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Lesson 2 of 3

Moving shapes

The power chord shape works anywhere on the neck: the fret under your index finger names the chord. This lesson is about moving it quickly and accurately.

The first two exercises are in A minor: A5, C5, D5 and G5. With the root on the low E string, A5 is at fret 5, C5 at 8, D5 at 10, G5 at 3. Move the same shape across to the A string and the names shift: D5 at fret 5, C5 at fret 3.

Shift with the whole hand, keeping the shape locked. Loosen your grip during the move so you glide rather than drag, then press again when you arrive. Look at the target fret just before you move.

The last exercise is an E minor riff that mixes chords with palm-muted open E notes, the classic rock rhythm sound. Keep your picking hand moving down on every eighth note.

The most common mistake is landing late on the new chord. Practice each shift slowly with a pause, then remove the pause.

Exercises

Up and down the low E

60 → 110 bpm
  1. Bar 1
    1. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    2. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    3. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    4. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    5. low E string, fret 8 + A string, fret 10
    6. low E string, fret 8 + A string, fret 10
    7. low E string, fret 10 + A string, fret 12
    8. low E string, fret 10 + A string, fret 12
  2. Bar 2
    1. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    2. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    3. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    4. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    5. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5
    6. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5
    7. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5
    8. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5

Clean 3 times in a row? Raise the tempo by 5 bpm.

Root on E and A

60 → 110 bpm
  1. Bar 1
    1. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    2. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    3. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    4. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    5. A string, fret 5 + D string, fret 7
    6. A string, fret 5 + D string, fret 7
    7. A string, fret 5 + D string, fret 7
    8. A string, fret 5 + D string, fret 7
  2. Bar 2
    1. A string, fret 3 + D string, fret 5
    2. A string, fret 3 + D string, fret 5
    3. A string, fret 3 + D string, fret 5
    4. A string, fret 3 + D string, fret 5
    5. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5
    6. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5
    7. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5
    8. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5

Clean 3 times in a row? Raise the tempo by 5 bpm.

Chugs and chords in E minor

70 → 130 bpm
  1. Bar 1
    1. low E string, open + A string, fret 2
    2. low E string, open + A string, fret 2
    3. low E string, open
    4. low E string, open
    5. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5
    6. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5
    7. low E string, open
    8. low E string, open
  2. Bar 2
    1. low E string, open + A string, fret 2
    2. low E string, open + A string, fret 2
    3. low E string, open
    4. low E string, open
    5. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    6. low E string, fret 5 + A string, fret 7
    7. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5
    8. low E string, fret 3 + A string, fret 5

Clean 3 times in a row? Raise the tempo by 5 bpm.

Checkpoint

Move on when you can do all of these.

  • Shifts land on the right fret without looking at 110 bpm
  • The E minor riff tight and even at 130 bpm
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