Lesson #2 : Chords : Bad Moon Rising

The easiest way to learn chords is to do it through learning how to play songs. So strap up(!!) and get ready to learn a fun classic that I hope you've heard before (if you haven't this is an essential that EVERYONE should hear at sometime so check it ouuutt). Each chord fits into each other awesomely so you should be able to pick this song up within a day (or several days for you one handers). And if you don’t you get your money back! Not. These are free lessons remember, so stop complaining start playing the damn thing.

What it comes down to is muscle memory. It might not sound great the first time you play each chord, but just fight through that first sesh, put down the guitar, pick it up in like an hour (or several hours for you one handers) and I guarantee you’ll be banging them out.

We are introducing you to three chords today, the D chord, the A chord, and the G chord. Each chord has a unique “shape” and we have three easy ways of remembering them. First up, the D chord (applause).

D Chord

e --2-------------------|

B--3-------------------|

G--2-------------------|

D--0-------------------|

A-----------------------|

E-----------------------|

When you see multiple numbers on top of each other in a tab that means you strum them all at the same time, something we at the Albatross Method call a chord. This is different from the “Smoke On The Water tab” where all the numbers were spread apart. The easy way to remember this chord is to think about it as "The TRIANGLE Chord." In order to make the correct shape for this chord you put your middle finger on the high e string - second fret, your ring finger on the B string - third fret, and your index finger on the G string - second fret.

With this chord, when you strum it, you only strum the bottom four strings. It may seem hard, but if you just aim for the bottom three strings, you will most likely end up hitting the correct four strings.

A way to check if you are playing the chord correctly is to strum each string individually. If any of the strings sounds like it’s rattling, that usually means you have to push harder on that particular string. If it sounds muted, that usually means one of your other fingers is resting on that string when it shouldn’t be. So move it.

The next chord you need to learn to play this song is what is commonly referred to as the A Chord. (more applause)

A Chord

e ---0--------------------|

B---2--------------------|

G---2--------------------|

D---2--------------------|

A---0--------------------|

E-------------------------|

There are two ways to play the A chord. The traditional method to teaching this chord, and might I say the harder way, is by placing your ring middle and index fingers on the B, G, and D strings respectively (middle picture above). If you have small hands, this is the method you are going to need to use to play this chord. But, if you have medium to big hands, or are in denial of how small your hands really are, here’s and easy way to play this chord; All you have to do is place the top part of your index finger over the three strings. You can even mute the e string with the middle of your finger if it sounds out of tune. It’s as easy as that!

Finally, the G chord (word.)

G Chord

e -----3---------------------|

B-----3---------------------|

G-----0---------------------|

D-----0---------------------|

A-----2---------------------|

E-----3---------------------|

The easy way to remember the shape of this chord is to think of it as the “F YOU!!!” chord (lets keep it pg-13 huh?). Basically, your fingers are taking the shape of you flipping someone the bird. To create the shape of the chord, place your middle finger on the third fret of the low E string. Then, put your index finger behind it on a string lower and a fret back. Finally, tuck your ring and pinky fingers to place them on the third frets of the B and high e strings.

Once you have a concept of each chords shape you are ready to play (and hopefully sing) “Bad Moon Rising” by Credence Clearwater Revival (CCR). The chord progression for the verses goes D,A,G and for the chorus it goes G, D, A.

When you first approach the song, just strum down on each chord once and sing along. This way you’ll get a hang of timing, you can always ad in more strumming when you get more comfortable with the chord progressions.

Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Good luck and play till you cant play anymore! Then rest up and play some more! Here are some other songs that use the G, A, and D chords:

A Good Time - John Prine

A Bad Day - Waylon Jennings

A Little Guy Called Joe - Stonewall jackson

Avant Garden - Aerosmith

Born On A Train - Arcade Fire

One Week - Barenaked Ladies

Penny On The Train Track - Ben Kweller

Animal Farm - The Kinks (+E chord if you cant wait till next lesson)

Those are just a few extra songs incase you get bored of Bad Moon Rising. If you don't like those songs either you can always find something for yourself to try and work out.