1 3 3 1 1 1
What do we do? We know that LE1 is the F root note. In addition, we know that LE3 is the
G root note. Therefore, we move the F chord shape to the 3rd fret.
1 3 3 1 1 1
becomes
3 5 5 3 3 3
Each note is moved down two frets like the root note (LE1).
Another Ex: Let's say we want to make a C m chord. But we only know the B b m chord
x 1 3 3 2 1
What do we do? We know that A1 is the B b root note. In addition, we know that A3 is the
C root note. Therefore, we move the B b m chord shape to the 3rd fret.
x 1 3 3 2 1
becomes
x 3 5 5 4 3
Each note is moved down two frets like the root note (A1).
part three
Let's memorize the following shapes:
The root notes have been bolded and underlined.
Movable Chord Chart