Even though there are only five types of chords that can be played on a guitar, 4017 combinations of notes could classify as chords, which is more than enough learning material for a lifetime or two.
Many guitar players are struggling to learn even the basic ones; after all, the simplest guitar chords are comprised of similar finger positions and to untrained ears, they may even sound pretty much alike.
Mike Grande, a lifelong guitarist and a guitar coach with more than 30 years of experience has built, designed, and ultimately presented his solution to this problem to guitar players worldwide, and thus Card Chords came to be.
These simple insertable perforated tabs are helping greenhorn guitarists learn as they play and play as they learn; straightforward by design, anyone can use them, and in this article, we’ll help you understand how Card Chords are making all the basic guitar chords easier to memorize.
What are Card Chords?
Card Chords are card-shaped tablatures with three perforations that can be used to affix the card to the fingerboard. By sliding a Card Chord under the strings and placing it over the first three frets, the Card Chord is locked in place, showing the guitarist where to place their fingers to perform the desired chord.
The background color of all Card Chords is black while the tabbed positions are enumerated blue circles. Each number corresponds to the finger that is supposed to fret it (e.g. number one indicates the position where the index finger should be).
Each Card Chords tab also features the name of the chord being displayed at the top for clear visibility.
As Simple as Connecting the Dots
The difference between various guitar chords can be so minor that accidentally moving any finger a single semitone away can result in a different chord. This is one of the main reasons why beginner guitarists don’t struggle as much with playing the chord as much as they do remembering how they did it.
With the finger positions clearly marked and enumerated, it’s easier than ever to just “connect the dots” by placing your fingers atop the markers. Simply strum your guitar, and you’ll be able to play the desired chord.
This means that even people who’ve never played an instrument before now have an opportunity to jump into guitar basics with Card Chords. Whether you’re into acoustic or electric guitars, we have a deck of Chard Cords for everyone.
A Constant Reminder While You’re Playing
Unless you’re paying a private instructor or are attending a music school, you’re probably using internet resources to learn how guitar chords are played.
While this is a much better alternative to sifting through magazines and books, you’re wasting time that you could’ve used for playing your guitar by looking at your PC/laptop instead of your guitar’s neck.
Card Chords are designed in a way that both the chord’s name and the finger markers will constantly be on your guitar’s fretboard. Simply insert the card and you’ll be able to practically forget that it’s there.
Even if you’re not looking directly at the nameplate of the Card Chords tab, it will remain in your peripheral sight, reminding you of the chord you are currently mastering. Whether you’ll sit down in your bedroom and practice, blast music on your speakers and try to play along, or if you’re jamming with a friend, take your deck of Card Chords and learn while you play.
An Ideal Tool for Self-Taught Guitarists
Nearly all self-taught musicians create their own unique learning systems. Some people have a photographic memory, others are good with words and numbers; all self-taught guitarists use various forms of auto-suggestive techniques to define and remember what they’ve learned. But what happens if you confuse one chord with another?
Card Chords eliminate guesswork and can easily fit into any learning system. Regardless of how you want to approach memorizing your chords, these tabs will ensure that you get them right.
Learn Proper Finger Positions
There are many ways to play a single chord. Some guitarists, especially people with longer fingers, have the ability to press multiple notes with a single finger. Many beginners, however, struggle to learn and remember where each finger goes, especially if the resources they’re learning from do not contain such information.
Card Chords are there to help you learn the exact positions of each finger. Obviously, you’ll be free to experiment and try to find easier, more comfortable methods of performing a chord on your guitar, but you’ll be able to handle the basics.
From there, you’ll have a solid foundation and understanding of even more complex chords. The most important advantage of Card Chords is that you’ll get to remember the correct way, which you can always use if other methods fail.
Your Fingers Will Remember if Your Brain Forgets
While guitar techniques can be described as “mathematical” in many respects, learning the essential elements isn’t supposed to give you a headache. In fact, many players fall out of love with guitar playing because of how complex even the basic concepts are without proper guidance.
Card Chords are designed to help you start playing chords as soon as possible – the thinking part can come later. With the finger markers and chord nameplates right before you, all you have to do is try pulling it off.
Even if you don’t succeed, it will become easier each time because your fingers will remember – this is called muscle memory, and it develops by doing the same task over and over. After a while, rocking out the chords you’ve been learning will become second nature.
Get Your Card Chords and Start Learning Today
Unlike music schools and online lessons, you don’t need to wait in line before a slot becomes empty for you to jump in. You don’t need to wait for the class to begin, since you’ll be your own teacher with Card Chords. We offer a deck of Card Chords for every type of guitar, so make sure to check out our catalog when you want to start your journey.
