Rhythm guitar uses bass walks, shuffle strums, and other riffs. Chords are the main rhythm tools, especially 7th chords. In the key of A where the chords are A, D, and E, end up getting interspersed with A7, D7, and E7.
Similar to the bass walks in closed position that can be moved up or down for different keys, so can closed position chords. Any chord that does not have open strings in it can be used up and down the fretboard.
Two of the most used forms are the E chord and E7 chord forms used as a bar chord. The other is the C7 chord form. As these are moved up and down the fretboard they become other chord names.
The E and E7 chord forms are here in tab so you can see how they are played. The E7 chord can also be played with a D note on the 2nd string 3rd fret with the baby finger. It is harder to play but is also a variation of the E7 chord that can be used in all positions up the neck. The index finger on the left hand is used to bar the E and E7 chords from the F chord on up.
The C7 chord is not barred but simply moved up the fretboard. Again the tab shows what chord name it is moving up the fretboard. The first string is open on the C7 chord shape. In some chord positions it sounds good to play it open. In some it doesn't, experiment. The same holds true with the 6th string.
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The Most Often Used Chord Shapes |
E and E7 Bar Chord Forms
(Moved up the neck)
C7 Chord Form
(Moved up the neck)
